We have just added a new phone number that will give us far more options than the original.

You will now be able to either call us or text message, which will be much better than emails. We will now have caller ID so if we lose a call we’ll be able to call you back unless your ID is blocked.

Separate voice mails will be enhanced to allow us more flexibility

By the way the old number still works but as before it gets forwarded around to whoever is taking calls. 801-810-9453

Thank You, Perry Peacock

Dyneema is a very popular word these days, while HMPE and UHMWPE are hardly known. Something to remember is that Dyneema is a trade name in the same way as Xerox was to making a copy of a page. Dyneema is a brand name for a chemical fiber. Chemical names for the same thing are UHMWPE, HMPE, UHMW.

Our “Dyneema” cordage is made by Samson Ropes and their name for it is Amsteel, they add a coating to it that they call Samthane that helps to improve it’s working characteristics. Our daisy chain webbing is from two different companies, the blue/black and the green/black with two weave bars are from one company and the dark olive with three weave bars is from another. They are both the same chemically HMPE or UHMWPE. Same strength characteristics. They both are rated at 1500 pounds at each loop, though the dark olive version is 30% thicker and would seem to have a greater strength.

We will be transitioning away from using the term Dyneema except for actual products from DSM. This post will help you understand what we are talking about with terms that may be unfamiliar to you.

Below is some info from a rope supplier about Dyneema vs UHMWPE.

What does UHMWPE stand for?

UHMWPE stands for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. You may also hear it referred to as HMPE, or by brand names such as Spectra, Dyneema or Stealth Fibre.

UHMWPE is used in high-performance lines across a variety of industries, including marine, commercial fishing, mountaineering, and aquaculture. It has many qualities that make it an excellent choice for wet environments; it is light enough to float, is hydrophobic (repels water) and stays tough at low temperatures. You will also find it used in yachting, particularly with sails and rigging, as its low stretchability lets the sails maintain an optimal shape while still being exceptionally resistant to abrasion.

With its high strength to weight ratio, smooth handling and low stretch properties, it is the rope of choice for ship assist lines, offshore rigs and tankers. It is especially popular for manoeuvring vessels in distress situations.

Our UHMWPE rope exceeds ISO 10325 standards, is competitively priced and comes with free delivery in the UK, so contact us today with your needs.

What are the technical specifications of UHMWPE?

UHMWPE is a polyolefin fibre, consisting of extremely long chains of overlapping polyethylene, aligned in the same direction, which makes it one of the strongest rope options available.

Thanks to its molecular structure, UHMWPE is resistant to most chemicals, including detergents, mineral acids and oils. It can, however, be corroded by strong oxidising agents.

The HMPE fibres have a density of only 0.97 g cm−3 and have a coefficient of friction that is lower than nylon and acetal. Its coefficient is similar to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon or PTFE), but it has much better abrasion resistance.

The fibres that makeup Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene have a melting point of between 144°C and 152°C, which is lower than many other polymer fibres, but they have no brittle point when tested at an extremely low temperature (-150°C). Most ropes will not be able to maintain their performance in temperatures below -50°C. UHMWPE rope is therefore recommended for use between -150 and +70 °C, as it will not lose any of the high molecular weight properties in this range.

UHMWPE is actually classed as a speciality engineering plastic, used for many other functions beyond rope manufacturing. In fact, medical-grade UHMWPE has been used in joint implants for many years, particularly in knee and hip replacements. This is due to its low friction, toughness, high impact strength, resistance to corrosive chemicals and excellent biocompatibility.

You may be surprised to know that UHMW plastic is also a popular choice for body armour by the military and police, again due to its high resistance and low weight.

In addition to its impressive strength qualities, UHMWPE is tasteless, non-toxic and odourless, which is why this plastic can often be used in food production plants and manufacturing. It is safe for both end-users and production workers.

For more information see https://www.accessropes.com/product-category/uhmwpe-rope/

Choosing a Poncho Size – common question

What do all the letters in the size chooser dropdown mean?

PSS is the standard size

PSSLB the L means Long, the B means Back =12″ longer in back

PSSLE the L means Long, the E is for Equal length front and back

PSSxL means the poncho is extra long

PSSxxL is for our super long ponchos

What are the sizes of each? (from shoulder to bottom)

PSS is 42″ front 42″ back

PSSLB is 42″ front 54″ back

PSSLE is 48″ front and back

PSSxL is 54″ front and back

PSSxxL is 60″ front and back

What size person matches each Poncho size?

PSS is recommended for persons 4’6″ to 5’9″

PSSLB and PSSLE for persons 5’7″ to 6’4″

PSSxL recommended for persons 6’2″ to 6’5″

PSSxxL is for those persons 6’4″ and over

Tips:

  • Notice there is an overlap persons in this range may choose either size
  • If unsure use the length chart above and measure from your shoulder to see where the bottom of the poncho will come to on you.
  • remember the outside edges will hang a little lower because they are off your shoulder, allow a couple inches.
  • too long a poncho for you may result in you stepping on the front when going uphill or over objects.
  • you can get away with a longer poncho than recommended if your use will be on roads or well made trails, if you do a lot of “bushwacking” stay in the recommended ranges.

A word about width

Most all the ponchos are a little less than 60″ wide when finished, most fabrics come from the mill in 60″ widths. There is some variation, most silpoly fabrics are 58″ from factory, nylon fabrics are usually 60″ to 62″ wide. Our xWide come at 66″ as do the Super UL. A finished poncho usually runs 3″ – 4″ narrower than the factory width. We always give you as much as we can, we don’t trim wider fabric down.

What about Poncho Sleeve Extensions – PSE’s?

PSE is intended to give a person more arm coverage by forming a sort of sleeve by snapping the cuff, beyond to normal edge of the poncho. PSE’s are not generally recommended on xWide or Super UL fabrics, since they are already wide.

PSE gives 6″ sleeve on each side for a total of 12″ more width

PSExWide gives 12″ sleeve on each side for a total of 24″ more width – this only recommended for persons with very long arms, few people would need something of this size.

For more info you can use the chat box on the website or call us at 801-810-9453

I can tell by comments on my YouTube videos and by phone calls and emails that there seems to be a growing problem for people in coping with fear while outdoors. I find more and more folks saying how concerned they are about bugs or other crawlies, and especially they are scared of the predators.

Bugs and animals are not the only thing people are scared of, there is a fear of injury, sickness, or being lost or stranded. Recently I made a video about using a hatchet, apparently it was nail biting watching me demonstrate how I use a hatchet. I was quite amazed at the response.

So here I am most always camping solo, and how am I not scared to death? Think about it, I don’t like camping around people that much, so not only am I solo, I am remote solo much of the time. If something happened to me how could I be rescued?

I don’t really think about it much, if I did I could work myself into a frenzy, and that would ruin my camping experience. This is not to say that I never worry, well maybe worry is the wrong word, I am usually always exercising a degree of caution. I know things can happen, accidents of my own making, dangers or injuries that may be totally out of my control.

I have camped in areas of very recent, even current bear activity, camped at the base of cliffs in a storm which caused boulders to tumble down, I have camped in the Southeast US in terrible thunderstorms, I’ve tried my best to sleep in forests during storms with high winds causing a cracking and thundering noise as large trees tumble to the ground.

So How Do I Deal With It?

First of all I’m not trying to say here that none of the above situations caused me any concern. I do think about what is going on around me and of course in my head I think of the possibilities. The key is not to dwell on things. I try to be cautious where I go and where I camp, I use common sense strategies to avoid attracting danger. In the end, when I have done all that I can reasonably do, I have to let myself live with it. I don’t think I have ever lost a night of sleep over these fears. I deal with them in my mind then I relax and go to sleep.

There are always uncontrollable things in this world and I have to think that most likely I’ll be OK. Something else to consider is this, being in a city, in civilization, presents certain dangers, perhaps many more dangers than one would encounter out in the wilds.  To many people the wilderness is foreign to them, they visit occasionally but not enough to be at ease, whereas the city is their home they are used the dangers posed by living there, and they “write them off” in their minds so that they hardly notice. I often tell people that driving your vehicle to your camping spot may be more dangerous than camping is.

I think that the trick is not to let your mind run away with you, it can imagine so many things that you might be tempted to pack up and go home. Acknowledge threats, verify you have done what you can, then move on. I always make it a priority to get a good nights sleep, that is paramount to me. I  do what I have to do to be comfortable enough to fall asleep.

One time for example there were bears milling around in the woods that surrounded my camp, and on that occasion I could not relieve mind enough to go to sleep. In the end I laid down by the fire, I piled up enough wood to maintain a small fire all night and I went to sleep, I had a great sleep.

I have a personal VLOG where I talk at length about this very subject, check it out below.

Thanks and the best to all of you,

Perry Peacock

We are often asked questions about our “PSB” or Personal Survival Blanket series. Here are 5 commonly asked questions about our Personal Survival Blanket.

Do we ship to Australia?1-975_4260-001

Yes we do ship to Australia, and most other countries in the world. We have found success in using USPS Priority Mail International, it saves our customers on shipping costs, and has been very reliable. All blankets are custom made to the size and cover fabric of your choice, production time generally runs about two weeks.
What size Personal Survival Blanket would you recommend I get? 
We currently offer three sizes, and what size you order is really according to your preference, however there are some suggestions I can give to steer you in the right direction. Originally (2010) I was trying to make the smallest blanket that would work for me (5′ 10″) and started off with a 6′ x 6′, which worked quite well, and I still use it regularly in weather that is not too cold. I did find that as the temperatures cooled below the 30’s that the blanket was too small for me to comfortably get all the way into, resulting in cold areas. When we made the Personal Survival Blankets available for sale, we made the smallest or standard size 6′ x 7′, allowing a person in my size range able to get “all in,” enabling comfort at colder temperatures. The blankets and the cover fabric are very breathable, easily passing body moisture to the outside and making “all in” sleeping possible, resulting very much increased comfort in cold weather. The next size up is 6′ x 8′ for taller persons still desiring “all in” sleeping. The third size and the most popular is 7′ x 8′ for persons larger in girth, or to accommodate an additional blanket or two for below zero sleeping. A note on sizing is warranted here, our sizing is generalized for convenience in labeling and conversation, the actual finished size will generally run about 2″ smaller in each direction. We try to optimize standard materials sizing in our manufacture for less waste and efficiency.
What is the temperature range of the Personal Survival Blanket if I use it clothed?
The temperature range of the blanket can vary some depending on your conditioning to cold, i.e. we tolerate more cold by spring than we do in the fall when we have not yet acclimated to the cold. If a person is going to bed clothed it is best that the clothing be relatively dry and I recommend it be synthetic like polyester or poly/cotton i.e. 60/40 or better. With poly clothing I have gone to bed quite damp and been dry by morning. If wearing cotton I advise taking off clothing as it will be warmer without it. Make sure clothing worn is not too constricting either, as blood flow can be impaired, additionally comfort is often reduced. The environmental conditions, like wind, can make a difference, and the surface you are laying on, whether it is warm or cold. I find for myself typically I can be comfortable in the 40’s (4 C) for sure, in the 30’s (1 C) most of the time and 20’s (-6 C) or lower with proper preparations. As an example I did sleep with that original survival blanket (6′ x 6′) in late January one year in a storm that dropped temperatures to -4 F (-20 C), my sleep was rather fitful and not comfortable. I slept 15 to 20 minutes at a time. The positive thing is, I did not go hypothermic, and though I was uncomfortable I did not get dangerously cold.1-979_4329-002
A person’s cold conditioning has more to do with temperature range than any other factor really. In the late fall a person is much more sensitive to cold than in late winter, in fact 30 degrees more tolerance is not unusual. Additionally, the amount of time a person spends outside in the elements has a great bearing on the comfort range as well, we acclimate to the cold better if we are exposed to it more.
Let me address two items mentioned above since we can control those. Wind. A good wind can penetrate the blanket since it is breathable, a small breeze is normally not a problem. Anything you can do to stop the wind is helpful. An example is to use a poncho or tarp as a wind block, it can just lay on top after securing down the side into the wind, ideally if you can it’s best to raise the poncho/tarp a little above your blanket on the open edge so the blanket can breathe well, thus getting rid of your body moisture. I have done snow camps where I laid the poncho right on the blanket, but I do retain a bit more moisture that way, not serious especially if the temperature is below freezing as the frost inside will stick to the poncho and you can just shake it off in the morning. Sheltering from the wind also helps to create a micro climate which results in being comfortable at a lower temperature. Ground Surface. Heat loss to the ground is the most common cause of a blanket, or sleeping bag for that matter, not being comfortable in cool weather. I find that by preparing the ground under me properly I am able to get the best temperature range out of a blanket. I can easily sleep in the 20’s (-6 C) if I’m insulated from cold ground and if windy, blocked from the wind. Ideally a person is looking to have some insulating material underneath such that when you are laying on it, it does not compress more than will allow a hand width of thickness, 4″ (10 cm). When out in the bush I like to use pine or juniper boughs, I lay them down to about 12″ thickness (30 cm). They are soft and comfortable and will warm by your body heat and will then do a great job of keeping you warm on the underside. Anything you have like this will help, grass, small leafy branches of trees or brush, etc.
Can the Personal Survival Blanket be used in a hammock?Under Quilt on PSSL Poncho
Use in a hammock – the PSB series is fine as a blanket in mild cold inside the hammock, it will still compress when laying on it in a hammock, so as it gets colder that method of use is less effective. My preference is to use the Personal Survival Blanket as a wrap around the hammock, essentially making a cocoon. This works well since there is no compression of it, being that it is on the outside, and it helps to create a micro climate inside. I like to clip one edge of the blanket to the front edge of a hammock with EZ Clip Midi’s, then wrap the blanket under, up the back, over the top, and finally draped down the front of the hammock. Secure the ends with the included shock cord loops. Check video playlist reference at the bottom for videos demonstrating this method.
When sleeping on the ground do I need to use a mattress or can I use it directly on the ground?
The Personal Survival Blanket can be used directly on the ground, which I do frequently, or you can use a Thermarest or a natural mattress of boughs, depending on your needs, conditions, and availability of materials. You can even use it on damp, not wet, ground without a ground cloth or tarp.

Additional Information –

Video help on the Personal Survival Blanket series 
For more help and ideas on the PSB series here’s a link to our blanket Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLupuI–ZGYQ6fuQv2AQ8zTyxanny1NrrF
Here’s a video on a winter snow camp with just the blanket (PSBL) on a bed of boughs, clothing on, and a poncho cover for blocking the wind. Temperatures in the low 20’s (-6 C) https://youtu.be/C12HcZmgO74
Dressed in HD Poncho w Fleece Liner

Dressed in HD Poncho w Fleece Liner

I think I’ll do a video on this blog to demonstrate some of the concepts, check back to this blog as I’ll place a link here for easy access to the video.
Until next time, this is Perry Peacock, “Simplifying Survival”
1-2016-04-30 18.29.45The more you know the less you need to take
                                                  -Mors Kochanski
In bushcraft, camping and general outdoor activity, gear is the big thing talked about, and purchased. It has become a multi-billion dollar business, we make our living from outdoor gear that we make and sell. There is quite a range these days from simple inexpensive equipment to items costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. When I was young and growing up, our outdoor life revolved around boating. My dad loved boats, he even built a large cabin cruiser one winter. We camped about every week from early spring late into fall. Our camps were nearly always at lakeside somewhere, all over the Western United States and into Canada.

In my younger days, things were different then, our camping was simple and austere by today’s standards. Even the animals seemed to behave differently. When I was four  years old I was camping with my grandparents in Yellowstone Park, in the cabins there. One morning my grandmother called to me, there was a little bear cub wandering through camp, I went up and petted it, as did many others, soon its mother moved it along and out into the woods where it came from. Today that is unheard of, something like that seems like it would result in certain death. But then no one thought anything of it. We were just enjoying nature at its finest.

Later in my life when I was about 11 years old my dad bought me a pup tent. I was made out of green canvas shaped as an “A” frame, two poles held it up, a door in the front could be held open or shut with some ties sewn into it. The back end of the shelter it was not squared off, but extended back to a point, giving extra space. That old pup tent saw a lot of use, it and me were nearly inseparable. There were camp outs in the back yard, beside the big shade tree. I remember learning the hard way about those old canvas tents. One night a rain came up and we noticed we were getting wet anywhere we touched the canvas. If we didn’t touch it we didn’t get wet. The canvas did not drip, but was damp on the inside. We never thought anything of it after that, we knew what to do in the rain.

1-Pup Tent Two Person

One night a friend and I were camping out in the tent and we laid inside talking about kid stuff. We could see the light of the moon through the tent, it being nearly full, was very bright. We crawled out of the tent to lay on the grass and stare at the moon. We saw that the moon was bright enough to cast a shadow. Getting a stick about 18″ long we drove it into the ground. We saw how the shadow was moving, so we pushed in smaller stakes as the shadow moved. As the night passed we found that we could visualize the path of the moon, we could use that to determine East and West. We even tried to figure out how fast the moon was traveling, but we were way off in that, but hey we tried, we had fun, and we loved our time camping. That Pup Tent was our version of a “Man Cave” in those days. We used to bring in our flashlights and our Boy Scout books and learn and plan things.
A couple of years later our family took a vacation to Yellowstone Park, dad wanted to put the new boat he built on Yellowstone Lake, and do some fishing too. All my family slept in the Camper at night, but not me, I did not want to miss a minute of the outdoors, I slept in my trusty Pup Tent. One morning around breakfast Dad started telling us about the bear in camp during the night. It was trying to get in our cooler where the fish were being kept cool till morning. I didn’t believe Dad, I thought he was joking around with us. I had not heard anything to awaken me while in my tent. Then Dad showed us the cooler, it was an old steel cased Coleman Ice Chest. We could all see how dented up and scratched it was. Dad had awakened in the camper with all the commotion outside, saw the bear, then got out some pots and pans and banged them to scare off the bear. That satisfied me with Dads story. One thing I never thought about till later in life, Dad just went back to bed, he didn’t bring me to the inside. No one thought anything about being hurt by a bear back in those days. Guess I was secure in my little canvas Pup Tent.

1-2016-05-13 20.08.01

You know I have now graduated from tents to tarps and have not used a tent in about 5 years. I still like the feel of the outdoors, I like to look up from my bed or out of my hammock at night and see the stars in the sky, the shadows cast by the moon. Sometimes the little white eyes of raccoons, trying to be marauders in camp. Sometimes I’ll see deer grazing their way through camp. In the morning before I get up, I can watch the birds flitting about, pecking at whatever they can get for food. After all these years my love affair with camping outside the hardshell of trailers and cabins, using just tarps and such, is still alive and well.
Gear can be a lot of things, for me I like to keep it simple, always have. If you have a few minutes check out our tarps, and our poncho shelters that convert into tarps or hammocks. Link to shelters. Until next time, this is Perry Peacock, for “Simplifying Survival”

Last week we took our Boy Scouts out for a summer camp in the desert, here in Utah. Of course the views were 7-2016-06-24 16.31.06spectacular, the campsite primitive, we had to bring everything needed. I brought along ponchos for everyone, not that we anticipated rain, but for their alternate use, hammocks. As we were getting settled I heard the boys complaining about the heat, the blazing sun, the lack of shade or water, or trees for that matter. They were saying we should pick up camp and head for the mountains where it was cool.

I decided I needed to say something, they were already negative and we just got there. I didn’t want to spend the rest of the week listening to this kind of talk. With the boys together, I assured them we were not leaving this location, this was our planned camp. I wanted to end any speculation that we might pick up camp and go to the mountains. My next focus was to address the comfort issues they had brought up. The boys needed to know that the adult leaders were not entertainment directors or camp construction managers.6-2016-06-23 14.55.35-2

My intention with the boys was to try to turn on their creative juices, telling them to think about what they didn’t like and why, then try to figure out how to make it better. I said, “Is it too hot, too sunny, too windy, think of how you can make the situation better.”

I further explained that the camps we go on are for enjoyment, but also for learning and to gain experience. “You cannot truly learn without actual experience,” I said. I talked of the miners and their families who used to live in the area, somehow they learned to manage with the harsh conditions. We’ve become soft, used to easy, cozy living. We can make of camp whatever we decide we want it to be.

Our camp was up next to a north facing cliff that had large holes eroded in its face. These holes became places of refuge during the intense heat and direct sun of the midday. There were trees, but they were sparse and small generally speaking, which meant we didn’t get much shade from them, we had to scatter out to get our hammocks hung. We soon had everything situated. We all napped for a couple hours in the holes in the rocks while we waited for things to cool down a bit.5-2016-06-23 14.47.51-2

My little lecture did not solve everything, but it helped to at least direct some attention to being positive and to look for solutions. It’s always easy to give up, to quit and to do something else. But I’ve learned some of my best lessons when challenged by adversity.

In all it was a great camp, we gained experience, explored, and had a fun time. We hiked a fun slot canyon, Little Wild Horse Canyon, we also explored in Goblin Valley one afternoon. Here is a link to a fun video of the camp YouTube

I think every camp should be a learning experience, and not just when with some Boy Scouts, but even when camping by oneself. Adults should help youth to learn the outdoor ways, provide experiences for them and guide them. It is good for them to figure some things out on their own, perhaps with a subtle occasional hint. Boys gain confidence and receive a feeling of achievement through these experiences. In successive encampments youth will learn to be more independent and importantly, they will learn how to help others.8-2016-06-25 13.28.35

Occasional tough camps are good for all, both youth and adult, they stretch us, they make us learn in a way that really can’t be duplicated in any other way.

Until next time, this is Perry Peacock, for “Simplifying Survival”

 

On a cold late January day Ben and I were on our way to a little adventure. We drove up a canyon kept open through the winter, only because it was the only connection between distant communities to the East and the city to the Northwest. Up and up the canyon we drove till we reached the ridge, at this point the road turned and following the ridge took us to nearly 10,000 feet, before beginning a long slow descent.Ben in Brown Fleece

Not much below the summit lay our destination. The road winding along the floor of the canyon. To our right as far as one could see was the summit ridge, partially obscured by the blowing snow as the wind carried it, creating huge cornices on our side of the mountains.

I pulled the truck off the road and into a small plowed area kept to enable ice fishermen access to the lake. It was late afternoon as we arrived. Looking out the windshield I could see the furious wind blowing in front of us, snow horizontal as it whipped by, at times impossible to see very far.

We pulled on our gear as we got out of the truck, it was nothing conventional for sure, but what would be the point in that, no adventure was ever conventional nor attempted by normal people. A person has to have a bit of the eccentric in him to do some of these types of things. We weren’t climbing any mountain, nor were we heading for the poles, we weren’t even exploring some vast unknown place. We were just piling out into the winter with our unconventional gear, just because.

Clothing

Ben and I were wearing our Wilderness Innovation PSS Ponchos as winter coat shells, there was no rain in these conditions. Under our ponchos we had a new item at the time, a Fleece Poncho Liner, thus we created a long winter coat out of these two items.2-IMG_1821

Having our winter coverings on, Ben pulled the sled out of the back of the truck and we began loading our supplies. Soon we were on our way, heading off across the gravel dam a half mile to the other side.

Travel across the dam was more difficult than anticipated. I had to lean well into the wind to keep my balance, the ski poles I had brought along were nearly useless as the force of the wind kept me from planting them where I intended. At times a sudden drop in the wind meant I nearly fell off the dam due to how much I was leaning. To make matters worse, conditions were not ideal for pulling a heavy sled. The constant wind meant there was little snow, so we were pulling the sled on rocks and gravel most of the way. Finally after what seemed like forever and having negotiated the spillway. which was another challenge in itself, we were on regular ground.

We headed toward the canyon ahead. After a bit of time we came upon a hill and looking down one side saw a small alcove that looked like it could serve as a sheltered area for our campsite. It was nearly dark now, so we really did need to decide on a spot to settle into, we couldn’t really see much anyway at this point. Ben selected a site for camp about halfway in the length of the alcove.

First order of business was making a fire and after gathering a few resources and getting the lay organized properly I got out my Doan Magnesium bar and got things going.  We had a simple dinner and some hot chocolate. Now a reality set in, we were going to need to get some wood for the fire, enough for the whole night. Our intention was to keep warm by the fire all night, which of course meant a good amount of wood was needed.

We soon discovered that there was not nearly as much dead wood in that area as we originally thought, this partly due to the settling darkness at the time we found the camp location. Ben and I worked well into the night getting firewood, and hauling it from farther and farther away. It became apparent that we were not going to get all we needed for the cold situation we were in at the rate we were going, and neither of us had any desire to spend the whole night hauling wood. We needed the fire however, as we had purposely not brought much along with us in the way of sleeping gear. It was then that I proposed that we burn half dry wood and half green wood as there was plenty of that near camp.

Fire Style

1-IMG_1790

Our fire was a parallel log fire about 8 feet long so that we could both get enough emitted heat to warm us. Behind the fire we built a log wall about three feet high, that most people would think was a reflector, but of course that does not really work, our purpose was to create and direct an airflow from the snow in front of the fire to the back of the fire and then up the wall, this effect made for a sheet of flame the length of the fire. The IR from the flames is what heats us. We did not need a big tall fire, just a few logs and that sheet of flame to keep warm.

With the fire in place we decided to build a platform above the snow to lay on, which we did with logs and boughs. Next we decided to notch some more logs and build up some sides and a back, funny, it looked like an over sized couch, realizing this we piled more boughs on like stuffed pillows, for a nice cozy factor.

Time for a little snoozing now, only the occasional adding of a couple logs was needed to keep the heat Perry in Black silnylon PSSLcoming all night long. A fun and memorable camp was had, and a pleasant memory to recall.

This was in the days before the cell phone cameras, and we didn’t worry much about taking pictures, we were just out to have a good time, and indeed we did.

Until next time this is Perry Peacock for, “Simplifying Survival”

Lazy Camp What Do You Do?1-2016-05-13 20.08.01

What’s a lazy camp anyway, aren’t all camps lazy? Well perhaps they used to be, today the hustle of life is so engrained in folks that they can’t settle into camp life. Dennis is wound up so tight from a demanding job that he sits in his chair fidgeting, looking around, and checking his phone for non-existent service. His phone is like an addiction apparently, it kills him not to know what’s going on. Dan and Barbara visiting from across the country are antsy, Barbara keeps looking at her watch, they have a busy itinerary for this trip, lots to see in the area each day, and they don’t want to waste a minute. Jeff’s kids want to play at the lake, but he had planned to drive down the canyon to a museum. Camp is a flurry of activity, no one is resting but me, and in a way, I’m kind of glad that everyone is leaving camp for the day, so I can have some peace, ha-ha.

I’m not saying camp is free from any form of work or activity, there is always wood to get for the campfire, meals to cook, dishes to wash, but that’s all enjoyable to me. I do try to make a healthy amount of nothin’ time, an example of this from a recent camp goes something like this.

I’m sitting here in my old grey camp chair, seems like I’ve had it forever. The edges are tattered, the arm does not stay secured anymore and every time I have to move it, the arm has to get reattached. There are a fair amount of pea sized burn holes in the seat, which I look at in a positive way, they let rainwater drain out. The fabric is so worn that is soft and cozy, like an old shoe, I like to be in it. My chair is my camp observation post, I find it easy to look around for hours.

A small chipmunk runs down the trunk of a large pine and across a fallen log, stopping every few feet and rearing up on his back legs takes a quick survey of the area, before scurrying on. A good number of little blue birds fly around camp, keeping an eye on things, their distinctive chirps fill my ears with pleasant sound. Turning my eyes towards the fire pit I discover a spider crawling in and out of the crevices in the rocks that make up the pit. I watch patiently for a while to see what he is up to.

Out of the corner of my eye I detect motion in the low brush that surrounds my camp, there, a few deer grazing on the new green grass, undeterred by my presence. I sit as motionless as possible and watch them for a while. They seem to have a rhythm to their activity, eating the grass, then popping their heads up they look around while chewing. Just fifteen feet away I stare at the eyes of one as if trying to peer into her mind so as to figure out what is going inside that head. Twenty minutes pass and they gradually graze away from my camp.

The chair is cozy, the temperature is perfect, a slight breeze blows, all this work observing has made me drowsy, I slide down in my chair till my head rests on the back and fall into a sleep. In about an hour I awake, groggy, I look around trying to get my bearings, a pretty good sleep for sitting in a camp chair! A few things stir in my mind and I recall I was going to work a bit on some camp improvements today. Staring across the fire pit I notice a young pine seedling not quite knee high, it’s location is not ideal for my camp, too close to the fire, too close to where I’m going to set up a bed. I marvel that this little seedling exists, all the old forest around has already given way, disease and insects have taken their toll. I discover a bit of inspiration from the little pine.

The little pine seedling grows quickly, summers are short up on the mountain. As I scan the forest around camp there are two things I could choose to see, the old fallen trees, and lament the great loss, or the new rising seedlings, like the one at camp, defying the odds, growing where the old trees have died. I can look at the fallen and say to myself, “look how tragic, all those majestic trees have died and crashed to the ground,” or I ca1-2015-10-27 09.32.13n say, “look how nature is refreshing itself, the old trees will rot and become soil providing new rich mulch for the future forest.” I can look with hope on the new trees, the future is fresh and alive, what beauty awaits in the decades to come.

Is my time wasted, sitting around camp in my chair? I think not, my eyes have seen, my nose has smelled, my ears have heard the sounds of camp. A memory has been created, which can be remembered, and relived at any time I choose. Put away your watch, throw out your schedule, be lazy at camp and enjoy the world.

Until next time, this is Perry Peacock, for “Simplifying Survival.”

Tarp Shelter Tips – Making a Tarp Shelter More SecureWinter camp Hybrid Tarp Shelter

There are few things that are common mistakes in setting up tarp shelters.

  • Roof set up
  • Reinforcing the tarp fabric
  • Making a livable Space

I love tarps because I can make so many different styles of shelters out of them. A tent is already pre-designed, its shape is predetermined, the advantage to that is a person does not have to think about how to set it up. I like to be able to look around at my surroundings which is one of the pluses with tarp shelters. One of the other great things about tarp shelters is they can be set up so many different ways, whatever the need it can be configured to match. The disadvantage with tarps is that a person has to be creative to use them properly. At each campsite you evaluate the layout, the surroundings, you think about how best to set up. It’s possible with our PSTL tarp to do more than 50 kinds of set ups, with this in mind it may be helpful to learn the style groups for square tarps, then you can easily choose the style first, then dial in the best set up.

The listing below is to give an idea of how the styles are broken down. A subsequent blog article will cover these in greater detail. The brief definition of each style should serve to form a mental picture for this article.

  • Canopy – is defined as a tarp set up where no part of the tarp touches the ground
  • Lean To – this style is characterized by having only one edge touch the ground
  • Diagonal or Diamond – these are set ups in which two adjacent edges touch the ground, these edges are on each side of an anchored corner
  • “A” Frame – this variety of shelter is set up with two opposing edges touching the ground and includes not just the “A” shaped tarps, but also those with rounded tops or divided angle tops
  • Ground Cloth – there are many varieties of ground cloth set ups which may be included, at least 1/3rd of the tarp must rest on the ground
  • Hybrid – primarily this style is for use when combining more than one tarp to form a larger shelter. It may also include anything that does not fall into one of the five styles listed aboveLean To Tarp Shelter

There are some basic ground rules or tips that should be observed to maximize the value of tarp shelter. In easy weather almost anything will work, it’s when things turn sour that a proper set up pays huge dividends. As mentioned at the beginning, three areas of concern, any of which can make or break any set up. Next I’ll examine each of these, for purpose of this article, let’s use a Lean To.

In most cases the roof is the primary reason for constructing the shelter in the first place, the only other reasons really would be ground cloth or a wall. For this article we are going to assume correct location of the shelter, suitable ground for it and safety.

Some Factors for a Proper Roof

  • Slope
  • Anchoring and support
  • Orientation

Slope

I have seen quite a lot of Lean To shelters where the roof has so little slope that it is nearly horizontal. A flat roof is fine for shade purposes, but if there is any rain or snow it had better have a decent pitch to it. With a good tarp it is advised to have at least a 45 degree angle. For reference, do a salute, this is about right. For heavier rain or snow, it would be best to have a 60 – 70 degree slope. Water should run off as quickly as possible, no pooling, any tarp can develop a leaky spot either from tiny holes or wear in the sealing coating, a steeper pitch helps to offset these possible conditions. Generally a flatter roof is often chosen to accommodate more people since the steeper the pitch the smaller the footprint of the shelter.

TIP – Another option in set up, is allowing for an awning. Anytime there is rainy weather an awning should be used. On a Lean To an awning is simply made by putting the ridge pole or ridge line a foot or more back from the top edge of the shelter, then tying it off  so it slopes at about 45 degrees.

Anchoring and SupportShipwrecked Crew of the Grafton

Many times this step is neglected by not giving it the consideration it deserves.  Shortchanging this step results frequently in the need to get up in the night, in the rain to try and secure the shelter. Unfortunately it often leads to torn or damaged tarps as winds whip loose sections around.

In a Lean To a stout ridge pole or taut ridge line are essential, this one edge has to bear considerable force in a wind against the shelter. A ridge pole needs to be plenty secure. Often it is assumed that all is well, but when the storm hits, things move far more than one might expect. Securely tying off pays big rewards when a storm blows in at 2 am.

When staking the edge on the ground try to pull it taut, loose fabric has more friction in the wind, and excess flapping will keep you from sleeping. When staking, I like to do the corners first, then pull out the middle. One more thing to consider while getting the tarp adjusted is to make sure there is nothing to impede the flow of water. Sometimes supports or cord that runs laterally across the tarp can cause a high point that will collect water, even a small puddle can grow as the weight of it causes the fabric to sink, making a larger collection basin. Areas like this can lead to leaks or even pull at the shelter perhaps causing it to fail.

Orientation

When building an outdoor camp shelter, it is important to think about how it is oriented to get to most good out of it. If a storm is eminent make sure it can’t blow into the shelter inasmuch as possible. In cold weather it can be helpful to face the shelter to take advantage of the sun for heating.  Many times capturing the morning sun can get the day started right. Also make sure entry and exit are clear, nothing is more aggravating than having to make a fuss every time a person gets into or out of a shelter.

Livable Space1-PSTL Pole Frame Lean To.bmp

When able to, make sure to set the shelter up to allow comfort, make it livable. Many people just make shelter with little thought other than a roof over their head, others try to be primitive and austere, actually the goal should be to make oneself comfortable. To me the beauty of using a tarp shelter is being able to see nature, to see the forest from the comfort of my Lean To. There is nothing quite like laying on my bough bed with my Survival Blanket hearing the rain pounding on the tarp fabric and seeing the mist in the trees, feeling the breeze and smelling the fresh ions released by the rain. A well thought out tarp shelter can be the key to enjoying the outdoors.

Be sure to watch our YouTube playlist, Tarp Setups, to see how to set up our tarps and for ideas on types of set ups. Check out our website to look at the tarp options available. Our tarps are sold ready to use, and include cordage, stakes, and shock cord.

Until next time, this is Perry Peacock, for Simplifying Survival

 

Looking for something?

Use the form below to search the site:


Still not finding what you're looking for? Drop us a note so we can take care of it!

Visit our friends!

A few highly recommended friends...