Love the channel and I am curious can you use your oiled canvas tarps for a ground sheet or does water come through eventually? I would like to make a ground sheet the size of my bed roll if that would work. Thanks.
During the first lock down, my daughter and I made a small fire from scratch. To do some sausages, & smores. So she could get her fire badge for brownies. She was the only one that got one. She was so happy. All thanks to your videos. Thanks Mike.
One more minor tip to building a fire in wet conditions - if the fire is smoking, give it a bit more time and/or oxygen. Once you get a clean, nearly smokeless flame, it's ready for a bit more fuel. Smoke will let you know that a fire is "struggling" a bit. Thanks for a fantastic and really helpful video. Love the 3x3 m tarp idea. That's just brilliant. Cheers! J
There is nothing more satisfying than the rain on a tarp, a warming fire and the self confidence gained from being able to cope with anything that nature throws at you!
I'd add that it's good to angle the tarp against the prevailing wind, so the smoke and rain won't blow in on you, and also to check the trees around you for big deadish branches because if the wind is going to blow hard, that's when they're most likely to come down.
Honestly one of the most helpful and useful tips and tricks videos I’ve seen. Most helpful for me was how you packed the tarp for a quick deploy and how you kept the firewood.
Rode my bike in the Highlands of Scotland last year. One truly miserable day (3 degrees C and horizontal rain) I chose a pine plantation as a likely place to set up camp. At home in Canada, pines tend to grow in nice sandy soil. Big surprise! Pine plantations in Scotland are bogs - just like this one! Too tired to ride on, it took me quite some time to find a relatively dry bit of ground. Thankfully I stayed nice and dry in my wee tent (no exaggeration, it was tiny). On the rest of my ride, if I found a nice place to pitch my tent in the late afternoon - I didn't ride any further; learned my lesson. Oddly enough this little video brought back some great memories.
Approximately 60 years ago I was in the Boy Scout program. One of my Scoutmaster showed me a little trick to facilitate starting a fire in wet weather. That little trick is a short piece of candle about 2 inches long. Take the fire wood ( such as a teepee style lay out leaving an opening into the center for a place to put a burning candle). The candle stays lite while drying out the wet/damp wood.
Good tips for rainy area camping. I’m from the US, east Tennessee hills. It’s wet here too and I much appreciate your tips. I grew up camping and didn’t realize that “the wet” was such a chore. It’s what we had, that’s all. When I grew up and moved away, I found that many countries and continents aren’t so wet. Dry camping has its own issues though…Water can be the enemy and the savior. Thanks for sharing your tips…from the US, east Tennessee.
Great vid! Couple of things I learned the other day. 1. If you allow some gaps at the bottom of the tarp you can have the fire under the tarp (depending on the height of the tarp of course) the gap makes sure the smoke from the fire doesn't go everywhere into the space understanding the tarp. 2. A big industry plastic bag will do the tiny waxed tarp job as well and much cheaper.
Spot on! One thing taught in the military is leave a small gap as it stops the kite effect when the wind picks up. We used our ponchos as a tarp and always worth having. One large double hook bungee cord from the hood to a branch, where there are eye holes at the corners put a bungee with the ball attacked through those holes and peg down. That was for quick set up, the peg and small bungee allows you to have the gap and more flexible with the elastic giving movement. A tarp can be set up when the weather eases. I left the army years ago but both are always in my pack along with cotton wool balls sodium permanganate and small bottle of glycerine which causes a flame when added to the SP. Fire rods can get wet as well
@@salahad-din4114 Yes. Even in pretty high wind, there's a boundary layer next to the ground that's pretty still. I've never noticed rain wanting to blow under a tarp that had a 6-inch gap under it.
I agree. I was in US Navy y'all get a lot of rain there. Reminds me of Seattle, Washington USA. Though sometime in my State in Texas it seems we live in the rain sometimes for weeks before we see the sun. Of course than th sun come out and it don't rain for months. Damned if you do damned if you don't😂
@@Iknowonlywhatimtaught Aw shucks, Maggie, thanks that's interesting. I'll be doggone if I don't visit Texas before my time's up yeehaw! Such an interesting area with beautiful landscapes and starry skies
Finally a no nonsense very informative wet weather shelter setup and fire making video using one knife and a wooden baton, a tarp and a bit of paracord. Well done you👍 Tired of watching videos of people setting up camp with so many different bits of kit they couldn't possibly have carried it all into camp. Great video, thanks for sharing 👍.
I remember when TA Outdoors started. I was going through some horrible times, It was then I watched some of his videos, and they gave me confidence to go outside again. Once in the woods, I felt out of place, second time felt secure, third time, i had a camp with a hot meal. Thank you 🫡
Not quite as rainy here in Brisbane but a universal tip is to not add too much fuel to the fire in the early stages. Important to have enough wood gathered to get the fire to a stage where it doesn't need to be constantly fed. Next time we go camping I'll make a featherstick with the boys and see if we can get it going just using the rod.
As someone who grew up in the kind of bush alaska, these videos just feel very familiar and comfortable while providing great information. I appreciate content like this and love to listen to it while I go about my day
I've watched a bunch of videos but I like that you explained everything so it was easy to understand plus the closeups of the how. Good content. Thanks
Great video especially for up and coming bushcrafters. I found this information so beneficial, thank you from Adelaide, Australia as rain is rain no matter where you live on this planet.
I love that the tarp is so small and lite! This looks like a great idea for parents going on a walk with kids too. Creating a small shelter fast if fantastic! Even going to a park this could be useful.
yep they are great to have on hand . keep the ridgeline attached with prussic loops for quick deployment . that plough nose setup he used is the quickest and you only need one anchor point . if you have two trees you can quickly set up an A frame or diamond frame tarp setup if you need more room, and its not to windy . Those DD tarps are well worth the money very durable and totally waterproof without being to heavy or bulky I always take mine bushwalking and kayaking . they are great for shade too
@BK-gq8ij so we bike everywhere with the kids, we live in the Netherlands not the US. Biking 20 minutes through the rain to go home isn't fun. Besides in the summer it only rains for 10 to 20 minutes if it's a summer storm. I'd rather just stay dry then continue having fun with the kids at the park. It's also been a few months so we do take a 3×3 thin tarp with us and set it up for shade most of the time at the park. We set up a line between 2 trees or a sign and a tree or what ever we can find to make a simpleshelter. We put a pick nick blanket underneath too. Then the kids have a shade area to snack or rest. We haven't been in a rain situation yet though because this summer was cold and wet so the days it rained we raining all day so we stayed home.
My best friend and i do an annual 65 mile canoe trip. We take our time and cover the distance in 6-days. The first year was picture perfect conditions, warm days and cool nights. The second however, it rained everyday and poured at night. We had fire 🔥 every morning and every night using these same methods. We didn’t have any birch bark, but we did have plenty of fat wood. 👍 we had good rain gear and it was probably the best year we’ve ever had for fishing on that trip.
Well done. I really liked the quick shelter setup. Very efficient, and comfortable. I live in a temperate rainforest n coastal SW Washington, USA (where the Columbia River enters the Pacific.). Over my years I’m well familiar with the challenges of lighting a fire under damp, wet, sometimes snowy conditions. I’ve found getting a beach warming fire going with beachcombed wood and a cold wind blowing some of the most challenging. As you so capably demonstrated, success lies in the preparations. Thanks for another great clip. Be well. Safe journeys. Happy trails!
This is awesome. Just moved to Tennessee where it constantly rains from california where it never does. Been struggling lighting fires while camping because everything is wet. Gonna try some of these tips
Where we used to camp - Kaimai Range, North Island NZ - there would invariably be piles of dead trees or shrubs at the corners of the river so there were always dry dead branches well above ground/water level that could be snapped off for fire lighting. If it was actually raining, the water on those upper branches was generally only on the surface so it wouldn't take much for them to dry off and catch fire.
I'm amazed at how good this video is, so many small tips that you normally don't think about, and you always explain why you do things the way you do. GREAT video!!!
🌧☔🏔 Your insight into the relationship between temperature drops and rain or hail is fascinating! It's intriguing to learn about the varying levels of rainfall in different regions, like the maritime PNW. The historical context of the Lewis and Clark expedition's experience with constant rain showcases the unique weather patterns of the area. Your love for the rain and its effects on the environment and solitude is inspiring. It's interesting to consider how living in a wetter climate may limit encounters with certain dangerous animals. Exploring bushcraft tips for heavy rain and wet weather conditions would be valuable in such environments.
Great video and Great tips! I live in Labrador Canada, and I always use a raft or plateforme when creating fires. In winter, with snow/ice on the ground the raft or plateforme will help greatly to reduce moisture and help the heat to be reflected towards the top of the fire. I had a survival teacher told be to keep some of that bark in a ziplock bag on myself to reduce the « contamination » by moisture from my own sweat when I travel in wet environments for long distances. Keep up the great work!
That sudden drop in temperature is a very clear sign of incoming rain or hail, especially in the spring. Here in the maritime PNW we get between 30 and 115 inches of rain a year, depending on the local topography and location. When the Lewis and Clark expedition arrived on the west coast of America they were both astonished and depressed by the fact that it rained for nearly their entire time in the area. I love it, both for the green it brings and for the solitude it provides those who can tolerate it. Whenever I visit further inland where it is drier, I am uncomfortable and irritable. Another excellent feature of living someplace so wet is that it seems to limit the number of dangerous animals, particularly insects, spiders and snakes. Yes, we have bears and mountain lions and wolves, but encounters with them are infrequent and usually very manageable. If the UK is as wet as we are here, i think i could be happy there.
Do you ever find you can smell it in the air when it's due to rain. We are in the Scottish highlands, always seem to get a change of air and the smell when rain is due. I do live it when it's warm and we get that torrential rain. Not sure why but I prefer that to the light misty rain that gets you down to the skin
I've always wanted to visit the PNW United States ever since I discovered that the Native Americans of that region were the only natives who built fixed, permanent shelters, and yet they had no need to cultivate crops or keep livestock.
The amount of precious knowledge you give us is just incredible. Every explanation is clear and well filmed. Great job! First time watching your channel, instant sub! Thanks a lot !
Rain doesn't show up well on camera so the downfall might be heavier than it appears. In movies, they have to use massive sprinkler arrays just to get the rain to be visible at all.
OK, I have quite a bit of outdoor experience (mostly in dry sunny areas, and certainly not in wet soggy areas), yet I still learned something new today. Thank you! New subscriber now!
This is the First Time I came across your videos. You are an excellent educator/teacher in bushcrafting. Simple and straightforward information and instructions in a very clear voice with the use of less expensive basic equipment. Greetings from the land Down Under, Sydney. Subbed. I do go out in the bush often, and use cheap but reasonably made equipment and materials We do not have much rain but always prepared as much as you are as there is no network connections unless you use sat phones. I do the same way in lighting fires and looking for kindle, but you explain well! Cheers
I'd love to see a video about coping with the wind! I often find this harder to deal with than the rain. It flattens my tarp, and the noise from tarp flapping away stops me from sleeping! I'm always convinced it's about to cave in or blow away
It’s so beautiful in the forest when it’s raining. And there is so much water which you can filter and use for drinking and cooking, so nice! With the right equipment it’s the best experience ever!
Such an enjoyable episode. In my experience, most tarp shelters work well, but sometimes the wind changes and it can start blowing water under your tarp which can be very unpleasant in some designs.
As others have said, great to see it done for real in the rain. Like the quick tarp set up, going to try that out soon. Just like to agree that it is important to have enough of all sizes of fuel before you light your fire. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome content, man. I live on Vancouver Island, Canada and we get like 200+ days of rain a year, easily. This is super useful information to me, I would love to see more rainy/storm/oceanside camping tips and tricks. Trying to get in touch with the primitive survivalist inside me. Have most of my gear and can't wait to get the fook out there with my trusty dogs and mother nature. Liked and subbed!
When I come to a brew or meal break, if its raining I deploy the tarp first then I can take my time in the dry. If not it's stove lit and a pot of water on for a brew. If I'm using my Trangia burner with my Firebox Nano by the time the water is boiling my tarp can be up and out of any wind, or late rain. I very rarely go to the bother of making a fire. It's intrusive on the ground and attracts visitors better than any flare! But my Trangia and Nano is brilliant as a main stove, and you don't need to collect wood, wet or dry! A really good video full of good tips thank you. 👍
Lifelong Scout here: Very nicely done! In my own experience the worst possible condition is heavy sleet that just sticks to everything and just stays there while melting.
Thanks for that tip at the end about letting the flame rise above the previous wood pile, I’ve always had a problem with smothering the flame. This was a simple remedy
Would love to see your next steps for preparing the ground of your shelter for extended stay and sleeping with the ground being that satuated. I would imagine failing to secure a good base would be a direct path to hypothermia and things like pneumonia in a survival situation. Would also love to see you recommended KIT/load out for a survival situation in bad weather
a good sleeping mat is an absolute must for any situation. keeps you off the ground and provides a ton of insulation, makes even sub-zero f somewhat bearable as long as you have a good enough bag. Even hammock camping, if its cold out then youre completely surrounded with cold and its pressed together so the insulation is worse, but putting a pad in there helps it a ton
Terrific video. Very impressive that you did all this in rain. (I loathe videos where someone sits looking at the camera and just talks about it, but never does it.) A couple of months ago I was in the Philippines doing a hike with some Filipino army rangers (who train American soldiers in jungle survival). They demonstrated making a fire using bamboo. The first thing I noticed is the length of dry bamboo they carried was unlike almost all the bamboo in the forest which was either green or rotting. Second as they set up their friction they shaved a small pile of 'dust' or feathers from the surface of the bamboo. Then he compressed this pile. This increases the fuel to oxygen ratio. An important step. While teaching science I tried fire starting with sticks and a pump drill. The very first time I got a short lived ember. Then it was months all I got was smoke. These rangers could've turned any of that into fire. Compressing the fine shavings was the trick. They started blowing on what didn't look like embers to me, just smoke, but it caught. It looked like you use the met hod I use for staking my rain fly. Twisting the stake into a loop and pushing it into the ground. No tying, no adjusting. Rainflies have one advantage over tents in weather, they're all triangles. Tents are generally 'bubbles' to get more room. But this bubble will move around a lot in wind. My DIY rainfly in a storm with blowing wind in Connemara barely moved. So my method like yours, is super efficient. Strings attached to the fly at some grosgrain (nylon ribbon) loops. Nothing stronger. But all set up so if I don't need to stretch out a guy line I can just insert the stake in the loop, twist it around to secure it, then push it into the ground. Those heavy duty reinforced corners on your piece of waxed canvas are overkill. I used silnylon and 1" (25 mm) grosgrain. If I sewed 6" (15cm) reinforcing strips to the sil nylon on either side of the loop it would never tear or pull away. Another plus for a rain fly -- there's no 'floor' so there are always 360° of emergency exits -- I cook inside my rainfly. My Jetboil sits on the ground, not on my ground cloth. And rainflys are better in rain. They shed water. Tents are like my Goretex jacket. Terrific, especially when it might rain. If it IS raining, I want to have on a rubber or cheap plastic rain jacket and sleep in my rain fly. I live in California - very flammable - so when I camp (just over nighters mostly) I never make a fire, don't even bring my stove. I'll try to remember to bring matches, just in case. I'll drink cold instant coffee, usually don't even bring food. But I'm usually not out for more than a day. The only lesson from me is,: a campfire is not a requirement. A good night's sleep and not feeling miserable (wet and shivering) when you hike out are the key goals.
@@DaveRyan It's not terrible if you have good AC. And we have a big garden we water every day like crazy. But if you poke your head inside the garden you can almost imagine that your in a forest and everything is green and beautiful. I'm only joking. I love it here. People are amazing but it is pretty hot
One trick I was taught to better direct your "blow" to get the fire going is to piinch your thumb and forefinger on both hands together. Then bring the tips together to form a diamond shaped hole. Hold against your mouth and blow towards the heart of the fire. You get a far stronger, and better directed, jet of air.
Really apprecieate the video. Was unsure of what the best emergency shelter is in rain, and this is honestly the best methods ive seen so far. Keep it up!
Awesome video. Thx. I'd add a poncho, if only because we always had rain gear to pull over ourselves and gear... And I learned to appreciate the instant dry cover, while setting up larger shelter, and working outside the shelter, Ie, gathering wood for a fire, if a storm catches you off guard... 9:18
Nice used to keep a army bivi tarp with a mylar blanket taped to the inside for such occasions, between that and a poncho I got to stay dry more often than not. Adding a small square of tarp to the day bag now , top tip thanks 💪
Wow the begining of this videi he explains the difference of wet, and green wood vs. dry usable.wood. Here inthe US we call the dry wood "squaw" wood. because the native Americans used it from up on thetrees thus it is dry!. GOOD JOB!!. This was the first time I have seen some one who knew what to do . As a former scout master I used to teach this. My scouts and I used to have a contest who could start a fire the fastest. Thumbs up!
I know this is a year old. But. You picked a great year last year for the rain, and also this year as well!! ( somehow missed this video) Your silver birch, I always use this material, for fire starting, on all walks, fishing, I see a tree I'll go and have a gander and see what I glean from it, especially the bark obviously. Natures finest fire starting material, apart from dry gorse and heather.
This is such a good video! Not another clickbait title with a list of blatantly obvious (or incorrect) "secrets". Just detailed, correct, carefully explained information. I have no trouble lighting fires and getting them to the stage of happily devouring thumb-width stick, but I really struggle to get them from there to accepting thicker wood (e.g. small branches and split logs) so that I don't have to keep feeding them small sticks constantly. It would be great if you could do a video on that!
I have the same Thermos and agree it is one of the best flask out there. One key factor that lead me to buy it was the width of the neck as this makes cleaning so much easier.
That was a good video of how to start a fir in wet weather. I learned a lot. I never thought about the waxed canvas to protect the tinder or the fire until it got going. I just usually hunch over the fore with my coat extended.
Excellent video. Glad i do somthings rigjt. Most important....make sure you have a tarp, water and a few snacks are really all you need till weather breaks.
Little strips of an old bicycle innertube or boot polish are great for starting a f ire in wet conditions. I carry a' fi re lighting' ' tin with small bits of different accelerants in it. Nice vid.
Yes, yes I did enjoy that. I will never go and do it again myself (hunting with dad in the new Zealand bush when I was young was enough), but I like watching someone else do it.
