Important Numbers: Map Reading and Wilderness Survival:
Darkness is a wonder at Kelly Road Camp as sounds of distant coyotes howling, a doe deer sneeze, a screaming rabbit or a partridge drumming. Then a sudden solid heavy rap on the cabin. One’s hear quickens at thought perhaps of danger before realizing it is only a fallen cone from the tall pine swaying overhead. James a Buckner Land measure: It is not uncommon that a land section is not a perfect square and so may not hold a full 640 acres. The sides of an individual land parcel may not measure to be the expected number of feet and the parcel may not have the number of acres listed on the deed. In fact it can be more or less. One can petition the state to reduce the number of acres listed on a deed to save taxes but doing so may reduce the value of the property to an amount more than the savings in taxes.
One square mile = 5280' x 5280' and roughly 640 acres. One acre is a measure of land equal to 43,560 square feet in any and every possible shape. A common shape may be: 160 acres = 2640' x 2640' 80 acres = 2640' x 1320' 40 acres = 1320' x 1320' 20 acres = 660' x 1320' (An odd shape and very long 160 acres shape could be 660' x 10,560'.)
Meters x 3.281 = Feet and Feet x .3048 = Meters.
Culverts: When trying to determine culvert size and costs consider the area. Pi (3.14) x radius x 2= area pi x (D/2) 2 4 inch 3.14 x 2 x 2= 12.6 inches 6 inch = 28.26 8 inch = 50.24 10 inch = 78.5 12 inch = 113. You can see that to double the pipe size allows four or more times the flow.
Fractions: How to figure out a fraction: 5/16 = ? 1 .0 inch divided by 16 =.0625 Then 5 x .0625 = .3125 So one can know that 5/16 = .3125
Screw Threads: SAE (American Standard) names the screw size as the diameter and then the number of threads per one inch. 3/8- 16 is a diameter of 3/8 inch and 16 threads in one inch. 3/8-24 is a diameter of 3/8 inch and 24 threads in one inch. One can measure the screw and then count the threads in one inch to identify.
Metric screw sizes (ISO): Are specified as the diameter in millimeters and the distance between each thread in millimeters. One mm = .03937 inch. So a metric "10" screw size would be a diameter of .3937 inch. That is 10 x .03937 = .3937 One can measure a screw and then divide by .03937 to get the metric size. Example: The measured size = .551 inch Then .551/.03937 = 14 So the metric size is a M-14 screw. Next measure the distance between threads to tell if it is a fine or coarse thread. * M-14 would be a coarse metric having 2 mm distance between threads. Pitch is not stated because it is standard. * M-14 x 1.25 would be fine having a 1.25 mm distance between threads. Pitch (1.25) is stated. One can measure with a metric scale (ruler) and identify most metric threads.
Note: a undamaged or wire-brushed screw should go on to a nut or into a threaded hole turning by hand. Forcing the wrong thread will ruin the part so that should never be done.
Conversion: Feet x .3048 = meters Meters x 3.28 = Feet Inches to centimeters (cm). In x 2.54 = cm. Meters (m) to yards. M x 70 / 64 = yards. Kilometers (km) to miles. Km x 5 / 8 = miles. Cubic inches to cubic centimeters(cc) CI x 16.39 = CC. Grams to ounces Gr x 567 / 20 = oz. Liters to US pints L x 95 / 45 = US pints ( one Imperial gallon = 1.2 US gallon). Degrees Centigrade to Degrees Fahrenheit Centigrade Degrees x 9 / 5 + 32. Degrees Fahrenheit to Centigrade Fahrenheit Degrees -32 x 5 / 9 Circumference of a circle (around) Diameter x 3.1416. Area of a circle Diameter x Diameter x .7854. Area of surface of a rectangle or square Side x Side. Area of a triangle Base x Height / 2. Volume of a cylinder Area of circle (End) x length. Volume of sphere (ball) Diameter x Diameter x Diameter x .5236.
Weights of materials per cubic foot: ( For one cubic yard multiply by 27) Air .08lb Soft wood 34 lb Hard wood 45lb Oil 55lb Water 62lb Rubber 94 lb Sand 100lb Stone 105lb Clay 68lb dry 114lb wet Earth 78 dry 100 wet Aluminum 165 lb Glass 184 lB Iron 440 lB Copper 556 lb Lead 710 lb Gold 1200 lb
Weight per gallon Gasoline 6.042LB Alcohol 6.516 Lb Fuel oil 6.668 Lb Lube oil 7.584 LB Water 8.335 Lbb
Metric Equivalents Micron (um) .oooo3937 millimeter (mm) millimeter .03937 inch (about 1/25 inch) centimeter (cm) one hundredth of a meter.3937 9 or about 13/32 inch) meter (m) one meter 39.37 inch (or about 39 3/8 inches) kilometer (k) 1000 meters or about 5/8 mile or liter 2.11 US pints (or about 2 1/9 pints) kilogram 2.21 lb (or about 2 1/4 pound) kiloliter one cubic meter.
Map reading:
One should know compass directions when traveling afield. The sun and moon provides direction when present with going from east to west but in its absence north can be difficult or unknown. I recommend carrying a compass and a back-up compass. Even the simplest inexpensive one can validate a map location or direction . It is a good practice to think often of sun and shadows and the relation of them to north. In the northern hemisphere shadows point north at mid day. Doing that will impact an automatic ability to tell direction when the sun is out. Also remember the direction the moon crosses the sky. The moon appears to go from east to west as do the stars. A woods man can find north with finding on the north side of a tree but... That is only true if the sun can shine to the south side of that same tree (only true in the northern hemisphere). wind and cloud travel is most often from west to east so very often an exposed tree may look weathered more on the wast side and more full on the east side, a lake may have greater sand on the east shore.
Magnetic north can vary greatly so marking magnetic lines on a map can save your life. It is good to put a note at the back of your compass under clear tape to note the amount and direction of compass error due to magnetic north and true north because if lost, or confused it may become difficult to remember even simple things.
UTM or Degrees:
Once accustomed to the use of UTM location and distance from point to point is much easier than with latitude and longitude in degrees. Both are found on a good map. Latitude (North/South) stays near constant at about 69 miles per degree but Longitude (East/West) goes from about 69 miles at the equator to zero at the poles. One degree in Michigan for example is about 69 miles tall (Lat) and about 48.5 miles wide(Lon). UTM stays constant measuring with meters in a simple grid going east and north from a single point. Good to know how to convert meters to feet. ( Mx3.281= Feet. F x.3048=Meters.) Best to mark a map with magnetic north/s/e/w lines in red pen, and to also put the (meters/feet) conversion formulas on that same map. With magnetic lines drawn on a map one can simply lay a compass the map, set the map in correct direction and then more easily know position, direction and location. When one is in trouble, lost, hot or cold thinking logically can become difficult and one needs every help aid possible. Simple is best.
UTM is usually marked on a map every 1000 meters, Half of that 500m equals 1,640.5 feet, half again 250m or 820 feet. With that knowledge one can view a land feature to spot a land feature, find ones map position, view a map to locate a position, plot direction, estimate distance or stay on route.
Bugging Out: last update 5-21,2014...Bugging out? Going to the Sanctuary Place...
To get to that sanctuary you should have a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle. That is so you can drive over curbs or through ditches to get around stalled or out of gas cars.
You should expect to take secondary roads only as the expressways will be cluttered to a standstill or shut down by authorities. Figure needing twice the fuel or more and be sure the fuel is fresh as modern fuel does not last long in storage. Be sure to have maps of the route and if stopped say you are only going to… name a nearby road and with that answer you may be allowed to continue.
Pack most in the trunk so your stash won’t be searched or sought by thieves.
Have a fake wallet with some cash for the robbers to take if that should happen.
When you get there sweep your tracks away and knock out the road by blocking a culvert to cause a wash out or pull a fallen log across road.
When there avoid fires that smoke in daylight hours.
In the event of a national calamity the idea of “Bugging Out” To a sanctuary 100 miles away most likely will not be possible. Gas stations will quickly be out of or unable to pump gas because of no electricity. Roads may be closed except for emergency vehicles or may be cluttered with out of gas cars.
Safer than an individual family trying to start from near scratch somewhere in the wilderness choosing a small town in a farming community could be the better choice. farming practices with the help of more people to labor could support a large number of families. To be more secure roads and bridges closest to that town should be destroyed so nobody could drive in.
Survival:
Camping skills should be practiced for surviving a situation of being lost for one day or a few such as making fire and finding or making water safe, warding off insects and providing shelter from the elements and finding some food.
Basic supplies: knife, ax, wire, rope, fire starter, space blanket or small tarp, first aid kit, compass and small back-up compass, water container, small spool of fish line with some hooks, spool of wire suitable for snaring small animals and perhaps a small rifle and an extra set of clothing with boots and work gloves.
With that you can build shelter, start a fire, catch and store water, ward off infection, find direction and distance, snare or catch food and have a fresh change of clothes.
It seems a new endeavor is to make oneself prepared for a war, breakdown of government, plague, natural disaster or an invasion by aliens by being ready for all out wilderness or war survival.
Long term wilderness survival is spoken by many but practiced by few. In truth ability to make a fire, snare a rabbit and find water does not give one a survival merit badge. To suddenly loose the infrastructure of an organized society would be more than most could bear. Imagine everybody having no access to a stocked grocery store. Food supplies would last perhaps three days. Then everybody would step into their back yard and look around for enough food. Two squirrels a bird or two and that resource would be depleted. In the field food is equally as scarce. That is why aboriginal groups are small and far between. Only a very small group can survive without organized farming, processing and storage.
Survival is difficult even for wilderness aboriginals. Food must be secured at various times of plenty and surpluses made able to be stored for lean times. Shelters must be made withstand the elements to keep one warm, cool or dry. Dangers such as animals or enemies must be considered to hide or defend from.
Large groups might be thought to be good for defense but bad for finding enough food.
If a terrible situation should take away the police, army, electricity and water, gas and food supplies. With that thieves and gangs will try to take anything you have.
To defend against bad guys would be more difficult than most are equipped for.
Perhaps hiding for a time and acting as if you have nothing to steal might be better than a fight.
Hiding will be difficult because grass will not be cut, snow not be shoveled and so access trails would become more obvious.
A trail to a hideout and the hideout must be designed to have an extraordinary defense or very good stealth.
After a time of great hardship and redistribution of population is over it might require 40 acres of land with much hard work to support one family.
Food supplies and defense tools may be needed for the short term perhaps one year or two, crop seeds with shovels, axes and saws, food storage and building supplies for the long term.
How to live in the wilderness:
First one must find a suitable place to stay or plan a destination and a route to another place.
One is not secure in the wilderness until one can increase food, water, safety and comfort using only items found in the wilderness. Almost anyone can endure one or a few day of discomfort, fear and hunger. Wilderness living is knowing you will be comfortable and safe where you are.
Perhaps a shovel, knife, ax, saw, water containers and long term fire starters would be the prime necessities . Choosing hunters orange handles might be better than easily lost camouflage. Animal traps, snares and perhaps a gun might be needed to provide food. Crop seeds could be in storage to start a garden. Clothes, shoes and boots will not last one year so one must have spare or one must begin making from animal skins. If a gun is to be kept one must remember to clean and oil the gun and to not to oil bullets. Bullets must be kept dry to be useful when stored for a long time. My favorite gun for wilderness living is the 22 bolt action with plenty of long rifle and short shells. The longs can kill a deer and shorts can be made almost silent with a home made device.
Shelter is a first priority and should improve each day. One can start with a tarp over a limb then perhaps a stick and leaf hut and finally a house made of logs or stone and mortar. In cold zones a shelter’s wall of stone can be made two feet thick to conserve heat and save fuel. Under ground or part underground would be the easiest shelter to heat in winter and would be cooler in summer. Choosing high ground that would be safe from flooding or spring thaw.
One must expect food to be scarce so frogs, birds, nuts and almost everything safe to eat must be conserved with care to use every last bit or part of any thing that can be of use.
If a spring can not be found boiled water is best. For saving fire fuel a water filter can be made with a tube of sorts filled with layers of boiled sand and charcoal. It could be tall container such as a plastic bucket or a hollowed out log made by cutting or burning out the center. The filter media can be boiled occasionally. I know people who often drank boiled water that came from a beaver pond but I try to never drink water from a beaver pond.
A water filter I am planning to make and test will have a lowest layer of 2 inches of sand, 3 inches of hard wood home made char-coal for the middle layer and a top layer of 4 inches of sand in a food grade five gallon plastic bucket. The bucket lid will be in place and have a fill hole that will be covered with a coffee paper while they last and then with a cut of cloth. The char-coal is made by placing wood in a metal coverd can and set in a hot campfire. ( One should not trust store bought char-coal for use in a drinking water filter. Who can know how or what that is made of). The filter bucket will be set above a second bucket that will fill for storage and use.
Food storage methods and containers are needed to preserve food surpluses such as a cold storage place, canning, smoking, drying, salting (if one is near where salt can be found) grease layering if one has grease to render. Stored food needs a place safe from rain and animals. A winter supply of food might be one quart of of canned food for each day. From November through March that would be 160 quarts. Add potatos boxes of Quaker Oats, flour, spices and one can see much food will be needed. Perhaps a stone house could be made for food storage if stones can be found. An under ground food storage with a sound door would suffice.
Great care for cleanliness is a must to keep bears, mice and rats, raccoon, ants and other pests not interested and so away from your area.
String and rope can be made from animal tendons or plant fibers.
If you are fortunate to survive a first winter or to start wilderness living early in the growing season clearing a garden and planting things that can be used for food or drawing in prey is important. Ten stored potatoes might equal 100 or 1000 in the next growing season. If you don't have the means to remove trees then kill some so leafs will fall and sun light can come through bare limbs to support your garden. The standing limbs will dry and then become fire wood. After enough food is found for each day one must work to increase food stocks for the next. Brush piles can be made to help support more rabbits and other small game from predators. Stone dams can be made in streams to support deeper water or to help catch catch fish. Predators should be caught and use for food, and to help increase small game numbers. Owls, hawks, coyotes,foxes and wolves seek the same food as you and so should be added to your kill list . Food scraps if any should be used about 300 yards away and up wind for drawing in small prey to be trapped. In essence most of the day will be used to increase food and water supplies.
Accidents and illness are usually the most dangerous thing one can fine in the woods. Bad water, infection and broken bones are things to avoid if possible. Parasites from uncooked or unwashed food can be as bad.
First aid and wound care are of prime concern. There are plant based ointments, antiseptics and remedies one can learn if one has run out of bought products but with any of these first thought is clean, dry and cover. Washing with clean water mixed with white ashes if one does not have soap ( a soak in dish soap would be as good and possibly better) Covering with well washed dry bandages (cloth for bandages can be washed in boiled water with ashes and sun dried) and the wrapped wound dry will help avoid infection and possibly gangrene. Some plants such as Cattail can be used for covering a wound. Back in years gone past to urinate on a cut was common. Pee is a natural antiseptic.
White ashes act a bit like a mild acid (lye) and can be used for cleaning clothes and wound cleansing. .
Any broken skin should treated with care and caution.
Oil can be obtained by placing a capped metal container full of wood cuttings, bark or chips in a fire for about two hours. It should have a drain hole at the bottom and a catcher can below in sand or dirt below the fire. With this the fire used for heat or cooking can have a second purpose to make oil. The oils produce can be used for water proofing, insect repellent candles and lubrication, some can be used to reduce rusting of metal. The process also produces charcoal for use in a home made water filter made .
Books you may wish to read or own: Trapping animals ( not the same as hunting). Wilderness plants one can eat. Wild spices and teas (as one may wish a change of taste). Plants used for medicine. How to make a garden. Canning and other methods of food storage.
Can you:
Make a shelter
Travel in a straight for a few miles or for a few days.