A lightweight easy to pack stew that adds good calories to your meals out in the backwoods.

Perhaps one of the best new innovations in outdoors gear in a while. The Valtcan 1.8 liter pressure cooker.

Weaving an Algonquin style back pack to carry my gear in the backwoods.

With deer season coming up soon, take a look my load out for a week spent in the hunting woods.

What goes in a haversack for the 21st century mountain man ? the possibilites are endless.

The Kephart style knife is a simple must have item for bushcrafting in the backwoods.

Quick reference to outdoor cooking stoves

Baking your own pies, brownies, pizzas, casseroles in the middle of nowhere.

What can I say about a really good dog ? Not much, except maybe my old girl wasn’t just a dog. None of my natural born children lived...

I’m an avid backpacker and hiker. I know a lot of Marines who basically decide once they get out of the Corps, they don’t ever want to see another pack for the rest of their lives. Years of road marches over ridiculous distances take their toll on your knee joints, ankles, and feet. The average infantry load is about 120 pounds. This breaks down your shoulders and causes back problems too. For some of us — we tend to walk naturally on the balls of our feet. I used to get fuss

For this summer’s hiking season, I decided I wanted a slightly different approach to backpacking. I opted for something different. I’ve lightened my load considerably and I built myself a new back pack to carry everything in. I’m going “retro” so I decided I wanted an 1860’s Trapper Pack and Frame. I made my frame out of solid red oak for strength. According to the instructions this frame is rated for up to 120 pounds of freight. As for me ? I only carry about half that weigh