Wildwood  Trackers

October 27, 2002
 Study Group: Autumn, Shelter, Cordage
(Photos and report by Walter Muma)
 

On Sunday Oct 27, seven people met at a semi-wild area west of Toronto. A warm welcome to newcomers Brian and Doug!

For more information about Shelters & Cordage, please visit the Wildwood Survival website.

  

We wandered all over the fall landscape, under a mostly overcast sky, with occasional light rain. 

We explored forest, field, and marsh.

Along the way we examined shelter locations, materials, techniques and considerations. We chose to not actually build a shelter, as it would take up most of our time.

 
We found a freshly-fallen birch tree, and stopped to discuss the uses of birch bark and techniques for making things out of it. Then we harvested some bark.

  

Rob showed us how to make a birch bark bowl/pot -- or is it a hat?  :)  And a cup as well.

For more info on baskets and containers, see the Wildwood Survival website,
Wilderness Survival - Containers section

  

We practiced making cordage from various materials:

From burdock...

 

From sedges...

 

From spruce roots:

  

    
 

And we experimented with other materials as well.

 

More info on cordage may be found on the Wildwood Survival website,
in the Wilderness Survival - Cordage section.

  

Along the way we spotted wild leeks hiding under the fallen leaves, still good to eat this time of year.

For more information on wild edible plants, please visit the Wildwood Survival website - Wilderness Survival - Edible Plants section.

  

Orange jelly fungus, probably Witch's
Butter (Tremella mesenterica).

  

A mushroom eaten by a squirrel, still attached to the tree.

  

We also discussed fire-making techniques, plant and tree identification and uses, did some tracking, learned to identify water hemlock in the fall (North America's most poisonous plant), and more.

For more info on Water Hemlock, see the Wildwood Survival website, Poisonous Plants - Water Hemlock section.

  

And thanks to Rob who let us in on the secret of making a fire from a can of coke and a chocolate bar!

Oh, you weren't there? Well....the picture gives you a big hint. You probably figured that part out....but what's the chocolate bar for??? (It is used in the process).

For more hints, go to the Wildwood Survival website.

  

All in all, a very productive and enjoyable autumn day was had by all who attended!

For more information about Shelters & Cordage,
please visit the Wildwood Survival website.

 

Meetings      General Info      Schedule      Directions      Past

Wildwood Trackers

The material on this page is copyright © by the original author/artist/photographer
This website is created, maintained & copyright © by Walter Muma
Please respect this copyright and ask permission before using or saving any of the content
of this page for any purpose

-- These websites may also interest you --

Ontario Wildflowers   Ontario Trees & Shrubs   Ontario Ferns   Ontario Grasses   Ontario Insects
Mumart   World of Mosses   Wild Ontario   Trans-Labrador Hwy   James Bay Road   Rupert River   Moped Trip
Wildwood Survival   Wildwood Tracking   Leatherwood Trail   Tracker Trail   Earth Caretaker   Wildwood Canada

Thank you for visiting!