4 things to consider when setting up basecamp

1.) Shelter
Nylon tents and hammocks are great for bare bones camping. Nothing like sleeping stretched out between the trees with nothing but the stars for company. Base camp, however, calls for that little bit of extra comfort. Construct a semi-permanent shelter with a combination of natural and repurposed materials. Canvas cots are a great choice for bunking down at night. If you set it up just right you’ll have the added bonus of storage room beneath your cot for firewood and gear.  

2.) Sawbuck
Of course, you’re going to need firewood. What’s camping without a decent blaze for cooking and warming up after a long day in the outdoors?

Using a plumber’s vise is effective for sawing wrist-size saplings in the field. My daddy taught me this technique when cutting pipe in his plumbing business. For right-handers, place the stick of wood in the bend of your left knee. Kneel on your right knee so the stock rests on your right thigh. This posture holds the wood in place firmly freeing both hands for sawing to the side of your body.

However, when processing larger rounds, a sturdy base camp sawbuck is indispensable.

How to Build a Sturdy Sawbuck with Logs and Rope – www.TheSurvivalSherpa.com

3.) Camp Kitchen
Which brings us to one of the most important parts of life in the wilderness, and really anywhere:  food. Keep your fire going and cook up flapjacks and brew some coffee. Being in the outdoors builds an appetite and there’s nothing like knowing you have the capacity and know-how to cook up a good meal.

Setting up your own permanent camp kitchen will prove to make your life outdoors that much more enjoyable. Consider scouting around for a flat surface to double as a kitchen counter. You might find that a split log will do the trick. When you have something to set your food and cooking tools, cooking becomes that much easier and enjoyable.

A few carved pot hooks hung from a horizontal sapling (waugan) allows heat regulation when cooking coffee or simmering stew over an open fire. A solid tripod is another option for hanging pots over a fire.

4.) Paring Ladder
Constructing one of these simple tools proves invaluable when it comes to shaping wood or removing bark with a draw knife.

How to Build a Paring Ladder (Shaving Horse) in the Woods – TheSurvivalSherpa.com
The paring ladder in action
It also makes a fine camp chair. Secure a wool blanket or cargo net to a rung and loop the blanket around another pole near the bottom for lounging.

You can also use it as a drying rack for wet clothing. Another perk: it’s easy to move and can be repositioned in no time.

What better way to enjoy the outdoors than by keeping yourself well-rested and well-fed? Having a good base camp should do the trick, and the best thing is if you have a knife, ax, saw, and rope you’re already halfway there. Put in the extra work to construct a pathway for your creature comforts, and you’ll find yourself a happy camper indeed.

Check out survival sherpa to learn more about the comforts of a well-devised base camp.