Thursday 16 March 2017

Emergency shelter, fully enclosed tent with floor in less then 2 min, from square tarp



This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single square sheet (6'x6' tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 2 min and costs about £2. The weight with the pegs and the pole (can be used walking stick, too) is half kilogram (1lbs). Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.

It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.

The advantages compared to the other set up (2x3 tarp/sheet) are that this one is a bit taller, so it is easier to sit inside and eat or have a cup, it uses only one pole, it is better closed and has smaller foot print.

Disadvantages are that being taller is easier to be seen, it is not so stable in wind, it is smaller and not so comfortable, there is need for a longer piece of string.

I used to do this more then 20 years ago in the army with my plasht (or as the Russians call it "plash-palatka"), which has the same size as standart tarp 1.8x1.8m (6'x6'). I think it was alright size 70 years ago, when most of the soldiers were 1.7m (5'7"), but today it is on the shorter side as I am 1.82m (about 6') and 7'x7' tarp (or other type of material) would be the right size for me.

This is only to show the idea how a square sheet can be folded in a pyramid and by no means a final and perfect shelter solution. There are many improvements that can be done, according each taste. If you have ideas for improvements or bettering the set up please write them in the comment section. Thanks.

Below photos and paper model showing how exactly is folded:

Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter

Square sheet of some water/windproof fabric
Folding it, so we can find the middle of each side
Mark/fold the line between corner and middle of the corresponding side
Mark/fold the line between corner and middle of the corresponding side
Same for the other side
Another view to show better how it looks
Folding the line of the front flap
Sheet folded in the shape of the tent
For simulating pitching up, I used 2 pins to show where are the pegs, which will stretch and fix the sheet to the ground
For the pole which supports the tent I used toothpick. In reality it is a stick 1.4m long, from which 0.4m are nailed into the ground and is fixed with string/buttons/wire to the front flap. Also there can be used piece of string to pull the pole in the opposite of the pegs direction.
Another view

Thursday 9 March 2017

Emergency shelter, fully enclosed tent with floor in less then 3 min, from 2x3 tarp



This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single 2x3 sheet (tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 3 min and costs about £2. The weight with the poles (can be used walking stick, too) is half to one kilogram. Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.

It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do. This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single 2x3 sheet (tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 3 min and costs about £2. The weight with the poles (can be used walking sticks instead) is half to one kilogram. Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.

It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.

Also, another set up with a square tarp and one pole.

Below you can see the correct proportions, so if anybody wants to do it in higher quality version.

Sizes
Folds
A fold to give sense of shape and proportion
Folded paper model, "d" is where one of the supporting stick will be fixed and the other one will be on the opposite  side
Folded model, side view

Friday 24 February 2017

Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England



I spotted this nice tropical duck in the St James's Park somewhere around Christmas. It is called Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) and is normally seen in Africa, South America or India and I guess it felt a bit cold in the chilly England winter.

To make sure it is not its cousin the Lesser whistling duck take note of the black strip on the back of its neck and the light creamy feather above the tail (the Lesser one has them in reddish chestnut colour)

Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England from the front
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England frontal view
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England. From the back, note black strip on the neck
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England. From side, note light creamy feathers above tail.
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England with a Coot for size comparasion

Thursday 9 February 2017

Travel gear - Swiss army knife - short overview


The Swiss army knife is one of the most important pieces of gear I carry with myself when I travel in the wild. However, while the main blade and the wood saw are vital I rarely need the rest of the tools and when I have to find replacement, for example after flying, I usually buy whatever pocket knife I can find as long as it has a wood saw.

Tuesday 17 January 2017

Update on my dog, exactly 6 months old


As the title says, its my puppy, who is already 6 months old. Its pretty big, smart, but not very disciplined.









Eurasian (common) treecreeper (Certhia familiaris familiaris) at Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria


Eurasian (common) treecreeper (Certhia familiaris familiaris) at Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria. I made this clip from pretty great distance and poor light and again the Panasonic TZ80 held its ground.

This is one pretty interesting and somewhat difficult to shoot bird. It is found mostly in mountainous areas, where is difficult to approach them and even if we are lucky to have one of then close there often are a lot of branches, twigs and leafs which make it difficult to focus and follow with the camera. It doesn't help either that this birdie doesn't stop moving and often disappears from view. Anyway I managed to have a good look take a few photos at one of these.

Eurasian (common) treecreeper (Certhia familiaris familiaris)
Eurasian (common) treecreeper (Certhia familiaris familiaris)
Eurasian (common) treecreeper (Certhia familiaris familiaris)
Eurasian (common) treecreeper (Certhia familiaris familiaris). Note the large nail on the back toe, which along with the shorter bill are the two main signs to differentiate this species from the very similar Short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla

Sunday 15 January 2017

Great Tit (Parus major major) at Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria


Great Tit (Parus major major) at Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria. The camera (Panasonic TZ80) did surprisingly good job handheld on low light and with maxed 30x zoom.

These birds are one of the more common species across Europe and are often seen in villages and towns during the winter months when they go out of the forest in search for food. They eat about everything soft enough for their thin bills, but prefer insects.

Great Tit (Parus major major) at Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria
Great Tit (Parus major major) at Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria

Saturday 14 January 2017

Short walk in the base of the Vitosha Mountain near Sofia, Bulgaria


Short walk in the base of the Vitosha Mountain near Sofia, Bulgaria.

Vitosha
Vitosha
Vitosha
Vitosha
Vitosha
Vitosha
Vitosha
Vitosha

Thursday 12 January 2017