So you think you're a bushcrafter? Water Challenge

[Toddy]

Llwyd, there are very, very few areas in the UK where birch grows bark thick enough to be used the way Canadians do.
The climate is not cold enough, long enough, to encourage such growth.
We do use birch bark, but often just the thin stuff woven in strips; it's certainly not sound enough to be used for canoes. The biggest birches here have vertical creases/splits as well as the horizontal lenticles.

Stripping the outer bark really is an issue and not as easy as it sounds with the thinner barks that grow here.

This is a simple explanation; not an excuse or another cause for dispute; it's simply that it is what it is.

Toddy

 

[Llwyd]

I have been to the UK and seen the trees up close.

 

[Toddy]

...so you understand the concerns that others have ?

As a general rule we don't debark trees. We do use fallen birch though since the bark lasts a very long time in our damp climate. Even that bark is fissured though.
I'm not saying we don't get thick bark, just that it's not common, and most folks will not have access to any. Similarly with Ash bark, and the Elms are only making a comeback now after the disease decimated them.

Urbanised society; very few have direct access to stepping out the door and straight into woodland with running water nearby.
It doesn't mean they aren't interested, or willing to discuss, just that actually doing something about it isn't a daily occurance for many; espcially those trying to earn a living. They do cram a lot of learning and experience into the time out that they do manage though

Toddy

 

[petrochemicals]

3 things ,

is it water resistant soil(clay)?
are large leaves avaliable or small?
I'm guessing moving the princesses lot by using wood strecher is not an easier option, as it's an exercise in water vessil manufacture, so how long lasting should it be ?

And are there any other posessions or environmental things we may need to be informed of. You've mentioned goats, so anything else, birds, cast offs or horns (thors vessil of choice!) ?

 

[calgarychef]

This is a great challenge and I'm excited to see who the winner is. Lots of good discussion going on and when the rubber hits the road and more folks get out and do it there are going to be some interesting results.

 

[Llwyd]

Well there is no winner per se. The winner is the one who enjoys the activity the most. However since everyone wants to debate how stupid the situation is, move Buttercup to get around the scenario and the water under the bridges in the UK is guarded by Trolls, her survival prospects look bleak.

 

[Niels]

Well there is no winner per se. The winner is the one who enjoys the activity the most. However since everyone wants to debate how stupid the situation is, move Buttercup to get around the scenario and the water under the bridges in the UK is guarded by Trolls, her survival prospects look bleak.

What if she has a broken back? Can't move here then.
How about you drink way to much water, until your stomach is completely full, and then vomit it out.
Maybe though a piece of clothing. Most of it will be water if you haven't eaten to much!

Now excuse me I have to go and find back my appetite.

 

[mountainm]

Using only a knife, axe and your wits use found natural objects to create a means to transport a litre of water in the quickest time possible over a set distance.

My name is Inigo Montoya...

 

[Stringmaker]

I have been to the UK and seen the trees up close.

All of them? In every geographic region?

Wow.

 

[Hile_Troy]

Wow, this has rapidly become an unexpectedly savage thread, bit of a worry for a newbie like me...

My first thought for saving the delectable Buttercup was... 'I wear a size 11 walking boot, I wonder how much water they would carry...'

Or if that breaks rules, I also wear a felt hat (which I think were in use during the proposed period, though presumably of a different design)

Just a thought experiment at the moment, due to me being sat at a desk, in an office on the tenth floor in central Manchester. I can see some trees though...

 

[Llwyd]

I received a half a dozen PM's explaining away the savagery. A boot was my first thought. My currans would not hold much but the turn shoe boots may? It will be interesting to see another take on it. One or two guys are onto probably the best way so it will be interesting to see what they come up with too.

 

[Gray]

If I'd already deflowered her, I'd just bugger off and leave there. No strings and all that lol

 

[Gray]

Oh yeah, being a scouser,I'd go through her pockets and pinch her handbag as well

 

[21st century pict]

 

[Gray]

whats that buddy, looks like a bottle of mud.....or worse

 

[Llwyd]

Way to go Mr.Pict...

The closest moss to me that grows in abundance is about 40 miles north near Rogersville so I am glad to see it works well. How long did it take? Probably not long once you got the stuff ready.

 

[21st century pict]

whats that buddy, looks like a bottle of mud.....or worse

It gets a lot worse Bro just wait for the clarity test.
Highland Spring with just a twist of moss
I don’t think poor old Buttercups going to make it, perhaps I will wait till its dark before I give her it.

Way to go Mr.Pict...

How long did it take?

Harvest time about one hour + to collect all the materials including a 10-15 minute soak in the pond.

 

[Llwyd]

Well there is no need to filter it but you could run it through a cloth and poach an egg or two in it.

Either way I am very impressed.

 

[21st century pict]

Well there is no need to filter it but you could run it through a cloth and poach an egg or two in it.

Either way I am very impressed.

Cheers Bro
I got to admit it looks bad but the water and moss was perfectly clean, but I think everyone else will do better.
I was going to strain it through the tartan scarf, but well there’s always Buttercups identical twin sister Daisy.

 

[boatman]

Spent the afternoon at the Iron Age Village of Chysauster, Cornwall, lovely in the sunshine and the Iron Age cisterns and water conduits are working very well should anybody be thirsty there. Not relevant but I thought it reasonable to mention that we do get out. There are several stones with hollows in them that would make acceptable if heavy cups, possible mortars or king post supports.