3 Days in Arctic Survival Shelter - Solo Bushcraft Camping & Blacksmithing.

Summary

Join Luke from the Out Boys YouTube channel as he embarks on a thrilling 3-day winter camping adventure in Alaska. With no tent, he builds survival shelters, creates bushcraft projects, and enjoys delicious meals like moose fajitas and king crab legs. Battling the fluctuating temperatures, he adapts by drying clothes, building heat reflectors, and crafting tools like a cooking griddle. Along the way, he navigates challenges like cold, wet conditions and isolation, offering viewers a fascinating glimpse into survival techniques and the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Building a shelter in the snow is essential for survival, especially in the unpredictable Alaskan winter.
• 🔥 Fire is a crucial tool for staying warm and drying wet clothes when camping in extreme cold.
• 🌲 Dead trees, often due to invasive species like the Japanese Spruce bark beetle, can provide valuable firewood in cold conditions.
• 🕯️ Proper lighting, such as bicycle lights with GoPro mounts, is vital when working in the dark during winter camping.
• 🧣 It's important to keep survival tools, like flint and steel, secure to prevent losing them in the snow.
• 🛏️ Using animal hides, such as caribou or buffalo, offers effective insulation for a warmer night's sleep.
• 🥘 Prepping food in advance, like moose fajitas, saves time and energy when you're in a survival situation.
• 💡 Heat reflectors behind the fire are great for both reflecting warmth and acting as windbreaks.
• 🥄 Having a cooking griddle made from scrap materials can enhance the ability to cook over an open fire.
• 🚗 In extreme cold, ensuring your vehicle starts is crucial for safely leaving the campsite after a survival adventure.

Q & A

What survival shelter did Luke build during his Alaskan camping adventure?

Luke built a shelter using dead trees, which he cut down himself. He also used animal hides like caribou and buffalo hides for added warmth. The shelter provided basic protection from the cold, though Luke acknowledged that it could be improved further.

What challenges did Luke face when looking for a camping site in Alaska?

Luke faced challenges navigating through swampy areas and avoiding booby traps, like snow floating on water, which caused him to sink into the mud. He also had to find dead trees in the dark, which was difficult as the sun set early, and limited visibility made the task harder.

How did Luke manage to stay warm during his camping trip?

Luke used a fire to provide warmth and built heat reflectors behind the fire to bounce heat back at him. He also used animal hides for insulation, especially a buffalo hide for sleeping. His fire was crucial, but he had to stoke it every few hours throughout the night to maintain warmth.

What kind of food did Luke cook during his camping adventure?

Luke cooked a variety of meals, including pre-prepared moose fajitas, oatmeal, and king crab legs that he had caught in a previous trip. He also made use of chocolate-covered almonds for a snack and had hot dogs made from caribou.

Why did Luke mention the importance of drying his clothes and boots?

Luke emphasized drying his clothes and boots to avoid them freezing overnight. Wet socks, pants, and boots would freeze in the cold, making it difficult to put them on the next morning. Drying them by the fire was crucial for comfort and functionality.

What did Luke think about the effectiveness of the shelter's design?

Luke acknowledged that while the shelter was functional and kept him warm, it could still be improved. The thatching on the walls helped keep wind out, but it required enough thickness and snow cover to become truly airtight. The bed was narrow, and he aimed to make it more comfortable.

How did Luke's homemade griddle work out during the trip?

Luke successfully made a cooking griddle from steel. Although it had an imperfect shape due to freehand crafting, it worked well for cooking meals like corn beef hash and egg sandwiches. He seasoned it with peanut oil and used it to cook multiple meals.

What is the significance of the heat reflectors mentioned in the video?

The heat reflectors Luke built behind his fire served two purposes: they absorbed heat from the fire and reflected it back to him, keeping the shelter warm. They also acted as a windbreak, preventing cold winds from blowing smoke into his face.

How did Luke deal with the cold in the morning?

In the morning, Luke was able to keep warm by stoking the fire, which had kept the shelter warm during the night. He also mentioned the cold air seeping in whenever the fire died down. His shelter retained heat well as long as the fire was maintained.

What was the condition of Luke's K truck at the end of the trip?

Luke's K truck was in danger of freezing up due to the extremely cold temperatures. He mentioned that the truck sometimes wouldn’t start in freezing conditions, so it was important to check that it was working before putting out the fire.