Britt Edelen
BA in English Literature, Brown University
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Co-authored Articles (34)
How to
Tie Strong Knots
Whether you’re setting up a campsite or tying cargo to the top of your car, it’s always good to know a few strong knots to make things more secure. No matter what situation you find yourself in, practicing some usefu...
How to
Tie an Adjustable Knot
Whether you’re making a friendship bracelet or needing to tie your camping gear to a post, knowing how to make an adjustable knot is a really useful skill. While there are dozens of different kinds of adjustable knots,...
How to Quickly Create and Modify a Square Knot
An easy-to-follow guide to folding and modifying square knots Need a quick knot that’ll hold fast? Look no further than the square knot, also called the reef knot! The square knot is a simple beginner’s knot with man...
How to
Start a Fire with Sticks
If you're camping or hiking and discover you have forgotten the matches, knowing how to start a fire with sticks is a very useful skill. The bow drill and hand drill method are well-established fire-starting techniques t...
How to
Use an Analog Watch as a Compass
If you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness or adrift at sea with no way to tell which direction you're traveling, an analog watch (or any similar clock face) can act as a compass and help you get your bearings. All...
How to
Identify Flint
Flint, also known as chert, is a type of sedimentary rock that has many uses. It was once commonly used to form rudimentary tools like knives and spear tips. Flint is often used by outdoorsmen to create sparks for a fire...
How to
Boil Water Without Electricity or Gas
We’ve all gotten so used to simply turning on a stove or starting up an electric kettle whenever we need to boil water, but what happens when there isn’t any power or the gas is out? Not to worry. There are plenty of...
How to
Tie a Bowline Knot
The bowline is the "King of Knots" in the boating world. https://www.gswo.org/content/dam/gswo-redesign/documents/Annual%20Documents/Program/traditions/Knots%20Book.pdf The bowline, pronounced 'Bowlin' not 'bow-line', is...
How to
Tie a Loop Knot
It's easy to create a loop on the end of a thread or line for a loop knot. These types of knots are particularly useful in fishing for attaching the hook to the line. Some common loop knots you can try are the Kreh loop ...
How to
Use a Fire Starter
Almost anyone who has tried to start a fire without matches or a lighter has quickly discovered just how hard it can be. You can rub two sticks together for a long time and still end up with nothing. Luckily, small and e...
How to
Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch)
Quick-release knots are those that you can undo with a simple tug, and the highwayman’s hitch is perhaps the most popular one. It looks like a complicated, secure knot when it’s tied, but a quick tug and it comes com...
How to
Build a Campfire
Summertime isn’t complete without a good ole campfire, but how do you build one? Starting a campfire at a campground or in backcountry is a breeze once you know which sticks to grab and how to arrange them. That’s wh...
How to
Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
The Chinese sliding knot is an adjustable coil-based design. This can be quite useful if you want to make adjustable necklaces or bracelets. The knot is simple, though it may take some practice to perfect it. Read on to ...
How to Set Up & Take Down a Tent: Easy Instructions
Follow these simple steps for a stress-free night under the starsWe've all been there: It's getting dark, it's cold, a wind's coming up, and you've got to sleep outside tonight. Pretty much the worst time ever to forget ...
Surviving in the Desert: What to Pack & Other Essential Tips
Plus, how to spot signs of danger & dehydrationWhen driving or walking through the desert, the road seems endless. There is nothing around for miles and miles. Nothing but desert plants, dry sand, and heat. If your car s...
How to
Make a Tent
Create a simple DIY shelter with tarps using our helpWhen you're on a camping trip, it's helpful to know how to build a shelter just in case you forgot to pack a tent. While many people check the weather ahead of time be...
How to
Start a Fire With Different Types of Kindling
Fire is essential for survival, cooking and warmth. Usually a fire is started with thin or split wood kindling but there are many other kinds of tinder and kindling that can be used if you're in a scrape and cannot locat...
How to
Survive in the Woods
Getting lost in the woods can be a scary situation. Whether you've gotten lost on a hike, your car broke down on a wilderness road, or any other reason, surviving in the woods is difficult, but it can be done. You need ...
How to
Start a Fire with Wet Wood
Fires are a staple of any campout, but unfortunately, rain can be too. How can you make a fire when everything is wet? With a good fire starter and some cleverly arranged logs, you can still make a fire that will last al...
How to
Tie a Clove Hitch Knot
The clove hitch knot is fairly simple, and it can be useful for securing ropes to trees, posts, or poles. One benefit of this knot is it's fairly easy to adjust the length of the rope if you need to. It's often used in b...
