Archive
The Wild10 Blog Archive
Every published story, filterable by category and by the editor who wrote it.
Showing 18 of 118 stories.
Survival & Safety
Ferro Rod vs. Bic Lighter: What Actually Works for Backcountry Fire
Forget the romantic notions of firecraft. When your life might depend on it, what's truly reliable in the backcountry: a ferro rod or a simple Bic lighter? We break down the real-world performance.
By Wes Donnelly · · 8 min
Survival & Safety
How to Plan a Stargazing Camping Trip
A good stargazing camp combines dark sky, clear horizon, weather, moon phase, legal access, warmth, and patient eyes. The telescope is optional; a blanket, red light, star map, and binoculars can reveal plenty. The greatest technical challe
By Cal Brennan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Outdoor Photography Without Missing the Outdoor Experience
Outdoor photography improves when the camera supports observation instead of replacing it. Plan light, weather, access, safety, and a small shot list, then keep the equipment simple enough to move and notice. The landscape is not required t
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Map and Compass Navigation: A Beginner's Field Lesson
Map and compass skills become useful through field comparison: contour lines against slopes, symbols against roads and water, and bearings against visible landmarks. The first goal is not to navigate a featureless wilderness. It is to orien
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Emergency Communication Outdoors: Build a Layered Signaling Plan
Outdoor communication should not depend on one phone, one carrier, one battery, or one person. A layered plan combines itinerary, check-in protocol, electronic devices, audible and visual signals, and self-sufficiency while help travels. Th
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
A Year-Round Outdoor Skills Plan: Twelve Months of Practical Practice
Outdoor skill grows when practice continues between major trips. A year-round plan can rotate navigation, first aid, camping, paddling, fishing, weather, winter travel, and stewardship while matching local seasons. The objective is not to m
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Trail Running Safety: Pace, Water, Weather, and the Turnaround
Trail running compresses distance and decision time. A runner can move quickly beyond easy help, overheat before noticing, or reach exposed terrain as weather changes. Safety comes from route knowledge, appropriate pace, water and food, foo
By Adele Marchetti · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Outdoor Adventures With Kids: Build Skills Without Building Fear
Children learn outdoors through manageable challenge, repetition, play, and trusted adults. The goal is not to prove toughness or remove every risk. It is to choose age-appropriate activities, explain concrete safety rules, invite observati
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Paddling Day-Trip Checklist for Canoes, Kayaks, and SUPs
A paddling day trip requires more than a boat and optimism. Water temperature, wind, current, waves, traffic, reentry ability, flotation, communication, and a return plan determine safety. Every paddler should wear a properly fitted life ja
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
How to Build an Outdoor First-Aid Kit You Can Actually Use
An outdoor first-aid kit should match the people, activity, duration, environment, and distance from professional care. The most valuable contents are training, gloves, wound supplies, blister care, medications appropriate to the user, and
By Theo Hartigan · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
Food Storage Around Bears and Other Wildlife
Wildlife-resistant food storage protects animals as much as campers. Once animals obtain human food, they may damage property, become aggressive, or be killed by managers. Storage rules vary by species and location, so use the exact approve
By Wes Donnelly · · 2 min
Survival & Safety
A Field Guide to Bison Encounter
Learn bison safety through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Theo Hartigan · · 5 min
Survival & Safety
A Field Guide to Trail Running in Bear Country
Learn trail running bear safety through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Adele Marchetti · · 6 min
Survival & Safety
Bear Photography: Common Mistakes and a Better Field Drill
Learn bear photography mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Theo Hartigan · · 6 min
Survival & Safety
A Field Guide to Bear Photography
Learn bear photography safety through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Theo Hartigan · · 5 min
Survival & Safety
Bear Safety From a Paddlecraft Checklist: Practice Before the Trip
Learn bear safety from a paddlecraft mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Graham Eddy · · 6 min
Survival & Safety
Improve Wild Pig Encounter With a Practical Training Plan
Learn wild pig encounter mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Renata Cho · · 5 min
Survival & Safety
Dogs in Bear Country: Common Mistakes and a Better Field Drill
Learn dogs in bear country mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
By Theo Hartigan · · 5 min
