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How To: Use Diagonal Lashings to tie poles together

Diagonal lashings are a popular type of knot for building structures with wooden poles that allows you to join two poles at a 45-90 degree angle. It can replace a square lashing, but not vice versa. This video will show you how to tie a diagonal lashing yourself, which can be used in all sorts of outdoor construction projects.

How To: Bind poles together with a Japanese square lash

This clip presents an introduction to the ancient Japanese technique of square lashing. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's quite easy. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started doing square lashing yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Use a square lashing

Square lashing is a knot-making technique that has been made famous by the Boy Scouts of America's massive pioneering projects, and is really integral to any structure made out of poles like the one you see in the thumbnail. This video will teach you how to use square lashing to bind two poles together perpendicular to one another. You will need to know how to tie a clove hitch to make this work.

How To: Make an All-Night Campfire with Just One Log

The next time you're out camping, whether it's outdoors in the wilderness or right outside in your own backyard, try this hack out for an effortless campfire all night long. While there is definitely some prep work involved, it's well worth it if you don't need a huge bonfire, and more so if you plan on cooking meals over the flames.

How To: Tie the Miller's Knot (bag or sack knot)

In order to tie a Miller's Knot, which is also known as the bag or sack knot, you should begin by wrapping the rope around the object you wish to bind: the Miller's knot is a binding knot. It is used to bind things. Next, wrap one of the free ends around it. You are, basically, wrapping one end around a second time.

How To: Put up a camping tarp

Learn how to put up a tarp for shade and protection from the rain in this video. First, find two trees with a nice flat spot in between them. Throw a rope up over a limb at least fifteen feet or so high. Now, tie the rope off to itself or to a smaller limb. Next, secure the rope on the other tree and leave the slack on the ground. Next, put the tarp over the rope evenly and anchor one end with a wire tie, small rope or bungee. Now you hoist the tarp up using one end of the rope and pull it to...

How To: Tie a Japanese MKII method of square lashing rope

Square lashing is a great way to hold two things together at a perpendicular with rope or cord. Like most any knot, there is more than one way to tie it, and in this video you'll learn how to tie the Japanese MKII version of square lashing.

How To: Make a lean-to in the wilderness

Sometimes you need a little shelter when you are hiking or camping. If it starts to rain, or you need a little shade from the sun, it will help you very much to build a lean to. In this tutorial, learn how to make a lean to if you are stuck in the wild.

How To: Keep Mosquitoes & Other Annoying Bugs Away from Your Campfire or Backyard Fire Pit

I'll be honest—I've never been a huge fan of camping. It's not that I have anything against nature, I'm just partial to showering and sleeping in my own bed. In fact, the only part of camping I've ever really enjoyed is sitting around a campfire. Outdoor fires are perfect for socializing and cooking hot dogs, but they're also great at helping remove one of camping's biggest annoyances.

How To: Secure a Kayak on Car or SUV Using J Bar Roof Rack

Video: . This video will show you how to secure your kayak to a J bar roof rack carrier.

How To: Make a Survival Light Source

This is just a simple survival light source. You can use a cheap outdoor solar yard light like the one in the video from walmart. There only about 3 to 5 bucks but you can use them not only as a light source but a way to recharge AA rechargeable batteries.

How To: How the Hookup or Connect a Battery to Your Camper or RV

Video: . This video will show you how to connect the positive and ground wire on the battery of your RV or camping trailer.

How To: Make a comfy DIY camping chair for less than 5 dollars

Not every camper is looking to totally "rough it" while they are in the woods. In this clip, learn how to make a comfy, folding camping seat out of cheap supplies for less than five bucks! This foam pad is far better than the ones you buy at those expensive camping stores and because you made it yourself, you know it will work. The best part? If you lose it or it gets ruined out there in the wilderness, it was so cheap and easy to make that you can just create another one!

How To: Build a comprehensive chuck box for camping

In order to build a good chuck box, you will need to do a lot of planning in advance, in order to make sure that you have the essentials and keep the weight of your chuck box down.

How To: Use a propane tree to operate a camp stove and light

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a propane tree to operate a camp stove. Start off with your propane tree that connects together simply. Attach this to the propane adapter so you can use the propane for both the stove and lantern. The lantern will be able to stay on around 10 minutes with the tree. Next, connect the eight foot adapter to the propane tree and place it on an attachment into the stove to use for heat. It only takes about five minutes to hook all of this up, and it will maxi...

How To: Make clean burning fire starters with non-toxic materials

It's really easy to take lazy route and purchase fire starters at a grocery or hardware store to aid you in creating campfires, but storebought fire starters tend to have massive amounts of environment polluting chemicals and toxins that you probably shouldn't be anywhere near.

How To: Start a fire without kindling

You don't need a stock pile of kindling to hold the flame and really get your fire started. There are a variety of creative yet effective substitutes. Leftover chips from lunch, an extra toilet paper roll, these are only a few ideas on how to start your next fire.

How To: Set Up Popup Camper or Tent Trailer

This video will show you how to set up your popup camper also known as a tent trailer.

How To: Lash a bamboo tripod

In this tutorial, we learn how to lash a bamboo tripod. First, you will tie a clove hitch by taking one piece of bamboo and wrapping the rope around it, then crossing the two sides of the string together to make a hitch. Next, you will secure the clove hitch around the third piece of bamboo. Now, you will rap all the pieces of bamboo together with the rope. Continue to do this until all the pieces feel secure together. Wrap the rope several times around each of the pieces, then wrap it in the...

How To: Dehydrate food for camping

This how-to video explains how to dehydrate food for backpacking or camping. This is very helpful, and could make meat last for up to 6 months. This could save a lot of money in the long run.

How To: Set up a classic A-Frame tent

There are tons of quick pop up tents available nowadays, but the classic A-Frame tent still remains one of the most popular. A-Frames are those classic tents with the spikes in the ground that hold it up. They take a little more effort to erect but they are perfect for backpacking or short camping trips.

How To: Construct a camp chair

When you are camping, having a place to sit down other than the ground is always a plus. If you don't have the strength or space to carry a chair with you as you hike, check out this video and learn to make one out of materials you find in the forest. This way, not only will you have a place to sit, but you will be able to leave it once you leave and lighten your load. Enjoy this very cool tutorial, and learn exactly how to make yourself a comfy seat in an otherwise empty forest.

How To: Identify the parts of a compass

The parts of the compass are a base plate with different measurements for calculating mileage and distance. The magnifying glass is used to magnify things on your map. The arrow at the top of the compass is called the direction of travel arrow. To find the degrees on your compass, use the rotating bezel ring, with North being "0", East being "90", South being "180", and west being "270". The magnetic needle inside has a red magnetic north end, which is used to locate "North", and the black en...

How To: Make a stone rocket stove

To build a stone rocket stove, you will need the following: stones, wood, a tender pile, and lighter (or something to start a fire)

How To: Sharpen a swiss army knife

Learning how to maintain and sharpen your Swiss army knife is an important skill for campers and backpackers. You will need to have a sharpening stone that can be dry or wet. To use a wet stone simply add a little bit of water or homing oil. Keep the blade at an angle of 5 to 7 degrees from the surface of the stone and move the blade back and forth or in a circular motion.

How To: Bake a cake on the trail

This how-to video shows how to bake a cake on the trail. This can be a yummy treat while you are away from your house. If you follow these simple instructions you can bake anywhere you want.

How To: Build a shelter in the wild

In this tutorial, we learn how to build a shelter in the wild. You can use trees with a branch as the top to cover yourself from rain. You can also use tree branches and sticks to keep the shelter up. A shelter is great to store things in, or to sleep in. You can keep the fire close to the shelter so the heat goes into your shelter, but not too close so you don't set a fire. If you work quickly, it should only take a few hours to build this shelter. Also, place a tarp over the branches and le...

How To: Tie a chain sinnet

A chain sinnet is a useful rope technique to know for climbing, camping or disaster prep. It's a bit tricky for beginners, but you should pick it up before long. In this tutorial, the guys at ITS Tactical show us how to make a chain sinnet using some flaked rope.

How To: Tie a slip knot

Also called a running knot, the slip knot actually refers to any knot that "slides" along the rope, or can be untied by pulling both ends. Watch and learn how to tie one type of slip knot. Tie a slip knot.

How To: Setup Your Tent While Camping

Check out this how-to video to use essential tent setup tips for camping. Camping without a tent is like living without a house! Check out these easy tips for buying and taking care of your tent, and you'll be able to camp with it for a lifetime. Buy and Maintain a Camping Tent - Proper Camping Tent Use Video.

How To: Tie a basic lanyard knot

ITS Tactical demonstrates how to tie a Lanyard Knot in this weeks edition of "Knot Of The Week". This knot is most easily made by using your hand, held sideways and flat.

How To: Tie two ropes together with different knots

For those who didn't learn any knot-tying skills in scouts, or have forgotten them all now, this video demonstration shows how to do knots from basic to more advanced knots such as Sheet Bend, Fisherman's Knot, Square Knot and Thief's Knot. Knot tying is essential for camping, sailing, fishing, and even when you least suspect it. Watch this video camping and outdoor preparation tutorial and learn how to tie two ropes together with several different styles of knots.

How To: Construct a DIY "whoopie sling" hammock suspension

When you are camping, it is always nice to have a comfy place to sleep or rest. In this tutorial, learn how to construct a strong but cheap DIY "whoopie sling" for making a hammock. This suspended cocoon will let you enjoy the great outdoors while staying safe, comfortable and off the ground.

How To: Use round lashing to build a flagpole or A-frame

Round lashing refers to a knot that you can use to hold two poles together easily and securely. This is useful for constructing a flagpole, as the creators of the video did here and building a-frames. This video will show you how to use round lashing quickly and easily for your next outdoor project.

How To: Use the common rope seizing knot

Rope seizing is a technique that is used when two things need to be held together with rope, like two pieces of timber for example. This video from ITS Tactical demonstrates how to use some cord to perform rope seizing on a big, heavy rope so that you can use it to suspend an object or perform other heavy rope-using tasks.

How To: Make leather string or thong from an old glove

You will use an old work glove to make the string. First cut the seems of the glove to the finger tips with scissors. Cut out the palm part of the clove. Remove the elastic off of the back with a knife. remove the hem with your scissors. Next, start cutting at the edge up around the shape of the glove. Keep going round until it starts turning into one long piece. Go back around the leather and trim up the rough edges and corners. He ends up with about seven foot of string. It's a cheep free w...

How To: Make a fire with chapstick and cottonballs

This is a survival video which shows how to make a fire out of chap stick and cotton balls. This is called the wicks/wax principle. For the wick, cotton balls are used. For the wax, any petroleum based product is good. In this case chap stick is used. Take a big chunk of chap stick out of the tube, about 1 inch. Smear the chap stick into the cotton ball. This will evenly distribute the chap stick throughout the cotton ball. Spread out the chap stick filled cotton ball so that it creates a big...