First Nations used scales of ponderosa pine or yellow pine trees to make small hot smokeless fires that cooled rapidly so their enemies would not be able to track them.
A test of survival
A test of survival How would you do on a quiz about wilderness
survival? Did you know that finding adequate shelter is the most
important thing to do first if you are lost in the wilderness? Most
deaths in the wilderness arise from exposure to extreme weather
temperatures. Water can be collected with a cloth used to soak up
morning dew from the grass and plants around you. Or you could
build a "solar still" - for instructions on how to do this, go to
"Activities" under "Fun Science" on this website. If you find a
body of water, the safest type to drink from is a fast-running
stream. However, water should always be filtered through cloth or
boiled to cleanse it. You should never "test" whether a plant is
poisonous by eating a bit of it then waiting for an hour to see how
you feel. Some plants are poisonous even in small doses. Get
yourself familiarized with edible plants and roots before trekking
in the wilderness! Grasses, cattails, pines and acorns are almost
always safe to eat. When you are walking on a trail through the
wilderness, look over your shoulder frequently to see what the path
looks like in reverse. You will then be more familiar with it when
you are returning. Did you know that the pitch of cedar and pine
trees makes good insect repellant? 9 JANUARY 1999
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