Topic · skills for the wild
Wilderness
Learn outdoor survival priorities: shelter, fire, water, navigation, and getting found when you are lost.
25 guides
Updated September 2026
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What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Getting Lost
Getting lost is not what kills people. Panic does. Most situations start small. A wrong turn, a missed trail, a moment of distraction. Then it builds. You keep moving, trying to fix the mistake quickly, and without realizing it, you make it worse. By the time you accept that you are lost, you are al...
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Juliane Koepcke: How She Survived 11 Days in the Amazon
On December 24, 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded LANSA Flight 508 in Lima with her mother, Maria. The aircraft entered a severe thunderstorm on its way to Pucallpa and broke apart over the Peruvian Amazon. Koepcke fell while still strapped to a row of seats, survived the impact, and then sp...
Sep 2, 2025
How to Start a Fire in Wet, Windy, or Cold Conditions
A fire can provide warmth, a way to cook, and a visible signal, but no ignition method works safely in every condition. Fire restrictions, drought, strong wind, unsuitable terrain, lack of water, or an approaching wildfire can make building a fire the wrong choice. This guide covers legal outdoor ca...
Mar 10, 2025
Essential Wilderness Survival Skills: A Comprehensive Guide
Venturing into the wilderness offers unparalleled experiences, from breathtaking landscapes to the serenity of untouched nature. However, the unpredictable environment necessitates a solid foundation in survival skills. Whether you're an avid adventurer or a casual hiker, understanding essential wil...
Mar 12, 2025
How to Open a Can Without a Can Opener Using Concrete or Stone
In a survival situation, every bit of food matters. If you come across a sealed can but don’t have a can opener, you’re faced with a challenge—how do you get to the food inside without spilling it everywhere or cutting yourself? Most people are so used to can openers that they’ve never considered al...
Mar 1, 2025
How to Navigate Without a Compass, Map, or GPS—and Avoid Drifting
If you need to navigate without a compass, map, or GPS, stop before you start guessing. Establish a rough direction from large, repeatable clues such as the sun’s movement, terrain slope, ridgelines, valleys, roads, rivers, or power lines. Then move between visible aiming points and review your dire...
Apr 20, 2026
The Lykov Family Survival in Total Isolation
In 1978, a Soviet geological team flying over the Siberian taiga spotted something that did not belong: a tiny cultivated patch and a crude homestead in a place where no one should have been living. When they walked in, they found the Lykovs, an Old Believer family who had spent decades pushing deep...
Mar 5, 2026
How to Use Tree Bark for Survival: Food, Medicine, and More
When survival depends on what you can find in nature, trees are one of the most valuable resources available. While many people think of trees primarily as a source of firewood and shelter, they also provide food, medicine, and essential materials for survival. One of the most overlooked survival re...
Mar 11, 2025
10 Trees Every Survivalist Should Know and How to Use Them
When it comes to survival, trees are one of the most valuable resources in the wild. They provide food, medicine, shelter, fire-starting materials, and even tools. Knowing which trees to look for—and how to use them—can give you a significant advantage in any survival situation. Some trees provide ...
Mar 9, 2025
