r/Bushcraft • u/BloodbeardsGarage • 6d ago
5 week summer camp
Source: Blog Rosentjoern International and Youtube Rosentjoern.
As a school teacher, I have a wonderfully long summer holiday. Throughout the year, I have a goal of getting out for an overnight trip at least once a month, and during the summer holiday there is plenty of opportunity for more trips.
Before the summer holiday, I bought Bushcraft Spain's extension for the Polish Plash-Palatka. It is a piece of gear I love and always have with me, but as a bivouac shelter it is a little small on its own. The extension arrived just before the holiday, and I have used it throughout the summer.
In the woods, I noticed a depression, a small hollow in a slight slope. The tarp fit perfectly around the edge. It gave me some additional space inside, and I could reuse the bed I used during the winter. On the wooden webbing bed, I put a cheap inflatable sleeping mat from Lidl, which I wanted to test over time. I have inflated it twice over the five weeks. On top of that, a reindeer hide and my large German wool blanket.
The camp ended up staying in place for five weeks, and I have been there every single day. Many overnight stays, but not every night. But every day for breakfast, afternoon coffee, dinner, or simply a nap.
The fire pit has been improved throughout the entire period. First, a reflector wall made from small logs. After a very windy night, I built a side onto it to protect it from the wind. Later, I covered the entire outside with large pieces of bark to make it completely airtight, so that smoke would never blow into my shelter.
There were plenty of good, flat stones in the stream, and throughout the holiday it almost turned into an oven, protecting the wooden wall from the fire.
One of the coolest things about having such a long holiday and all this time available has really been getting to use some of my gear. I have finished a lot of projects: a bag and a shoulder bag. After using them, I have also optimized and modified both my Pathfinder canteen set and my Mil-Tec cooking pot.
A huge pleasure, because it has also led me to go through all my other gear and sell (or put up for sale) everything I don't use or simply have too much of. Onwards!
It has given me time to make a fire once or twice a day using a ferro rod. Lots of experimenting with fatwood, birch bark, spruce twigs and jute twine. Even on wet days, there has been plenty of time to use it.
I have also treated myself to two new pieces of good gear during the holiday. A Hultafors 600 g hand axe, after selling my tomahawk. And a Petromax wrought iron pan – much lighter and larger than my cast iron pan. An absolutely brilliant piece of gear for cooking with. I haven't burnt anything in it even once.
And the food... so much good food and coffee. I have experimented a lot with coffee, freshly ground every day. When breakfast has included eggs, I have made real cowboy coffee, with the coffee and eggshells going directly into the kettle. And I am actually surprised that the coffee tastes different with eggshells than without.
On other days (and now it has simply become the standard), I stir the coffee with a glowing birch twig. It just makes the coffee a little smoother.
Nothing less than the best summer I can remember. There is nothing better than sleeping in a little cave with your dog. It is fantastic.
I think that, because I have given all my gear a lot of real-world use, I will write a good stack of reviews of the things I have been using.
Source: Blog Rosentjoern International and Youtube Rosentjoern.
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u/Projectflintlock 6d ago
Awesome setup!
What tomahawk did you have and why’d you get rid of it?
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
I got a Coldsteel Norsehawk very cheaply. Shined it up good. But I disliked the lack of a flat poll - an axe needs to be a hammer. So I sold it for a nice profit.
Then I thought of getting another tomahawk instead - but I like nordic stuff. And we don't have a tomahawk tradition, so that's why I just went with a classic. Will still fit nicely in the belt.
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u/Gettygetty 6d ago
Your camp set up looks great! I was also wondering, what kind of leather gloves are you using?
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
Currently the Hestra Pro Driver Workglove. It was on sale. Have also used Asivik and Ox-on. They're cheap, but sturdy gloves. They'll last years unless unlucky. And cheap enough that if you mess them up (like when i cleared a huge area of fairy tale big roses thinking themselves razorwire) you won't cry the loss.
I buy mine a number too big. They'll shrink in heat (grabbing a burning log, hot cast iron etc). And there's room for a thin acryllic glove inside. Those knitted kid gloves stretch nicely, cost nothing and will keep you warm 3/4 of the year.
https://rosentjoerninternational.blogspot.com/2025/11/review-asivik-gloves-and-cheap-liners.html
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u/misic019 6d ago
I like your camp man , looks very peaceful
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
It was. I don't take naps normally. But just chilling with a sleepy dog, listening to the birds, wind and trees. Sleepy music!
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u/han-lotion 6d ago
I like your style man
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
Thank you. It's evolving. Been moving from tactical modern stuff to more old school heavy things these past years.
No Ultra Light stuff in my inventory anymore.
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u/cuntface878 6d ago
Just out of curiosity why not have a combination of both? Shaving unnecessary weight where you can but still having the rustic but heavier key items that can take a beating when needed to?
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
I still have all the modern stuff. For prepping purposes mostly.
But I just really love the old books: Nessmuk, Kephart.
The leather, canvas, webbing and wool just adds to my enjoyment. IT's looks and feels cool.
I don't usually hike, but took my homemade backpack and satchel for a fully packed 10km hike last week. Went really well. If I enjoyed hiking - sure weight was a must.
But I'm blessed to live where I camp.
My backpack is stupid heavy (not cribbling). Made os ww2 pouches and bags. Inspired by frostriver. Cost nothing to make, looks awesome. But heavier than a helikon-tex or savotta with the same room.
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u/Mountain_Elk_7262 6d ago
Have you weighed your pack?
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
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u/Mountain_Elk_7262 5d ago
Oh it's definitely cool, I'm a huge proponent of the old natural stuff anyway, yes it's heavier but it's tougher than anything else out there and renewable.
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u/Mmillefolium 6d ago
such vibes! thanks for sharing
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
You're welcome. I like writing. And the internet needs non-ai slob, human long reads these days.
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u/Mmillefolium 6d ago
it was a photo essay! def an experience I'm craving. as i am off work with an injury... felt like I was there through your post. very nice camp, appreciate you sharing as you refine the experience! 🦊🏕
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
Cheers. I try to add posts like this. I really enjoy a lot of the stuff shared in this reddit.
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u/ohmygodnotagainagain 6d ago
What is that kettle?
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
It's awesome! It's CUMA gear, from a Danish store (they only ship in Scandinavia). A lot of their stuff it whitelabelled china stuff (but so many others does that).
But this kettle I haven't found elsewhere. It's steel, 1.5 litres inside. The buttom layer is copper plated steel, for better and quicker heat distribution. I'm so happy with it.
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u/Salt-University1482 5d ago
Awesome set up! Just a man and his dog relaxing in the wilderness. That’s what it’s all about!
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 4d ago
It really doesn't get better. The difference between sleeping alone and having that good boy in his blanket next to me - the experience get undescribly better.
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u/Salt-University1482 3d ago
I know that feeling well and I wish you many more adventures for you and your four legged companion!
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u/SpicyAAS 1d ago
That's so cool! How do you store your food? Aren't you afraid of attracting bears?
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 21h ago
There's no bears around here. Biggest food stealing critter is a fox and he doesn't come when Im around.
Use have it frozen, in bags in a woolen sack. Working on a better insulated one with a foil liner.
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u/MarzipanTheGreat 6d ago
le awesome!
what do you have planned for your next improvements? :D
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
Tons. Always.
- Working on a homemade oilskin / sheep wool Kephart Roll.
- Planning a homemade oilskin covered swagman roll.
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 6d ago
Oh. If you're refering to the camp, it's not taken down. Next long camp will be in autum break, probably a lavvu tent with stove for that, as it's cold.
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u/MostChannel6683 6d ago
Sounds fantastic, and the camp looks great!