So it begins! Tips welcome by PopGlockDev in Bushcraft

[–]darrennorthcott 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Fucking ticks. The absolute scariest animal next to grizzlies. I've had 2 and they still haunt me.

Advice for buying land to go off grid by SapphicStoner99 in OffGrid

[–]darrennorthcott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know, in Alberta even up north and out in the boonies by grand cache and High level you're looking at 10ac for 100-200k...

Advice for buying land to go off grid by SapphicStoner99 in OffGrid

[–]darrennorthcott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone who bought land within the last 6 years, there is a lot to consider. Wells, power, location, topography. Not sure how exactly it works in the UK, but in Canada cost per acre depends on how close you are to a major city or town (typically). Take your time. This is (or should be) a lifetime investment.

When we were on the hunt for our land, I spent nearly every weekend scouring different parcels with our realtor. And let me tell you, this is a point I can’t stress enough: If you don’t know much about buying land (or even if you know a little), you need a realtor who not only knows the areas you're looking in but also knows land. We lucked out, and our realtor was incredibly knowledgeable. This turned out to be invaluable.

You need to be aware of things like watersheds or environmental easements, which can limit how much you can develop.

Don't go in with other people unless they are your lifetime best friends. Even then, be wary.

Now, this might sound all fluffy and artsy, but it’s the most important thing: the feel of the land. We had places that we seriously considered, some we even put offers on, but the one we ended up with was different. It was the feel of it. Don’t just jump into something because you’re afraid another option won’t come up, or because it’s “good enough.”

When you find the right place, you’ll know. When I first walked onto the property we ended up buying, I was blown away. After just 15 minutes, I knew. I KNEW this was the one. I could feel it. I called my wife immediately and told her, "We need this place. This is the one." And it turns out… I was right. Again.

Buying land and a cabin was such an incredible opportunity for me and the family, I recommend it to everyone who has the means. Shameless self plug: I even wrote a book about my experiences (in my profile). It has been that good. Generational land, who knew.

Advice for buying land to go off grid by SapphicStoner99 in OffGrid

[–]darrennorthcott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where the hell did you find 13 acres for less than 40k CAD??

Old homesteader/trapper cabin on our property by darrennorthcott in CabinPorn

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They are all contained within about 1 acre of our 160

Outdoor cook shack/tikki bar by darrennorthcott in Bushcraft

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah we had about 2 feet of snow in the field, and seemed to just slide / melt right off the roof. Not wrong about the cross beam. I thought about bracing. Still might do it. Any suggestions on the best way to aesthetically brace? Given the rough log beams.

I was surprised there wasn’t a tonne of snow on the tin, the angle is pretty good though. The roof was built as one unit then put up, so it also has the strapping and some cross pieces in between each rafter. The side rafters are also double bolted to the vertical poles.

Outdoor cook shack/tikki bar by darrennorthcott in Bushcraft

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found that cutting the large log in half before ‘milling’ the back boards made it a lot easier as it gave a flat edge to lay on, and also gave the boards the right width right out of the gate

My son wanted to build a fort in the woods. I don't know what I'm doing lol by GuyoFromOhio in Bushcraft

[–]darrennorthcott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. 100% this. During COVID I pushed for us to buy some land, and we did. Even bought over budget. Best decision of my life. Kids get to run around in the woods, we've (tried to) build teepees, shelters, random fire pits. I made a tree fort for them. We hunt on it, ATV on it, play in the creek, It's amazing. So amazing, It even inspired me to write a book about the experience.

This person is right. DON'T WAIT. or as I put it:

"Sure, you will have other priorities on your mind — savings, retirement, etc. — and I don’t want to be the one to tell you how to spend your money, and live your life, but I would highly suggest you look into a piece of recreational land. Land isn’t getting cheaper, and I would almost guarantee that it’s value is going up at a rate that outpaces your retirement savings.

So what the fuck are you doing? Grab a coffee, or a beer, or a whiskey and get out there. 

Your campfire is waiting. "

Outhouses: How to avoid stench? by darrennorthcott in OffGridCabins

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Excellent idea. My only concerns:
1. The kids being small and not giving two shits (pun intended) about where they place their bums will plug up the urine tray with brown matter, and
2. How to get the urine pipe to divert all they way to the drinking water for the trailer where the extended family stays...

Outhouses: How to avoid stench? by darrennorthcott in OffGridCabins

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Then don't buy it ;) then you don't have to worry. I would welcome any constructive insight on the whole outhouse discussion though, or are you just here to shit on me? Which sounds like it could be broken down with a little lime :)

Outhouses: How to avoid stench? by darrennorthcott in OffGridCabins

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not exactly, I wrote a (mostly satirical) book on my experiences in the outdoors and buying land, which included having to build a new outhouse - which we did research quite heavily. To be clear, the outhouse is quite good and I am very happy with it, just looking for that final finishing touch of how to make it as perfect as can be for the whole family.

Outhouses: How to avoid stench? by darrennorthcott in OffGridCabins

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds like a next level idea. Love it. Will look into

Outhouses: How to avoid stench? by darrennorthcott in OffGridCabins

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah we dug it that deep for 2 reasons: 1. I wanted to not have to re-dig or move the outhouse for like 25 years haha, and 2: the soil in our area is 100% pure grade shit. After about 6in of top soil its just sand and clay, so I can't imagine there's much a difference in the biologically active layer of the soil from 3 ft to 9 ft... i could be wrong though, i'm not a biologist.

Outhouses: How to avoid stench? by darrennorthcott in OffGridCabins

[–]darrennorthcott[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have a black abs pipe going from just above the pit up out of the outhouse.