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Rowan Hale

Bushcraft Instructor & Backcountry Skills Writer

Rowan Hale

Teaches fieldcraft, shelter systems, fire craft, and practical survival routines for readers who want usable skills, not theory.

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19 articles

Why Your Brain Is Your Best Survival Tool (and How to Use It)Mindset & Preparedness

Why Your Brain Is Your Best Survival Tool (and How to Use It)

Survival is 90% mental and 10% gear because your tools only work if you're calm enough to use them. Building a strong Mindset & Preparedness habit means training your brain...

May 6, 202610 min1,369
Outdoor Hacks & Tricks for Staying Safe and Warm in the WildOutdoor Hacks & Tricks

Outdoor Hacks & Tricks for Staying Safe and Warm in the Wild

Have you ever felt that sudden pit in your stomach when you realize the trail does not look familiar anymore? Maybe the sun is dipping low and your phone battery...

April 28, 20266 min2,427
Survival Skills That Might Just Save Your Nine LivesSurvival Skills

Survival Skills That Might Just Save Your Nine Lives

Have you ever wondered how you would handle the wild without your creature comforts? It is easy to feel like a lost kitten when the sun goes down and you...

April 22, 20269 min458
Why a Compass Isn't Enough: Survival Gear That Actually Works When It PoursGear & Essentials

Why a Compass Isn't Enough: Survival Gear That Actually Works When It Pours

Imagine you're deep in the woods when the sky opens up and your phone screen goes black. It's a sinking feeling, right? This is the moment you realize survival isn't...

April 19, 20268 min2,417
Why the 1-10-1 Rule is Your Best Friend When the Water is FreezingSurvival Scenarios

Why the 1-10-1 Rule is Your Best Friend When the Water is Freezing

Imagine the heart-stopping chill of falling through thin ice. Most people think they only have seconds before freezing to death, but the biggest threat is actually the immediate cold shock...

March 25, 202610 min4,236
Why Getting Ready for the Worst is Actually Great for Your Mental HealthMindset & Preparedness

Why Getting Ready for the Worst is Actually Great for Your Mental Health

What if the secret to a calm mind isn't a silent meditation retreat but a well-stocked pantry? It sounds strange, but getting ready for the worst is actually one of...

March 22, 20267 min4,634
Will They See You? How to Use Survival Signals to Get Found FastSurvival Scenarios

Will They See You? How to Use Survival Signals to Get Found Fast

Imagine standing in a vast forest while a rescue plane flies right over you, but the pilot never looks your way. It is a terrifying thought, but it happens more...

March 17, 20268 min3,036
7 Clever Outdoor Hacks and Tricks for a Better Camping TripOutdoor Hacks & Tricks

7 Clever Outdoor Hacks and Tricks for a Better Camping Trip

Have you ever reached your campsite only to realize you forgot the lantern or that your tent feels a bit too much like a cold, dark cave? It is a...

March 17, 20265 min337
Why This Simple String is the Secret to Better Outdoor Hacks and TricksOutdoor Hacks & Tricks

Why This Simple String is the Secret to Better Outdoor Hacks and Tricks

Did you know that a simple piece of string originally designed for WWII parachutes can hold up to 550 pounds? It sounds like a bit of a stretch, but this...

March 5, 20266 min2,377
Why Your Hiking Group Falls Apart (And How to Keep It Together)Mindset & Preparedness

Why Your Hiking Group Falls Apart (And How to Keep It Together)

You spent weeks picking out the perfect boots and a lightweight tent, but have you thought about what happens when your hiking partner gets grumpy or the weather turns sour?...

March 5, 20263 min718
Why Your Survival Knife Isn't Sharp Enough (And How to Fix It Anywhere)Survival Skills

Why Your Survival Knife Isn't Sharp Enough (And How to Fix It Anywhere)

You are out in the woods, the sun is dropping, and you need a fire fast. You reach for your blade to prep some cedar, but it just slides right...

March 1, 20268 min5
Wet Wood and Cold Nights: Outdoor Hacks for When Nature Gets GrumpyOutdoor Hacks & Tricks

Wet Wood and Cold Nights: Outdoor Hacks for When Nature Gets Grumpy

Picture this. You wake up to the sound of rain hitting your tent and realize every stick in the woods is soaking wet. It is the kind of morning that...

February 21, 20266 min4,490
Desert Survival Tips: How to Stay Alive When Everything Goes WrongSurvival Scenarios

Desert Survival Tips: How to Stay Alive When Everything Goes Wrong

Imagine the sun beating down so hard you can feel your skin tightening, and your car just died miles from the nearest paved road. It sounds like a movie scene,...

February 11, 20265 min4,587
How to Build a Wilderness Shelter That Actually Keeps You WarmSurvival Skills

How to Build a Wilderness Shelter That Actually Keeps You Warm

Imagine the sun dipping below the trees and the air turning sharp and cold. Most people worry about food or water first, but your body heat is actually your most...

February 1, 20264 min1,623
Staying Safe in the Wild: What to Actually Do When You Meet a Bear or CougarSurvival Scenarios

Staying Safe in the Wild: What to Actually Do When You Meet a Bear or Cougar

Imagine you are hiking through a quiet forest when a massive grizzly suddenly steps onto the trail ahead. Your heart hammers against your ribs and your brain screams for you...

January 27, 202610 min2,552
Why a Roll of Duct Tape is More Useful Than Your Fancy GearOutdoor Hacks & Tricks

Why a Roll of Duct Tape is More Useful Than Your Fancy Gear

Imagine you're miles from civilization when your tent rips or your boot sole peels away like a banana. That pricey, high-tech gear you bought might look cool, but it can't...

January 27, 20265 min3,378
Stay Toasty: Why a Simple Space Blanket Changes Everything for Winter CampingOutdoor Hacks & Tricks

Stay Toasty: Why a Simple Space Blanket Changes Everything for Winter Camping

Imagine being stuck in the woods with only three hours to stay warm before things get dangerous. The survival Rule of 3s says shelter is your top priority in the...

January 24, 20265 min3,159
Why Your Survival Kit Needs an Upgrade Before 2026 (And What to Skip)Gear & Essentials

Why Your Survival Kit Needs an Upgrade Before 2026 (And What to Skip)

Did you know that a single gallon of water weighs over eight pounds? Many people build their bug out bag essentials by tossing in every gadget they find, only to...

January 20, 202612 min947
Why the Best Survival Knife for 2026 Isn't a Rambo BladeGear & Essentials

Why the Best Survival Knife for 2026 Isn't a Rambo Blade

Most people think a survival knife needs to be a massive, jagged piece of steel that looks like it belongs in a movie. But if you're actually stuck in the...

January 10, 202610 min3,571