Finding Water and Shelter

[Pict]

A few weeks ago I took my kids camping in an area of scrub country, grassland, and rocky hills here in central Brazil. The land type is called Cerrado.

Anyway Daniel and I shot a short video while out scouting for places to camp with the groups I take out to the same area. I was looking for a place that would give good natural shelter and a source of water nearby. This isn't so much a how-to video but it does give a good idea of the type of land we have here.

Dan's a little shaky on the camera but he's a good kid who loves to explore.

Finding Water and Shelter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdYbFkG5m64)

Mac

[LeaveThisLifeGuy]

awesome vid! rock overhangs scare me, i like fire, i make fire under rock overhang, rock cracks and falls on me in my sleep :)

[Pict]

I use rock overhangs here all the time but I try to keep the fire from heating the rock directly. These overhangs are huge, very tall, they make a nice dry spot way out usually so it is possible to stay between the fire and the rock like a big lean-to. You can also dig out the termite mounds and use them like a fireplace, but it is a lot of work. Mac

[LeaveThisLifeGuy]

ummm... are there termites IN the mound?

[Rick]

That young man did just fine on the cam and your information is good. That looks so much like deep Southern Illinois with the rock overhangs. Reminds me of home. Places like Fern Cliff and Garden of the Gods.

You offered a great tip that some may not have caught. That test of the soil at the base of the overhang is a great way to determine if it's a dry place to camp. If the soil is dry then chances are pretty good you will be too.

Thanks! Good stuff!

[crashdive123]

Dan did just fine. Nice video and good info.

[Buddha443556]

Really like your videos, keep them coming.

[Pict]

Those two termite mounds were dead. If they are live you have to dig a hole and fire the mound to kill it (the approved way to rid yourself of termites mounds) before making it into a fireplace.

Termites do bite.

Thanks for the feedback on the video. We had fun making it. Mac