10 Adventure Essentials

You’re on the DIY adventure of the summer, deep in the Canadian wilderness and days from civilization, when you realize you’ve forgotten something crucial. What to do? Read our suggestions to help inspire your inner-MacGyver to devise a solution.

1. Toilet Paper

Try Using:

• Broad leaves
• Birch bark
• Old T-shirt

Maybe Not:

• Shiny trifoliate leaves
• Oak bark
• Your buddy’s T-shirt

2. Matches

Try Using:

• Lighter
• Steel wool & battery
• Magnifying glass

Maybe Not:

• Lightning rod
• Steel wool & dead battery
• Whisky glass

3. Booze

Try Using:

• Natural high
• Strong camp coffee
• Extra strong camp coffee

Maybe Not:

• Random mushrooms
• Swamp water
• Naptha

4. Flashlight

Try Using:

• Candle
• Pine sap torch
• Night-vision goggles

Maybe Not:

• Jar of fireflies
• Emergency flare
• Forest fire

5. Compass

Try Using:

• Follow the stars
• Analog watch
• Smartphone app

Maybe Not:

• Follow a river
• Digital watch
• Moss on trees

6. Hat

Try Using:

• Bandana
• Deer hide
• Woven reeds

Maybe Not:

• Beehive
• Antler sheds
• Shiny trifolate leaves

7. Camera

Try Using:

• Sketchbook
• Memory
• Word picture

Maybe Not:

• Stick (to draw in dirt)
• Pee (to draw in snow)
• DIY tattoo

8. Bug Repellent

Try Using:

• Mud
• Campfire smoke
• Bear grease

Maybe Not:

• Drakkar Noir
• Skunk spray
• Honey

9. Toothbrush

Try Using:

• Fingers
• Frayed oak
• Who cares?

Maybe Not:

• Dirty fingers
• 12-gauge bore brush
• Your buddy’s toothbrush

10. Life-saving Medicine

Try Using:

• Emergency evac
• Divine intervention
• Extra divine intervention

Maybe Not:

• Random mushrooms
• Swamp water
• Naptha