Make a Tripod Hoist and Move Logs While Building a Cabin Alone

In this video, I square up and level the log cabin foundation logs, build a tripod with rope chain-fall and talk about the next projects that I'm about to start working on.

[@H4rleyBoy]

Anything you teach most people would be interested to learn, you have a calm educated way about you, I wish I was younger (69 and unfit) I'd be over there like a shot.

[@ClintZold]

Sounds like an incredible plan Shawn. You've got a lot of skills and more importantly a great outlook on life and passion for the wilderness I think people would benefit from. Very cool.

[@tompanetti75]

Nothing Great Comes Easy...your cabin video's are so smooth...they go down like fine bourbon...in a beautiful cabin...taking it easy......many thanks Shawn, for all the knowledge...you share with us

[@larsfrandsen2501]

Just what the doctor ordered. Following this eagerly! I was a woodsman for ten years in my youth. I know I will eventually return to it somehow, probably when my career has ended. Thanks for your videos.

[@HamsterLife_EnglishLearning]

Back breaking work. Great work! How wonderful is that. You won't have to leave your own property to get away and do what you love. All your camping buddies can come to you lol. Congratulations on the purchase of your land. Lucky you having bought it up near Algonquin. Gods country of Ontario. Wow with 20 acres you could start camp ground rental of small 10x10 cabins with 4 wood bunks in each and one small table.Out house beside each one. Rental of canoes. Perhaps a bed and breakfast and or snack bar. Camp for boy scouts & ranger rentals. Unlimited things you could do on 20 acres up in that beautiful area of being so close to Algonquin. Perhaps you already had this in mind when you purchased the 20 acres.

[@TAOutdoors]

Congrats on the land deal, looking forward to joining you on the adventure through the videos :) - MIke

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks Mike, looking forward to seeing you here at the cabin some day.

[@davidwatson3746]

Great idea how about a class on tree identification for log building fire making for various types of cooking.

[@mikefedele4521]

I think it's great. In terms of what to build and teach let the property tell you. Mother-nature has a way of pointing you in the right direction. Congtes on the land .Hope to see more.

[@terihomer5316]

I have been looking at ideas that I could use to raise heavy wood. I am 69 yrs young and love your site and although the body is not 20s the mind is still active. This will help in the days and years to come.

[@janej6253]

Callie as a pup! How adorable. She grew up into a beauty!

[@RyanJKUS2012]

Safety first, then fire, then different types of shelter from a tarp to natural material shelter and raised beds, cooking, basic camp hygiene, tree id, pick 4 items from your pack and improvise to create something to make life easier, lots of different ideas. Congratulations on the property. Looking forward to seeing your progress on the cabin.

[@MichaelJones1130]

🛶🌲🏕 this land sounds amazing! 1. As a city guy with camping skills but no hunting background, it would be awesome to learn. I am thinking about your trip with Joe, Doug, and Martin. Kind of a big order but I am sure you could break it down into courses. 2. Camping trip with your favorite KZbin personalities. Martin will wake you up with "fooooolks, checking innnnn". Drink wiskey or a craft beer with Joe. Doug will trick out your axe. You can teach an awesome skill.

[@MySelfReliance]

Mike Jones Lol. I have no doubt that will happen soon enough.

[@georgettewood8894]

Thus far very good, time well spent. Keep going Shawn. Beautiful pup......... a lot of us can help you by standing by you with all your project, and subscribing, and thumbs up.

[@susanb4816]

i live on disability insurance and i am really looking forward to escaping the city in a couple of years, once my last child leaves home. i look forward to anything you can teach to help me make that happen. thank you for sharing

[@MySelfReliance]

Susan B Great thanks Susan.

[@ConsciousMechanism]

Incorporating your classes into the development of the property would be nice. In this way we can see your project as a testament and develop our own skills as we work through coursework. I love the idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks Lawrence. I'm very excited about doing just that.

[@clifffinch9052]

survival and the pay off of hard work and the feeling of self worth....id say common sense shawn is something that alot of younger people just dont have....teach them to not be in a big hurry....the reward is something you have tasted and thats the payoff....i know shawn you have a huge heart and i can see the love you have for life and simple olde ways....people make things harder then they have to be...if anyone can teach people bushcraft and survival its you!You sir are a blessing to many including myself

[@bushcrafty3480]

Congratulations from New Zealand! Looks like a great property.

[@norelv46]

I'm trying this very thing myself and find your videos very helpful. keep on keeping on and thanks !!!

[@marylinharms415]

Before u can build anything u need a great foundation start. With the basics ur gonna do great Shawn praying for u

[@robertmeintzer]

I THINK YOU NEED TO TEACH SELF RELIANCE! LOL YOU ARE ONE HELL OF A INSPIRATION! YOU REMIND ME OF ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG ! EVERY BOSS I EVER HAD SAID I WAS A GREAT WORKER! YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE!

[@Gunnslinger50]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with on your new property. Congratulations!

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks!

[@MeetMeOutside]

You should be excited ! That's awesome ! Perhaps you could put the current cabin on hold,get going on the new one on your new property.Then have students help finish the one you are working on ? Anyway ,great news ! Peace

[@monicareid8858]

Excellent!! Ideas to teach: Tree / lumber wood identification and selection, Foundation kinds & options to build on Building on various kinds of ground: clay, sand, wet, dry, bedrock, dealing with water table issues, etc, Sanitation options-outhouse, waste water planted ponds, etc Building functional showers/bathtubs/bath houses that you’d WANT to use long term and how to drain them Storing tools, wood, supplies, making your space function and making a plan for your space Road building/maintenance off-grid style Making the builds last through years, weather, winters, rain, etc, and what maintenance to expect How to build and keep it beautiful-minimizing disturbances to the landscape and existing habitat How to recognize invasive species, remove them, and bring in naturalized species to enhance your land’s production and habitat I just got my 20 acres and am trying to figure it all out Great seeing what you’re up to! Enjoy

[@joebrown1382]

I can't really use any of your classes but I love watching you concur the difficulties of building with hand tools. I'm checking all your videos I can you're an interesting man.

[@kkoktan1601]

Congrats! On the land purchase. Camping trip with wilderness courses here I come. I am so in for this. Even to just get outdoors with a trusted guide. Cali is getting so big! K

[@maineiachomestead7550]

GRATZ on the land deal!! I remember how excited I was when I got the word on my 6.75 ac.

[@brianspencer4220]

Hi Shawn: really happy about your good news. A lot of potential there & I feel you are very capable of choosing your direction properly. I would like to meet you there & exchange ideas & experiences. My age makes me hesitate with suggestions, however I believe the wilder you keep the setting the better. Thanks for allowing me to come along. Brian (closing in on 77)

[@VernAfterReading]

I like your style of video. I've been watching OutsideFun1 do a cabin for a while, and can't get enough. I like the woodworking and ways to lift and work while solo yet safely.

[@raindefreitas9507]

Hey shawn that's great for you & your family on buying property. It's feels good to know it's yours. I can relate I have a very long family trapping territory that's ours full of wildlife.

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

Congrats on the purchase of your land. Nice area!

[@prettyoutside7464]

It's great to have you back! This kind of vid is amazing. Thank you for sharing. - Davi

[@captainreggae99]

Thank you so much for making videos. I love your work, and would love to take part in one of your workshops. I am preparing to do something very similar to your next adventure, with an off-grid self-sustaining home/farm that I plan to do myself. Here's a couple suggestions for workshops that I think would be very helpful: building a log cabin BY YOURSELF (safety tips, and ways to handle large materials solo), Cabin foundations, wood types and purposes and how to identify each in the wilderness, building your own hand tools, and wood cutting techniques. Congrats on your new land! I look forward to all your future videos.

[@MySelfReliance]

Captain Reggae Thanks for the suggestions. I like that - I tend to forget that most of what I do is solo and it does require different techniques and safety considerations

[@howielane8406]

Great Choice. More for you and yours. Plus your mission as well. Hope to catch up to ya soon.

[@Tsiri09]

Thank you. that looks like a lot of work- makes me appreciate my ancestors.

[@bigbrother1967]

thanks for sharing this video .I love nature. good luck and hope all the best and lots of joy for you and family in that natural beautifull and clean environment.

[@nanniebb]

My husband and I love your videos, your living our dream. Congrats to you and your family on your purchase.of land. .

[@winmang]

I spent years building wooden boats and teaching others . Boats ranged from small to large , some with cabins, etc. Boat building develops woodworking skills and enables the student to produce a useful product that can be transported. Today I am 88 years of age and not able to be as productive but I still possess the mental skills developed over the years I also built a cabin on my 40 ac. property from using discarded wood slats. I also build myself a two story cabin on the 40 ac, farm woods along with two fish ponds. During this time My professional career was a college Professor and government manager. SO MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS CONSIDER BOAT BUILDING FOR STUDENTS ON YOUR PROPERTY TO DEVELOP THEIR WOODWORKING SKILLS. THERE IS LOADS OF MATERIAL ON THE SUBJECT AND PEOPLE WHO CAN TEACH IT.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

An entire generation can not comprehend the fundamental mechanics that detail life. I recommend you teach that.

[@RandomButtonPusher]

Great to hear about your land purchase and plans for it. As for this video, it was worth it just to see you craft that simple and elegant tripod. Best of luck on completing the cabin and then moving on to future builds on your own land.

[@MySelfReliance]

Random Button Pusher Thank-you :)

[@ExpediteTravels]

Awesome congratulations on the land purchase Teach everything and anything you or others are interested in from your Canadian brother from another Mother 🇨🇦😎👍👍

[@laurentmichel4006]

Awesome work !

[@thomaskissell2416]

Gone back over these original videos of yours. Wow. Would you have thought then, the phenomenon this channel is now? God bless you Sean. My friends call me Father Tom since I am a minister who loves the outdoors, which is Gods natural church!

[@lorikettle2172]

Am enjoying your videos greatly!

[@ChadMorgan709]

That's exciting Shawn, congrats on the land purchase. You are in a pickle now for sure. Obviously you'll have to put the cabin on hold temporarily but as long as you don't abandon it completely then it's no odds. I know you are just as excited about it as we are. As far as projects for the new land I think the fire pit and maybe a cook house with wood burning stove and or a bbq pit would be cool. As far as the courses go I'm sure you'll get interest in pretty well anything you do. Gardening and foraging, maybe a smoke house, tool maintenance, camp oriented safety, hunting, fishing, and the list goes on. Cheers till the next one!

[@debralpateart8862]

Your videos are great, thank you for sharing!!

[@michaelcanning2815]

Excited for the future Shawn. I would like to see a game processing workshop maybe tied in with a fishing/cleaning/cooking workshop also. You always have the best good out there!

[@darcysmall9548]

I know I'm probably too late, but I think you should teach any and everything that will guide and teach someone like me to be self reliant. Any thing from gathering your own food (in whatever form they chose...hunting, fishing, fruits, nuts, plants, mushrooms, etc.), to building a cabin, to survival techniques. Maybe one day I can take a course!

[@sirfishslayer5100]

You may want to consider an initial course with a trade off for labor instead of money. Some people that want hands on experience of taking a property and putting a cabin on it. They help you build and you teach them. They can stay and learn to do bush craft while they are there during construction. You get a cabin and the help building it and they get a course paid for with their labor.

[@MikeProut]

That's awesome! Congratulations. Very exciting times.

[@stevenrobertson9583]

Good to seeing you use some modern tools

[@richardsayers9443]

MSR it sounds to me like your living the dream all of us in the bushcraft community would love to do, judging from all your vids I've seen and your commitment you will make it into a place everyone will want to visit and experience, I'm just gutted I live in England I would love to come on one of your courses, so keep the vids coming it's all very exciting. Good luck !

[@shaynereynolds6688]

I say congrats on the land that is awesome. I hope you have success on the new property and just teach all you know. Pass on your knowledge.

[@proffd972]

just like the old timers did it. thanks for sharing to keep this hand building alive

[@AdamCraigOutdoors]

congratz on the new land Shawn!! Always nice to have your own where you can come and go/do whatever the heck you want!! Hope it all works out well for you!!

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks Adam! It's going to be a lot of fun

[@gedmcgaffin1255]

You produce good videos. Take's my back to my younger day's. Thanks. All the best from Scotland.

[@elliottdmann]

Love the off grid cabin build. I will be following this series closely!

[@youngwoodsman4110]

I think you should teach how to use older tools and sharpen, taken care of and all of that stuff. Like crosscut saws, framing chisels, and broad axes, that kinda stuff

[@MySelfReliance]

UpsideDown Aquatics Good idea too

[@georgettewood8894]

Good deduction. Go for it. Much and many successes in your plans.

[@shack276]

Backpacking and conoeing basics is a great start

[@MySelfReliance]

And fun for me too

[@theageingadventurers4283]

Congrats on the land! Must be an awesome feeling. Keep up the good work!

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks!

[@JPA66]

Congratulations on the new land! As for workshops anything you could pass along to being self sufficient would be beneficial to me. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for you.

[@canadiandrifter]

Hi Shawn love your videos! Im really enjoying the cabin build videos, I started watching your channel for your trip videos you always have good information and show how much fun it is to travel through the wilds by canoe and even those nasty portages. iv worked as a carpenter for 20 years and just love the basic tools and seeing your knowledge on the proses. Thanks Shawn will be looking forward to see what courses you start

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks CD - feel free to chime in on the carpentry - I'm sure I can use some advice.

[@footstepsireland1694]

This makes me want to build my own log cabin! Found your channel through Joe Robinet's videos.

[@NTycingProductions]

Congrats on the land purchase. Looking forward to more of your amazing videos. Beautiful country up that way. I'll be up that way on the West side soon myself :)

[@pleadian]

Congrats Mate . Great stuff

[@jeromehawkins8485]

Congrats on the new property! So much better to have the relief you can do whatever you want on your own property. The future is yours! Keep the Vids coming.

[@hikeCANOEcamp]

That's totally awesome Shawn! Congratulations on your new property! Just WOW. I don't even know where to start for suggestions. LOL. On weekends while I'm not working or camping, I could personally give you a hand with some physical labour at no cost. PM me on MSM if you need some extra hands on "whatever" you need done around there. I've got experience through being a landscaper for over 10 years and helped with trail maintenance and construction in Algonquin Park along side with now retired MNR employment for over 35 years, Craig Macdonald. So excited for ya, once again a big congrats to a huge asset to your self reliance journey!

[@MySelfReliance]

Kevin Ryckman Thanks Kevin, I will likely take you up on that. :)

[@PumpkinVillage]

Congrats on your purchase. Puppy is looking good. Take care, Al

[@alexwbanks70]

I'm really enjoying this series. I'm not real sure exactly what kind of class/workshop I'd be interested in. Right now I'd just like to camp with you and Joe. I'm fairly new into bush crafting, about 5 years now. I've still got a lot of basics to learn, which is what I'm doing now. I need to get out there alone or with buddies to do it first hand and learn the basics. I will be coming up to learn from you when I'm ready for the more advanced stuff.

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks Alex. Good luck in your training.

[@ellisholcomb2299]

I do appreciate you for taking your time to share this with us it looks like a great place keep up the great work again thanks wish you and your family the very best until next time you take care

[@ColoradoAdventures]

Congrats on the purchase. I look forward to future videos.

[@kimcurtis9366]

Realizing I am way behind in viewing this and commenting but, CONGRATULATIONS on the land deal! One thing you might want to do at some point is how to build and use a smokehouse! I know that it would be far down the list but, self reliance also has to do with being able to keep meat and fish without it going bad! Smoking is something that has been used for thousands of years and most people nowadays have no idea of how to build a smokehouse or if they had one, how to use it to its best advantage! It can even be used to help in the tanning process for hides for clothing! Anyway, as I said I'm a couple of years behind in getting to this video and you've probably already thought of this but, in case you haven't, maybe it is something you'll consider sometime in the future! All the best from Wyoming, USA!

[@kittymorse7402]

You are a strong man to do all that on your own...please be careful!

[@krijnkrijn]

And all of a sudden I hear Maddy the Goose soundtrack! You're showing real craftmanship here. I salute you on your next step and buying the land. As far as courses go; I would focus on wilderness camping (using canoes, hunting and fishing, shelterbuilding) rather than survival in the wild. They overlap , sure, but there are subtle differences.... Wish you well!

[@murraymetcalf-CA]

Will be very interested to see your tripod hoist in action on the upper courses of logs. I am thinking that Jimmy McQuat must have used something along this line for him to have been able to construct his 41' high turret on his elaborate 3 story log home that he built single handedly on the remote shores of White Otter lake in northwestern Ontario, Canada between the years of 1903 and 1915. Congrats on the land purchase. Although it would be nice to see your current project finished, if I were you, I would likely shift my focus to the new property as soon as possible. Life (and nice warm weather) is short.

[@umbalaba]

Wow this sounds so exciting! I have subscribed and look forward to watching you on your new land. I do not know enough about buschcrafting to advice you on what to do, but I myself would love to see your tips for building alone, like the tripod crane, which made it possible for you to lift timber, that would normally demand several people working together. That was so clever!

[@dorinecapaletti288]

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be a great teacher!

[@jorge_caraballo3099]

Hi, I really enjoy your videos and I am learning along the way for my own proyects. Keep going and once again congratulations and thanks for sharing all your knoledge.

[@SCHNEKM483BK]

Reminds me of what my grandfather knew and tried to teach me, great stuff.

[@timwarren9183]

Looks great, keep up the good work

[@thewoodlandsexplorer9264]

Congrats on getting your new land. I hope to do the same one day. Keep doing what you are doing. I look forward to the watching the next chapter in your life. Thanks for the great videos and the very best of luck to you and your family 👍

[@MySelfReliance]

Thank-you, and same to you and your family.

[@diversionoutdoors8855]

excellent. loved it. keep the vids coming

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks

[@mlotschek01]

My thoughts on some courses and workshops would be; General Bushcraft Backcounty Skills, Hunting Safety/Game Processing and Log Cabins/Shelters ... there is so much you could do out there. Congratulations on the new land! I would love the chance to come up and help and learn with you in the future :)

[@eduardopineschi5351]

Great stuff! I enjoyed it

[@markarmesto]

You're living a dream. Congratulations! Now, I'd hate to lose the continuity of this video series. I hope you eventually bundle it up into a single package. You are taking this project strictly on a primitive basis, now. Perhaps, the cabin on your own land might include more modern techniques, tools, and accommodations. It would make an interesting comparison.

[@MySelfReliance]

Mark Armesto Thanks. Funny you should say that, I was actually considering the opposite. Finish the existing cabin with power tools to get it done quicker, and then make the new property a power-free zone. It's very peaceful there and I would like to preserve the silence.

[@canadianbushman8982]

Congrats on the land! I'd do a course on cabin building.

[@denaredford6701]

I love the sounds of nature in your videos .

[@xseedlingx]

Congrats on the new land!

[@MrJustus88]

Looks like that location would be perfect for cold weather survival

[@bwillan]

Congrats on the purchase of your land. If you are going to be teaching courses on your property a couple of infrastructure things you need to address before you get too far ahead of yourself. 1) A decent driveway and parking area for the vehicles of those that will be coming to the property for your courses. 2) An outhouse, for obvious reasons 3) A group gathering area for holding the courses, etc. Sounds like you will have a great adventure ahead of you.

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks for your suggestions. All three (and much more) are already in the works. :)

[@mischef18]

Just getting kids out in the wild and away from electronics would be fantastic on this land of yours learning valuable life skills. Be great to get younger ones helping build 1 or more of the log cabins too. Like where you are going with this as not many think of the next generation coming along. All the best from NZ

[@josephharrison3639]

I just found you’r channel and like what I see. Good luck with you’r new land. It looks perfect for all you’r projects. I want to see more of you soon good luck with all.

[@zoriast]

You are a lucky man Enjoy your life with your family.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

Congrats! I know the feeling; purchased land in Alaska but have half my eggs in baskets elsewhere... Good luck!

[@janycler9097]

Your self,you must be a great architect.(Brazil).

[@isaacsipe8264]

Amazing stuff man, first time comment. Long time viewer, really excited to see what you offer next. Maybe one day a meet up could happen. The loon at the end of your video won me over, one of the few sounds in nature that stops me in my tracks

[@bassackwardsbushcraft8961]

What an amazing opportunity. If only I lived in Canada, I would love to help you build this. Like you, I've been doing these things my whole life. I'm just more camera shy, as far as I can tell. I really enjoy all your videos, as you have a mix of bushcraft, hunting, fishing, living off the land, and grid that I relate to well. I really liked the conversation you had with the wooded beardsman about feeding oneself off the land. Caloric intake and the need for fat in diet, ect. So many people haven't a clue. Anyhow, barring some miracle of fate, I'll probably never get to meet you, or your family in person. But I would jump at the chance to live under a tarp, and wake up each morning to help build your cabin in those beautiful forests. I think we'd have some interesting conversations​, being of similar age, and background, just from different parts of this beautiful, and diverse, North American continent. Good luck Shawn.

[@chefinthewild1551]

Late for the party, Just found your channel, started from the beginning, excited about the cabin even though it’s been done for some time now. Great info in the tools, wow that is a sharp ax!.

[@timestamp.]

You're doing a great job of teaching how to take from the land remember to teach how to give back to the land.

[@MySelfReliance]

Kim, I'm not sure if you have an agenda and aren't open to meaningful discussion, but I suggest you watch my next video for the answer to this very question.

[@sirkriskringle]

Gratz on the new land , look's Awesome :) . SKK .

[@DamoLawrie]

Congrats from Australia. I'm currently trying to sell my house to purchase 6 acres. It's currently cropping farm land so no trees but I plan to change that as soon as my house sells. On a side note, I'm pretty sure I heard Joe, Doug and Scrambled O say in their most recent videos that they'd love to come and help just after you all do an Algonquin canoe trip. And then when they've finished with helping you they'd like to do another canoe trip with you... 😉👍🏼

[@DamoLawrie]

Oh and sorry I can't come and help, the drive from Australia is a killer.