Log Cabin Building Course
As a graduate of the Guide School courses, I was well positioned for the Log Cabin building course.
In typical fashion, upon arriving, we hit the ground running. We were going to be building a new log cabin at one of the base camps located approximately three hours’ horseback ride from the Lodge. Day 1 saw us gathering all of the tools, safety gear, horse rigging and food that we would need for our adventure. Day 2 was travel to the site and start falling “standing dead” pine trees and using one of the horses to haul the logs. A total of 50 8”-12” diameter logs with just the right taper would be required. Day 3 was foundation and chainsaw work. Special attention was spent ensuring that our initial starter logs for our log cabin were well positioned and “square”.
Then came the instruction on “notching”. This is where the rubber hits the road. We had been shown the requirements and now needed to put the lessons to practise. Wow, were we ever slow on the first set of notches! Pretty soon we had mastered this activity and were not only cutting good notches but levelling off the high spots where one log rests on another. Not only were we growing our axe and chainsaw skills, we were learning how to improvise with tools that you don’t bring with you. After all there is a limit as to how much stuff you can pack on a horse. A “bushman’s plumb” was fashioned from a stick, and we were now ready to ensure that the next course of logs was staying true.
Days 3 and 4 were much of the same activity of cutting and placing of logs. As the log cabin got taller, we needed to build scaffolding at the corners in order to continue using the chainsaws safely. Day 5, our walls were up, and we were now ready to build the roof supports, ridge log and rafters. All hands on deck, the ridge log is heavy and you’re now working 10′ off the ground.
With proper planning and execution by the Team and we’re successful in getting the roof structure in place. Day 6 was spent cutting holes in our beautiful log cabin walls for doors and windows. Day 7 was time to review, reflect and share complements on our project as we began to pack up for our return trip to the lodge. The ride back was filled with pride, peacefulness and well-earned rest from the physical labour.
Upon returning back home, I started planning a new log project using my acquired skills. My grandson now has a log cabin, complete with swing set, to enjoy in his backyard.
by Ed M., Canada
