BaseCamp WNC

Revitalizing an Age-Old Spring: Exploring a Hidden Gem   Located in the idyllic northwestern corner of North Carolina, our base camp was recently abuzz with a captivating project that aimed to breathe new life into a long-forgotten spring. Amidst the serene surroundings, we embarked on a mission to uncover the hidden secrets of this natural wonder and transform it from a forgotten relic into a valuable water source. Join us as we take you on an enthralling journey from discovery to execution.   Unveiling the Enigmatic Spring As we delved deeper into the story of this remarkable spring, we stumbled upon an intriguing piece of history. In bygone eras, an old homestead benefitted from the nourishment provided by this very spring. Curiosity piqued, we inspected the site and discovered a peculiar sight – a brick wall, strategically constructed against a rugged backdrop, in an attempt to harness the water's flow. However, it became apparent that this barricade was no mat...

Tapping Into Spring Water in Western North Carolina Welcome back to Base Camp WNC! Today we're embarking on a mission in Western North Carolina aimed at locating and harnessing an abundant spring water source. As we hike up the hill, our hope is that we will find its origin point. The landowner has informed us that they have been able to collect around one gallon and three quarters of water per minute - which represents quite significant yields indeed! Let's get started... To tap into the spring we used a digging bar to create an opening that was deep enough for us insert plastic walls. This proved challenging due to our proximity near rocky terrain which required extra precautions such as reinforcing it with hydraulic cement and adding bentonite inside too! Finally after all these efforts were made we placed little bleaching pipes directly at its source allowing clear water flow from now onwards. We are taking the necessary steps to secure our spring head by placing...

Effective Winterizing Techniques for Homestead Water Systems Welcome back to Base Camp WNC. We're launching a new series, with this episode serving as the introductory guide on how to freeze-proof your water systems on homesteads. Over the past month, during winter, I've had the chance to explore YouTube. Many revered homesteaders offer advice, but their pipes and hoses still freeze, preventing them from watering their animals. At our campground, we faced similar challenges. Despite the installation and insulation efforts by the plumber on our new well, it froze, broke, and left everyone without water. The solution? We decided to add heat tape, further insulation, and wire it up to enable a generator to pump water in emergencies. During a recent freeze, a mountain-based well that I had worked on faced damage. Why? A large, uninsulated rock covered it, and when temperatures dropped to about one or two degrees, it all froze and malfunctioned. Our current goal is t...

Solar Shack Construction: Building an Affordable Solar-Powered Water Tote Welcome back to Base Camp WNC! The time has come for another water project. As the title suggests, this is the most cost-effective solar shack I have ever constructed. While it's based on a 275-gallon water tote, this specific one wasn't originally for water. It was food grade, but it had been repurposed for other uses. Currently, it houses all the solar equipment, and there's also an RV outlet installed. Once I determine the generator type, another box will be added for generator input. Now, let's dive into the inner workings of this solar shack. Inside, the Magnum sign inverter stands out, connected to eight 420 amp-hour, 6-volt batteries. They are arranged in a combination of series and parallel configurations. It's a 24-volt, 4,000-watt split-phase 220 inverter, termed the "44 Magnum". You can find more details on it online. Alongside the inverter, there's a solar ...

Off-Grid Water Solutions - Homesteading and Prepping Techniques for Sustainable Living Welcome back to Base Camp WNC! We're on a dual mission here - not only is this our training ground but it also serves as part of our series exploring homesteading and prepping for the majority – those who make up 99% of society. This exciting journey will take us through various aspects related to these topics so stay tuned in! We've embarked on a self dug well project using machinery that we have leased for the past eight months. Previously our attempts with six inch pipes resulted in wells without sufficient reservoir capacity. To rectify this issue we constructed a well featuring a 55 gallon container at its base and supplemented it with twelve to eighteen inch culvert pipes. This design should enable us to store approximately one hundred sixty gallons of groundwater or more. Our goal is to ensure adequate water supply during times when rainfall may be scarce or unpredictable. W...

Building a Spring Water Dam for Cabins in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Overview Welcome back to Base Camp WNC. We're currently in the beautiful state of Tennessee, working on an intriguing project. An ambitious individual is constructing a property with 16 cabins, and a significant part of this project is fueled by spring water. Let's dive deeper into the nuances of this undertaking. At the heart of the property lies a dam, with a little bleaching pipe tucked away, soon to be covered with more rock for erosion control. An overflow line ensures the system's balance, channeling the surplus water. The homeowner has impressively crafted his own spring water dam and a sediment tank. One of the standout features is the backdrop sound of machinery, notably a skid loader and a mini excavator. The owner even utilized a buggy to haul rock, eliminating the tedious task of carrying heavy buckets. A local friend is also assisting by embedding the pipe within the stream. The ar...

Revitalizing a Mid-20th Century Spring Fed House and Cistern Refrigerator System Base Camp WNC recently completed a remarkable project involving the revitalization of an old spring fed homestead dating back to either mid or late 1960s. This site once served as home for Danny and his family who owned it at that time; they used its water supply for their house, cistern, and unique refrigerator system. Thanks to Danny's expertise in construction work he played a crucial role in bringing this historical landmark back into useable condition again today! With Base Camps efforts combined with Dan's know how - history has been preserved while providing modern convenience simultaneously. In times gone by the spring was confined within a brick structure on three sides - back, left and bottom with solid rock occupying its right side. Nonetheless during this project both front sections of said structure were dismantled without hindering water flow from reaching old homesteads cist...