In the past, I have been to many campsites where there is a lack of a much wanted convenience: acamp table. Now this is a simple inconvenience, of course, but often well missed when the work starts. In a permanent or multi day campsite, a camp table comes in handy when cooking for large groups, or other tasks that require a raised surface. As a result of desperate searching for a place to set the cooler of water, prepare food, and gut fish, I improvised a method to create a camp table that can be put together without previous planning, as demanded by the situation, with only the tools and materials typically available on a campout.
I have made several camp tables of various sizes using this method, satisfying all impromptu demands with the materials on hand. In my experience, it only takes about an hour of your time, a cutting tool (machete, limb loppers), 20 feet of cord, and small branches or saplings as provided by your camp site. Most of these items can be found on a typical campout, and therefore the knowledge of this method can be implemented as needed. The result is a surprisingly sturdy, somewhat rickety, and adequately level camp table. The key factor that keeps the table supported and balanced with little effort: the incorporation of a tree as one side and two legs of the table. The tree is not damaged or affected in any way; simply, the table is supported against the tree with cord, and it's rigidity is used to hold up the platform and prevent it from leaning or collapsing. Designed without the tree, a four legged table using only cord would not balance and would require many diagonal supports to prevent it from collapsing. Another element of this design it that most of the table can be constructed using only one long length of cord and several short lengths that can be reclaimed after the table is not needed. As mentioned before, this table can be sized according to your needs and could likely become a permanent addition to the campsite with improvement. The only knot tying knowledge necessary is to understand a simple square knot, found here.
To start off the table, locate a tree that is preferably the width of the desired table. Gather four long, straight and strong branches about three and a half feet long (can be sized up or down as necessary). These will form the frame of your table, including two legs, and three horizontal platform supports. The tree will form the fourth side.
Next, lash each end of the legs of the table to their corresponding horizontal at a ninety degree angle. Tie it as tightly as possible, with several wraps incorporated to keep it rigid. In this specific project, I only put the minimum effort into tying the legs, and the stability suffered as a result.
The third horizontal then follows, holding the two ninety degree branch conjunctions together in a double tripod, as shown.
Next comes the tricky part: attaching the horizontals to the tree (the third leg) while keeping the rest of the frame from falling over and pulling the horizontals out of wack while you are tying it. I formed a rough horizontal support from two sticks to keep the frame from leaning and falling over while I was securing it to the tree. Another easy solution is to have someone else hold it upright while the horizontals are being tied. When attaching the table to the tree, it needs to be secured or tied to it in a way that it provides vertical support, as well as tension to keep it from falling forwards or back wards. So, wrap the rope around the back of the tree and cross the ends in the front. Then, extend the crossed ends and tie them to the horizontal supports to hold them tight to the tree with tension. If my explanation doesn't suffice, it can be tied in a number of ways with improvisation, or try to decipher my picture below.
The final steps are to create the table's platform. Gather branches or saplings that are as straight as possible. Cut them to the width of the frame, plus three or four inches. Lay them flat across the frame, horizontal to the tree, taking up the entire length. Using sticks about two thirds inches thick, it took about twenty to cover the entire frame.
The last step is to tie the branches together to form a secure platform. Using one long length of cord, tie the branches together as shown. I was able to tie one side, then cross the cord to the other side and continue tying to prevent having to cut the cord. This took a twenty foot length, while the rest of the project took only two two foot lengths and one five to ten foot length.
And there you have it! A completed camp table and a new skill that can be used in many circumstances. You never know when you will need to build a handy camp table for all your camp cooking and project needs. Learn other skills related to wilderness survival, camping and the outdoors on the rest of my site. And don't forget to add your own experience through through comments!
And there you have it! A completed camp table and a new skill that can be used in many circumstances. You never know when you will need to build a handy camp table for all your camp cooking and project needs. Learn other skills related to wilderness survival, camping and the outdoors on the rest of my site. And don't forget to add your own experience through through comments!
