Built in a northern wilderness location in 2003, this spruce bark canoe was the ultimate challenge. Four of us backpacked five miles from the trail-head to the lake with our stone tools. The design was similar to the elm bark canoe, but larger -- it transported four of us. The process was documented in the magazine "Primitive Technology," No. 26, Fall 2003.
Finished spruce bark canoe and paddles
Tweaking crimps with makeshift tool
Stitching the bow with spruce root
Driving the spruce sapling ribs into place. Note striped maple gunwales and thwarts.
Good hull design... Dead-rise at bow, sheer at stern.
Proud canoe builders!
The christening
Jim puts the spruce bark canoe through its paces.