🏕️ Day 1 – Finding the Right Spot & Gathering Materials
When I arrived, the first challenge was finding the perfect location for my cabin — a place high enough to stay dry, yet close enough to resources like water and firewood. Once I found it, I started clearing the land, marking out the cabin’s footprint, and preparing my tools.
Cordwood building is unique because it blends sustainability, beauty, and practicality. I collected fallen logs, stripped bark, and began cutting sections to create the signature cordwood look. It’s hard, slow work — but every log tells a story.
As the sun began to set, I set up camp beside the build site. The forest was calm, except for the sound of wind moving through the pines. Alone out there, you quickly realize how alive the woods really are. Every sound feels closer, every step feels heavier.
🔨 Day 2 – Walls, Weather, and the Unexpected
The second day tested me. I woke early to cold air and damp ground. Before continuing, I needed to secure my firewood, make coffee, and check the structure. The foundation had held, so I started stacking and mortaring the cordwood walls using a natural mix of clay, sand, and lime.
Each wall felt like progress — a visible sign of effort paying off. But as I worked, clouds rolled in, and the forest grew darker. Rain hit hard for about an hour, soaking everything. That’s when I learned one of the biggest lessons of survival building: adapt or lose time.
I used a tarp to cover the exposed walls and shifted to working under a makeshift shelter, preparing more mortar and splitting logs for the roof frame. By late afternoon, my hands were numb, but my heart was full.
Out there, the smallest achievements feel monumental. When you’re building alone, even a few solid rows of cordwood make you feel unstoppable.
🪓 Day 3 – Finishing Touches & The Reward of Solitude
The third and final day began with a deep silence. No birds, no wind — just calm. I took it as a good sign. I finished the main walls, secured the roof beams, and packed the last gaps in the mortar. The structure wasn’t huge, but it was strong — built entirely by hand, one piece at a time.
When I finally stepped back to look at the finished cordwood home, I felt something I can’t describe — a mix of exhaustion, pride, and peace. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. Built from the earth, by hand, with patience and persistence.
That’s what this project is all about: self-reliance, craftsmanship, and respect for nature.
As the sun set on the final day, I lit a small fire, cooked a simple meal, and sat in silence watching the smoke rise against the golden sky. I didn’t have electricity, comfort, or company — but I had freedom, and that’s something you can’t buy.
🌿 Why Cordwood Building?
Cordwood construction is one of the oldest and most sustainable ways to build. It uses short pieces of wood stacked crosswise with a natural mortar mixture to create thick, insulated walls that hold warmth in the winter and cool in the summer.
It’s eco-friendly, cost-effective, and deeply rewarding. Every log is hand-placed, every joint tells a story, and the result is a home that feels alive.
If you’ve ever dreamed of building your own off-grid cabin, cordwood is a great way to start. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive lumber — just time, patience, and a willingness to learn.
💬 Let’s Connect
If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment, and subscribe! It helps the channel grow and lets me keep creating more survival builds, off-grid adventures, and wilderness challenges.
Tell me in the comments:
👉 Would you spend three days alone building in the wilderness?
👉 What’s your favorite survival building method — log, cordwood, or cob?
Your feedback means a lot and helps guide future videos.
🔥 What’s Next
Coming soon:
- Winter-proofing the cordwood home ❄️
- Building a stone fireplace from river rock 🔥
- Setting up an off-grid rainwater system đź’§
- A full cabin tour once it’s finished! đźŹ
If you love survival builds, bushcraft, and off-grid living, make sure to turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next project.
🌲 Final Thoughts
This 3-day solo build reminded me that the simplest things often bring the most peace. When you’re out in the woods, you rediscover your limits — and your strengths.
Building this cordwood survival home was more than just a construction project. It was a journey of patience, creativity, and trust in myself and the land.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Every view, every like, every comment helps fuel future builds — and I’m grateful to share this journey with you.
Stay wild, stay humble, and keep building. 🪵💪
