Calvin Rutstrum

Calvin Rutstrum (October 26, 1895 – February 5, 1982) was an American writer who wrote fifteen books, most relating to wilderness camping experiences and techniques. Most of his books were written at his cabin on Cloud Bay, Ontario.

Rutstrum was also drawn to the Mississippi River. Before the age of 12 he had spent weeks traveling on it with his friends, often riding log booms. His next book The New Way of the Wilderness (illustrated by Les Kouba) expertly covered how to equip and dress for winter, canoe camping, and how to eat well while wilderness camping. After that The Wilderness Cabin described how to build log cabins and fireplaces.

Way of the Wilderness 1946 His first book Way of the Wilderness was published in 1946. He wrote it during his 10-year tenure as the Director of The Lake Hubert Minnesota Camps. It is essentially straightforward teaching manual for the curriculum of the camp.

The Wilderness Cabin 1961 During his lifetime, Rutstrum built several cabins. This is a book on how to build a cabin.

North American Canoe Country 1964 North American Canoe Country is Rutstrum's first book length expansion on canoeing. It is 276 pages, published by Macmillan (New York) and, according to Outdoors Magazine, superbly illustrated by Les Kouba.

Wilderness Route Finder 1967 This was illustrated by Les Kouba and originally published by Macmillan. It was later reprinted by Collier and then by the University of Minnesota Press. This is a book on wilderness navigation written before the availability of high quality maps for wilderness areas and GPS. The methods he covers include map and compass, stars, sextant and radio direction finding.

Paradise Below Zero 1968 Paradise Below Zero covered long term sub-zero (Fahrenheit) wilderness camping and travel. It is both a "how to" book but with much inspirational and philosophical content in line with the title. The era of the book (1968) preceded the prevalence of newer camping products and materials, yet to this day it points out the unsuitability of many current winter camping techniques (even with high tech equipment) when applied to prolonged camping at temperatures below zero Fahrenheit. Paradise Below Zero is considered to be a bible for extended sub-zero camping without the use of modern equipment.

Challenge of the Wilderness 1970 Challenge of the Wilderness is Rutstrum's autobiography. It is less detailed and less complete than a typical autobiography; Rutstrum chose certain areas to cover and expand on, and others to leave out. It is 196 pages and published by TS Denison, Minneapolis. It is illustrated by Les Kouba and includes some photographs taken by Rutstrum. It was republished with very few changes as A Wilderness Autobiography in 1979. Reviews have it as one of his books most worth reading and owning. It is more about wilderness philosophy with less "how to" material. A reviewer has called it "just a joy to read" and a "must have" amongst Rutstrum's books. This book is a collection of stories, tips and thoughts that Rutstrum had collected. It is rated as a "good to own" one of Rutstrum's books.

Other books Hiking Back to Health (1980) A Columnist Looks at Life, Here's Cal Rutstrum (1981) Backcountry (1981)

Final years Rutstrum died on February 5, 1982, in Osceola, Wisconsin, survived by his wife Florence. Four years before, in Chips from a Wilderness log Rutstrum wrote: "If you want to do something for me after I'm gone, live so as to not defile the precious earth".