When it comes to woodsman skills, it’s not about learning one way of doing something, it’s about learning the principles of how and why something works.
I like to share quotes like this. I would like this thread to be dedicated to that. More focused even, maybe, towards bush mind-set. I've always advocated gaining knowledge of fundamentals over knowlege of how one tool works.
You light fires with matches like this... and you light fires with a ferro rod like this ... and you light fires with a bow drill like this... -versus- This is how fire works.
I agree, but I think it's like the BOB and general prepping, as in- puting together a BOB is really only a small step or skill of prepping. But it gets new people thinking & on the right track... Maybe learning how to start a fire with sparks is that first step? And its tough to get those broader concepts into peoples heads, before they do some hands on stuff.
I think most of what is done on here is in line with that... but that quote does break it down well.
Ad'lan wrote:When you think you have chopped enough wood, and carried enough water. Chop Wood, Carry Water.
When waiting for enlightenment, chop wood and carry water
I learned that one when in heavy theological conversation with some people I deemed useless but did not know how to react to them being useless "enlightenment" seekers. I was later told by an wiser person the above quote. Also reminded to not hate but thank those that anger me for showing me how not to be.
maldon007 wrote:I agree, but I think it's like the BOB and general prepping, as in- puting together a BOB is really only a small step or skill of prepping. But it gets new people thinking & on the right track... Maybe learning how to start a fire with sparks is that first step? And its tough to get those broader concepts into peoples heads, before they do some hands on stuff.
I think most of what is done on here is in line with that... but that quote does break it down well.
Totally - with further amendments on my own personal level: More and more everyday, I seprate my disaster prepping (BOB) from my bushcrafting (recreating in the dirt). Translatable skills, but different activities. When I do a talk on disaster prepping I do not mention bushcraft skills or tell people that they need to go to Lundin's ALSS class to learn to do frictin fires. Survival through the disaster is the focus, not bush skills.
the_alias wrote:Wisdom I've learned from my poor attempts at bushcraft: Improvise, persevere, scavenge and most of all patience.
Hanging out with Scurvy has taught me a few things, number one being if you look around, you will find useful shit laying around in the woods. Others have showed this to me too but Scurvy was the one to make my brain turn the last corner and see things a bit different. Less "What can that do for me?" and more "What can I do to that?"
When it comes to woodsman skills, it’s not about learning one way of doing something, it’s about learning the principles of how and why something works.
"Feldenkrais pointed out that all too often people learn how to do something in only one way. The ensuing habitual performance does not imply mastery, no matter how good a person gets by doing it that way. If you only know one way to do something, you have no choice in how you do it - there is only compulsion. It is only when you can do something three or more ways that you begin to use your human intelligence, to act by choice, to obtain freedom from habit, and to attain mastery. Most people, though, become satisfied when they can produce results in a given way. Warriors cannot accept that, for as Feldenkrais explained, once you become satisfied with your results, your learning is finished. You will no longer feel motivated to improve. Warriors know that improvement is infinite; that perfection can only be approached, never attained. Warriors, in this sense, are never satisfied but seek to act impeccably, all the while knowing that they have not attained their maximum capacity."
Combining the concepts of both quotes, I would suggest that the first one applies to everything in your life, not just bush craft.
JamesCannon wrote:I think he's also forgotten more about spelling and grammar than ... well it just seems he's forgotten a lot about it.
DannusMaximus wrote:Few things are more win than saving the day with something that other people think you're weird for hauling around.
Nature is neither for or against anyone but it abhors disrespect. What do I mean by that?
Sometimes you must decide between the riskier plan A or safer plan B. Do I cross the stream here or take the time to look for a better place? With the light failing do I continue towards my destination despite the map showing difficult terrain or setup camp knowing it will adversely affect my plans? Do I just drink from the limestone spring or treat the water first even if there is a good chance its potable.
Picking the riskier A is often faster and offers greater perceived benefits. Picking the safer B often takes more time and can be a PITA. Most of the time you can get way with taking risks and often there is no way to know just how right playing it safe was. That’s until you pushed your luck one too many times.
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" "Do not mess with the forces of Nature, for thou art small and biodegradable!"
To me, bushcraft wisdom isn't the ability to identify a tree. It's knowing why the tree grew there to begin with. Why its branches stretch out more on one side than the other. Why lichen grows on one side of the tree and not the other. Why the acorns that lay beneath the tree have tell-tale signs that they have been eaten.. and what ate them. Knowing why some acorns float in the water and some do not. Why the ones that float have something inside that can be used to catch fish. Knowing what acorn bannock is and how to prepare it. Knowing that the leaves contain tannic acid which can be bled from dead leaves and used as an antiseptic or clothing dye. Knowing if the tree is good for lumber or not. Knowing what the roots can be used for. Knowing if the tree produces sap and what to use the sap for. And a myriad of other tiny things that don't just identify a tree, but give the wise bushcrafter a sense of place.
To me, bushcraft wisdom isn't some scientific evaluation of empirical evidence that validates a hypothesis, but rather it's thousands of years worth of the collective human experience. It's knowing what works in order to exist alongside the rest of the community of life.. not separated from it, but part of it. And once and for all, realizing that as we are just one member of this community of life, our kind isn't the most significant. As the first species to attain intelligence and a sense of self, our significance lies in our responsiblity to the rest of the community to be the first without becoming the last.
At least that's what bushcraft wisdom means to me.
Woods Walker wrote:Moss growing on one side of a tree often means just that, moss growing on one side of a tree. Any supposition beyond that is at your own risk.
I agree, but at the same time, there are other factors which will help aid in whether you should consider direction or not. Moss doesn't seem consistent, but here in Florida lichen is pretty consistent on the north side of the tree, not so much in dense woodlands, but trees that edge a field seem to follow that pattern. If the surrounding trees agree and the branches sprawl out towards the south side of the tree, north and south can pretty much be determined. To further validate direction you can look for other factors like looking at drying puddles and noticing that the south side generally dries up last since it is shaded from the sun.
I'm not saying run out into the woods without a compass, but with a compass, it's pretty amazing how many cues nature gives that a compass will validate.
Lots of people have gotten into trouble trying to play Tarzan with navigation but slowing down and spending time to become familiar with the environment is almost always a good idea. More navigation skills also don't hurt. I have never noticed parts of puddles drying at different rates given their small size but much information is lost within the written word so maybe what you call a puddle isn’t the same. As for tree branches within my AO in actual field conditions I can’t tell anything in terms of preference for one direction. Heck in the Hemlocks sometimes midday instantly becomes dusk. LOL! But guessing every area has its own challenges and opportunities.
Snow melt is a good indicator of exposure to sun. I prefer to setup camp to take advantage of the morning sun which as we know rises in the east. The extra warmth and light gets me moving in the am. This camp was setup to take advantage of the morning sun. There isn’t much snow on that spot but more in the areas not getting the maximum exposure.
Camp exposed to the morning sun.
Not too far away but less exposure to the sun.
In any case I do agree not packing a map and compass in unknown terrain is looking for trouble aka taking risks. I have used a compass to test out natural clues like watching the direction of my campfire smoke when I knew the type of storm/air mass moving in or out of the area. Granted air blowing from the south will push leaves/smoke etc in a northerly direction etc etc etc. Also used the compass to work out the moss thing is just too inconsistent. Sometimes it worked and I would pat myself on the back and then the next time it proved shit. I view stuff like that more in the messing around with skillz category given the importance of knowing real map and compass skills which take front and center. I think one of the greatest challenges to navigation is not believing what you want but rather what the facts aka your tools are showing.
Speaking of risk management IMHO this is the most important bushcraft skill or bit of wisdom anyone can impart. Knowing wild edibles and firecraft does have a nearly magical feel at times. Blowing a coal into flame from a little smoldering friction fire dust pile or chunk of chaga while chewing on violets rocks for sure but spending time to look over the environment for potential risks like floods, mud/rock slides or widow makers are far more important. Camp site selection is also very important. Even in a public camp ground someone shouldn’t drop their guard and not attempt to mitigate these risks.
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" "Do not mess with the forces of Nature, for thou art small and biodegradable!"
Drink your vodka ration only after the firewood is chopped.
Be aware of where and how water flows whenever you make camp. It is shockingly simple-it flows downhill in discernable paths based on your local geology. The lee side of an obstacle is usually OK unless it is too low a point or there is runoff that you did not detect. That means the difference between a wet and dry place to sleep when it rains, no matter how good your shelter is.
For warmth and cooking (not signalling) a smaller fire is usually better-more managable, lasts longer with your fuel, and enables you to get close enough to really cook on it. Building a practical fire is both an art and a science, and there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when deciding what you need.
And a final point-get out there and day hike even if you can't overnight or take a 3 day weekend, just to build your knowledge of the terrain. Knowledge of the local geography (and geology) will save you when nothing else will. It can take all goddamn day to locate a good water source, for instance, so it is a lot better to know about one before you go in, so you don't have to spend umpteen hours looking for one.
I have always taken Bushcraft as being able to move (comfortably is an option) and live in the outdoors with minimal equipment. (ie - Possessing the skills, the knowledge and the ability to make a movement to a destination cross country and sustain and support yourself in-route with the least equipment necessary to safely accomplish the movement.)
The amount of and how you define "minimal equipment" is where the level of risk comes into play.
One example - Knowing how to make a fire (and limiting yourself to) using a couple of rocks or a fire drill is higher risk than having the knowledge but still carrying matches...
How many people do you know that have to take a truckload of (expletive deleted) to go "camping"?
This upcoming long-time-line MBO will give me a chance to do one high tech (sorta) and one basic gear camping trip. Should be fun. Any skills not exercised may soon become rusty or even lost.
Number one for me is understanding your surroundings, how nature works, learning to read the signs and signals about things like changes in the weather, water flow, game trails, etc...
Number two is understanding the principals of the "stuff" we use out there. When it comes to "stuff", I think of bushcraft as understanding the principals of why we use what we do and the science of how things work - both the "stuff" and natural materials - so that you can repair or improvise in the field without having to carry a truck load of gear.
I'm getting still learning number one and still getting an education in number two.
“This is the part in the movie where that guy says, "Zombies? What zombies?" just before they eat his brains. I don't want to be that guy.” ― Holly Black, Kin
When it comes to woodsman skills, it’s not about learning one way of doing something, it’s about learning the principles of how and why something works.
I like to share quotes like this. I would like this thread to be dedicated to that. More focused even, maybe, towards bush mind-set. I've always advocated gaining knowledge of fundamentals over knowlege of how one tool works.
You light fires with matches like this... and you light fires with a ferro rod like this ... and you light fires with a bow drill like this... -versus- This is how fire works.
Very good philosophy. When I was learning landscaping instead of being taught all the plant names and species etc I was taught root, trunk, branch, and leaf structure. By understanding what these different parts of plants are adapted for and how the different versions of each function you know a lot about the plant even if you don't know the name of it.
My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen
"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."
"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"
Yeah, it's like a fundamentals of stuff thing ... <<< or whatever that sentence means
It's like with fire, so many people spend so much time and energy on getting tools to start fires... what ferro rod is best, why or why not matches, lighters this and lighters that but in the end it boils down to do you understand fire? One of my best friends who just finished pre med and is looking at his options now (very smart and "cool" and all - his options being med school, a masters program, a metal band tour, and Peace Corp) can't get a camp fire going to save his life. I've been there and it took me a year to figure out that it was him. His pit is too deep, he does not understand the spectrum of fuel; He goes through the motions but does not get it right. I've tried to show him what I know and he just dosen't interpret it. It's good though, I'll get it going for us when we are out and he can stick to the backwoods medic stuff he knows (paramedic and bartender is his career skills).
Another observation I had in the past month was when me and my Dad went out on an overnighter (his first in 10 years) for Father's Day. He packed his old tried and true Boyscout aluminum pot that he had since the 50s I beleive. That thing works great - nothing special about it. He used it through Boy Scouts and when he did civvy hiking while in the Army. He takes it with him on all his motorcycle trips now as part of his "emergency kit" (he mainly travels motel to motel now as he is 70). What did I learn? Sometimes you don't need to work too hard for some good kit.
This is from KaramatWW's Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/KaramatWW and there are plenty of other great videos from Woodsmoke 2012 posted there that are well worth watching.
Titans of Bushcraft at Woodsmoke 2012 125 minutes long
This discussion took place at Woodsmoke in Tetonia, Idaho in July 2012 with David Wescott, Larry Dean Olsen, Mors Kochanski, Steve Watts, Tim Smith, Dave Holladay and Stuart Goring.
These are some of the big name guys discussing the origins of Bushcraft as a term and how they all met and worked at developing the culture of Bushcraft.
Thought it might be nice to share this video with folks here, to get to hear some of the big names talk about the evolution of what we call Bushcraft for me was just riveting. If you like this video I would suggest checkign out the other Woodsmoke gatherng videos from the youtube channel I liked above, and just searching for others on youtube.
I wasn't able to go, in fact I didn't know about it until afterwards seeing people I am subbed to post videos of it on youtube.
What is Woodsmoke?
"Woodsmoke - The School of the Woods". Woodsmoke is an international symposium on bushcraft. Mors Kochanski and Larry Dean Olsen will be at this event, as well as other outdoor experts.
Woodsmoke is presented by Backtracks, LLC, the same professionals that run Rabbitstick and Winter Count, headed by David Wescott. He has over a quarter of a century of experience putting on this type of event, but this is the first one dedicated specifically to our craft. Sponsored by Bushcraft USA.
Bushcraft Outfitters was selling the tickets to this event. Participation is limited to 100 adults, so do not wait too long.
Date: July 8-14, 2012 Location: Tetonia, Idaho Cost: $275.00 on BCO, which includes:
2 meals per day all firewood for personal use (you must furnish a fire pan) privies access to all instruction and presentations
There is talk of making this an annual event so if you missed it this year and would like to go next year keep an eye out for info about if it will be scheduled again next year. Personally if I can I would love to go, but not sure if I will be able to get the time for it next year. We will see, if possible I will go next year.
My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen
"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."
"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"
ninja-elbow wrote:I almost went this year but my wedding is a priority Maybe next year if a baby 'aint showing up but it is a choice between Woodsmoke or ZCon.
Yep, I can understand your wedding or Woodsmoke, hey you should have tried to have it at Woodsmoke. Just teasing.
I would love to go next year, but might be moving across country in a few months and starting a new job, so I really wont know what my ability to get time off etc will look like until that unfolds. While the $275 admission price seems a bit much to go camping, also the limit of participants means you have to decide early to get a ticket even. To be able to learn from masters of bushcraft and get some of the wisdom of the people who make it look easy is a great opportunity. A lot of these guys don't have many more years before they really can't teach, so for me it is a good time to try and get some of their knowledge.
For people who would like more info on Woodsmoke 2012 visit Buscraft USA forum http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=176 There is a whole section in the events area about Woodsmoke. You can see all the "classes" and discussions offered.
Of course there is is also
Rabbitstick Sept 9 - 15, 2012 Near Rexburg, Idaho
Rabbitstick is the largest and oldest of the contemporary primitive skills gatherings.
Just teasing.