“…but I’m not looking for anything hardcore, yet.”
I’m often asked for advice about outdoor trips, and every once in a while, the person ends the question with the above statement. I find this interesting, especially the “yet” part. The inference is that there’s a hierarchy to the camping world; your first trips start with a trailer full of propane tanks and a chainsaw, then you go to a campsite just outside of the suburbs, then you drive a canoe out to a nice little lake, and so on, until eventually, you’re dropped out of a helicopter into some rapids in the middle of winter with a knife in your belt and a wool blanket, to emerge six weeks later wearing a three-piece birch bark suit.
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Tags: advice
Posted in Courses, editorial, HowTo, Questions, tips |
I’m the first to admit that despite my love of the outdoors and the woods, I’m relatively unschooled in the fine art of woodworking compared to some. Natural wood has a life and character unlike any other material, and it’s hard to ignore those who make this craft their pursuit.
I love to listen and learn from passionate people, and this past week, I had the pleasure of learning how to make a classic frame saw from Steven Der-Garabedian (see his work at blackwalnutstudio.ca). Steve is absolutely fanatical about woodworking, and it comes through in every action and every word he utters. Not only is he patient and accessible, but he has that other quality that distinguishes good craftsmen from good teachers—his love of his art is infectious.
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Tags: diy, education, saw, skills, woodworking
Posted in Bushcraft, Courses, Gear, Technology, Things to try |
Here’s an update on the Ray Mears course I mentioned in a post last fall. It was being organized by School in the Woods [ed. note: no affiliation with this site]. The course as described didn’t happen, unfortunately. The organizer informed me that the agent wanted a very hefty non-refundable deposit with still no contract and had still not outlined what would be covered, so he had to make the decision to not go further. He felt it would have been wrong to gamble with other people’s money.
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Tags: bushcraft, mors kochanski, ray mears, school in the woods
Posted in Bushcraft, Courses, News |
Like most people, I have a variety of interests. Sometimes, the popular pastimes that appeal to my colleagues and friends don’t hold that same draw — I don’t play golf, or follow sports.
Some of my passions do fall closer to the mainstream — craft beer, pool, good food.
The interests that titled this post, however, are a bit rarer. Perhaps not for readers of this blog and other similar sites, but, given that I live in an urban population, and have a relatively city-centric life, I’m often the odd one out.
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Tags: art, blacksmithing, bushcraft, craft, hobbies, leatherwork, problem-solving
Posted in editorial, Personal |
Ross Gilmore
Indulge me in a personal rant, and a rally cry of support for a moment. Ross Gilmore (aka “Wood Trekker”), a blogger I read from time to time, has posted something that’s gotten my blood boiling a bit. His posts usually deal with outdoor pursuits and bushcraft, axe-handling and history, and all sorts of good subjects that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. This is the first time I’ve been saddened by reading something he’s written, because this time, the post was a he felt the need to publish a disclaimer on his site.
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Tags: disclaimer, frivolous, kids these days, rant, Ross Gilmore, WoodTrekker
Posted in editorial, Personal |
Gear: Fit is everything. Good gear selection comes from knowing what you want out of it, and a large part of finding that out is by knowing what it’s like to deal with an inferior product, or having to improvise to fill an unanticipated need along the way.
I wrestled with myself for quite a bit before deciding how to approach this article. I’ve wanted to write a “getting started” guide for a while, but this post has – like the gear list it touches on – evolved into a direction all its own.
Over the years, I’ve collected and invested in a fair amount of gear, some of it quite expensive, some of it ridiculously cheap, and some not at all used for its intended purpose. With all the gear on offer by outfitters, it can be overwhelming for new and experienced outdoors enthusiasts alike, both from a choice and cost perspective.
So how does one maintain balance? How do you decide what to buy, beg, borrow or build. And then, what to bring?
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Tags: buying, Gear, improvised
Posted in Gear, Technology, tips |
I recently read a brace of posts from fellow outdoor blogs, The Oak and the Mountain, and Wood Trekker talking about survival kits.
Now, the reason I came across these posts was because I was actively looking for survival kit ideas. I thought it was high time I re-visited my personal kit. Given that it’s covered with duct tape that hasn’t been removed in years, I have no idea what’s in my Altoid’s tin, or if it’s even useful. What I bring with me on a daily basis has changed, my skills have changed, and so have my perception of needs.
No, this isn’t the same old discussion about how to pack fishing gear into a hollowed-out walking stick handle, where to buy equipment, or even what to put in your EDC survival kit. Those topics are covered quite well in other resources on the internet, and in an excellent book on the subject, Build the Perfect Survival Kit.
No, these bloggers are taking the (controversial?) stance that the much-revered survival kit has no place on a walk in the woods.
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Tags: emergency, shtf, survival, survival kit
Posted in Gear, HowTo, tips, Uncategorized |
When was the last time your grocery store gave you a hug, a handshake, and inspired you for the week’s cooking? That’s exactly what your market can do for you — there are people whose skills, hard work, and pride in their craft put quality food on your table, and I enjoy being reminded of that every Sunday that I can make it down to my local market.
Extra love goes out to friends I’ve met, Zach from Highmark Farms, Christian from Monforte Dairy, and especially the lovely Janaki for putting together the wonderful Leslieville Farmer’s Market! Thank you for a great first season!
And although the market season is over, I’ll be sure to pick up my winter produce box (pictured above) from Le Papillion on the Park every Sunday.
Tags: farms, fresh food, leslie market, local, market, produce
Posted in Conservation, News, Personal |
Ray Mears photo courtesy of http://www.guardian.co.uk
Ray Mears is famous for his many tv appearances where he teaches not only survival, but bushcraft. The difference from ‘survival’ shows is striking, as Ray attempts to convey the importance of long-term bushcraft and sustainability as practiced by many aboriginal tribes in a variety of different regions.
He has always expressed his special love for the boreal forests of Canada, and it looks as though he’ll be bringing his knowledge and teaching skills to about 25 lucky students this June 11, for a five-day bushcraft course.
Details are still sketchy, but I’ve chatted a bit with the course organizer, so here’s what I know:
- Ray Mears is confirmed if the class is full, and will shape the curriculum to match the students.
- The course will be five days long, with Ray instructing every day.
- It will take place near Brampton, Ontario, and will be on some 400+ acres of land.
- It also won’t likely be cheap, given his very high skill level and prominence in the field. However, this would be an amazing and unique experience, so start saving those pennies if you want in!
The organizer’s website is just nearing completion, but I’m told that that in a matter of days, there will be plenty more details available. Stay tuned for more!
Visit School in the Woods or the Bushcraft Canada site (where I first caught wind of it).
Tags: bushcraft, education, ray mears
Posted in News |
Who says a secluded retreat needs to be rustic and run-down? House & Home‘s Suzanne Dimma and 3rd Uncle Design‘s Arriz Hassam walk viewers through their amazingly designed cottage in this six-minute-long video.
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Tags: construction, cottage, off-grid, Suzanne Dimma
Posted in News |
