| Fri Apr 09 @11:00 - 03:00PM National Trust wild food forays Arlington Court |
Well it started as a suggestion to Arlingtons head ranger and gone up the chain from there.
Whilst scouting new locations at the venue I mentioned how many people come on my courses then don't have a place to go and practice their new found skills. We spoke of the suspicions that some landowners have of anyone who might choose to spend free time smelling of wood smoke and avoiding power tools and other gadgetry. I suggested a dream I have had for a few years now, that once a person has proven themselves able to spend time in the wilds as a true woodsman, living by the leave no trace code then that should be somehow recognised and rewarded with a series of venues throughout the land where they are welcome to camp and practice bushcraft.
Was pootling along the beach doing my usual tracking of the various dogs and grockels. when my other half got a text from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)
Turns out just up the beach someone had reported seeing a stranded seal pup. So we headed on up to see what we could do.
Well you've been out and cut your stick, saved a few lambs from emasculation and you are all set to do some tracking.
For the start we will concentrate on man tracking. Although once you have the concept in your tracking tool box the theory can be applied to most walking animals. Of course this isn't an all seeing eye or magic pointer there is still a great deal of dirt time necessary to learn to interpret the tracks and see the stories they tell.
You will be using the stick to guide your eye to the next probable imprint. Just the same as Quantum mechanics this is about probabilities. so always consider the "what if ?" factor; your subject may speed up, slow down or take more stealthy evasive action. However as you read the spoor you will come to see that all changes will be shown in the track.
Many a time has my trusty stick got me out of a fix whilst Ive been tracking, and my mentor Max's words still ring in my ears from the day I passed my advanced tracking course and earned my silver feather "trust your stick."
Tracking sticks come in many forms from striped down ski poles and traditional walking staffs to custom made purpose built sticks. However my preference is for a personally made stick. I have found that as years have passed I have developed a bond with my trusty apple wood stick from the day I cut it to the next time I take it tracking. I know I am not alone and every tracker I know will go to great lengths to make sure their stick is close to hand.
The stick is used to estimate the next foot fall in a track whilst also gauging your following the right track, and with a little pimping giving a good idea of direction of travel.
Well just back from another fun weekend at the head of Canonteign falls, with max and the Shadowhawk trackers.
As always it was an awesome weekend with equal parts instructing , tom foolery and learning. The group was, for a change, mainly made up of bushcrafters so it was nice to see such an advance in skills from clients who on occasion arrive in the woods for the first time wide eyed and looking for guidance. I was a little surprised at the speed in which bushcraft has become so mainstream, only last year I would say that 50% of max's clients where new to the concept of wild camping. Although Novembers course may have a few less bushcraft savvy folk on it.
Wow!
Another busy week and I can barely contain myself after another visit to Arlington Court. Had a good walk round the outer parts of the estate with Murray the head ranger who was enthused by the opportunities that could lie ahead for WildPath and The National Trust.
Although as always the most exciting stuff can't yet be disclosed we have confirmed the dates for the drop in workshops that will be running in 2010.
These will be run by me for free and available to any visitors to the estate
