Bushcraft, survival and wilderness skills courses

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.

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.

It was Dave Watson of Woodland Survival Crafts who showed me this great method for extracting bramble fibres. I like using bramble in bushcraft as you can use it straight from harvesting, no drying needed; and its readily available almost everywhere I go; although it’s quite seasonal as you need to find the newest growth you can still find 1-2m lengths which are perfect for the job. I find the fibres to be a little more course than nettle and not quite as strong but for the majority of camp uses bramble is up to most tasks.

Those of you who know me may well know I live with a half cat half Godzilla type creature that some may mistake for a simple cat. And how I handle her and nettles to avoid any sharp pains is pretty much identical.

Like cat fur nettle stings grow in one direction up the stem and out along the leaves stroke cat or nettle in the right direction and no harm will come however stroke them against the direction of growth and you’re asking for trouble.

Knowing this makes handling nettles a lot easier and once your holding a nettle there is so much to be done with it. The fresh new leaves once blanched make for an excellent spinach substitute. The older leaves make for a pleasant hot drink and the stem will give you some of the finest fibres for string making.