One of the most epic excursions into the backcountry of my life. Unfortunately before technology allowed for quality videos using phones and other small devices.
Maryland. Minus 8°F. Major scarcity of water. Tried to dry out wool socks by fire, while heating feet next to fire with my boots on. Bottoms of socks AND boots burned out. I learned important lessons on this trip that have continued to inform my approach and preparation for unexpected and extreme conditions.
#maryland #backcountry #survival #campfire #camp #thepracticalwoodsman
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I got my tour date and time for Buffalo Trace Distillery tour in late November. It's so hard to find in Eastern Pennsylvania I figured I'll go to the source. Last place I had some charged $11 per shot.
Going on a kayak adventure is one thing. Taking video is one thing. But figuring out how to outfit the kayak to capture it all in an appealing, narrative way that makes you feel like you’re there with me is another thing altogether.
The right power, the right angles, the right mounts (you’d be surprised how hard this has been) the right wiring, the right placements, the right water protection considerations, the right tethering so that nothing goes overboard and is lost forever…
…and knowing that none of this stuff is what is most important. The most important - even while documenting it all - is trying to completely forget about the cameras, breathe in the natural world, live fully in the moment, soak in the experience, and stay safe doing it.
I agree that it can be real nice to have along friends for these sorts of things.
And believe me, I always try to invite a few to join me.
But let me tell you what has been my experience as l've gotten older (I'm in my early 50s): It gets harder, and harder, and harder to find people to join me.
When I was 30, I could find people to join me with the snap of my fingers.
Now, finding somebody to join me who will actually follow through is almost impossible. Everybody's set in their ways, they've got other things going on in their lives, nobody wants to give up their bathrooms and air conditioning or central heating. Other folks my age fear sleeping on the ground and getting dirty.
They don't know what they're missing out on. They don't understand that these experiences alone with God in the backcountry rejuvenate one's soul - hard ground or not.
I'll have to do a video where I talk about the realities of aging and how difficult it becomes to get other people to join you, just to see how many others ...
