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
Gettin’ outta the glorious rain in the glorious backcountry with my glorious dog
I found this video interesting as it relates to conversations we have about the true nature of things, what is really important and what is not, and how little importance some things have depending on the needs of the moment.
For example, this guy and his fellow soldiers, while being shot at would just dump their blankets - the blankets were totally unimportant to the immediate goal of staying alive. This meant later suffering, but at least they were alive.
I think about this sort of thing all the time when seeing guys building elaborate, beautiful shelters in the woods. When you’re hungry and lost, or simply traveling through the wilderness, nobody is going to care about building an elaborate shelter. You’re only going to care about conserving energy and using energy for only things that are absolutely necessary in any given moment.
This means sleeping under a rock outcrop, or a fallen tree, or just trying to get through the night under your sweater and some leaves you scrounge ...
