Bushcraft personal space
Definition:
A place you can go to practice Bushcraft/Woodcraft skills. The "ideal" place being a personal section of woodlands or wilderness, where a camp can be setup, fire made, natural resources gathered without disturbance or interruption from civilization. The near field space for this could be a persons backyard. To practice skills and test equipment the backyard should work fine. The middle field space would be within walking distance. Such as a near by woods. A semi permanent shelter and camp could be setup here. The far field space would be a much larger forest or woodland. Such as wilderness and state and national parks. This would be the place to put your skills in practice and to trek between camps. |
Objective:
The point is to get off your rear end and out the door. To get "dirt" time with your gear, tools, and skills. That is why the backyard is a great starting point and proving ground. It is convent and close. Author vx777 12-07-13 page is a work in progress (by Vx with ref to Dave C) Things to look for in a Bushcraft field space. "Scout it out Start your site search well before dark; you have just 30 minutes of good visibility after sunset. Water access is the "make or break factor," says Langston. Look for hazards like dangling branches, rockfall debris, flash-flood zones, and avalanche runouts. Follow the lines Consult your topo map; open circles indicate flat land, while stacked lines ringing a site can be good windbreaks. "Cold air flows downhill, so higher land will be warmer at night," says Langston. See it coming Anticipate how terrain could intensify weather. Could a long valley become a wind tunnel? Where will the runoff flow in a storm? What will attract lightning? Respect sensitive terrain Choose previously impacted sites, or pitch your tent on a durable surface like a rock slab or forest duff. Use multiple walking paths to access your water source and cathole areas. Use natural advantages Seek shady forests in the summer, maximize southern exposure on cold days, and "choose a dry, sunlit spot with a steady breeze in mosquito country," says Langston." -* (source quote) Mark Langston http://www.backpacker.com/october_2007_skills_how_to_choose_a_campsite/skills/12017 |