"From hands-on Indian canoe craftsmanship,to running with dogs in the silence of Arctic Sweden,Ray Mears demonstrates his unique abilities to survive in the wild while learning new skills on the way. In Canada,a quarter of which is water,Ray learns the ancient Indian craft of creating a canoe from birch bark.Every log has to be split by hand and every cut judged by eye.Its held together entirely by roots and resin.Experienced Algonquin canoe maker Pinock Smith one of the few traditional craftsmen left allies his experience with Rays skills to create the perfect natural vessel.
Throughout the series,Ray follows in the footsteps of the Canadian fur traders,American mountain men and the Sámi people of Lapland,telling incredible stories of hardship and endurance. Whether hes on the American prairies making boats from buffalo skin and willow trees with mountain men,or travelling with the Sámi people,who line their boots with grass to keep them warm, Ray is always at one with nature,reading the landscape to provide for his every need.
In the final episode,Ray comes home to Britain and shows how bushcraft brings a new perspective to our countryside and its changing seasons.From foraging pig nuts to a salad made with lime leaves,he points out the foods and plants that are available and explains why he loves to be out all year round.He says:If I think about one lifetime,maybe we have 80 years if were lucky.Thats not many seasons to be out.If we only come out in the summer, weve missed out on three-quarters of a lifetime.
Hope its not like its last series and actually focuses on how their made and what goes into them as I like them.
