Bushcraft, a solitary pursuit??
- Thread starter redneck
- Start date
-
Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
There's something very special about being on your own in a wild place - away from human activity and noise, with just your own thoughts and maybe a book for company. But one or two days is plenty for me - after that I yearn for conversation and human interaction, but a few moments of solitude are necessary to reset the mind and provide some space to think.
Like many before me on this thread I prefer my own company or the companionship of one or two chosen friends. I am not into bigger groups. when I was small I wanted to be a shepherd or a lighthouse keeper, I ended up in Education and working with groups, I love getting away with just my dog or even alone as it can be s slight distraction though very
obedient. For overnights I prefer the company of one or two, just to enjoy the craik and
the campfire atmosphere, More numbers than that and you end up with some loudmouth
who has to hog the conversation and thinks he knows it all. Like someone else said it is best to just shut up and let them think they are correct, unless it is a subject where
possible danger is involved in his opinion of what is the right way to do something.
Animals are better company than humans at any time. They do not argue back and always greet you with a welcome.
obedient. For overnights I prefer the company of one or two, just to enjoy the craik and
the campfire atmosphere, More numbers than that and you end up with some loudmouth
who has to hog the conversation and thinks he knows it all. Like someone else said it is best to just shut up and let them think they are correct, unless it is a subject where
possible danger is involved in his opinion of what is the right way to do something.
Animals are better company than humans at any time. They do not argue back and always greet you with a welcome.
Yeah, I definitely prefer to be on my own too. For one thing you can be really selfish without affecting others. What I mean by that is, I can go where I want, stop where and when I want and go home when I'm ready. Its also much easier being alone for birding or other wildlife watching, less noise, visual disturbance etc.
Saying that tho' I am incredibly lucky in that my wife enjoys doing many of the same things that I do, which is great for longer trips away to the mountains - camping, bothying etc and a lot of the time we don't really notice each other being there - if that makes sense?
Saying that tho' I am incredibly lucky in that my wife enjoys doing many of the same things that I do, which is great for longer trips away to the mountains - camping, bothying etc and a lot of the time we don't really notice each other being there - if that makes sense?
Having practised "bushcraft" alone for many years I recently attended my first group meet only to discover that I had actually been camping.
It was seeing what kit other people had and how they used it made me realise how much we can learn from others.
I still enjoy going out alone but also enjoy the company of others and the extra knowledge that can be passed on.
It was seeing what kit other people had and how they used it made me realise how much we can learn from others.
I still enjoy going out alone but also enjoy the company of others and the extra knowledge that can be passed on.
Being fairly new to bushcraft (I'm still gathering the basic skills to head out for an outdoors trip with just a small pack - it will happen soon) I've done it almost entirely alone - I don't know anyone else with a deeper intrest than watching Mr Mears on the telly. A couple of times when I've been foraging I've had someone along and while the conversation can be nice, I do find it very different.
The nearest I come to experience on this is travelling. Since I stopped going away with my family so much I've always travelled alone. I like being able to drift into transient meetings on trains, in bunk houses and on the road and then part company with about the same ease. That said, company is nice, and when I'm alone and see something spectacular I often think it's a shame noone else is there to see it too - but somehow I think things move you in a different way when it's not just you and the world.
I hear comments about it not being safe for girls travelling alone, but on my travels I've met a good few travelling alone and when I've asked them about that they've pretty much all said "it's not that bad really"
I get the feeling it's more dangerous if you don't travel smartly. That's true for both sexes though.
The nearest I come to experience on this is travelling. Since I stopped going away with my family so much I've always travelled alone. I like being able to drift into transient meetings on trains, in bunk houses and on the road and then part company with about the same ease. That said, company is nice, and when I'm alone and see something spectacular I often think it's a shame noone else is there to see it too - but somehow I think things move you in a different way when it's not just you and the world.
I hear comments about it not being safe for girls travelling alone, but on my travels I've met a good few travelling alone and when I've asked them about that they've pretty much all said "it's not that bad really"
I get the feeling it's more dangerous if you don't travel smartly. That's true for both sexes though.
bushcraft for me is a very tribal thing... be it friends or my girlfriend I'm always much happier when the experience is shared.
I go both ways on this.
Most of the time I'm out taking pictures on my own and the "bushcraft" is just my way of being comfortable while I do it.
But I have to admit I do love sitting around a campfire sharing the evening with friends.
Most of the time I'm out taking pictures on my own and the "bushcraft" is just my way of being comfortable while I do it.
But I have to admit I do love sitting around a campfire sharing the evening with friends.
Alone or with BB - no more than that for me - I prefer the company of nature to the company of people other than my lass
Red
Red
I`ll second that - not with your lass though Red you understand
Still not managed to make it to a proper meet although I`ve been to a few small get togethers. As somebody said earlier, it`s not quite right seeing so many people out in the sticks as a group, kind of takes the edge of it for me. I much prefer to be somewhere remote (ish) doing my bushcraft thing alone or maybe with one or two others.
Maybe I`m just a miserable old grumpy so and so
I like a good get together with like minded people, but to be honest, I prefer being on my own.
I have a couple of close friends that I go off with into the wilds now and then but my majority of trips out are solo.
SWMBO, used to think I was mad, or having an affair with a Cumbrian sheep as I regularly went off to Wasdale on my own.
It was an annual ritual that the last weekend in January I would go off to Wasdale on me todd to just chill out and walk the hills, then SWMBO came with me one time and that was it, I cant get off there on my own any more as she loves it as much as I do.
I have a couple of close friends that I go off with into the wilds now and then but my majority of trips out are solo.
SWMBO, used to think I was mad, or having an affair with a Cumbrian sheep as I regularly went off to Wasdale on my own.
It was an annual ritual that the last weekend in January I would go off to Wasdale on me todd to just chill out and walk the hills, then SWMBO came with me one time and that was it, I cant get off there on my own any more as she loves it as much as I do.
I enjoy the company of others when camping, but as some of you know, I tend to pitch tent some distance from the 'group', sometimes its just nice to go back to the tent and chill out on my own, or with my son. I/we tend to go to sleep late and wake late, so the sound of an enthusiast wacking ten bells out of a log with his axe as the sun comes up does not improve my mood for the day. Breakfast for some is 07:00, for me its a brew around 09:00 and breakfast an hour or so later
When younger I did spend many weekends up in Snowdonia on my own, little transistor radio with me, listening to all sorts
happy days
When younger I did spend many weekends up in Snowdonia on my own, little transistor radio with me, listening to all sorts
happy daysI always have my at least one of my kids with me whenever i go into the woods. Its very rare that i get time on my own, actually i cant remember the last time i did get to go out on my own! I love going into the woods with me missus, just cos she shares my enthusiasm for the outdoors. I think the cleaner, fresher air gives you a feelgood feeling.
rancid badger
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I usually wander on my own,sometimes the laddie comes along and occasionally me, Eric Methven and one or two others get together for a wander but usually, I go it alone.
The main reason; is that I work shifts and I tend to be off when most other folk are working, that and the fact that the lads I am happy to wander with, live too far away to meet up regularly.
R.B.
The main reason; is that I work shifts and I tend to be off when most other folk are working, that and the fact that the lads I am happy to wander with, live too far away to meet up regularly.
R.B.
I'm quite a gregarious type so enjoy the company of others. If I'm stressed and need a breather, I'll take a few hours out by myself and go for a tramp, but normally I need at least my Sherpa!
I enjoy being on my own, but I also love being outdoors around others too. Sadly the latter is getting much harder as friends grow up and have their responsibilities so can't come out to play as much, but hey, such is life!
Can I just ask the women on the board if they've ever camped out on there own, and if so how did it go?
I love being alone in woods etc, go fishing on my own etc and feel perfectly safe. I used to walk 5 miles home from work at 4am in the morning through towns and across fields ( for 4 yrs), and again never, ever had any problems, and actually enjoyed it!
But actually camping, switching off and losing 'control' (ie sleeping) in a tent on my own, I just can't seem to pluck up courage,but I'm desperate to get out there!
It doesn't help that a few years back I was sharing a tent in a quiet (and non tourist) part of the Lakes with a female friend and some prat that we'd briefly talked to earlier 'invited' himself inside as we were sleeping. Luckily we managed to wrestle him outside etc and he did one, but OMG it was just sooo horrible. A couple of other similar but less serious incidents have happened while camping too, so it puts me off going alone.
It's a shame cos I really love being out and sleeping under the stars!
Any tips? Am I better away from campsites and wild camping instead?
Can I just ask the women on the board if they've ever camped out on there own, and if so how did it go?
I love being alone in woods etc, go fishing on my own etc and feel perfectly safe. I used to walk 5 miles home from work at 4am in the morning through towns and across fields ( for 4 yrs), and again never, ever had any problems, and actually enjoyed it!
But actually camping, switching off and losing 'control' (ie sleeping) in a tent on my own, I just can't seem to pluck up courage,but I'm desperate to get out there!
It doesn't help that a few years back I was sharing a tent in a quiet (and non tourist) part of the Lakes with a female friend and some prat that we'd briefly talked to earlier 'invited' himself inside as we were sleeping. Luckily we managed to wrestle him outside etc and he did one, but OMG it was just sooo horrible. A couple of other similar but less serious incidents have happened while camping too, so it puts me off going alone.
It's a shame cos I really love being out and sleeping under the stars!
Any tips? Am I better away from campsites and wild camping instead?
I'd like to say "yes wild camping would be safer" but I'm not sure I can. 
There is no doubt that a lone camper, male or female is potentially vulnerable.
I always try to camp somewhere well away from areas where other people are likely to turn up, partly for privacy but also for security.
At least I'm able to sleep soundly knowing I'm probably the most dangerous person around in most places though.
There is no doubt that a lone camper, male or female is potentially vulnerable.
I always try to camp somewhere well away from areas where other people are likely to turn up, partly for privacy but also for security.
At least I'm able to sleep soundly knowing I'm probably the most dangerous person around in most places though.
"There is no doubt that a lone camper, male or female is potentially vulnerable."
Sorry yes I totally agree, I hope I didn't come across as a bit sexist, defo not intended
The only danger I pose to people is the sight of me mumbling nonsense & slowly crawling out of my tent for a brew 1st thing in the morning . Very, very scary..........
Sorry yes I totally agree, I hope I didn't come across as a bit sexist, defo not intended
The only danger I pose to people is the sight of me mumbling nonsense & slowly crawling out of my tent for a brew 1st thing in the morning
. Very, very scary..........When I take someone with me, as often as not they talk too much and/or sit around the fire while I do all the work. Or worst of all, they get hold of my ax and nick the blade or ding the handle.
"There is no doubt that a lone camper, male or female is potentially vulnerable."
Sorry yes I totally agree, I hope I didn't come across as a bit sexist, defo not intended
<Snip
Not at all, I was trying not to sound patronizing.
I've been lucky enough to never have trouble, but I have moved my camp a couple of times because I thought there might be problems later on.
