Bushcraft, a solitary pursuit??

[Cobweb]

Both for me, I like the quietness of being alone, however I share the same fears of something happening like firecrest and Xylaria.

I like meeting up with others as well, there are many tips and tricks to be learned at a meet/moot and while I see a moot as a bushcrafting experience, I don't see it as true bushcrafting, due to the amount of kit needed for a week - the fact you can't really gather properly if you are sharing a few acres with about a hundred people, the resources would get eaten up pretty quickly.

The meets are smaller but similar, if you were to take just a hammock, tarp and a fire kit, you would be pretty stuck. The meets are generally held in small woodlands and unfamiliar ones at that, so most of the time would be spent looking about and noting where things are, plus there is no guarantee there will be anything to live off for a couple days (for example, at the first midlands meet I was planning on a hawthorn and elder berry sauce, as there was plenty of both where I live,when I got to the meet, there was about four haw's and three bunches of elder berries, so no sauce unfortunatley).
Especially if all the game is frightened away by a group of ten or more people traipsing around, looking for somewhere to camp and then gathering wood, setting up a large main fire so everyone can get around it and so forth.

With meets and moots, it's just not feasible to go completely native.

On your own, in your private area, you know where everything is, and you can be quiet enough to become at one with the nature and therefore hunt or forage without someone interrupting or having all the game scared away.


As for the problems face by being alone, I do feel safer at the meets and the moot, and have never been accosted by anyone while there

On my own, like Wayland, I've moved a couple of times 'cause I thought I may be open to danger later on, but, touch wood, nothing has happened yet

Please don't take this as a bash on the meets and moots, both being alone and being with others has great benefits

 

[Toddy]

I end up talking constantly with people somedays/ weeks/ months I *need* the peace and quiet of the natural world to unwind. It's like breathing or food and drink to me.
I walk and wander mostly alone, but camping is with either a large group, or with a partner I'm comfortable and contented to be around 24/ 7.
Even when much younger I went with my friends, whether we were hike camping or canoeing/ camping.

The large meets are fun, but they aren't really 'bushcraft' simply because of sheer pressure of numbers. Very small ones make that possible.

Total chill out ? Me + my friend/ s

cheers,
Toddy

 

[drewdunnrespect]

both love company being a social and talkative blighter at times but love the solitude of being by my self in gods office Or in other words the great outdoors

 

[BigShot]

A thought that might prove useful for anyone wanting, but afraid, to head out alone for a wild camp.

Someone on a canoe forum (Song of the Paddle) said when they leave their canoe unattended they tie a rape alarm to the inside of it, and peg the strap to the ground, so if anyone moves the canoe, the strap comes away from the alarm and all hell breaks loose.
If you're not close by - either the would-be thief gets a fright and takes it anyway or gets a fright and legs it empty handed.
If you're close it will alert you to what's happening or wake you up if you're asleep.

I had a thought that a similar setup might be useful for wild camping. Instead of that setup, rig a trip wire (too high for foxes, badgers and the likes - maybe knee to waist height) around your site with the rape alarm inside or near your tent. If anyone gets close to it and trips the wire you'll wake up in a hurry and can do whatever you need to do before someone's too close for comfort.

Granted, it takes a little bit of wild out of wild camping, would probably give you a heart attack and may be prone to false alarms, but it might be a good way to get you out there if the fear of an unlikely event is too much for you.

 

[BigShot]

From some of the comments I get the impression meets or moots are best seen as an outdoor bushcraft expo or conference as opposed to actual bushcraft.

Loads of people trading ideas, talking, trade stalls and so on... definately sounds like an expo to me. I suppose if you think of it like that and carry in all the food you're going to need, and go native when you're on your home turf it would work out well.

 

[Wayland]

That's about it for me.

Great for meeting, socials and swapping ideas.

Quite different from being out alone though.

 

[Tengu]

Im not afraid to be on my own, its normal for me.

I like the bushmoot very much though; good chance for my yearly gregariousness

 

[Chips]

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 anyone, anywhere, any sex, is potentially vunerable.

 

[BOD]

Alone one should feel vulnerable but most of the risk is our own carelessness not human predators however much we may think so.

I prefer Alone + dog and sometimes the company of indigenous people (but give up any hope of personal quiet time)