Extreme minimalism

[Brown Bear]

Who has ever tried an overnight trip to the wilds with just the clothes on their back? I would suggest that if you really want to test your skills, give it a go.

I did it first on the last day and night of a survival course in Scotland, in November. OK....we had knives, fire steels and water bottles, but it makes you realise how hard you need to work just to be comfortable, especially when the night is minus 6C.

I say, leave your fancy stoves and bivvy bags at home, wait for a nice crisp night and go to the woods.

 

[cappi]

Hi yep several times without nothing being chased for 9 nights each time not easy and not for the fainthearted,to remove even the basic bushcraft tools and commence to adapt to the elements is tough to do it with no heat at night is also very different,as i enjoy the forum it is great to see people from adifferent walk of life challenging them selves even further,well done brown bear,or is it now GRIZZLY.CAPPI

 

[malente]

This is high on my list of things to do in the near future (before it gets too cold )

 

[Tadpole]

Who has ever tried an overnight trip to the wilds with just the clothes on their back? I would suggest that if you really want to test your skills, give it a go.

I did it first on the last day and night of a survival course in Scotland, in November. OK....we had knives, fire steels and water bottles, but it makes you realise how hard you need to work just to be comfortable, especially when the night is minus 6C.

I say, leave your fancy stoves and bivvy bags at home, wait for a nice crisp night and go to the woods.

I spent three October nights in the Dovey forest with what I stood up in, a plastic sheet, a couple of oranges and three flapjacks. No fire no sleeping bag no contact with other people, Ok it only rained for two of the three days but still, I hated every second, All I learnt was, to never ever let it happen again, Some might enjoy that kind of misery, but there again some people like being whipped and tied up.

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

I did the Woodsmoke Aboriginal Course in October 2008, and doing it again this October where you go out with just a Knife and Billy Can.

Hard work but good fun.

 

[Melonfish]

hmm food for thought, could i survive out one night properly with just my knife and firelighting kit?
at this point i doubt it, i'm not skilled enough methinks... although after a bit of practice perhaps.

 

[lamper]

I do this quite a bit, but for safety sake I take a couple of space blanket with me just in case.

 

[Mirius]

there again some people like being whipped and tied up.

And what's wrong with that?

OK Too much information

 

[rik_uk3]

Got peed up when I was a kid and fell asleep in the park all night, does that count?

 

[cappi]

Got peed up when I was a kid and fell asleep in the park all night, does that count?

YES IT COUNTS {just for being bladdered}cappi

 

[sandbender]

"...Who has ever tried an overnight trip to the wilds with just the clothes on their back?...I did it first on the last day and night of a survival course in Scotland, in November..."

And that would have been a 'wet' -6 °C in a Scottish November.

In more clement conditions few of us will have a problem with a single night out without gear, if sleep isn't possible, the woods and fields usually have enough going on in them to keep us entertained.

The one item that has made this kind of thing much easier for me is my Swanndri bushshirt, combined with a good wooly jumper or shirt it makes a fine sleeping bag. A match coat fashioned from a nice wool blanket would be good alternative.

 

[firecrest]

I havent personally. I'd like to try it if I go to sweden in august (within view of the cabin!!) I dont have the skill set yet to be honest.

would I be right in thinking that the mantra `your knife is your life` isnt possibly adiquate in that kind of environment, that it should really be `your axe is your life`? If I was forced to choose Id take a sharp hatchet instead of a knife

 

[malente]

I havent personally. I'd like to try it if I go to sweden in august (within view of the cabin!!) I dont have the skill set yet to be honest.

would I be right in thinking that the mantra `your knife is your life` isnt possibly adiquate in that kind of environment, that it should really be `your axe is your life`? If I was forced to choose Id take a sharp hatchet instead of a knife

I'd say your firesteel and warm waterproof jacket with hood is your life, if I HAD to choose.

Mike

 

[durulz]

A few times I have done 'Five-Items-Only' nights out.
I took a machete, a billy can, a sleeping bag, firesteel, and paracord.
To be honest I slept just as comfortably. More work involved, mind you.

 

[firecrest]

I'd say your firesteel and warm waterproof jacket with hood is your life, if I HAD to choose.

Mike

Rubbish. a dead camel would solve all that in one go

 

[Sniper]

My only question would be why, I know I could do it if the need arose but choosing to do it, uh uh not for me not really my idea of learning or fun, but hey that's just me. Each to their own. It also occurs to me, if you are taking knife, firesteel, water bottle then why not take the rest and enjoy it without the hardship.

 

[Nigel]

As Sniper said, if you are taking fire steel, knife etc why not take all your kit and have a comfortable night?

 

[forestwalker]

hmm food for thought, could i survive out one night properly with just my knife and firelighting kit?
at this point i doubt it, i'm not skilled enough methinks... although after a bit of practice perhaps.

Depends on the temperature and how wet it is, really. If the temps are over 10 C or so all you will be is miserable for one night (at worst). Once the temp/wetness gets worse you do have to avoid hypothermia, but again, for one night you can just ignore the night and walk around (just don't get into your car and drive home afterwards).

If you can start a fire and add some insulation underneath you many things are possible, and with a shelter life can be good.

 

[sandbender]

As Sniper said, if you are taking fire steel, knife etc why not take all your kit and have a comfortable night?

That is a valid point, for my part my back is old and my journeys are long so the less I have to carry the happier I am, my nights are usually comfortable.

I think I'd encourage people to at least carry a tarp though, if everyone starts chopping up their local copse to make natural shelters then the UK woodland and wildlife will suffer.

 

[hammock monkey]

putting pressure onyourself to get a fire started (and kept going all night) with a bow drill is great. Its not like it has to be life or death in the UK in summer, generally it would mean a walk back to the vehicle at worst.

But it gets your priorities sorted fairly quickly. I like to get the woodpile sorted, then fire started a good few hrs before dark and worry about food the next day.

Admitedly I've had water, a knife and a bootlace to get make a bow drill with me, but it makes the fire all the more enjoyable somehow. Its more about 'tuning in' to me I guess. Not having matches etc with you means its either make the effort to bow drill or live without.

Both ways are good (as long as the weathers ok), if I'm on my own I'm as likely not too bother - purely because I want to see more wildlife.

....having said that i use a lighter 90% of the time!

cheers