No gear bushcraft challenge

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mick91

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 13, 2015
2,064
7
Sunderland
After my own success in the summer, and current success (kiss of death that) on my no gear challenges. The idea has been chucked about of making it a bit of a thing to do here. So why not!

1: keep it legal
I take 10 UK legal snares for food, but can set natural and improvised traps, these are merely a method of legally simulating what would happen with natural traps in a survival situation. I realise I'm lucky to have the permission I do, so if anyone doesn't have said permission I would say it's acceptable to buy or kill before hand the animals you know you COULD trap around there. This is predicated on the animals being active, and you having a knowledge of trapping techniques. Of that's the case the animal must be whole or paunched, not skinned or prepped, if you don't manage to find something to skin it, you ain't eating it!

2: Keep it safe
I wouldn't consider a FAK as specific gear, so they're a must. I don't take one, but then in fairness I have extensive training to make me 9 times out of 10 not need one.
Have a known drop off and collection point, let people know where you are and what time to expect you back. Ideally let someone know precice grid refs or GPS cods, that way you're easily found if it hits the fan.
Your water is contaminated, for purposes of safety and keeping it realistic even if you know the water is safe, consider it contaminated. Boil it.
Britain may seem tame, but many people here will tell you it's an environment that can still easily kill you, and some aren't here to tell you that!
Be sensible and don't overestimate your abilities, don't put yourself at needless risk for hardcore points, we all know our own levels and limitations. What's fine for me may put a less experienced person in danger, in the same way most hardcore survivalists will be fine in environments and situations that will land me in deep... trouble.

3: Seek permission
If you don't have permission to build ground fires, use a stove you can run on sticks! Just no lighter etc to get it going. Its no easier or harder to use one, I just happen to be allowed a fire.

4: if in doubt, get out
There's no shame in trying and not managing, if you feel the weather is getting too dodgy, or you're in danger, leave immediately and have a known backup plan. Perhaps and emergency torch if you can resist using one without it being a real emergency.
Same applies to food, if you don't know it, don't eat it. Use the skills you have not the ones you think you have.

5: keep it a challenge
No specialist or adapted outdoor clothing, that means no goretex no waxys no £200 boots etc. Not exactly fair if some are in t-shirts and jeans and others are head to toe in 5:11 tactifail. Lets say a regular shirt, a light jacket (eh a Harrington that I use) OR a jumper. Regular trousers, jeans trackies or work pants are fine, not waterproofs. Normal everyday shoes. Trainers or light boots that aren't outdoor specific, if youd walk through the in-laws front room in them they'd be fine. And no lacing up with 550 or Ferro zippers! Don't cheat basically


Think that's basically it. I'm happy to keep an eye on this one. Anyone game? I was thinking maybe even a prize for doing it, a patch for your bag maybe? I'll happily supply them for the entertainment and education I'll get from reading this. If I've missed anything let me know
 
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mick91

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 13, 2015
2,064
7
Sunderland
I don't understand what you mean by no gear?
No outdoor gear. No knife no shelter no food. So go out, feed and water yourself, sleep in a shelter you've built with no tools or found with no kip bag etc. What you would be wearing day to day with no EDC. Ideally done over a full weekend so you've had a couple of nights and daytimes at it
 
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dewi

Full Member
May 26, 2015
2,647
12
Cheshire
I'm up for it... rules seem pretty straight forward.

For safety, I still reckon an emergency bag should be left within access... I'm thinking basic first aid kit, emergency blanket and maybe a bottle of water... have visions of someone being out in the sticks getting hypothermia or a nasty cut. Totally up for a challenge, but its supposed to be as much about learning and the fun as it is about balancing the risks.

I've asked about locally for woodland access, but without much luck... so I'll try a little further afield... see what I can find.
 

mick91

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 13, 2015
2,064
7
Sunderland
I'm up for it... rules seem pretty straight forward.

For safety, I still reckon an emergency bag should be left within access... I'm thinking basic first aid kit, emergency blanket and maybe a bottle of water... have visions of someone being out in the sticks getting hypothermia or a nasty cut. Totally up for a challenge, but its supposed to be as much about learning and the fun as it is about balancing the risks.

I've asked about locally for woodland access, but without much luck... so I'll try a little further afield... see what I can find.

Aye maybe an emergency space blanket in the FAK good shout that. If not maybe a wild campsite
 

Corso

Full Member
Aug 13, 2007
5,249
449
none
not sure what the challenge is spent many a night like that over the year, all I learned was to not get so drunk next time.....
 

mick91

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 13, 2015
2,064
7
Sunderland
not sure what the challenge is spent many a night like that over the year, all I learned was to not get so drunk next time.....

:lmao: bit of fun though more than anything. And a test of your own skills I suppose
 

Corso

Full Member
Aug 13, 2007
5,249
449
none
and yet a stove, 1st aid kit, snare and something to boil water in are considered 'nothing' and something you can use. I just don't understand the challenge or what you consider gear?
 

dewi

Full Member
May 26, 2015
2,647
12
Cheshire
I think what Mick meant about the stove is if there is a no ground fire rule in the area you camp, you need fire, so do it in a container... keeping fire off the ground.

Snares, I'll leave that to Mick to defend lol

But the first aid kit and water is there for emergencies only incase you get into trouble. For the most part it wouldn't be needed.
 

mick91

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
May 13, 2015
2,064
7
Sunderland
and yet a stove, 1st aid kit, snare and something to boil water in are considered 'nothing' and something you can use. I just don't understand the challenge or what you consider gear?
Not a stove as such. A firebox would be a more accurate word of people aren't allowed fires. Snares as I have explained are to keep trapping UK legal, and I am capable of making traps but have to keep things legal for catching food. FAK is a safety issue that I choose not to take. Up to you if you do or not
 

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