No gear weekend day 1

[mick91]

I'll keep it relatively brief as I'm trying to conserve battery for tomorrow. Day 1 of my no gear challenge have gone well, snares are set and have managed to forage enough fruit to keep well fed, as well as grinding a little wheat from the field into a coarse flour to make a kind of very basic bannock with the berries and apples minus the fat.
Snares are set (the only gear I was allowed to keep it legal) in well used runs and hopefully will yield some lunch for tomorrow.
Bedded down on some fallen leaves and dried foliage under a fallen log to make an improvised lean to and have a respectable fire, so far am warm and dry.
Have found a piece of iron bar (suspect a kicked plough blade tip) and have roughly sharpened it with a stone from the stream, and had performed admirably for battonning and light cutting, with any luck it will work nicely for skinning tomorrow.
Water wise a piece of pliable bark has worked well to hold water and drink from, after boiling with a rock from the fire.
The rain is getting quite severe and the temptation to shelter in the farm barn is there but I'm resisting up to now.
Will upload pictures Sunday but spirits are high so far and if tomorrow goes well it may even kick my Reliance on modern bushy equipment.
It's a challenge but having fun!

 

[Goatboy]

Sounds like an excellent adventure Mick. Like to do similar things to it myself. Good time of year to do it too as should be plenty to forage. Used to like doing it at the shore too especially where it's a bit rocky as there is usually tons of protein to eat.
Hope it all goes well and the fire stays lit.
Remember to report in tomorrow.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[mick91]

Thanks GB. Slept well, apart from rolling onto a rock at around... Well I'm not sure but before dawn, helped me out though because I reloaded the fire a bit and still had a usable lick of flame this morning.
In an amazing stroke of luck 3 of the 5 snares I set have yielded results so no worries on food today. And a friend is joining the challenge tonight.
A discarded lager can has made a suitable kettle, so about to try a nettle and sorrel tea, but I'm not holding out much hope for taste.
The lean to performed impeccably last night and woke up bone dry and warm, although I'm feeling more leaves under me for tonight and possibly bundle something into a pillow

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[mick91]

Night 2. Have bedded down early because a storm is coming in. So far still warm and still dry but have had to shelter the fire quite well. Full bellies and high spirits as per, if it wasn't for work would consider extending the trip. I've also found out Dr martens are passable outdoor boots. Dickies work pants however are a bit shoddy and clingy. Nevertheless doing well

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[jmagee]

Excellent. Look forward to the pictures and final installment tomorrow

 

[petrochemicals]

Interesting, and good luck, if you did not have a blade with what did you build your shelter?

 

[dewi]

I stood outside a couple of hours ago as the lightning lit the sky and it started to pelt it down with rain... I turned to my wife and said "There is a guy on the forum doing a no gear weekend... what a weekend to do it!"

Looking forward to the pics as well... and kudos for sticking it out in this weather!

 

[mick91]

Interesting, and good luck, if you did not have a blade with what did you build your shelter?

I didn't. The stipulation was no outdoor or specialist gear including EDC. Have however managed to rough sharpen a piece of old iron that's been my best friend.
A proper application of brute force and ignorance was used to build the shelter. The old bent and snap tecnique was employed for the majority. It is not practical or effective. But it's doable

 

[mick91]

Not quite so dry at the moment. A leak has found its way through my lean to. Been repaired and bedding back down after taking off my damp jumper. Here's hoping I'll be back down before sunrise it seems a shame to ruin a great experience with sleep deprivation

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[Russell96]

Awesome! Well done you and I hope you can come up with a full review once you are done!

 

[Dreadhead]

following this with great interest Mick, sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[mick91]

Thank you for your interest and encouragement gents, as per usual Murphy's law is very much in effect, sun is beating down birds are singing and its been beautiful all morning. I've used up the last of my wheat flour and foraged fruit having breakfast. Blackberry and Apple also makes a delicious hot tea (much better than nettles) have taken in all of my snares and cleaned up my weekend home. The missus is coming to pick me up within the hour so will have a new thread with full review online by tonight. Been a fantastic few days even if you do have yo be a little massochistic to enjoy it! Learned more than I expected from the experience, and will share that with you all later.
Big thanks to everyone on the forum that I've gained knowledge from so far in my shortish tenure, literally would have failed if it wasn't for you guys.
Seeing the pub lights in the distance has been torturous so might have to pop in tonight to see if they will offer up livation to this weary traveller!
But guys. Go do it. Or at least give it a shot. And as for the ultralight crew... I think I win this one don't i?

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[mick91]

Ps. One of the snares provided me with yet another rabbit! I was almost disappointed that it did as I only set one in what looked like an older run out of curiosity. While not being one for killing for killings sake (actually disgusts me the thought of hunting for "sport" and not for food or crop protection) he won't go to waste. Straight in the slow cooker when I get in and will take a pot of rabbit stew with me to the pub. Its always a big hit and sits on the end of the bar with some polystyrene bowls for people to just dig in.

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[Fraxinus]

Nice one Mick, look forward to your in depth account. Love rabbit stew but my favourite is Rick Stein's Rabbit with Agen Prunes from his french odyssey series.
Rob.

 

[mick91]

Nice one Mick, look forward to your in depth account. Love rabbit stew but my favourite is Rick Stein's Rabbit with Agen Prunes from his french odyssey series.
Rob.

Never tried rabbit like that but might give it a shot. Really enjoyed my weekend, it was a challenge but worthwile

 

[bopdude]

Great thread, looking forward to the pics.

 

[huntersforge]

Nice one fella. well done. Looking forward to the pics

 

[Dave]

Nice one fella. well done. Looking forward to the pics

+1 Well done.

 

[SCOMAN]

Good drills, nice one.