Suffolk Bushcraft Group Daniel Boone Challenge 23rd May to 26th May 2014

Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
Suffolk Bushcraft Group Daniel Boone Challenge 23rd May to 26th May 2014

To carry on the Challenge set by Man of Tanith, and from the last Suffolk Boone Challenge that was enjoyed in 2013, I have set up another. so if you like the idea of basic/old camping methods this is the event for you, I know that the ones that took part last year found it an eye opener as far as how spoilt with modern gear we are, and how you have to change how you camp without it.

Main Boone Challenge Thread
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102932
Suffolk Bushcraft Boone Challenge 2013
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110217

With the following generic kit list, spend four consecutive nights out.. The Idea of the Challenge is to research and work out, maybe manufacture and practice with kit and skills that would have been used in those times, and to stick close to it, and to share some of the limitations or advantages of Equipment Mountain Men from the late 1700’s to the mid 1800’s, may well of had, so staying as close to the kit as possible......this will also encourage the exploration of new skills and Knowledge.

The Challenge will be over four nights in three different Woods, First and last being the Main Suffolk Bushcraft Group Woodland and the other two being two different woodlands in the area, the woodlands will be within a two mile walking distance from the starting area, and an easy navigable route.

For safety reasons the challenge will be done in Pairs/groups, if there is more than one Pair/group for the Challenge they will stay in the opposite woods the swap for the second night. Group sizes will be decided once full numbers are known
On the last night in the Main Woodland a Group Stew and Dumplings will be cooked, this will be included in the cost of the Challenge.

One of the Woodland is an SSSI – Please Respect it, full details to be given on the date, Only Dead wood to be used, no green wood to be cut.

There is no Prize or Kudos intended in this Challenge, just the reward of any fun/knowledge you gain.....and of course spending time with like minded people
Enjoy and let’s have a fun experience...

Kit List

Please keep as close to the list as possible, as the idea is to experience the camping methods, not just to use modern equipment......that we are comfortable with

2 Wool Blankets and canvas type swag or Bedroll – ie Czech or Similar.
Waterproof Tarp.
Two Knives - Changed as I have found that a smaller knife was sometimes carried for general use in the Possibilty Bag
Axe or Saw, a choice of one - As a matter of interest I cannot find any reference to Saws being carried....
Flint and Steel – Not Ferro Rod, I have found some references to Lucifer’s... these were the sulphur matches of the day, not common at all, but may be used. No modern day matches
Tinder box/Pouch with tinder types from the period, no modern materials i.e. NO Cotton Wool and Vaseline.
Water Bottle
Billy Can and Lid.
Cup.
Spoon Only
Food
Candle/Lantern for lighting.
Rucksack/Bag to carry items in.

Safety Items
Small Torch for EMERGENCY use only...
Phone – this only to be used to keep the other half happy, and let them know you are safe, or in an Emergency.
First aid kit
Medication – Tablets (and I don’t mean ones for the internet)

Location
This Event is being carried out in Suffolk just south of Bury St Edmunds, the woodlands being used are with the permission of the Landowner.
The main woodland is a mixed wild wood that was managed quite a few years ago, but due to its secluded location has been left, the second is a Mixed woodland that is an SSSI for its Flora, The third will be a woodland I have not decided which one yet but have a couple of choice’s.
Stansfield, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 8LN. Full details to follow, meet will be around 12:00. At the Stansfeild Compasses..on the First Day.

Cost
The Challenge charge is £28.00 per person for the Challenge, and a non refundable Deposit of £5 to be paid by Friday 9th May 2014. Balance to be paid on arrival.

Under 18s
Are welcome to attend, they are the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian that they came to the Event with, and will make up a team.

Behavior
Our meets, are good natured and light hearted, with safety in mind, we aim to carry this on with self regulation, if it does not then the offending person will be asked to leave immediately.

Facilities
Nearest Tap to the Suffolk Bushcraft Group Woodland. Is about 600m,
Water will be available from a Tap at the farm yards for the nearest to Woodlands prior to start off and during the challenge.

Toilets.
The Farmyard near to the Compasses have a shower and Toilet that can be used.
The Suffolk Bushcraft Main Woodland has a Long Drop in, there are NO toilets in the other woodlands, apart from the ones at the Farms, please bring your Hygiene kits, as this is an event over a larger area there will be no latrines dug, please use the normal method of bury, burn and mark.

Housekeeping
There is no Facility to leave rubbish in the woodlands or at the farm, please bring a Rubbish Bag for your waste and take it home; we have had occasions were other peoples pitches have been cleaned up by others, You Carry In – You Carry Out.

Fire Places and Fire scar’s to be kept to a minimum; if you make a Fire Scar for any reason, it is your responsibility to clean it up.

Vehicles and Access and Parking for the event
Due to the amount of cars and access being required by the landowner, cars will go straight to the parking area for the duration of the stay, please do not block Gates and Barn doorways. Details for this will be given nearer the time

Other Info
Please keep to the simple rules and treat it with respect. Any person not adhering to the conditions will be asked to stop the activity and leave.

Fire Wood can be gathered from around the sites, Dead Wood only to be used, No live wood to be cut.

All Attendee's, attend and take part in any activities at their own risk....by attending you agree to this term.

First Aid
There are no First Aid facilities on site, so you will need to bring your own kit, not just Plasters
The nearest A & E is 20 minutes drive at;
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 2QZ,
Switchboard: 01284 713000

I you would like to take part but cant make the Four night PM me and no doubt we can sort something out :)

If you plan to attend, then Paste and Copy Just the last Attendance list posted, place name on bottom of list. I will update the main list

List of Attending –
1. Big Stu
2. Chris (Ozzy1977)
3. Colin
4. MarkinLondon
5.
6.


Helpfull Links for Information - complied with the help of other members of BCUK

Just Mountain Men
http://www.mman.us/index.htm - Big Stu 12, info just about Mountain men.
http://www.liv18thc.com/woodsman.htm - Man of Tanith - nice discription on how the Mountian Man may have carried and packed his kit
http://www.northwestjournal.ca/ - Man of Tanith, all sort of information, great kettle tutorial
http://www.coht.org/resources.html - Big Stu 12 - Loads of links to many other sites, and assorts of info
http://www.scoutingvermont.org/files/d/usr/27/gentledovehistory.pdf - Man of Tanith

General Info
http://www.historicaltrekking.com -Big Stu 12 - Forum for re-inactors, loads of info
http://www.varsityrendezvous.com - Big Stu 12 - Loads of information, good selection of other links..
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/ - Corso - Loads of information about Frontiers men around the world.
http://www.acws.co.uk/index.htm - Big Stu 12 - American Civil War Re-enactment UK - just for info and insperation for kit..

Supliers of Kit
http://www.civilwarsutler.co.uk/ - Corso - Some nice reenactment kit, bit late for Boonies, but nice kit.
http://jas-townsend.com/ Big Stu 12 - Us Supplier but good videos, and Ideas from kit they sell

Food
http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodpioneer.html - Albus Cutter - As title says
http://www.chronicleoftheoldwest.com/chuckwagon.shtml - Big Stu 12, some 1800 to 1900 food recipies,
http://www.whiteoak.org/historical-library/fur-trade/food/ - Big Stu 12, more info

Book Suggestions
A pilgrims journey - volume 1 and 2 - Mark Butler -http://store.scurlockpublishing.com/apilgrimsjourneybymarkabaker.aspx - Man Of Tanith .
The hunters of kentucky by ted franklin beule a history of the colonisation of kentuky-Mr Boone was very involved with this - Man Of Tanith
Life of Daniel Boone by Lyman C draper-biography of Boone- Man Of Tanith
American colonial ranger, the northern colonies by Gary s zaboly-illistrated lightweight read of rangers such as rogers rangers not quite boone time period but a lot of long hunters served, some good pics of kit/clothing/typical food stuffs - Man Of Tanith
War on the run by John F Ross-biography of Robert Rogers-fascinating read, - Man Of Tanith
Journals of Robert Rogers of the rangers- Robert Rogers own diaries of his military career, interesting reading - Man Of Tanith
 
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Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
How are people prep coming along for this one :)...

I may change how I carried my stuff, mayeven make a Bedroll out of canavs
 

ozzy1977

Full Member
Jan 10, 2006
8,558
3
47
Henley
I have all the toys I think I will need, just got to sort out what food I will take and dig out the flint and steel and brush up on how too use the cursed thing:)
 

Hedgecrafter

Nomad
Feb 23, 2014
306
0
Suffolk
This looks like a great challenge. I'll have to get some more camping under my belt before it put my name forward.

Hello Man of Tainth.
I had a chat with you about this challenge over on another forum a few months ago. I'm Hedgehog over there.
I happened to meet stu the other day. What are the odds?
 

Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
This looks like a great challenge. I'll have to get some more camping under my belt before it put my name forward.

Hello Man of Tainth.
I had a chat with you about this challenge over on another forum a few months ago. I'm Hedgehog over there.
I happened to meet stu the other day. What are the odds?

As long as your've got the basic camping kit and a Tarp your good to go, people have given the challege a go with what they have in their kit bag, you will learn loads as well as have a great time, it wild basic camping at the best, we can chat more at the meet about it, Colin Crossland Kelly ) did it last year and made a nice pack up with basic kit that is avalible.

We leart so much getting ready for it and doing it :).
 

Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
Check out blanket packs Stu.
I made a blaket rucksack using one blanket and some cordage worked quite well.
dunno if I'll be abke to make it but still gonna watch.

easter time I'm gonna try some 21st C boone goodness

I will look at the Blanket packs bud, not sure what I am doing at easter yet.. I ve just meet a new lady :)... she may well have plans...lol

But I def need to get some Bonnie type wild campinmg done :)
 

Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
I have all the toys I think I will need, just got to sort out what food I will take and dig out the flint and steel and brush up on how too use the cursed thing:)

Thats good to hear, toys are good :), food's an interesting one, I found it fun researching what foods were about, and kept close to them, I will do the same again, the amount is going to be a challenge for 4 nights tho... :)
 

Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
Thats what I was thinking about doing maybe even making my own tarp from a double cotton bed sheet :), and a thin bed roll as well, seeing that we will be moving every morning, I want to keep it light :)
 

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