Dirt Time Training Plan?

Brian Jones

Brian Jones

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Jan 17, 1999
Messages
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Hey, all,

I've been so busy with my new work that I've got less time to practice skills. Since my car accident a few years ago, I still feel way behind and like I'm starting over.

Just like a workout plan, I'm trying to put together a "dirt time" training plan to make the most of my limited time.

Does anyone else have a training sched/routine/planned amount of time to get in the dirt?
 
My time is pretty tight as well, Got a wife and a young kid and I run an ems department with over 100 employees, teach M.A. once a week and go to school, So at least for the ime being I do not get as much time outdoors as I'd like...Usually I try to practice small skills, like trap making, or more recently bowdrill, in front of the tv on nights when I'm home, and than I try to get at least 1 day in the week where I get to spend all day outdoors either hiking or pursuing a preselected skill (tacking, plant or animal id, hunting, or just soaking it all up) If I really can get that far out of town I go to ine of the local nature preserves for what I call a diet nature fix....Barely enough to keep me sane but beter than nothing,
 
Sharp-eye,

For now, categorizing it like this: Shelter/fire/personal protection, water, food, navigation. Most of the range of skills fall under these. I'm not counting physical conditioning training, just skills. If the skill is strenuous, that's great, and to maximize my time I'll combine whenever possible. But I'm doing other training for conditioning anyway.
 
Crazy schedules call for just making the time. I find if you schedule it in advance you will have the time, it usually works for me......
 
I as much learning as practicing these skills. I am trying to arrange a series of weekend day trips and overnights to get in some dirt time. It would be great if I could do this with some other interested people.
 
j williams,

Yeah, I have an idea of what I'll do, just curious if anyone else had a regular routine/plan and how they portioned out skills training. Might be fun to come up with suggested "limited time training plans" for people to use in order to acquire skills, and we can set benchmarks for what they should be able to absorb and master at certain points in the training.
 
Brian that would be a neat idea. You could allow yourself an hour to set up a primitave camp, top to bottom w/ fire, shelter, 1 trap set. Then change the type of shelter, way to get fire, and trap you set each time you go out... You could even map out a differant area each time to get some compass time in!!!!
 
I have to pry the time out of my schedule with a crow bar. Like a lot of others, I've got pretty heavy family and job commitments. I've found the best way for me to get some quality dirt time in is to do one or two overnights a month, usually shoot out to a place on friday evening, that gives me all day sat to work on skills.

Usually I pick 2 specific skills I want to practice, like land nav, shelters, etc, and work on those for the day. Then pack up and back home sat evening. Of course, like HD says, you get practice in a lot of different things just being out there.
 
I don't really have a schedule for practicing. I guess I am more spontaneous. If I see something cool on this site or think of something that sounds like it may be good to practice, I usually try and go outdoors right away and try it, if not I usually will do it when I get some free time.

I usually do hiking on weekends just because I have more time then and I like to hike for a few hours at a time.
 
i have read of a guy practicing his skills like this:

everyday, as soon as he walks in the doors, he picks up his bowdrill set. he doesn't kick off his shoes or take off the tie or anything, just grabs the set and gets to work. he works for 15 minutes or until he gets a coal. every day, just for that little bit of time, he says has made a huge difference.

it sounds like a good idea. right now i don't have too much trouble getting out on the weekends and practicing skills, but it is a good way to get into the habit for the future, or to make sure you practice consistently.
 
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