Fun, Freedom and Responsibilty

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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Jan 6, 2005
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I have always been on the side of minimalism... making due with what's available to you. The romance of heading into the wild with a few simple tools and my wits excites me. I have accepted that sometimes I will be cold, wet, hungry and miserable, but with that comes the satisfaction of doing it on my own steam. Maybe I'm just a masochist.:o

Over the last several years, my thought process has changed a bit. It is no longer about ME and personal sense of adventure. I have a family... I have kids... a wife.... I have RESPONSIBILITY. I can't take the risks I once did because there are two little "house monkeys" who need me to make it home in one piece...

IMG_5786.jpg


The last few years of my personal wilderness training has focussed on group dynamics. This was a tough one for me. Though, I like hanging out and having some laughs around a campfire, I am very particular about the way I do things in the woods and how a camp should run. I was SELFISH. I paid little attention to my companions, what they were carrying and how they felt (physically and mentally) Mind you, I wasn't a total jerk... but if my buds were sporting less than adequate gear.... I let them suffer a bit and would be sure to rub it in.... okay maybe I was a jerk.:p Working within a group and trying to hold it all together under stress taught me some valuable lessons... Lessons in humility, compassion and RESPONSIBILITY You are not separate from the others in your party.... your are a unit... a single entity. This becomes painfully apparent in the worst of conditions...

first_aid_demo.jpg



So where does a minimalist loner draw the line? This is my new frontier. Sure, I could carry as little as possible and "rough" it, but at what price? I may have made peace with the risks involved with "living off the land" but the thought of someone having to explain to my kids why daddy isn't coming home from his camping trip makes it all seem pretty foolish. If carrying a well stocked FAK/PSK means I'm in a better position to help myself and those around me (should the need arise), then so be it. I make "safe sites" now, when training/scouting in the woods and speak more openly about my gear choices.

I'm giving my best shot at mixing Fun, Freedom and Responsibility.... aaahhhhh, it ain't so bad, really.

Thoughts?

Rick
 
Group/Family skills in the outdoors is more challenging in many aspects. You named the big one. Responsibilty. It can be even more rewarding as we see them learn though. I love all my little monkeys (6 of them ranging from 4-24) and they have helped me learn as well. All the best Bro.
 
Very challenging. It took a while to teach my wife proper mindset. She can kill a human with little regret now. We are both buying IBA vests with SAPI plates. We aren't having kids until the second revolutionary war is over.
 
G'day Rick

Magnussen said:
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Only you can honestly evaluate the absence or presence of risks associated with your minimalist approach.

Here's just a few thoughts expressed as questions.

Have you been in genuine situations in the past were you stood a real chance of not making it out alive (the answer is more for your benefit than anyone elses).

If you were, would it be fair to say it was your knowledge & experience that got you out rather than the minimalist gear you took with you?

Has your knowledge & experience grown with the years, or have you been in a "comfort zone" knowing that you already have a good handle on the oudoors in your area?

Physically how have the years been treating you?

Would the amount of "extra" gear be enough to make a real difference without hindering your ability to venture far off the beaten track?




Kind regards
Mick
 
I used to be into some dangerous hobbies. Those are over now that I have a little girl so I definitely understand where your coming from.

I actually consider going out in the woods by myself pretty safe in comparison. Maybe get a PLB?
 
Rick your one of the most knowledgeable people on this forum and nobody knows what you should and shouldn't carry in your environment better than you !
Travel light but travel safe, you don't need much to see ya safe through an unplanned night or two !


Ps Don't forget to write a will though and include a small a bush knife for poor old Pitdog when ya gone !;)
 
I hike in groups and with the gF's kids all the time. Its true, EVERYTHING changes when your with a group or a bunch of kids.

Personally i find it torturous, I prefer the solitude. I LIKE woods bumming knowing that I'M the ONLY one i need to look out for (plus the mutts if i got me buddies hunting dogs)
 
good job buddy, it's hard for a loner to try and do the group thing, but sometimes it the for the best.....
 
IMG_5786.jpg


You captured something very nice with that shot.

I'm very aware that while a can carry my woman quite a long way she probably couldn't drag me 50m. She's very strong for her size and fit but she just doesn't have the weight in her. Although I ease off a bit when I'm out with her rather than with others she does still remind me of that sometimes.
 
My wilderness experiences with my family are of an entirely different nature than my solo expeditions (at this point) My wife though she loves the woods and will Hike all day with a good load, Has no real desire to rough it in the back country.. So with her I am limited to camprground camping.. Taking my oldest 3 out bac country camping this summer (we'll see how it goes.) However even my gfear for day outings with the family changes.. There is much more emergency supplies and comfort gear that needs to be brought in those circumstances

My style of camping greatly differs from those of my camping buddies.. Which fall into 2 categories (the Campmoor uber equipped guys and the Ultra lighters) I guess I fall more in between as my pack for 3 days might weigh in between around 20 lbs..as compared to 50 or 10..But often we exchange ideas and together learn ways to cut wieght, or acquire skills, or add essential items...

Rick..you know I got nothing but respect for you...Sounds Like you are getting into some good stuff... Cute kids too... (obviously take after mom)
 
Well, there's a lesson the military will teach you ... whether you want to learn it or not.:o;)

Think about this. How much can we really accomplish alone? How much we can do together?

In my profession, we have a whole series of jokes involving "standing on the shoulders of giants." It's true, though ... none of us would get very far if it wasn't for the hard work that came before. This is true in all professions, I think.:)

If you can make the tricky transition from thinking of the other members of your group as obstacles ... to team-mates or even "family" ... much of the awkwardness will go away.

Humans. We're really herd animals, you know.:D (OK -- maybe pack animals.)
 
All part of growing up, guy. Children bring us our greatest joy, and they do change us.

For me, it was the difference between backpacking with my scouts and backpacking with my adult club. I had to let the scouts make as many decisions as possible - the growing thing, but I had to be able to back them up because, if its done right, they're supposed to make mistakes. So, I carried more emergency stuff than I would have otherwise and always hung back to keep a good eye on them. What this extra emergency stuff was depended on where we were going and how long we were supposed to be there.
 
Thanks guys...

A good example of what I'm talking about is this...

I am training with hopes to become a Wilderness Guide, one day. Although I feel confident to head out with minimal gear and fend for myself, I would be hardpressed to fend for those under my care. I can get by with an 18th century FAK that is geared toward my needs but what about the needs of others? Sleeping bags, tents, stoves, etc... are all things I try to avoid in my own training. How can I expect to do that within a group setting? My first realization of this was with my wilderness skills mentor. This is a half Native man who can literally walk into the bush with nothing and thrive. We were heading out for a walk shortly after making camp. I had a shoulderbag with "everything I needed" that weighed all of about 6lbs. I was so proud of taking so little. My mentor walks up wearing a rather bulky vest with every pocket stuffed to the max. I was a bit taken back and felt a little underdressed for the occasion. About 20 minutes into the walk, I couldn't contain my curiosity... "Do you bring all that, everytime you head into the woods?" I said. "Nope, this is for you." I laughed, he didn't. He stopped and turned around abruptly saying "If I drop dead in the next valley, I want to make damn sure you can get back out. I wan't to give you every bit of an advantage that I can. Maybe later we'll give you the knowledge neccessary to lighten my load but until then, I'm carrying your ticket home." At the time, I didn't know whether to be greatful or insulted.... so I remained silent. Well, he's been bringing less and less gear out for our walks, so I must be doing something right. It really changed my way of thinking and I understand that my resposibilities run deeper than I thought. Everytime I go out, I have the potential to affect the lives of my wife, kids, my parents, siblings, EMS/SAR workers, etc... if you really think about it, it's enough to keep you in the safe confines of your house. However, that is very unrealistic... we have to ballance our fears and LIVE our lives to the fullest. There will always be some give and take.

Rick
 
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Magnussen said:
Thanks guys...

A good example of what I'm talking about is this...

I am training with hopes to become a Wilderness Guide, one day. Although I feel confident to head out with minimal gear and fend for myself, I would be hardpressed to fend for those under my care. I can get by with an 18th century FAK that is geared toward my needs but what about the needs of others? Sleeping bags, tents, stoves, etc... are all things I try to avoid in my own training. How can I expect to do that within a group setting? My first realization of this was with my wilderness skills mentor. This is a half Native man who can literally walk into the bush with nothing and thrive. We were heading out for a walk shortly after making camp. I had a shoulderbag with "everything I needed" that weight all of about 6lbs. I was so proud of taking so little. My mentor walks up wearing a rather bulky vest with every pocket stuffed to the max. I was a bit taken back and felt a little underdressed for the occasion. About 20 minutes into the walk, I couldn't contain my curiosity... "Do you bring all that, everytime you head into the woods?" I said. "Nope, this is for you." I laughed, he didn't. He stopped and turned around abruptly saying "If I drop dead in the next valley, I want to make damn sure you can get back out. I wan't to give you every bit of an advantage that I can. Maybe later we'll give you the knowledge neccessary to lighten my load but until then, I'm carrying your ticket home." At the time, I didn't know whether to be greatful or insulted.... so I remained silent. Well, he's been bringing less and less gear out for our walks, so I must be doing something right. It really changed my way of thinking and I understand that my resposibilities run deeper than I thought. Everytime I go out, I have the potential to affect the lives of my wife, kids, my parents, siblings, EMS/SAR workers, etc... if you really think about it, it's enough to keep you in the safe confines of your house. However, that is very unrealistic... we have to ballance our fears and LIVE our lives to the fullest. There will always be some give and take.

Rick
Click to expand...

Dude! You just posted one of the most humble and impacting pieces I have ever read here. Thanks for that, and I look very much forward to reading from you more so in the future.

Mike
 
That was a Great post there Rick..I'd let you guide me for sure... (hope you have some big pockets though)
 
Magnussen said:
Thanks guys...

A good example of what I'm talking about is this...

I am training with hopes to become a Wilderness Guide, one day. Although I feel confident to head out with minimal gear and fend for myself, I would be hardpressed to fend for those under my care. I can get by with an 18th century FAK that is geared toward my needs but what about the needs of others? Sleeping bags, tents, stoves, etc... are all things I try to avoid in my own training. How can I expect to do that within a group setting? My first realization of this was with my wilderness skills mentor. This is a half Native man who can literally walk into the bush with nothing and thrive. We were heading out for a walk shortly after making camp. I had a shoulderbag with "everything I needed" that weight all of about 6lbs. I was so proud of taking so little. My mentor walks up wearing a rather bulky vest with every pocket stuffed to the max. I was a bit taken back and felt a little underdressed for the occasion. About 20 minutes into the walk, I couldn't contain my curiosity... "Do you bring all that, everytime you head into the woods?" I said. "Nope, this is for you." I laughed, he didn't. He stopped and turned around abruptly saying "If I drop dead in the next valley, I want to make damn sure you can get back out. I wan't to give you every bit of an advantage that I can. Maybe later we'll give you the knowledge neccessary to lighten my load but until then, I'm carrying your ticket home." At the time, I didn't know whether to be greatful or insulted.... so I remained silent. Well, he's been bringing less and less gear out for our walks, so I must be doing something right. It really changed my way of thinking and I understand that my resposibilities run deeper than I thought. Everytime I go out, I have the potential to affect the lives of my wife, kids, my parents, siblings, EMS/SAR workers, etc... if you really think about it, it's enough to keep you in the safe confines of your house. However, that is very unrealistic... we have to ballance our fears and LIVE our lives to the fullest. There will always be some give and take.

Rick
Click to expand...

That's a great post. You are blessed to have found a mentor like that! I envy you. (And it a great lesson for all of us who take less experienced people into the wilderness).
 
XMP said:
That's a great post. You are blessed to have found a mentor like that! I envy you. (And it a great lesson for all of us who take less experienced people into the wilderness).
Click to expand...

Very blessed. Rick, you should treasure this man.
 
Magnussen said:
Thanks guys...

A good example of what I'm talking about is this...

I am training with hopes to become a Wilderness Guide, one day. Although I feel confident to head out with minimal gear and fend for myself, I would be hardpressed to fend for those under my care. I can get by with an 18th century FAK that is geared toward my needs but what about the needs of others? Sleeping bags, tents, stoves, etc... are all things I try to avoid in my own training. How can I expect to do that within a group setting? My first realization of this was with my wilderness skills mentor. This is a half Native man who can literally walk into the bush with nothing and thrive. We were heading out for a walk shortly after making camp. I had a shoulderbag with "everything I needed" that weighed all of about 6lbs. I was so proud of taking so little. My mentor walks up wearing a rather bulky vest with every pocket stuffed to the max. I was a bit taken back and felt a little underdressed for the occasion. About 20 minutes into the walk, I couldn't contain my curiosity... "Do you bring all that, everytime you head into the woods?" I said. "Nope, this is for you." I laughed, he didn't. He stopped and turned around abruptly saying "If I drop dead in the next valley, I want to make damn sure you can get back out. I wan't to give you every bit of an advantage that I can. Maybe later we'll give you the knowledge neccessary to lighten my load but until then, I'm carrying your ticket home." At the time, I didn't know whether to be greatful or insulted.... so I remained silent. Well, he's been bringing less and less gear out for our walks, so I must be doing something right. It really changed my way of thinking and I understand that my resposibilities run deeper than I thought. Everytime I go out, I have the potential to affect the lives of my wife, kids, my parents, siblings, EMS/SAR workers, etc... if you really think about it, it's enough to keep you in the safe confines of your house. However, that is very unrealistic... we have to ballance our fears and LIVE our lives to the fullest. There will always be some give and take.

Rick
Click to expand...

This is a very profound post!

These are skills for life.

Literally!
 
Charlie Mike said:
Very challenging. It took a while to teach my wife proper mindset. She can kill a human with little regret now. We are both buying IBA vests with SAPI plates. We aren't having kids until the second revolutionary war is over.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan!:thumbup:
 
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