Looking back over 2009 (What we did)

[sicily02]

Hi all,

Hey I just wanted to see what all you did over this last year. Keep it to wilderness skills stuff. Like you made a trap, or you built a survival shelter, went to Peru with tht RAT team and learned all kinds of survival skills, hiked a new trail stuff like that. Not that you went bunggie jumping lol. you guys know the deal.

Since I am asking, I will start.
Back in Feb. I went for a hike and while out decided I was going to with the kit that I carried and the cloths on my back, that I was going to build a little survival camp and stay out that night in. Like I had went for hike and got lost and had to spend the night out with what I in my kit. Here is the camp I made up.

I used a space blanket for the shelter and then for a ground pad and insulation I used dried grass and then had to gather fire wood for all night I got water from the stream. boiled it up for my coco that I carried.

Another thing I did was I built several traps.
Here is a dead fall type but with a basket. This trap trigger is called a Trappers widget set up with split stick.

I did put bait by the trigger and in time my Ferret (Missy) did hit the bait
and tripped it when she licked it ( I put some bait on it lol) the trap worked just fine.

Here is another dead fall with a rock for the dead fall.

I made a fish trap using sticked and some 550 cord. In this pic I am working on it.

I made a Thorn tipped spear.

This spear is a hook type or pull type I used wire for attaching it to the shaft so I could fire harden it. which I did.

I made a log chair for one of my camps using that MEGA One Zero knife that I made you see in the pic sitting on the chair.

Where I have that chair at I put up some canvas tarps in a A frame set up and now have a little campsite / get away from the world lol to relax area.

I learned how to make Bread in a pan ( some call it Fry bread or Bannock)over a fire. I got a recipe from a Fellow named Grizzly Dave from over at the Hoodlums web site and made some.

A big highlight for me this year is that I made a survival knife
( The SPARKY Knife ) for a fellow blade forums member (Storl). Storl showed it off and then Joe Flowers did a review and write up of it and it got into Tactical Knives for Nov. 2009 issue.
Along with that my Local news paper the Fairbury Journal News did a write up on me for a (local man makes it into a National Knife Magizene). This was printed on the front page of the paper. I was like WOW lol.

Any ways, those are some of the things I did for the the year 2009.


I also made some Great new friends from here on the forums.

Ok you guys post some of what you did.
Bryan

PS I can hardly wait for 2010 now lol and the new adventures it will bring.

 

[storl]

Hey, that's pretty cool. I didn't know you got into your paper as well. I might have to have you send me a copy of that.

 

[Wandering_About]

Interesting post Bryan. I've really enjoyed the posts of your campsites, they're very nice. I like your camp furniture, and intend to make some of my own eventually.

This year, a major theme for me was the purchase of almost embarrassing amounts of gear. For all the threads about focusing on using instead of being a gear hoarder, I've almost felt guilty.

However, much of the gear I've bought was gear that I just didn't have, but really needed for what I do. Okay, some wasn't necessary. And some was a lot fancier than what I really could get by with. But I have also spent a ton of time outdoors, and will continue to do so. Much of the gear I've bought I am completely satisfied with, and have no desire to buy more or similar items for the sake of having them. I also use what gear I do like a lot.

I have also increased in skills, knowledge, and experience by quite a bit. I also know more areas where I am lacking and need to improve. I look forward to learning more, and enjoying the wilderness to the fullest I can in the future.

I actually have a few reviews and lots of pictures of trips, hikes, etc., to post now, but that will have to wait until I'm back at school and am not posting from a dial-up connection.

 

[Anrkst6973]

Back in the spring I saw the biggest water moccasin I've ever seen, it was the color of an old penny, I didnt have my camera so I told myself I would carry it religiously. I've gotten to take pics of all kind of cool stuff. I got my first ever handmade knife from a maker I found here. Thanks Bryan Breeden. I took said knife out and built a sustainable fire in the driving rain, Mistwalker put me up to it..Its been a blast hanging out here! My resolution for 2010 is to do another 7 day river trip..hopefully remembering to take the dang camera!!! 09 is passing....bring on the next adventure!!!! HNY ALL!

 

[j williams]

Great idea!! Wonderfull pics bryan.

Lets see...

Went to Cali and hung with mtnfolkmike and his family, and Boomstick, stingray, and mr pink too...Great times...Those guys are a hoot. Darren is crazy, and Mike is one of the nicest guys I know.

Built my Surly, and rode the piss out of it. Riding several places around MO I only read about up to that point.

Built my first lean to, started my first friction fire, and even learned a variety of plants.

Camped a few times, enjoyed several campfires.......

FINALLY found a pack that works for me, as well as a woodsbummin bag I wont part with. (Snugpak sleeka, maxpedition lunada)

Learned alot this year about what I want in a blade. Which helps with the knife spending.

Whittled down my firearms collection to a place I feel truely "covered" in all aspects.

Lost 56 pounds and counting.

Met several new guys from here that i am proud to know. Had alot of fun here.

Heres to 2009. Much more to come from me in 2010.

 

[tonym]

Great thread Bryan, and congrats. That is a nice list of achievments you posted! Be proud brother!

I did quite a bit, but I am mostly proud that my wild edible knowledge has increased pretty good. I am much more confident with friction fire and very confident in my outdoor skills in general.

I hope 2010 will bring more hands on learning!

 

[mcjhrobinson]

what i accomplished...

-flint and striker firestarting
-improved my overall kit situation (learning what works for me)
-made my first spoon
-made bannock for the first time
-learned a ton of theory which i hope to use in 2010

 

[DocCoy]

Made it back from Iraq with 88 troops under me, didnt lose a one of them after enduring Rocket, Mortar and Sniper attack for a year, does that count as survival?

 

[mcjhrobinson]

Made it back from Iraq with 88 troops under me, didnt lose a one of them after enduring Rocket, Mortar and Sniper attack for a year, does that count as survival?

counts in my book! welcome to WSS!

 

[the lone gunman]

Made it back from Iraq with 88 troops under me, didnt lose a one of them after enduring Rocket, Mortar and Sniper attack for a year, does that count as survival?

It sure does. Our troops are the best in the world. Thank You for keeping us safe.

 

[JK Knives]

I got out more than ever before, even if it was on local and semi local trails, and really enjoyed it. Plan on doing longer hikes this year. Got to meet several members here, and held a small grind in at my place. Had my knives featured in an article in S.W.A.T. Magazine. I also lost 30 pounds, due to walking and hiking.

 

[Millhouse]

Nothing major compared to some of you guys.

Managed to get out a little more this year.

Helped a friend achieve his ambition of getting to the top of Mount Snowdon.

Practiced firelighting with a firesteel (still practicing).

Improved knife sharpening skills (still learning).

 

[Foilist]

Nothing dramatic, but my biggest outdoor achievement thus year was camping with my 3.5 year old daughter for the first time.

 

[sicily02]

Hi all,

Thanks guys for the replies and for the kind comments.
Doc Coy, Yes that counts.
Listen you guys, some of you said that you did nothing major. Believe me it is all major and I am glad you posted.
Loosing some weight, and fires starting and shelter building, learning more plants, buying some gear that you wanted is all awesome, getting to hang out with some fellow forum members is very cool, hiking to a new MT. top and new trails is always so much fun.

As I said also I am looking forward to 2010 and what it brings.
One of the things I want to do this year is build my Tipi, I want to try
getting a fire in there and heating it that way for next years winter. I have the poles cut and can hardly wait to try it out.

I am working on a Kuri type of knife. A 10" blade, good point, plenty of belly,I like choils so it will have one of them, comfy ergonomic handle,
with a slanted guard. I just love them, exstended tang.
I have it pretty much drawn up.
Just got a few items I want to look at from some other kuri type of knives before starting to make it out of steel.

I hope to do some more picture taking of some plants just for my personeal references.

I have few others but I am thinking I will keep them to myself for now lol.

anyways thanks again for sharing some of your highlights with me and the rest of us.

Bryan

 

[dipbait]

Im gonna have to fix up my little spot in the woods, like yours.

I traveled this past summer to the west. Mainly sightseeing. Took in the Badlands, Blackhills, Yellowstone, Glacier, several Utah National parks, and visited earlier the Smokys. Put a lot of miles on my truck.

I also tried snow skiing. Almost made it to the Bunny slope before falling and badly twisting my ankle.

 

[hollowdweller]

OK I'm thinking........

Hiked the Anthony Creek Trail

Went and hiked in Greenbottom Swamp

Went and did a 20 plus mile 2 night journey in the Cranberry Back Country

Did a 15 mile 2 night journey in the Otter Creek Wilderness.

Went back to Cranberry for a 5 day backpacking trip.

Rode the steam train up to Bald Knob and stayed in the fire tower cabin for 2 days and hiked in the Mon.

Went car camping and hiking at Bear Heaven Campground in the Mon.

Did numerous hikes in my own woods.

Got a 4 point.

 

[kgd]

Great post Bryan. I always love your tutorials and photo essays of your trail adventures. I have to say that for myself personally, 2009 has been a landmark year of appreciating the wilderness, meeting BF folks and honing skills. I really doubt I can top what was accomplished for me personally in 2010 compared to what 2009 brought about. Sorry, but I'm going to brag a bit and break up my reply into a couple of posts. Can't get everything into one 10 picture reply!

Lets start from the beginning. Jan 3, 2009, I met up with Try (Cmndr249) for a cool little hike in Ohio. It was great to meet a new member on BF & W&SS and I hope to hang with him again sometime.

Not long after, in Feb, Brian Andrews organized a winter get together at Michigan's Waterloo State Recreation Area. We rented one of the cabins and all had a good time just discussing equipment, enjoying the scenery and outdoor fire.

Made a few quite a few traps, walking sticks and bad attempts at spoons.

Earth day, April 2009, Doc Canada invites me to spend the day with him and he teaches me the fundamentals of bow drill. I got my first coal !!!

May, I organize a little get together on Peche Island, Windsor. Brings out a few of the local knife makers and some long travelling Canucks like Jinyri. Josef managed to get his first coal and to celebrate we smoked all his cuban cigaretto's and put chips in the edge of G&B axe This was the first time I met Rick. Was that good or bad???

June, 2009 - My first tarping camping trip and quite a while since I did any solo camping. That was great and made me realize I have to do this more often!

 

[kgd]

July, Rick invites me out to Wildertools and shows my why it costs so much $$ for a forged blade. It was really amazing watching him turn that file into his strife knife and made me appreciate the efforts our maker's go through to produce the stuff we love here so much. I know longer complain about knife prices!!!

July again. I manage to lure my wife into the outdoors on a few trips. Even coaxed her out in the pouring rain for a 5 km hike. Great stuff!

August, I get to hang with Brian Andrews again this time on a fun family camping trip back in Waterloo State Rec Area. I also managed to visite Brian at least once more by inviting myself over to his shop. What a stand up fellow he is!

September. Wife and I roll up our sleeves and decide to do canning for the first time. We started off with 3 bushels of tomatoes. Ended up doing another 2 more. Learned how to do pressure canning and had a lot of fun doing it. I continue to reap the benefits of this activity. Our goal for 2010 is to double our canning output from this year.

Late September. Doc Canada organizes another Cnd gathering at his buddy Lewis' house. Lewis is a master knapper and showed us the ropes. Doc did tutorials on braiding, knots and traps. Even live animals were harmed, with a killing and cleaning of a chicken tutorial!

October. I give some personal instruction to one of my staff on how to do bowdrill. He gets his first coal. I also showed another friend how to do one in Dec which adds to Jinyri and Stabman from the May gathering. I find out it is just as much fun helping somebody get their first coal as doing it yourself!

November - I have a tonne of fun using Rick's S-curve and playing in the prairie. For some reason the prairie just comes alive this time of your. Here is my favorite wildlife shot of the year. A buck caught in a romp while panning the camera with him.

December. I get my first coal from scratch. The mission, go in with just a knife and make a fire with materials on hand. I used my boot lace for the bow, made my hearth, headpiece and bowdrill from materials on site. It really completed the bowdrill technique for me. A learning cycle that started with Talfuchre reminding me that this was my 2009 New Years resolution, Doc-Canada showing me how its done, exploring on different woods, teaching it to others and then making it all come together in a little self drill!

Yes, 2009 was a great year!

 

[j williams]

Awesome Ken! Great year indeed.:thumbup:

 

[Mentor]

Shoot, Ken. That's an awesome year in review. Way to go!