What outdoor skills are you working on at this time ?

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
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There are many areas of outdoor knowledge that I would like to improve on or even learn the basics about. Such as simply learning how to use a map and compass combo to effectively and accurately move across unknown terrain. So many things............. But presently I have an interest in improving my feather\fuzzy sticks, which are getting better. I have a big heap of split choke cherry that I am working on at home. I am also going to randomly work different dead wood that I come across outside. I wasn't all that concerned about feathers before because I just wanted to start a fire in wet weather, so my moderately cruddy feathers were effective. But I think that I need to go to a higher level before it gets intensely cold around here. Everything is much more difficult then and I want ferro rod starts instead of the relatively easy lighter, as a challenge. My interests rotate seasonally and the desire is there right now.
 
I'll post some pics of one of my fuzz sticks in a bit. :D

EDIT;

just a quick one. :)

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Winter mountaineering. Not quite bushcraft, definitely outdoors. Avalanche awareness, ice axe arrest etc.

Nav with a map and compass is relatively straight forward, it probably wont take you too long to learn
 
I have very good feather sticks. I need held with the bow drill fire & traps (acquiring game)

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Also I need to up my knowledge on wild edible plants
 
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Knots. I spent a lot of time refining my other outdoor skills. But I never spent time learning how to tie decent knots for different applications (outside of a few for winter hiking / climbing). A small section of cord/wrap/rope is always in my pack and things like stringing a tarp for a shelter or anchoring things or securing a makeshift lean-to would all have been a whole lot easier if I knew how to tie different types of knots.

--Steve
 
Walking! As stupid and simple and basic as it sounds, that is what I'm working on. Getting out and walking instead of hopping in the car.
 
I've been getting my cold weather gear all set for sitting my butt in a tree stand, so I've been working out what works and what doesn't. I actually have a pretty good grasp of this for hunting and cold-weather in general, but I'm working toward doing some overnights this winter. Some of the state parks are awesome in the winter and most have walk-to campsites for winter camping.
 
I'm working on being fit enough to survive outdoors! Right now I could run maybe 20 yards before I keeled over from utter exhaustion, LOL
 
Chameleonbear said:
Walking! As stupid and simple and basic as it sounds, that is what I'm working on. Getting out and walking instead of hopping in the car.
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Luke. said:
I'm working on being fit enough to survive outdoors! Right now I could run maybe 20 yards before I keeled over from utter exhaustion, LOL
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Seriously. I'd love to be able to walk right now. Been laid out by a herniated disc, can't even stand up for more than a couple of minutes. Still, got a couple of new firesteels coming today or tomorrow, and hoping to practice "woods" material only fires when I am able to get back out. And rule #1: cardio.
 
I'm always working on some variation of the main 5 survival skills. Fire, water, shelter, navigation, food. Most recently (Sunday) I worked on my winter fire making. No bow drill this time, matches. I'm wanting to work on nav soon.
 
I have been working on how to drag a body without leaving a trail, and how to bury something without leaving signs of fresh burial.... Wait Ummmmm I mean I like turtles .... lol

On a more serious note, I would really love to strengthen my shelter, and trapping skill set. After that I would like to re up my orienteering skills that I learned in scouts and forgot somewhere in my late 20s.
 
Currently I've been trying to work on primitive fire; more specifically bow drill. Then I would like to work on flint and steel fire. I almost had the bow drill last time I tried but I've never tried flint and steel.
 
I would like to brush up on my land nav skills for sure. I would also like to practice friction fires; I'm ashamed to say I've never made a friction fire.
 
I'm teaching our Boy Scout troop the Pioneering and Orienteering merit badges. Fun stuff - knots, lashing, rope ladders, compasses, topographic maps - what's not to love?

TedP
 
i would like to work on my bow drill fires so far i have like a 3 in 10 success rate :p i would also like to increase my knowledge of wild edibles and medicinal plants
and to be brutally honest my wilderness bathroom skills aren't too graceful:p
 
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