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- Jul 22, 2005
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The aftermath has settled, and now a tired Zilla is finally getting through pictures. The start of the Woodsmoke trip catapualted myself into Utah , where I got to run around Arches national park. I ran around catching snakes for a few days before going to Woodsmoke. Sadly, I had to leave just on Tuesday before the end of Woodsmoke to change out bags, and head straight to Europe.
Running around Arches was fun. I didnt catch any snakes but had a chance to do some back country exploring. The next nights drive to Idaho, yielded two rattlesnakes and a plethora of Gopher snakes. Arriving in Idaho a day early, I had a chance to go visit my dear friends at TOPS knives and drooled over their American made small company operation. It is amazing to see the time and dedication, and hand craftsmanship that goes into each knife. Ill post pictures up when I get them edited.
The trip then took me to the gates of Woodsmoke, where, upon crossing a bridge, I found myself stepping into the past golden age of camping, with the musty smell of canvas and campfires greeting my nose like a long lost friend. Sadly, with my traveling schedule, I couldnt rock out the canvas, so I settled for a very modest tarp that I slept comfortably under.
Woodsmoke was absolutely fantastic. I cannot describe how amazing it was to meet so many friends and passionate people, hanging out with familiar friends and mentors, and making awesome stuff. While it saddens me that I only got to make a few things, I was absolutely enthused at finding out how easy stuff is to make. Also wonderful, was the other Bushcraft-USA members and meeting them in person. Great camaraderie and good friends all around. The kids there were really well behaved and fantastic, and it was fun spending time with them. It is always nice to hang out with kids at these types of gatherings because the parents dont bat an eye when they pull out a knife, and they are always creative in games and fun.
As usual when I have conversations with Steve Watts, talking with the other people in the know, like Mors and David Halliday, it quickly becomes apparent that most people only know the crusty top layer of bushcraft, and it is amazing and astounding to listen to the men that have done real research on the subject and work with it on a daily basis for learning, not just videos and what not. Their amount of dedication to the art always blows my mind, and those behind the computer, you really have no idea what you are missing until you attend one of these events with these knowledgeable people. There were so many other people that had multiple skills and understanding, blacksmiths that could brain tan, Hammock campers that weld their own stoves, Leatherman engineers that beekeeper and smith iron in their spare time. I met people who knew more about Borneo Parangs than I could imagine! The other thing is, that most of these people arent active of course, on the internet, and their knowledge dives deep into subjects that go far beyond the stages of what most people think about.
Friends of the BC-USA world included Guy and Abo4ster, who Ive met at past rendezvous, Bad Hand, 7.62, Turkey Tracks, Whiskey Tango, and Plainsman, and others. The companionship of these gentlemen was very appreciated as we transitioned from the virtual camp fire to the tangible one in an area most of us have never been.
The Tetons were also an amazing location, and it was pure ambience as a backdrop for the first of hopefully a yearly event. For myself, the short time I spent there was completely worth the trip, and to think of at least 4 more days with these people is undoubtedly mouthwatering.
I found the cooking team idea to be absolutely fantastic. We got to meet with people and soon formed a close bond with people we may not have met before, with the power of food. Food is powerful stuff, it makes people smile. As the Condor guy there, I felt obligated to bring a few kepharts to sell, and was honored to see them on the belts of users all around there.
The classic camping re-encampment days were extremely interesting to participate in. While I would not have thought I could be so cool (as in comfortable in heat) in such heavy cotton clothes, I acclimated right away to the dark cotton I had up top, and even the vest. I love the duds.
I believe the thing that impressed me the most was the amount of organization that Backtracks put on for the event. Ive never seen anything so well equipped and well run. They had a well oiled bearing named Dave Wescott that brought just about anything anyone could need. The dutch ovens and other equipment were fantastic. The material for the knife making was fantastic. The amount of spare tent stakes, fire wood, and lodge poles were utterly amazing. Dave had a wonderful cooking staff that made food for us volunteers (I think I was considered staff because I helped wrangle the kids often I guess?) that was full of meat and perfection, and potatoes (in Idaho, no way).
I found myself having to board the plane with a nostalgic pang of missing the people that I met, already. The 100 person limit was a godsend, as there was plenty of time to have one on one chats with everyone there and appreciate their own unique personalities and passions. I had 4 hours of driving, 6 plane flights to Europe to reflect on the good time that I had over there, and the memories which make it another stepping stone in the appreciation and companionship that camping causes. Next year should be pretty big.
THANK YOU DAVID WESCOTT AND STAFF FOR PUTTING TOGETHER AN AMAZING SYMPOSIUM AND CLASS. ABSOLUTELY BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. ILL BE THERE IN FULL FORCE NEXT YEAR. THANKS GUY AND CHRIS OF BCUSA FOR MAKING THIS A GREAT EVENT.
utah
First the Utah pictures
Running around Arches was fun. I didnt catch any snakes but had a chance to do some back country exploring. The next nights drive to Idaho, yielded two rattlesnakes and a plethora of Gopher snakes. Arriving in Idaho a day early, I had a chance to go visit my dear friends at TOPS knives and drooled over their American made small company operation. It is amazing to see the time and dedication, and hand craftsmanship that goes into each knife. Ill post pictures up when I get them edited.
The trip then took me to the gates of Woodsmoke, where, upon crossing a bridge, I found myself stepping into the past golden age of camping, with the musty smell of canvas and campfires greeting my nose like a long lost friend. Sadly, with my traveling schedule, I couldnt rock out the canvas, so I settled for a very modest tarp that I slept comfortably under.
Woodsmoke was absolutely fantastic. I cannot describe how amazing it was to meet so many friends and passionate people, hanging out with familiar friends and mentors, and making awesome stuff. While it saddens me that I only got to make a few things, I was absolutely enthused at finding out how easy stuff is to make. Also wonderful, was the other Bushcraft-USA members and meeting them in person. Great camaraderie and good friends all around. The kids there were really well behaved and fantastic, and it was fun spending time with them. It is always nice to hang out with kids at these types of gatherings because the parents dont bat an eye when they pull out a knife, and they are always creative in games and fun.
As usual when I have conversations with Steve Watts, talking with the other people in the know, like Mors and David Halliday, it quickly becomes apparent that most people only know the crusty top layer of bushcraft, and it is amazing and astounding to listen to the men that have done real research on the subject and work with it on a daily basis for learning, not just videos and what not. Their amount of dedication to the art always blows my mind, and those behind the computer, you really have no idea what you are missing until you attend one of these events with these knowledgeable people. There were so many other people that had multiple skills and understanding, blacksmiths that could brain tan, Hammock campers that weld their own stoves, Leatherman engineers that beekeeper and smith iron in their spare time. I met people who knew more about Borneo Parangs than I could imagine! The other thing is, that most of these people arent active of course, on the internet, and their knowledge dives deep into subjects that go far beyond the stages of what most people think about.
Friends of the BC-USA world included Guy and Abo4ster, who Ive met at past rendezvous, Bad Hand, 7.62, Turkey Tracks, Whiskey Tango, and Plainsman, and others. The companionship of these gentlemen was very appreciated as we transitioned from the virtual camp fire to the tangible one in an area most of us have never been.
The Tetons were also an amazing location, and it was pure ambience as a backdrop for the first of hopefully a yearly event. For myself, the short time I spent there was completely worth the trip, and to think of at least 4 more days with these people is undoubtedly mouthwatering.
I found the cooking team idea to be absolutely fantastic. We got to meet with people and soon formed a close bond with people we may not have met before, with the power of food. Food is powerful stuff, it makes people smile. As the Condor guy there, I felt obligated to bring a few kepharts to sell, and was honored to see them on the belts of users all around there.
The classic camping re-encampment days were extremely interesting to participate in. While I would not have thought I could be so cool (as in comfortable in heat) in such heavy cotton clothes, I acclimated right away to the dark cotton I had up top, and even the vest. I love the duds.
I believe the thing that impressed me the most was the amount of organization that Backtracks put on for the event. Ive never seen anything so well equipped and well run. They had a well oiled bearing named Dave Wescott that brought just about anything anyone could need. The dutch ovens and other equipment were fantastic. The material for the knife making was fantastic. The amount of spare tent stakes, fire wood, and lodge poles were utterly amazing. Dave had a wonderful cooking staff that made food for us volunteers (I think I was considered staff because I helped wrangle the kids often I guess?) that was full of meat and perfection, and potatoes (in Idaho, no way).
I found myself having to board the plane with a nostalgic pang of missing the people that I met, already. The 100 person limit was a godsend, as there was plenty of time to have one on one chats with everyone there and appreciate their own unique personalities and passions. I had 4 hours of driving, 6 plane flights to Europe to reflect on the good time that I had over there, and the memories which make it another stepping stone in the appreciation and companionship that camping causes. Next year should be pretty big.
THANK YOU DAVID WESCOTT AND STAFF FOR PUTTING TOGETHER AN AMAZING SYMPOSIUM AND CLASS. ABSOLUTELY BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. ILL BE THERE IN FULL FORCE NEXT YEAR. THANKS GUY AND CHRIS OF BCUSA FOR MAKING THIS A GREAT EVENT.
utah
First the Utah pictures
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