Lessons From A Woodlot

The whole experience was invigorating…the smell of my small tuna fish can “buddy burner” warming the leftover spiced cider I had saved from an MRE eaten during the summer months, the flicker of the flame against the darkening scenery and the chill of a cool night setting in. The fresh snow was falling just in front of me, the moisture from my breath was swirling out of my mouth like a mini tornado and a small tea light candle provided just enough light for me to look out into the woods and admire the way the snow drifts had piled up against fallen logs and bare trees. It was cold, and yet I was reasonably comfortable on my foam pad under the half dome tarp shelter I had put up a half hour before.

I have long held the belief that one of nature’s greatest tricks, used to capture the hearts of those drawn to the outdoors, is her amazing ability to engage all of our senses. Sight, touch, smell, taste, hearing and even the occasional “6^th sense” are all enhanced as one takes a moment to enjoy the woods. And yet, as I sat there engulfed by the experience I was having practicing my winter outdoor skills, I could hear the distinct metallic sound of cars…and then a plane…and then the 8pm train passing by!

You see, for this trip, I had traveled only a short distance to a local woodlot for a quick two hour retreat. In my discussions with fellow outdoorsmen, I have often heard that in order to practice bushcraft, survival or wilderness skills, you must devote a weekend or even an entire vacation to hike to a remote location and “truly become engulfed in nature”. Unfortunately, the attitude behind such a statement is typically one of inaction instead of action. Believing that you must be miles removed from civilization in order to practice core skills or have a deeply moving outdoor experience, is just as silly as claiming that baseball players should only practice on game day in a professional baseball stadium. Ask any professional baseball player about their childhood and your are likely to hear that they gained their skills over hours of playing catch in the yard or baseball in the street with whatever ratty gear they could wrangle up!

Weightlifters will tell you that you will loose muscle if you don’t exercise daily. Professional athletes will tell you that daily and weekly practice is what takes you to the championship. Gifted academics will tell you that studying is the key to acing the final exam, and yet the average woodsman believes that without practice they can walk into the woods, produce fire, create shelter and command the elements…and have fun doing it! Unfortunate but true, the ability to escape to nature is becoming less and less of a reality, leaving the average outdoorsman to say “I’ll get around to it someday”. I once heard a very educated man state “the problem with someday, is that someday isn’t today”.

So there I was, in the middle of a woodlot, in the middle of a city, miles and miles away from the “perfect” natural setting, but completely engaged and happy. My joy that day had come from a realization that I didn’t need to wait for large windows of time to practice my skills, but that I could learn to make do with my situation and utilize the many small windows of time I do have to escape to my woodlot. For you, it might be your backyard, the park (ask permission!) or a friend’s farmland…but for everyone that makes the effort, they can enjoy the peace and confidence that follows these short but positive outdoor experiences.

The Day I Forgot To Use My Skills

The following post has been provided by our friend and this month's highlighted YouTube Subject Matter Expert wall2rockclimber...Thanks!

Mike Dixon of Stonage Bushcraft

Name: Mike Dixon
YouTube ID: wall2rockclimber

Facebook: "Mike Dixon"

Twitter: "stoneagemike"

Occupation: Wilderness living skills, bushcraft and survival instructor

Website: http://www.stoneagebushcraft.com  also, check out Mike's new shop!

A while back now I decided to take a trip to a woodland I know very well, but I decided to do this via the train. This is something in which I haven’t done before going to this woodland. Now I knew there would be a “short” walk to the part of the woods I had arranged to meet a few friends, or so I thought.

I would say I am a very competent map and compass user and always check and double check the map before I make any decision on taking a turning in a road or a different track in the woods. This time I didn’t need my compass so once I orientated my map I placed it away in my pocket, not my mistake here though once I walked about 2km up the track and took all the right turnings I came to a junction that was not on the map and what was worse the small road off to the right has a small close with brand new housing there, this too was not on my map. I sat down on this junction and had something to eat and drunk a litre of water, my plan was to wait 25mins to see if anyone would drive down the road and if not to make a decision on which way to go, at the 25minute mark no-one had come anywhere near me so I decided that I was going to try and get signal to my smart phone and check up on Google maps where I was and what direction to take.

I walked around for about 20minutes looking like a lunatic waving and holding my phone up to the sky trying to get just a little signal for the GPS to work, this did not happen so I had to search the place manually something that I’m quite used to now so it didn’t take me long to find my whereabouts then take the turning off I needed to get there.

I planned on walking about an hour and a half with two planned stops along the way it should have took two hours, well I estimated I was actually another two hours away without the planned stops, not to worry though I could always stop in the woods and camp the night as I had planned a day in loo for myself to settle in. I had to walk down long dark lanes in the countryside which I had planned for so I brought two luminous orange bandanas to put on my rucksack, I still hated doing this though as it seemed all the cars disregarded me being on the road and went even faster past me.

What was worse on this trip was nothing that you have read by now, what is coming up really brought back the usefulness of making sure you note way points on the map. I managed to find a path that would considerably cut the next leg of my walk in half, this path was through a woodland using one of the many bridle paths to get there. Another two hours had passed and now my shoulders were really feeling the weight in my pack and I had no idea how much longer this walk would take. I made three mistakes from this point on;

1) I got to a sign that pointed to a place that was about 1km from the meeting point, it stated it was 3km up the track.

2) I did not check the map at this point to make sure I knew which direction to walk.

3) I thought I knew a short cut and tried cutting off a section of the path, which took me about 3km off where I needed to be.

So what did I do? Well I was lost and I knew it! Now I teach how not to get lost and I had to laugh to myself when this happened. I STOPPED, I SAT DOWN, I had a brew (Coffee) and I got my MAP out! I looked around and got my bearings, orientated the map and triangulated my whereabouts within a 500 metre range. I was sat in a saddle in the Surrey hills miles from a road and actually was so happy, I had got myself in the situation that we plan for, but I had all the kit I needed for a very comfortable week in the woods my only problem with this being that I had planned to meet 4 friends in the woods at a specific time and place.

I decided to climb up on side on the saddle to the top of this hill I thought there would be a good view of the surroundings. I was wrong again just dense woodland everywhere I looked, again I laughed to myself I took a deep breath and just listened to the sounds of the woods. Then within a few seconds I heard what I needed to find my way 3 airplanes in circling pattern ready to land at Gatwick airport, when I heard the descending noise they give off I knew which way to walk. My kit was on my back within minutes and off I walked for another 3km up and down hills just listening to the sounds of aircraft in the sky. What a sigh of relief when I got to somewhere I knew very well but by now it had taken me 6 hours and I was very tired and very hungry. I stopped on my favourite view point for the area which over looked the south of England most of which is open farm fields but I enjoyed the view all the same.

The next day I explained to my friends what had happened to me and had a very good laugh about the whole day, something that I learned that day was to stay true to what I teach and preach. It doesn’t matter whether you think you know, why not double check with a map (that is in date of course!)

Misplaced Determination

The setting was anything but hospitable. The lakeshore, which was ordinarily home to miles of beautiful sand and beach, was now the canvas for crashing waves, plenty of rain and fierce 40 to 50 mile per hour winds that had already reduced my cheap plastic rain suit to shreds. It was early October and I was wet and cold, but determined.

I was standing near the edge of the lake trying my hardest to collect water into a five gallon plastic trash bag. By my logic, I could quickly fill the bag and then filter my water from the bag once I was back at the relative shelter and safety of base camp.

Determination can be an interesting monster. On the one hand, shear determination can be enough to give you the strength to overcome great obstacles. On the other hand, determination independent of risk, danger, need or safety can be a formula for disaster. Unfortunately, as I found myself collecting water into a flimsy plastic bag, I came to realize that my determination was an example of the latter.

I had my first brush with the consequences of my misplaced determination when a rogue wave hit me at my knees, drenching my already wet pants and causing me to fall into the freezing water. The second consequence followed shortly thereafter as I grabbed my overfilled plastic bag in anger and began walking back toward camp. I hadn’t made it ten feet when I noticed that the weight of the water in the bag was stretching it near its breaking point.

Not wanting to loose my precious cargo, I quickly placed the bag on the ground. All would have been fine, except that the bag landed on a patch of sharp reeds, which made easy work of slicing several gashes into the soft plastic. I remember watching the water run out of the bag and thinking it looked worse than blood running from a fresh wound. What a foolish mistake I had made!

I was now cold, shivering and exposed to the wind. The diminished dexterity in my hands mixed with the noticeable chunks of snow that were now falling in harmony with the rain let me know that I was in a bad place and yet I remained fixated on the task at hand. The panic of seeing the much needed water oozing out of my bag only fueled my determination to conquer the situation and secure my prize. So, in blind desperation, I pulled out my Sweetwater filter (now MSR) and began to filter on the lakeshore.

They say that challenges and obstacles come in groups of three, I’m not sure why that is, but in nature, it seems to hold true. Those who have spent any time outdoors will agree with this. Even with great planning, it’s as if nature wants to seize the opportunity to remind you that you are a guest in her backyard.

I was too busy and focused…perhaps even blind with indifference, to notice the large wave come crashing onto the beach. To most reading this post, this will seem quite unlikely, that is, a dangerous freezing wave crashing violently onto the lakeshore without being noticed; and, in fact, this same wave probably would have been noticed on a different day at a different time, under different circumstances. That’s the thing about being too focused on a task, you stop noticing the things going on around you. For me, being too focused on filtering water caused me to miss a giant wall of freezing water, but for others, it might be a long business meeting that leads to a missed ball game or dance recital. Either way, the principle is the same, get too focused on the wrong thing and you may miss something of far greater importance.

I was reminded of this concept very quickly as the icy water ran up the lakeshore and engulfed me in a cold tomb, drenching what dry clothes I had left, and leaving me yelling at an indifferent mother nature. Sort of a funny thing to do, yell at nature; as if she cared whether or not I was cold or warm, hungry or full, dead or alive.

So there I was, cold, wet, shivering and making the mile long trek back to camp waterless. The funny part was, I didn’t even need the water. I had a full Nalgene bottle back at camp; but I had made a plan to get water and at the time felt that deviation from that plan would ruin my meticulously planned trip! I had planned on going to get water, but what I ended up with was a long cold night in my sleeping bag and a valuable lesson in the consequences of misplaced determination.

Respect the Danger

Gerber Sheridan Tanto in Dead Tree

Several years ago, I found myself enjoying an adventurous hike through one of the many winding trails located throughout Northern Michigan. I say an adventurous hike, not because I was being chased by panthers or on a quest to construct my own make-shift raft for a dramatic river crossing, but because that's what being outdoors does, it provides the lonely traveler with the sense of adventure.  After all, adventures are often born from the calm chaos of nature and the feelings of inadequacy that accompany a person who is, for all intents and purposes, cut off from the world for a period of time.

I was accompanied by my new favorite "toy", as I called it then, my first full tang fixed blade knife, the Gerber Sheridan Tanto (Discontinued in 2006, Sorry). It had a 4.76 inch high carbon stainless steel blade with partial serrations, a slick black coating and a textured handle that all combined to make me feel like I could fell the largest oak tree around with nothing but my knife and a baton! Those of you who love knives like I do know exactly what I mean. The emotions I felt when I held that knife provided me with what amounted to a "crash course" in the confidence that comes from possessing an object that had seemingly limitless power. I remember the same feeling as a Boy Scout when I first shot a BB Gun, then a Rifle and again as I shot my first handgun.

This is a feeling which is common to most everyone. For me it was a new knife, for others it's a fast car, new computer, compound bow or the rush of entering a packed stadium for the big game! The feeling is unmistakable, and if left unchecked can cause you to change your attitude until life gives you a "time out" to teach you the next important lesson... and at that moment, alone and miles deep in the wilderness, I was going to learn that next important lesson; with power, comes responsibility.

As will often happen when you hike for any length of time, I soon became bored and began to look for opportunities to keep myself occupied. It wasn't long until my thoughts turned back to the knife and as I reached for the blade I could feel the breeze pick up slightly and the leaves russel in the wind as if to say "I know what you're thinking...you better not" Of course, as most boys would, I quickly dismissed any thought of danger and proceded to imagine what a fine knife thrower I would make.

I pulled out my new toy from it's tactical sheath (attached to my leg, of course) and began to satisfy my urge to make an already dangerous knife even more dangerous. As I walked the winding trails, I eyed various dead trees and stumps and made them my victims. I hurled my knife through the air in true Hollywood fashion in an attempt to make it stick within my imagined target. WHOOSH THUMP! The sound of the blade piercing the wood was mesmerizing and only added to my feelings of empowerment. WHOOSH THUMP! WHOOSH THUMP! Nearly perfect each time...I was unstoppable, and then... WHOOSH PING!

Now, WHOOSH PING is a unique noise and it is known by many other names to many other people. For some, it is the noise an enter key makes when they hit the "send" button on a hate filled email. For others, it's the sound that a pencil makes as they struggle to fill in test answers because they blew off studying to pursue other interests. For all, it is the sound heard when a plan is put into motion and then unravels before your face leaving you with no other option, then to live with the consequences.

For me, it was the sound of a misplaced throw at an innocent oak tree, which had reversed the direction of my knife and sent it hurling out of controll back in my direction. I jumped back and threw my legs wide open, but without success; the sharpened blade pierced my pants and I felt it strike my leg just beside my femoral artery.

For a moment following the impact, I could do nothing more than stare at the blade, which now appreared to be hanging limp from my leg. As I stood in shock over what had just happened, I had enough thoughts go through my head to fill a novel, the most notable of which was "WHY?" Why had I ignored common sense? Why hadn't I listened to myself and put the knife back in its sheath?

After what seemed like hours, I finally gained enough courage to inspect myself for damage. To my amazement, I had only suffered the equivalent of a scratch, having been left by the blade as it made contact with my skin before completing its rotation and coming to a stop with the blade spine (dull) rubbing against my inner-thigh. My pants and skibbies now had a sizable hole in them, but only a small bandage was needed to cover my wounds. Now that's what I call luck and while I'm not the brightest bulb in the room, I'm smart enough to know that luck can run out, so it doesn't make a great travel companion!

I walked away from this experience with a new point of view. I can still remember placing the blade back in its sheath with a quiet respect for its power and an even greater respect for the responsibility that I had to ensure that it was used properly. You see, as much as I wanted to curse that knife and throw it into the lake for almost killing me, I came to the dramatic realization that it wasn't the knife that had injured me...it was me. I had overlooked the most important aspect of handeling anything that has potential to harm, I forgot to respect the danger.

I went on to use that knife for many years. With it, I've created shelter, fire and food, all of which helped to enhance my personal capabilities and make my outdoor experiences more enjoyable. When used properly, I learned to harness its power to accomplish great things. With a little practice, I even got to the point where it was pure joy each time I used it.

WELCOME TO THE BADEN POWELL PROJECT!

To all my future faithful readers,

I've started the Baden Powell Project as a means by which an average person can obtain an above average satisfaction with life. Not the type of satisfaction that comes from expensive gadgets, new clothes or unlocking every level in a video game, but the type that comes from exploring regions of yourself that have yet to be discovered.

The Baden Powell Project was conceived as a learning tool for those interested in Boy Scouts, Bushcraft, Wilderness Survival and Outdoor Skills, but who may lack the resources or knowledge base to advance their skills. Using YouTube as its canvas, it is my hope, that the Project will grow to include information and demonstrations from around the world in order to provide exceptional, but realistic, quality instruction for those boys, girls, men and women who are unsatisfied with a couch potato existence and are ready to start their own adventure. Do you have IT in you?

The format is simple, I'm going to continue to film, edit and post everything that I can possibly think to pass on. I'll update the Project's blog to include tips, tricks, knowledge gained and hardships encountered throughout my experiences. The true strength of the project will come from those faithful viewers and readers who offer their own expertise to increase our understanding. So here we go...are you ready?

WELCOME TO THE BADEN POWELL PROJECT, NOW GET OUTSIDE AND BECOME SOMEBODY!