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Bushcraft Club thread

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Comments

  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,766 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    What are you using for a base on the fire?


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 jamesieboy


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    What are you using for a base on the fire?

    Hi tabnabs the base is a disc cut from the bottom of a beer keg, sitting on a bed of rocks. Normally this kind of setup is useful to help prevent ground fire, however this site is so wet and boggy that ground fire is not a worry. However the fire does have a tendency to sink downwards into the boggy earth once the ember bed is established, this in turn sucks moisture in from the base and sides and makes things altogether inefficient. So keeping the ember bed on a little platform like this helps prevent too much ground moisture messing with the fire.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,766 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    Thanks jamesieboy, appreciate the response.


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    The last meet up of 2011 was a cold one but thankfully not as cold as we were expecting. The Christmas meet up always seems to result in people staying close to the fire and chatting rather than running around in the freezing rain. So it was a show and tell for us as people brought out their crafts and explained the process. Jim had just come back from a knife making course and had a lovely little neck knife, John had his deer hide and freshly ground knife with antler handle. Tricks and trinkets fell from everyones pockets as we sat and waited for the stew.

    PC100137.jpg

    PC100142.jpg

    We traditionally cook up a community pot stew for the last meet of the year. With all kinds of everything and a can of stout for flavour. The weather was cold and showery but we have certainly had tougher weather in past years.

    PC100140.jpg

    Chris making a bow saw out of hazel

    Its been another great year for the club and we've added some more great people to our members list. Our next meet up is in January and is open to people looking to join. Within the new year, we are going to be pressing personal development of members and up-ing the skill levels with more diverse activities. We have already started to talk about Scandanvia again and another potential trip to the Northern wilderness.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14 deergrove


    done it again lads yesterday after the meet used it today and it worked fine ... mortice and tennon joints done the trick.
    happy christmas everyone


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Id say if the hazel was seasoned, it wouldnt have snapped like it did. Im gonna make one from ash over the christmas


  • Registered Users Posts: 14 deergrove




  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Woah didn't know this thread was here! Amazing stuff! Anything going on in Galway?


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 jamesieboy


    Doc Ruby:

    E-mail the Club at thebushcraftclub@gmail.com and we'll send you on details.

    http://www.irishbushcraftclub.org/in...d=10&Itemid=18


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    jamesieboy wrote: »
    Doc Ruby:

    E-mail the Club at thebushcraftclub@gmail.com and we'll send you on details.

    http://www.irishbushcraftclub.org/in...d=10&Itemid=18
    Cheers, but your link doesn't work...?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 788 ✭✭✭hick


    Hey doc,

    try this instead http://www.irishbushcraftclub.org/


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Happy New Year lads. Finished the sheath for the knife. Looking forward to hooking up with you all in the mounths to come.


  • Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭neolithic


    Nice one, now you will have to tell how you made the knife and how the sheath was started at the last meet with basic tools. Beautiful job .
    T.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 jamesieboy


    That is a lovely sheath Jon, I really like the image. Excellent stitching considering it was done with an awl and needle by the campfire :) I think the finish you got working on this sheath in the woods makes it an altogether nicer piece of work than it would have been if you'd done it in a workshop. Lovely stuff.
    Jim


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 482 ✭✭irishlostboy


    Crapbag wrote: »
    Id say if the hazel was seasoned, it wouldnt have snapped like it did. Im gonna make one from ash over the christmas
    here is the one i made from ash. the pins and tensioner are beech. it is really nice to use. very light and nimble, with super tension on the blade.
    28604_1430837020465_1519073567_1108944_1570642_n.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    That is just fab. Was it fresh ash or seasoned. what size is the blade. Wont be able to make the meeting this mounth.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Going to meet a guy who is giving me 3 feet of railway line. I will be cutting it into foot long lengths. I plan on keeping 2 but if some one wants one. I think that they will make great anvils. Any one got thoughts on when we will have the forgeing weekend.


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Not sure. Maybe February or when the weather gets better. I would like to do our normal meet aswell as this. Might have a go at cold forging first one first. You up next weekend?


  • Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭neolithic


    angland27

    I'll take the piece of track if it's still going.
    Check this out using re-bar http://www.sablade.com/forums/showthread.php?886-Rebar-knives-in-progress-photos some good information although from what I understand the quality of the steel in the re-bar may vary but if you can pick up some it can be good to practice on and you may get very good results.
    Either way there is some good information on forging.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebar

    irishlostboy,
    Tim , I really like the bow saw pictured (although I'm sure I've met the little fellow before in Cavan.) if you have any input on the forging we would be glad to hear it. Thanks
    T.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 482 ✭✭irishlostboy


    hey guys. i have a piece of smaller guage railway, and it is pretty ok for using as an improv anvil. i also have a very large piece of I-beam. the i-beam is great, plenty strong enough for small things such as knives. the problem is the noise. I-beam rings like a bell when forging. and when i say bell, i mean the kind of bell they probably use to announce dinner time in guantanamo bay. lol. neighbours do not approve. i think if you could seat it in sand, and build the sand up the stem a good way, it might help.
    there are some awesome little anvils made from railway sleeper. just have a look about the netz.
    Railway_track_anvil_by_timjo.jpg
    if anyone has the tools/skills/interest to make up a few of these, i also have about 3 foot of railway track i will donate to the project. and moneys for all the grinding disks you would go through. lol.

    regards my saw, it is 30" blade i think. it was done out of seasoned ash. i keep a nice stack of sticks in my utility room for making things from. these were waiting about 6 months with their bark peeled and ends taped to prevent splitting. was worked out with my mora. the lengths are very ovaled, to maximise strength and keep weight down. the joint is a simple blind mortice and tenon, not too deep. did them with a little hand operated whisk type drill and a cheap chisel. lines and measurement were roughed out with a bit of string. no fancy carpentry here. lol. the beech tensioner and pins were also carved from seasoned branches. beech is very hard when seasoned, so this was a pig. but the look lovely, and the pins are strong enough to hold up to blade tension. finished the lot with a blended cream of linseed oil, turps and beeswax. makes it just fine to use outdoors.
    i will bring it with me if i can get out to the next meet. super light and portable.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Crapbag wrote: »
    Not sure. Maybe February or when the weather gets better. I would like to do our normal meet aswell jas this. Might have a go at cold forging first one first. You up next weekend?


    No on my course that weekend. Hopefully the next meet.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Up date on railway line. The guy who was getting me it said that he would give me 3 foot but gave me 6. So there are another 2 by foot long pieces if some one wants to call them. The only issue is that now I have to cut it. Have a big chop saw so will see how that works. Enjoy the week end.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    neolithic wrote: »
    angland27

    I'll take the piece of track if it's still going.
    Check this out using re-bar http://www.sablade.com/forums/showthread.php?886-Rebar-knives-in-progress-photos some good information although from what I understand the quality of the steel in the re-bar may vary but if you can pick up some it can be good to practice on and you may get very good results.
    Either way there is some good information on forging.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebar

    irishlostboy,
    Tim , I really like the bow saw pictured (although I'm sure I've met the little fellow before in Cavan.) if you have any input on the forging we would be glad to hear it. Thanks
    T.



    Have a 14" piece for you. It is heavy stuff. Took 40 min to cut. Will bring to the next meet I get to. J


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    We took full advantage of the mild January in Cavan. It was a weekend of construction and shelter practice. We also got some fire lighting practice and identification. My personal mission for the weekend was to sleep without any of the modern trapping bar the clothes I was in. So no sleeping bag, roll mat etc. Tony and Andrew also took up the challenge despite giving me a ribbing first.

    Andrew went for the classic A-frame design with a long long fire in front. This took most of the day to get right and it goes to show how long a decent shelter can take.

    andrewshelter.jpg

    AndrewShelter2.jpg

    Myself and Tony decided to team up on our efforts and make a debris hut. As with any primitive shelter, the most important thing is insulation. It can take several hours to get a shelter right. This would be a more long term shelter and indeed it could have even used some more debris

    DonalTonyShelter.jpg

    The hut had a hole in the roof to let the smoke escape. This is it with only part of the debris on it. I used spruce and fir branches for bedding.

    We slept in shifts with each person sleeping for an hour while the other tended the fire. The temperatures dropped between 2 and 3 but we were comfortable while the fire was going.

    Other activities included practicing fire lighting using different material but only using a fire steel. We also identified some plants

    OrangePeelFungus.jpg

    and of course there was plenty of banter by the fire

    FireFood.jpg

    Thanks to everyone who came out and I look forward to the next meet up


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Im well empressed with the shelters. Sorry I missed the few days. Look forward to meeting up soon.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 14 deergrove


    jim i liked the look of your bhk knife you got at christmas ... im thinking of trading up from the mora .. would u recommend it , price seems very resonable on line. any advice taken

    Thanks
    chris


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 jamesieboy


    Hey Chris,

    I'd recommend it (almost) without reservation. Blind Horse Knives are brilliant in my opinion. A little heavy but solid. My knife is one that was commissioned by The Canteen Shop and is only sold through their website (see review here) The knife is excellent but the only downside is that the blade cut through the side of the sheath when I put it in the other day. This might have been due to lack of care on my part, or it might be that the blade isn't quite compatible with their standard sheaths, seeing as it is a bit of a custom job.

    You might be better off with the bushcrafter by BHK. This is their flagship knife and I reckon the sheath might be better moulded to it.

    Jim


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 788 ✭✭✭hick


    jamesieboy wrote: »
    ...but the only downside is that the blade cut through the side of the sheath when I put it in the other day. This might have been due to lack of care on my part, or it might be that the blade isn't quite compatible with their standard sheaths, seeing as it is a bit of a custom job.

    Nothing to do with it being sharpened to a point that it could take out Wolverines adamantium claws!!!

    Deadpool_vs_Wolverine_by_ReillyBrown.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 jamesieboy


    Well you know what the bushcraft gurus all say; "A sharp knife is a safe knife". In that case my knives are all VERY safe. Still cut myself from time to time though. Maybe they're not "safe" enough yet.....


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    jamesieboy wrote: »
    Well you know what the bushcraft gurus all say; "A sharp knife is a safe knife". In that case my knives are all VERY safe. Still cut myself from time to time though. Maybe they're not "safe" enough yet.....

    As my dad just found out a sharp knife cut deep. Was showing him a knife I just sharpened. Ran his tumb over the edge and brew blood. I had a giggle though.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    jamesieboy wrote: »
    Well you know what the bushcraft gurus all say; "A sharp knife is a safe knife". In that case my knives are all VERY safe. Still cut myself from time to time though. Maybe they're not "safe" enough yet.....

    As my dad just found out a sharp knife cut deep. Was showing him a knife I just sharpened. Ran his tumb over the edge and brew blood. I had a giggle though.


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    There comes a time in a bushcrafters life when they demand challenges. Challenges which bring skill sets together and compare what you know to what you think you know. Well what better challenge than to try and stay comfortable in the woods for a weekend with only 5 items. Its a question that for some odd reason gets thrown about a fair amount. "If you were stuck somewhere, what item would you bring?"

    I have to admit that its an amusing question but not one which I ask myself regularly at all. I go out to the woods to have fun and enjoy being there. Having said that, the challenge of little to no kit is a good one to test yourself. I wouldnt encourage complete beginners to try it but those who have camping skills should practice reducing their kit requirements.

    Our challenge brought us into the Mountains and with it, mountain conditions. We joke about Ireland getting the 4 season in a day but on Saturday we literally got Rain, Snow, Hail and sunshine over the course of the afternoon.

    I managed to convince Roberto that sleeping outside without a sleeping bag at 0 degrees would be fun. So I had a partner in crime for my antics. So with little more than a knife, hand saw and foil blanket we set about getting ready for the night. The rest of the lads went about practicing their own minimalist camping.

    image_1.jpg

    Our set up took most of the day to build and gather materials for the night. I was relying on boil water to drink which was time consuming. It always brings me a new respect for a tap.

    image_3.jpg

    It was fantastic weekend. A different experience and interesting challenge. So if you are interested in how we got on and how we did it.... Come out and ask us :-)

    Out next meet will be in Galway next month


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 482 ✭✭irishlostboy


    well, it has been a long time since I attended a bushcraft club meet, due to other commitments on my time, but I got out to the latest meet in Galway and I had a blast. the weather was better than you could possibly hope for. everyone had their little projects going on, but for the most part I think people used the occasion for r&r. I sure did. it was great to meet new friends and get caught up with old friends. here are a few of my pics from the weekend.
    andrew002.jpg

    benches001.jpg

    roberto001.jpg

    benches002.jpg

    donal001-2.jpg

    morning002.jpg

    breakfast001.jpg

    morning001.jpg

    pano002_small.jpg
    large pano here http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm45/irishlostboy/pano002_large.jpg

    pano001_small.jpg
    large pano here http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm45/irishlostboy/pano001_large.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Hi Lads,
    Looks like you had a real good weekend. Sorry i missed it again. Hope to get out there next time.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Am going to cook a leg of lamb in a ground oven today. Got some tips from T. Never tried it before so will let you know how i got on later.


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Just put my new knife together. Its for my God son. He is 21 this year. I think it came out well. The finger guard was hard work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 482 ✭✭irishlostboy


    nice work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭waterboy15


    angland27 wrote: »
    Just put my new knife together. Its for my God son. He is 21 this year. I think it came out well. The finger guard was hard work.

    Great idea for a present.


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Sorry for the lateness in getting this one up. Couldnt find my camera cable.

    Last weekend was a great weekend as the weather and the forgaging were good to us. The Sun shone for the whole weekend and we got a good bit done. This time of year, its definitely time to break out the ID books and get your eye in for useful plants. We saw a huge amount wild edibles

    - Primrose
    - Golden Saxifrage
    - Lesser Celandine
    - Wild Ramsons
    - Fresh Beech leaves
    - Hawthorn leaves
    - Wood Sorrel
    - Pignuts

    DSC05072.jpg

    and many more! The new shoots were up and peoples eyes were lit up by edibles we havent seen in a year. It looked a little strange seeing 5 people digging through the muck for pignuts but I think everyone enjoyed it.

    DSC05125.jpg

    Other activities we go up to included, trap building, basket making, birch tree tapping, spoon carving and the old trusty bow drill (Fire board)

    DSC05077.jpg

    DSC05070.jpg

    Special thanks to Paul for supplying the Lamb and doing the ground oven.

    DSC05117.jpg

    We had a great weekend and there was plenty of activity to keep us busy. There is no gathering next month as 11 members are heading to Karlsborg in Sweden for the clubs annual overseas trip.


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Our annual trip took us to my favourite European Country. Sweden. For me, Sweden has it all from a bushcraft perspective. The Summers tend to be decent, the Winter brings the snow. The people are friendly and most speak decent english. It has such variety throughout its length that it is a great choice to do a cheap foreign trip.

    Our plan was to head to Karlsborg. The town is home to a well known Blacksmith in bushcrafting terms. It is also the HQ for the Swedish Military Survival school. So for a Spring trip, it had a lot going for it.

    We would camp for the first few days near Karlsborg and then head North to Orebro to meet some friends from Sweden.

    With 11 people going, we rented 3 estates and cheap Ryanair flights. Out plan was to camp for the 5 days near the towns of interest

    Day 1 started in Stockholm with Blue skies and high spirits. After picking up the cars we headed west and into the rain. It was fairly constant and heavy which put thought in everyones head "Is this the weather for the week?". The first night we set up near Tiveden, the national park. After a quick look around we found an area. Experience and routine meant we had camp ready in no time. It was smokey rain evening and everyone was tired from the 4am start. However people were looking forward to the next day

    DSC05130.jpg

    Day 2 It was a day many had been looking forward to. After ringing up the night before, we got to meet Julius Petterson. Julius supplies knives to Ray Mears and helped Ray develop his woodlore design. From a bushcraft perspective, he is one of the top knife maker. A true gentleman, he showed us around his forge and spent some time displaying his crafts and knowledge. Of course people couldnt resist and a few knives were bought. He decided to join us for lunch and we really enjoyed his company. It was a great day and everyone came out smiling, including Julius

    DSC05138.jpg

    DSC05159.jpg

    We headed into the national park for a wander. The Sun decided to show itself and we got some gear dried out.

    DSC05189.jpg

    Some using more interesting methods of drying than others. We drove around for a bit looking for a suitable camp spot.

    Day 3 Another treat was getting to meet lads from the Swedish Survival Guild whom I know through personal contacts. These guys, both Military Survival and Civilian Bushcraft/Survival instructors, really knew their land. We hike around the Hills of Orebro learning from them and about Sweden and its conditions. They had a great sense of humour and were very generous with their time. Knowledgeable and friendly, they were a pleasure to listen to.

    DSC05213.jpg

    DSC05202.jpg

    They showed us their area where they run courses and we camped their for the evening.

    Day 4 We were on our own time now and decided to use it. Some of the lads fished, others practice trap making, fire lighting using local Swedish resources, wood carving, moose tracking and other activities. Two of the lads caught some Crayfish in the local river which went down a treat that evening.

    DSC05262.jpg

    DSC05219.jpg

    Day 5 An early start had us up and out early. We headed back to airport but not before we did some shopping. Some got more than they bargined for ... but thats a story for the campfire ;-)

    Overall the trip was a great success and everyone had a good time. Our June meet is open to new comers and the dates will be up on our website shortly


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  • Registered Users Posts: 18 angland27


    Crapbag wrote: »
    Our annual trip took us to my favourite European Country. Sweden. For me, Sweden has it all from a bushcraft perspective. The Summers tend to be decent, the Winter brings the snow. The people are friendly and most speak decent english. It has such variety throughout its length that it is a great choice to do a cheap foreign trip.

    Our plan was to head to Karlsborg. The town is home to a well known Blacksmith in bushcrafting terms. It is also the HQ for the Swedish Military Survival school. So for a Spring trip, it had a lot going for it.

    We would camp for the first few days near Karlsborg and then head North to Orebro to meet some friends from Sweden.

    With 11 people going, we rented 3 estates and cheap Ryanair flights. Out plan was to camp for the 5 days near the towns of interest

    Day 1 started in Stockholm with Blue skies and high spirits. After picking up the cars we headed west and into the rain. It was fairly constant and heavy which put thought in everyones head "Is this the weather for the week?". The first night we set up near Tiveden, the national park. After a quick look around we found an area. Experience and routine meant we had camp ready in no time. It was smokey rain evening and everyone was tired from the 4am start. However people were looking forward to the next day

    DSC05130.jpg

    Day 2 It was a day many had been looking forward to. After ringing up the night before, we got to meet Julius Petterson. Julius supplies knives to Ray Mears and helped Ray develop his woodlore design. From a bushcraft perspective, he is one of the top knife maker. A true gentleman, he showed us around his forge and spent some time displaying his crafts and knowledge. Of course people couldnt resist and a few knives were bought. He decided to join us for lunch and we really enjoyed his company. It was a great day and everyone came out smiling, including Julius

    DSC05138.jpg

    DSC05159.jpg

    We headed into the national park for a wander. The Sun decided to show itself and we got some gear dried out.

    DSC05189.jpg

    Some using more interesting methods of drying than others. We drove around for a bit looking for a suitable camp spot.

    Day 3 Another treat was getting to meet lads from the Swedish Survival Guild whom I know through personal contacts. These guys, both Military Survival and Civilian Bushcraft/Survival instructors, really knew their land. We hike around the Hills of Orebro learning from them and about Sweden and its conditions. They had a great sense of humour and were very generous with their time. Knowledgeable and friendly, they were a pleasure to listen to.

    DSC05213.jpg

    DSC05202.jpg

    They showed us their area where they run courses and we camped their for the evening.

    Day 4 We were on our own time now and decided to use it. Some of the lads fished, others practice trap making, fire lighting using local Swedish resources, wood carving, moose tracking and other activities. Two of the lads caught some Crayfish in the local river which went down a treat that evening.

    DSC05262.jpg

    DSC05219.jpg

    Day 5 An early start had us up and out early. We headed back to airport but not before we did some shopping. Some got more than they bargined for ... but thats a story for the campfire ;-)

    Overall the trip was a great success and everyone had a good time. Our June meet is open to new comers and the dates will be up on our website shortly[/Quote
    ]
    Itlooks likeyou all had a great time. Hope on hope to get out soon. Jon


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Just to update y'all. We had a meet up last month (June) which went very well. Very enthusiastic new comers and a visit from our friends up North from Buzzard Bushcraft. We hope to have them down again very soon.

    We have meet ups scheduled for July, August and September but these are for members only for administrative reasons. We are hoping to run an open meet soon for people wanting to get out to meet us. Ill try provide a more detailed update over the next few days


  • Registered Users Posts: 1 Sully69


    Hello,
    I am planning a holiday to Ireland this August and would like to meet up with some fellow bushcrafters as part of my trip. I am fairly new to it all and would appreciate the chance to learn some new skills and chat to like minded people. If anyone knows of any events this August please let me know.
    Cheers


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Sully69 wrote: »
    Hello,
    I am planning a holiday to Ireland this August and would like to meet up with some fellow bushcrafters as part of my trip. I am fairly new to it all and would appreciate the chance to learn some new skills and chat to like minded people. If anyone knows of any events this August please let me know.
    Cheers

    Hey Sully. I think you emailed us. I have mailed you back. If it wasnt you, dont the club a mail and we'll get back to you


  • Registered Users Posts: 334 ✭✭Crapbag


    Bushcraft ranges a whole host of skills and types of activities. From the relaxing weekends spent swaying in a hammock to the more challenging affair of testing your own abilities using skills which you have learned.

    I met up with two friends of mine, Paul and Andy, who run NI Survival school up North. Our challenge was to use only 2 items (a knife and metal cup) with only the clothes on our back for 3 days . We had to achieve the basics of bushcraft which would be Shelter, Fire, Water and Food. A common question that people pose in bushcraft, is 'if you only had one item to take with you into a bad situation, what would it be?' My answer is always, 'a solid person beside you'. I value this more than any piece of kit I could bring. I was lucky in that I had 2.

    If you are considering doing something like this, dont be foolish and bring only the items you are challenging yourself to use. Bring a full kit with you in case something goes wrong. You can choose to only use a few items as a challenge but you have the backup of your equipment close to hand. There is no point in making a practice scenario into a really bad situation due to lack of preparation.

    I constructed this shelter is no tools. I did find some cut logs for my fire reflector but eveything else was either picked up by hand or broken off. No saw, knife or axe. Andy and Pauls shelter was the same. A good shelter is hugely important. Its a good idea to make a shelter that isnt dependent on fire for warmth if you aren't confident of getting a fire going.

    Shelter1.jpg

    Paul and Andy's Shelter

    PaulAndyShelter.jpg

    Our next challenge was fire. After a few attempts with the hand drill, we decided to conserve energy by using the bow drill method. I donated my boot lace for this one. It took over 3 hours and all 3 of us getting involved in both preparing the materials and firing up the set in order to get it to go. All 3 of us have quite a bit of experience doing this and still found it tough. It gives you a new respect for fire when you're cold and hungry.

    AndyBowDrill.jpg

    Next was water. This was the main use of the metal mug. Thankfully we had a river near by which we could get water from. We boiled it both in our mugs and also in a glass bottle we found. Of course, it got a good wash first.

    DonalWater.jpg

    Lastly is food. When you are working hard to make shelters, collect materials, light fire, you burn quite a large amount of calories and get hungry quickly. All food had to be sourced from the wilds. So we foraged for a few plants we knew to try keep the energy up. Your body changes and adapts to a lack of food. When the body has burnt the easy access carbohydrates, it begins to convert fat into a usable energy souce, which is a slower process. When you're tired, its important to listen to the body and rest for short periods to allow the body process and build back up your energy levels.

    Stew.jpg

    We scouted the local area for potential hunting spoils. There was plenty out there but unfortunately we were unlucky after a few attempts with primitive tools. It would take a little longer to prepare correctly for hunting and trapping but we did get close on occasion.

    It was a great exercise and the 2 lads are a fountain of knowledge. Extremely enthusiastic and experienced. Im lucky to have people like this to call on and head out to the woods with. Congrats on their school being open 1 year this month. Cheers for a great weekend

    417392_270633196370355_1429527356_n.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 jester`


    I just bought a DD Travel Hammock 2012, and I can't wait to try it. I also have a 3mx3m tarp.

    After reading some websites about underblankets and extra roll mat's due to the wind passing under the hammock and the compression of the sleeping bag reducing insulation, what do some of you guys use?

    I was just thinking of putting a folded wool blanket under myself when i'm in a sleeping bag, and I should be fine. Hammock and Tarp is 1.6kg, blanket will be another 1kg. I'm trying to travel light. Hope to be getting out from now till christmas so any advice welcome.

    Also I did the IPNA Basic Bushcraft course last month, and loved it. Looking forward to the Advanced :)

    Jester


  • Registered Users Posts: 294 ✭✭eoinkildare


    Hi Jester,
    A lot of us use the Thermarest range of sleeping mats. I use the Neoair All Season myself.

    Good luck with the Hammock,

    Eoin


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,889 ✭✭✭feck sake lads


    Hi Jester,
    A lot of us use the Thermarest range of sleeping mats. I use the Neoair All Season myself.

    Good luck with the Hammock,

    Eoin
    Eoin can i ask how small does the neoair pack ,how much ;)
    is it hard to inflate.


  • Registered Users Posts: 294 ✭✭eoinkildare


    Jester,
    It cost me about €135 which is a lot I know but worth it in my opinion. Not hard to inflate but does take a few puffs. I usually do it in two attempts so as not to get lightheaded...
    It packs away small enough. I measured it there but just to warn you, i didn't do a particularly good job of packing it small the other day after using it as the ground was wet.
    It measures 25cm in length and 40cm in girth. Can be packed a bit neater too though. A lot smaller than my foam mat!!

    Eoin


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 jester`


    I'm looking to get out this weekend and my mate said he'd drive :)

    So I'm looking for a place that would be within 1.5 hours from Dublin, park up the car and walk somewhere we can set up and fish. I'll be in a hammock and he'll tent. Any suggestions?

    Any suggestions appreciated, and I can get a licence if required for fishing.

    Jester


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