Category: Bushcraft

High quality Bushcraft articles written by professional wilderness bushcraft instructor, Paul Kirtley.

Bloodvein River trip 2014 participants
Canoeing The Bloodvein River: Six Men and Three Boats in the Wilderness

Canoeing The Bloodvein River: Six Men and Three Boats in the Wilderness

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Join me on an unforgettable journey down the remote Bloodvein River. Six of us, in three canoes, ventured into one of Canada’s most pristine wilderness areas. In this article, I share the highs and lows of navigating this wild river, from tackling roaring rapids to serene moments surrounded by untouched nature. The Bloodvein tested our skills, strengthened our bonds, and reminded us of the beauty and power of the natural world. We faced some challenges on this trip, but we also experienced incredible experiences that made it memorable. Dive into the full story…

Bushcraft enthusiast with camp set up in the woods
How To Find A Place To Practice Bushcraft Skills In The UK

How To Find A Place To Practice Bushcraft Skills In The UK

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At some stage, we all want to find somewhere we can go to practice our bushcraft skills. Yet land ownership, laws, bylaws, regulations and access codes limit us in what can be done where. This article shares ideas, considerations and case studies on accessing land in the UK for bushcraft…

Integrating Bushcraft With Modern Outdoor Life

Integrating Bushcraft With Modern Outdoor Life

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For the second year in a row I was among the expert speakers on the main stage at the Bushcraft Show. I was honoured to share this platform with illustrious names and authorities such as Lofty Wiseman, Cody Lundin, Steve Backshall, David Scott-Donelan, Ray Goodwin, Johan Skullman, and Dr Sarita Robinson […]

Man digging snow in front of a lean-to shelter.
Arctic Lean-To Revisited

Arctic Lean-To Revisited

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Lean-to shelters have become one of the touchstones of bushcraft, particularly northern forest bushcraft. They are often held up as superb survival shelter – in combination with a long log fire – ideal for surviving cold conditions with limited or no sleeping equipment. This combination is indeed very effective in keeping you warm through…

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Red coloured Black Diamond snow shovel in white snow
Choosing And Using A Snow Shovel For Winter Camping And Travel

Choosing And Using A Snow Shovel For Winter Camping And Travel

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If you ask people to draw up a list of the equipment they think important to take with them on a winter journey or on a winter camping trip, particularly in the northern forest, they might state an axe for felling dead standing wood for firewood. They might also state a saw for sawing up that firewood into manageable lengths but…

Scraping out the pith of Rosebay Willowherb
Rosebay Willowherb: Taking The Pith

Rosebay Willowherb: Taking The Pith

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Rosebay willowherb, Chamerion angustifolium (also known as Epilobium angustifolium) is a widespread plant of the Northern Hemisphere. Known as Fireweed to many, particularly in North America, this name reflects the plant’s appearance following forest fires and other events which leave the earth scorched. With greater light on the earth again, C. angustifolium seeds then…

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