Summer or winter, being able to split small diameter wood is a useful axe skill in a fixed camp or on the trail. Split wood has many uses. From dry kindling and feathersticks to improvised grills, small-diameter rounds of dead, dry wood split down into smaller sizes are an important resource for fire lighting and fire management in particular. In this article I cover a safe, reliable and adaptable technique for year-round use…
In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on outfitting canoes, tooth problems on trips, finding wildlife while out wandering, saponins, chickweed and birch, blowing tinder bundles into flame (optimal positioning), keeping gear dry on hikes, bushcraft course advice, changing your ways and learning new things in bushcraft…
Traditionally igloos were tundra shelters, with other snow shelters and snowhouses involving mounding up snow being favoured in the forest. But modern Ice Box devices blur this boundary. So, I thought I would investigate building an igloo-type shelter in the boreal forest…
With some of the Frontier Bushcraft team, Ray Goodwin and I take our canoes to the tidal water of the Menai Strait, which separates Anglesey from mainland Wales. Here we learn the meaning of differential tide and experience the treacherous Swellies…
Bushcraft shows and events in 2017, tinders for flint and steel, shelter roof strong enough for snow, smocks vs anoraks with zips, woods for bushcraft activities in the UK, wild camping in North West England, being blinded by headlamps, foundational bushcraft knowledge as a long-term learning base…
In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about bushcraft skills for a 9-year-old, leather belt kits over jackets, horse’s hoof fungus identification, tinder bundles and ember extenders, online bushcraft courses, bushcraft courses for Scout leaders, what makes a bushcraft knife a bushcraft knife, and a bit of inspiration…
We take on the section of the River Dee from Llangollen to Overton Bridge, a section which contains some nice white water, a great surf waves and some weirs that command respect. This section is crossed by the famous Pontcysyllte aquaduct, a World Heritage site. Joined by some of the Frontier Bushcraft team as well as Ray Goodwin and Lina, this 16m (10 mile) day trip made the perfect December microadventure by canoe…
In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about food for longer trips and expeditions, choosing expedition companions, foraging for calories, valuable lessons and learning from mistakes, tarp and bivvy for colder months, drinking while tramping in dry areas, tree and plant ID guides.
It’s the last day on the epic Spey trip. It’s normally an interesting enough run down to the sea, particularly after Fochabers as the river becomes unconstrained and braided. But with the river rising significantly overnight and a brutal headwind, this final section to the sea becomes a real battle…
Where was I again? Thumbing the map is a navigational technique which allows you to quickly and easily keep track of where you are on the trail. As well as being super useful for trail hiking, I’ve seen it used in some surprising places…