A River Spey canoe journey is something I do at least a couple of times each year, usually in the early autumn. For some people this repetition gives rise to the question, “doesn’t it get boring doing the same river over and over again?” No it doesn’t. This photoblog article seeks to illustrate some of the many reasons why…
In this episode I cover carbon monoxide and winter shelters, candles for quinzhees, snow shelter construction, toilets in cold weather, sweaty clothes, food for exhausting day hikes, wilderness ski touring and anoraks for cold weather…
A bit of Halloween fun… Preparing for the zombie pumpkin apocalypse results in pumpkin carnage via 12 gauge pump action and 20 gauge semi auto shotguns…
Winter means different things to different people. Moreover, the degree of winter conditions as you range from the tropics to higher latitudes varies immensely. There are, of course, nuances and subtleties to each winter bivvy situation. A knowledge of some widely-applicable winter bivvy “rules” is, however, a good starting place. Combine this with a good understanding of the fundamentals of how heat is lost to a cold environment plus how these apply specifically to the use of a bivvy, sleeping bag and sleeping mat combination, and you will significantly enhance your winter bivvy experiences. Understanding what you need to do, how to do it and having some experience under your belt, will stand you in good stead to weather difficult situations and, in extremis, may just save your life…
It may not be the most fun part of planning a camp or venturing into the outdoors, but good water hygiene can make the difference between a camp to remember and one to forget!…
I have a passion for wilderness skills and encouraging others to go into the woods, to experience nature through the lens of bushcraft. I sometimes fear, though, people may be discouraged from experiencing nature in this way by much of what surrounds bushcraft, rather than what’s at its core. If this is the case, then I see it as a great shame as bushcraft is so beneficial and enriching. In this article I look at some basic items of “bushcraft kit” for the beginner, which will help them get the most from their time in the woods…
In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on how to learn more about fungi, the ONE thing that will see me survive in the wilds, time management on trips, badger latrines, processing oak bark for tinder, knots and lashings for bushcraft and more…
An axe has more weight, more leverage and more momentum than a knife. Moreover, when out camping or making a journey, we tend not to be wearing any sort of protective clothing or footwear. Our protection from injury with an axe has to come from care, attention and good habits. Adhering to best practice is particularly important in more remote settings…
In this episode I answer a bunch of questions about water. What are the advantages of Millbank bags? Can you use a bandanna to filter water? Do Steripens work? How do you deal with herbicides and pesticides in water? Can you use activated charcoal to filter water? Is it safe to drink water from springs and wells? These are the jumping off points for a wide-ranging discussion about producing safe drinking water outdoors – close to home or further into the wilds…
Staying dry under a tarp is down to intelligent consideration of several macro and micro placement factors combined with using your equipment correctly in combination…