Cliff Jacobson on expedition
PK Podcast 51: Cliff Jacobson – Skills Are More Important Than Things

PK Podcast 51: Cliff Jacobson – Skills Are More Important Than Things

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Cliff Jacobson is one of North America’s most respected outdoors writers and wilderness canoe guides. He is an outdoor skills instructor and a professional outfitter and guide, a canoeing and camping consultant, and the author of more than a dozen top-selling books on canoeing and camping. In 2003 the American Canoe Association presented Cliff with the Legends of Paddling Award and inducted him into the ACA Hall of Fame. In 2009 Cliff was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award by the Boy Scouts of America. Canoeing, camping and sharing his experience has been a lifelong passion for Cliff. He seems to have paddled every river in North America, certainly in Canada. His wilderness experience is massive and the relevance of the conversation this podcast goes far beyond the context of canoe tripping….

Archive photo of Les Hiddins the Bush Tucker Man
PK Podcast 50: Les Hiddins, The Bush Tucker Man

PK Podcast 50: Les Hiddins, The Bush Tucker Man

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Les Hiddins became well known through his ABC TV series “The Bush Tucker Man”. In 1980 Les had received a Defence Fellowship to research survival in northern Australia and looked heavily into traditional bush foods, with the help and cooperation of Indigenous communities. His work was compiled and used by the Australian military in various forms, including the clever idea of “snack maps”. He was also the principal author of the Australian Army’s military survival manual, published in 1987. Les retired from the Australian Regular Army in 1989 with the rank of Major. In addition to his TV work and writing, he continued to work with the Australian Army Reserve until 2001, working with Indigenous Australian communities in northern Australia. He is still actively researching and sharing his information and we get into this and a whole lot more in this podcast episode….

Man in Australian army uniform blowing tinder bundle into flame
PK Podcast 49: Gordon Dedman On Australian Bushcraft And Survival

PK Podcast 49: Gordon Dedman On Australian Bushcraft And Survival

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In this podcast episode Gordon Dedman and I talk bushcraft and survival in Australia. Gordon is a survival instructor in NORFORCE, an Australian Army unit conducting patrols in remote wilderness areas of northern Australia. He provides civilian training via Bushcraft Survival Australia. Gordon also works as a guide in Kakadu National Park, which at 20,000 square kilometers is Australia’s largest national park….

Paul Kirtley canoeing on Missinaibi in Canada
Looking Beyond The Water: Benefits Of Knowing The Environment

Looking Beyond The Water: Benefits Of Knowing The Environment

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In this presentation I share practical examples of how a greater knowledge of the land through which you are canoeing can increase not only your understanding of the environment but also provide tangible benefits to your safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of the trip. Even if you are not a paddler, I would encourage you to watch the presentation as there is much useful tree and plant information in this talk which will apply to a much wider audience of outdoorspeople too…

Old, neglected, dangerous axe
How To Spot A Dangerous Axe

How To Spot A Dangerous Axe

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If you travel in wild and remote places, you will likely end up using axes that are not your own. In my experience this most often occurs if you are staying in wilderness camps, remote cabins or huts with axes already in the woodshed, or if you have been provided with an axe as part of a larger outfitting of equipment, on a canoe trip for example. Before you start swinging an unfamiliar axe with any sort of gusto, you’ll want to make sure the axe is sound. There are some tell-tale signs to look for, indicating an axe is neglected, abused and potentially unsafe to use….

Man wearing frosty winter clothing in Canadian snow conditions.
PK Podcast 48: Bruce Zawalsky On Canadian Wilderness Survival

PK Podcast 48: Bruce Zawalsky On Canadian Wilderness Survival

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Bruce Zawalsky is a professional wilderness survival instructor and author, with over 25 years of experience as an outdoor educator. He teaches survival courses, wildlife and bear awareness courses as well as wilderness navigation. Here in Podcast 48, Bruce talks with me about all these subjects and more, which have much wider application than just in his native Canada….

Tactics For Fire-lighting In The Damp, Cold Months

Tactics For Fire-lighting In The Damp, Cold Months

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Damp, cold conditions are not conducive to fire-lighting. The same conditions that easily lead to hypothermia are ones that easily lead to failure in establishing a fire. So here are some tips, tricks and tactics for fire-lighting when you most need the warmth of a fire…

Bilberries - one of the best berries to forage
Ten Of The Best European Berries To Forage

Ten Of The Best European Berries To Forage

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Late summer and early autumn is the berry high season. Berries are easy to spot, often grow in quantity and are relatively easy to collect compared to, say, digging up roots and other underground storage organs. Edible berries generally require little processing yet most are also easily preserved as a jelly, jam or leather. Most of our native berries are overlooked or avoided by the majority of the population, even though much fruit from around the world is bought in supermarkets and enjoyed by many…. Learn to recognise these treasures hiding in plain sight…