Wilderness Immersion Course

The Immersion course never ceases to amaze me in how people react to it and the experiences they take away. This April course was no exception (Photo: Vinny)

We battled through Somme–like muddy conditions at the main base-camp and had to endure some lasting rain throughout Saturday afternoon, evening and night. Despite this, the participants didn’t give up and were rewarded by some great close encounters such as fox, fallow deer, squirrels and bird life; oh… and in Vinny’s case, a snail on the face!

The close encounters are a credit to everyone’s ability to quickly take on board the principles of concentric circles and low-profile wild-camping and the use of natural camouflage.

Sunday was another amazing day, and in the warmth of the afternoon sunshine we all watched what I now know to be a Daubenton’s bat probably just coming out of hibernation, hunting amongst insects on one of Hatfield’s rides. Even better was the swooping into a puddle of water to gather drops of water to drink. Fantastic stuff.

This was closely followed by a train of 60 – 70 fallow deer crossing the ride about 50 yards ahead of us.

As usual, Harry the Hawk was there to enthral the participants as they all had a go at flying him. Their faces say it all! (Thanks Beccy for the photos.)

Thanks to everyone who came and, of course, the assistants, in this case Troops and Jason who also passed their potential instructor assessment and will now begin the long journey to become an instructor. Also well done Trooper on being awarded level one of the Diploma. That’s a year’s hard graft and a great achievement. He now joins Richard who was achieved his a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks for the visit.

Wilderness Immersion Course

The Immersion course never ceases to amaze me in how people react to it and the experiences they take away. This April course was no exception (Photo: Vinny)

We battled through Somme–like muddy conditions at the main base-camp and had to endure some lasting rain throughout Saturday afternoon, evening and night. Despite this, the participants didn’t give up and were rewarded by some great close encounters such as fox, fallow deer, squirrels and bird life; oh… and in Vinny’s case, a snail on the face!

The close encounters are a credit to everyone’s ability to quickly take on board the principles of concentric circles and low-profile wild-camping and the use of natural camouflage.

Sunday was another amazing day, and in the warmth of the afternoon sunshine we all watched what I now know to be a Daubenton’s bat probably just coming out of hibernation, hunting amongst insects on one of Hatfield’s rides. Even better was the swooping into a puddle of water to gather drops of water to drink. Fantastic stuff.

This was closely followed by a train of 60 – 70 fallow deer crossing the ride about 50 yards ahead of us.

As usual, Harry the Hawk was there to enthral the participants as they all had a go at flying him. Their faces say it all! (Thanks Beccy for the photos.)

Thanks to everyone who came and, of course, the assistants, in this case Troops and Jason who also passed their potential instructor assessment and will now begin the long journey to become an instructor. Also well done Trooper on being awarded level one of the Diploma. That’s a year’s hard graft and a great achievement. He now joins Richard who was achieved his a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks for the visit.

A Little Bit of Weather

Our Woodlife Trails level one diploma students turned up in force this weekend at Hatfield to try and finish off some practical assignments.

After a leisurely start on Friday evening, including panassed salmon we woke up to a winter wonderland on Saturday morning – as I’m sure most UK residents are now fed up with hearing.

This didn’t deter us at all as we collected wood to bank up the fire a bit more and dropped the parachute sides down to keep out the nasty easterly wind.

The conditions were challenging but the old adage “no bad weather – just bad equipment” rang true as we listed and discussed the benefits of natural versus synthetic clothing.

Spirits were high as practical after practical assessments were ticked off and a celebratory mulled punch of some sort (mostly mead) was brewed in a spare kettle to accompany Vinnie’s leg of lamb.

Sunday morning was just as cold and our excursion took us out to take advantage of the snow to do some tracking. Most of the mammals were there except old brock who was sensibly staying underground with the cubs which have most probably just been born.

Our tracking turned into foraging for reasonable wood to make individual fires for the fire lighting element.

The fire lighting was probably the most challenging element bearing in mind the conditions but good preparation prevailed and everyone managed to create and maintain a fire with a fire-steel.

It was cold and challenging but a great weekend. Well done and thanks to everyone who came along.

A Little Bit of Weather

Our Woodlife Trails level one diploma students turned up in force this weekend at Hatfield to try and finish off some practical assignments.

After a leisurely start on Friday evening, including panassed salmon we woke up to a winter wonderland on Saturday morning – as I’m sure most UK residents are now fed up with hearing.

This didn’t deter us at all as we collected wood to bank up the fire a bit more and dropped the parachute sides down to keep out the nasty easterly wind.

The conditions were challenging but the old adage “no bad weather – just bad equipment” rang true as we listed and discussed the benefits of natural versus synthetic clothing.

Spirits were high as practical after practical assessments were ticked off and a celebratory mulled punch of some sort (mostly mead) was brewed in a spare kettle to accompany Vinnie’s leg of lamb.

Sunday morning was just as cold and our excursion took us out to take advantage of the snow to do some tracking. Most of the mammals were there except old brock who was sensibly staying underground with the cubs which have most probably just been born.

Our tracking turned into foraging for reasonable wood to make individual fires for the fire lighting element.

The fire lighting was probably the most challenging element bearing in mind the conditions but good preparation prevailed and everyone managed to create and maintain a fire with a fire-steel.

It was cold and challenging but a great weekend. Well done and thanks to everyone who came along.

A selection of the tried and trusted... updated in 2013 from the 2010 version.

Snugpak Stratosphere

A new meaning to bivvying.

PB 207 blue flame lighter

Saves rubbing two bits of wood together

Frosts Clipper

Excellent knife for under £10 - I still use mine.

Woolpower balaclava

Essential winter hammock wear - do not enter banks wearing this.

Karrimor Sabre 75

So versatile – add side pockets and you’ve got 100 litres!

Leatherman Charge TTI

Always in my possible pouch.

Vivo Off-Roads

Excellent boot boot for trackers! No padding or lumps and bumps. As close to barefoot as you’ll get. Brilliant protection from thorns and 100% waterproof.

Alpkit Gamma headtorch.

Red Green and white LEDs in one torch. HOW MUCH!! £12.50! I’ll have two!

Tracpac billy set

What more do you want for £14-00? I use the smallest one. The others can be made into hobo stoves.

Bruseletto Leuku

Simple, cheap and effective large knife.

Woolpower base layer

200g is enough to ward of the British winter

Exped Down Mat

It’s more important to get insulation under you than on top. Exped is the way to go.

Alpkit down bags

Great price - great bag

Wool and possum fur hat

Great for sitting around the winter fire.

Fjallaven

This is as close to a wide-brim hat as I get!

 

Hogs of Fife headwear

The Scots know something about weather – so why not?

Buff

Multi-functional head or neckwear. I think I'll get this colour!

Camelbak Cloudwalker

Technical lightweight daysack. I always come back to this as a light daysack.

EKA Nordic W11

Great all round sub-£100 bushy style knife

DD hammock and Tatonka tarp

The only way to sleep out in summer (or winter).

Silky saw

Possibly better than the Bahco

Snowsled

Not the cheapest ventile about – but if its good enough for Ran Fiennes, it’s good enough for me.

Ganfors Bruks

Still the best axe around.

Yellow flip-flops

Every 'shrafter should have some!

Bushbuddy stove & Crusader cup

Natural fuel and a stainless receptacle

Mini Trangia

Lightweight and reliable meths cookset . Take the burner out and add it to the tracpac billy and bushbuddy. Voila!

Primus Litech Frying pan

Probably the most versatile piece cookware you’ll ever have.

Nato water bottle

Mine says 1976. I was issued it when I joined the British Army - and it's still going. Great for use as a hot water bottle in winter!

Deer Hunter Gamestalker 2 Smock.

If your going to go cammo – go Deerhunter or Mad Dog. I love this smock for its in-built mossy net and large horizontal front pocket.