#originaloutdoors

[offthearrowshelf]

I made fire

Listening to instruction in our small group

Okay so this is not strictly an archery related, actually it has very little to do with field archery at all, other than it takes place in woodland. This post is part review and part my thoughts following a bushcraft experience day I spent in sunny Wales. Yes, I did say sunny Wales before you wonder if your eyes are deceiving you. It was a warm, dry day…

[survivalgal]

This blog post is prompted by a few events of the last few weeks. The first was a discussion on a social media page about first aid courses, and the relative merits of choosing a provider who delivers a syllabus set by an awarding body, and one who delivers a syllabus based on experience of the subject and how it should be delivered. The second was sitting in on one of the 16hr Mountain and Outdoor First Aid courses delivered by Wayne from Blackhill Training, and the third was a chance meeting with another ‘bushcraft’ provider. My interpretation of these three distinct events all follow the same theme – how important is experience of the subject in delivering outdoor skills training?

It would be only fair to talk about myself first. My own experience is in a few limited fields – firstly as a freelancer leading groups of mainly adults in the mountains of the UK and in select places elsewhere around the world. Latterly this has mainly turned to leading bespoke trips, or more often, training groups and individuals in the skills they need to do these trips themselves. Alongside this was the best part of a decade spent as an operational team member in a North Wales mountain rescue team, and assisting with training and operational matters regionally and nationally. The short version of that is that I have spent ten years playing in the mountains and getting paid for it, and spending time in the mountains helping people and NOT getting paid for it. I take the development of my own personal skills seriously, and I am usually working on two or three projects at the same time which will hopefully have the outcome of improving my skillsets in one area or another.

[offthearrowshelf]

Latest blog post is available and covers a day bushcraft course in North Wales with @originaloutdoor http://offthearrowshelf.com/2020/08/23/i-made-fire/ #bushcraft #fieldcraft #firelighting https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZSTVjJ-Vg/?igshid=1uuu07fd5eit

[offthearrowshelf]

Home after long weekend away. Finally got birthday present from Sharon. A bushcraft day with @originaloutdoor Got to make cordage from stinging nettles, re learned how to sharpen knives and axes. Along with fire lighting using birch bark and ferrous rod and steel. Never used birch bark before and took a few attempts. Also did some wood carving for a pot hook. Brought back memories of making walking sticks as a kid. Thanks guys. Hope to do a full write up on the blog. But best of all got to see my Mam for first time in months due to COVID-19 #bushcraft #stringmaking #nature #firelighting #woodcarving #woodland #woods #family #COVID19 https://www.instagram.com/p/CDrvIzSJSyi/?igshid=a1a4l0gc7wxw

[standinginrivers]

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