WHAT IS IT REALLY ABOUT

                                                                     

     

 Having amassed a great deal of books over the years on the skills and different methods of "survival", plus practicing the skills for years, it seems to me we have lost the idea of being in the wild. Concentrating on survival as dictated to us by our "leaders" in the survival world. What happened to going out and learning about the wild life & the plants? Planted in the back of our minds, oh my god, what if this bad thing happens. I don’t have the right knife or the right clothes, I will die on this spot. Hell, when I was a kid we didn’t even think about those things, we had water and some food with us that was it. Keeping things simple is the key, you want to enjoy the outdoors, not be

afraid with every step you take. If you have done a bit of basic homework like; shelter building and lighting a fire, you are good. Think back how many times have you really been lost. Really lost is a little unsettling, but in today’s world there are homing devices that call in for you and bam rescue is
on the way. Or lacking the device, the morning brings a new understanding of your direction. It is about participating in nature not fighting it.

Now I might be off my rocker, some think so, but I think it’s time to relax about being out in the wild blue yonder, a few basic preps should do you just fine. Practice the skills so they are second nature ... if you are just starting out, keep your trips short and quiet. It is not a contest, learn the wild life, the plants and what they can do for you. Study the best right now shelters to crawl into no matter where you are on the trail.. I like to take my time and study what is around me. Well to be honest at this point in my life I have to take my time, I’m just not in the hurry most seem to be in.. Enjoy your surroundings and sun on your face. In a another article I talked about the use of plastics, at one time I would have rejected the idea. Right damn now, however I have found

many interesting ways to use this world of plastic. It works for me and might work for you as well. I am still experimenting and finding ways to use these items.

The idea that going into the wild is only about survival, is crap, going into the wild should be about the joy and wonder of nature, not that a bad thing will happen. I don’t mean to be all Pollyanna about it but at almost 80 years old and having behind me more time on  trails than most of you are old, the times I have been in a survival situation are less than the fingers on one hand. You can even chop a few of those off and still it doesn’t amount to squat. Oh I know we can point out some really dumb moves by folks but I’m betting most of you are at least above the bonehead level. Good old common sense needs a comeback. The thing to remember is the products being touted by some expert are being made to sell to you out of fear. Sure some are really good but most will never be needed or used. Go out and have

fun be not afraid! Contrary to some who are making a buck off of your fears that they seem to delight in. In most parts of the USA you can find classes given by instructors who are not all caught up in gear and gizmos. Useless crap soon finds its way to the trash if you caught up in the fear, try not to be that guy, we all make mistakes. That’s the learning curve, but being in the wild is not rocket science, it is where we came from.  Be with it, the plants, the trees and the rocks are all living. Talk to them and get to know them, I think you will like what you find.

         BY    

                                                                             Dude McLean