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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 10:24 PM
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Something I found odd when I first arrived in Canada was that I couldn't find any bushcraft clubs to join. In Ireland, where camping and hiking really isn't all that popular, there are quite a few of them.
I'm wondering if they go by another name over here? Or if they exist, just not advertised on the internet.
I've found a few places that teach extreme survival skills but you have to pay a bucket load.
In Ireland the clubs would usually meet at a location in the woods somewhere (usually the same place) and people would just share their own personally learnt bushcraft skills that they've learnt, like various ways to start fire without tools, shelter building... etc, general bushcraft.
Does anyone know of anything like this in Canada? Specifically BC. |
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681 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 11:05 PM
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| I've noticed how the english [now irish] have a yearning for the life of the wilds .Ray Mears?] that we are lucky to have here if you want it. Here we just buy the latest gear and blunder into the bush with a cell phone. How about 'Survivorman', he gave it up cause it was too tough. |
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north van, bc
Canada
940 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 11:24 PM
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in a year or 2 everyone will wish they had said skills.
that being said i haven't seen what you are looking for around here. |
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Langley, B.C
Canada
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 12:57 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by smac
in a year or 2 everyone will wish they had said skills.
why would you think that? |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 02:00 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeW
why would you think that?
2012 man... 2012... it's coming. Better have your BOB's ready to take to the hills 
If you search for "bushcraft club" in google the first link is the Irish club. I never actually joined them as I imagined their scope would be dwarfed by the level of experience in the clubs in Canada.
When I was met with a blank expression at the local adventure center here when I inquired about how to join the nearest bushcraft/survival skills club my hopes shattered.
Bushcraft isn't just about survival skills though, but also about learning primitive living skills and passing them on.
I thought maybe the club might go under another name, more relating to the history of the local native Americans and their original survival knowledge and skills, in this area. I know their are clubs in the US that are like this.
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 Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
6302 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 05:29 AM
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| Yep, those of us that were lucky enough to survive Y2K will surely be finished off in 2012. |
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Langley, B.C
Canada
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 12:48 PM
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Well if you guys are worried about 2012 have I got something for you
http://www.terravivos.com/secure/secureindex.htm when I first saw it I though it was a joke but apparently its real.
Sorry to derail the OP topic. If you were to find such a club I would be interested in it as well, let us know if you find/start one. |
Edited by - MikeW on 07/13/2010 12:50 PM |
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| Eryne
Intermediate Member
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
570 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 2:18 PM
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In Canada, the search for good beer is considered survival!
On a lighter note, there are other clubs that you can join that will both get you outside and arm you with knowledge to keep you safe. There are the different mountain clubs, like the AAC or BCMC. There are volunteer organizations like Search and Rescue that offer training in such areas as avalanche rescue, swiftwater safety, ice rescue, leadership, rope rescue (and many more!) in exchange for your time and some commitment. There are hiking clubs and outdoor clubs, too.
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2421 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 3:15 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Eryne
There are hiking clubs and outdoor clubs, too.
Google 'outdoor clubs BC'. Good for starting out and getting some practical experience in how to safely enjoy the wilderness. |
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n van, bc
Canada
830 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 3:51 PM
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| I'd rather leave anything 2012 survival related to good old fashioned Darwinism. For that reason, I highly doubt we should train the 2012 followers to survive .... |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3796 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 4:42 PM
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I think with 'leave no trace' being so popular, the 'cut boughs and collect berries and dig trenches and build shelters' form of survivalism is not supported in a regularly practice form.
Start one. See what interest you get. |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 5:07 PM
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I started one in Ontario in the early eighties... "Surviving" it was called...
Some, but not a lot of interest back then...
C'Jack... |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1263 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 5:48 PM
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| Go to the library and pick up, Outdoor skills, and Freedom of the hills. Two good books on what you may want to know. bradford angier use to write books on survival skills but he would be 126 years old by now so his books may not exist anymore. You gotta remember that hacking a cedar tree apart for rope, bough beds, and firewood seems to be frowned upon by a great many people on this forum. |
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Newton, bc
Canada
282 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 7:52 PM
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| maybe and old boy scouts book would suffice. |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 8:32 PM
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Well it's not really just about survival skills... but surviving in the wild comfortably, like the indigenous people used to. In Ireland people learn about mainly an amalgam of a lot skills from aboriginal tribes from around the world, and some of the old skills that are still known from the Milesians.
A lot of the courses I've seen over here seem mainly concerned with teaching survival skills to keep you alive, barely, until help can rescue you, or some disaster subsides.
I understand about the "leave no trace" philosophy, and I support it, but I also think there is a place for keeping the original survival skills of this area alive. |
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North Vancouver
230 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 9:13 PM
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| Europeans have a romantic view of aboriginals but I believe bush skills were most highly developed by europeans themselves, notably the explorers and frontiersmen of the 19th century, in Africa and North America. |
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2421 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 09:18 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Scorpio
Europeans have a romantic view of aboriginals...
Since before the time of the infamous Gray Owl, Eurpoeans have had the misconception that the aboriginal lifestyle was somehow more spiritual and more idyllic.
There are resort camps in southern Alberta that cater to German tourists seeking a 'real Indian experience'. It's not, of course; it just matches their concept of what a real native experience SHOULD be. For example the sundance was a Sioux ritual, and was never practised by Alberta Blackfoot, Sarcee or Cree. And the resorts promote this imaginary view of what native life ought to be just to make money off the gullible.
Native food sources were 'feast or famine' since they lacked the ability to save up reserves for the hard times. Women died in childbirth due to unsanitary conditions and poor medical knowledge. Children often died for the same reasons. Diseases could wipe out a whole camp or even a tribe. The natives were plagued by continual warfare, which included a lot of nasty things like the cruel torture of captives. It also meant that they were unable to form a united front against the Europeans when they arrived (see 'Maskepetoon'). At best, the true aboriginal lifestyle was just 'survival'.
The most accurate description I ever found was that native life was "short, hard and brutish". |
Edited by - peter1955 on 07/14/2010 09:20 AM |
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Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
6302 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 09:29 AM
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quote:
surviving in the wild comfortably, like the indigenous people used to
Comfort is subjective and people that are used to being pampered probably won't be comfortable in any type of survival in the wild situation in the short term.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
262 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 10:23 AM
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I've also been hoping to find similar clubs/courses.
I found an article awhile back that mentions a couple of local people offering 'free' naturalist knowledge:
http://www.ediblecommunities.com/vancouver/Recent-Articles/committing-forage-ery.htm
I have been in contact with Sequoia Lesosky who says he will be resuming some 'Wild Walks' later this season...his focus is on teaching identification and preparation of edible fungi and seaweeds here in BC.
I sent an email to Rose Point but haven't heard back yet. She sounds great.
In Tofino, Gisele Martin of Tla-Ook Cultural Adventures is very knowledgeable on the various applications of local flora and fauna. I know her dad Joe has no problem catching salmon and halibut with homemade wood and bone hooks and cord. Ray Mears actually featured them on his show once. They do touristy tours but I'm sure if you asked them they could modify a tour to focus entirely on bushcraft. |
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2421 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 11:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by time2clmb
quote:
surviving in the wild comfortably, like the indigenous people used to
Comfort is subjective and people that are used to being pampered probably won't be comfortable in any type of survival in the wild situation in the short term.
Good point. I've been 'comfortable' hiking 20 km in a steady drizzle, fueled by a handful of trail mix, and having gone without a shower or a change of clothes for a week. My wife, on the other hand, won't go anywhere she can't plug in her hair dryer! |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1008 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 12:01 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Scorpio
Europeans have a romantic view of aboriginals
I agree but I don't see how it's relevant. I could say the same thing about North Americans from Canada and the US who have a romantic view of Celtic and Medieval history in Ireland (the most comical is the Americans who queue up to kiss the blarney stone when it is locally known to of originally been used as a urinal by the watchmen on the battlements  )
Still, I personally found the skills and way of life of the early medieval Irish/English interesting.
I don't have a romantic want to learn the history and spirituality of the natives in Canada. Rather, the early skills they used to survive. Local knowledge of edible plants, animal tracking, shelter building, fire making... etc.
@weegit: Thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it. Knowledge of local edible fungi and plants is also something I'm looking into learning. If you hear anything more about where and when then give me a shout. I'd definitely be interested. |
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Topic |
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Bushcraft Clubs?
