Re-Wilding…
So, what's Re-Wilding?
Environmentalists and developers define it as returning land to its natural state before human changes and influences. It’s a term that speaks of renewal, returning to something better. Going back to the way things were before all of this “Progress”...
The same theory and term can be applied to humans as well. There is a whole movement growing behind this idea of returning ourselves, at least in part, to the way we were and undoing some of this so-called “Progress”. By learning new skills, reducing time on technology, changing their diets and even wearing moccasins, people are in small ways returning to our shared tribal past. No one group of humans can lay claim to a tribal history. We all can! Whether it's the many different tribes of Europe or the Americas, we all come from the same place. What’s more, the primitive knowledge and instincts are still in our DNA. They have just been repressed over millennia as we have moved forward with scientific and social advancements. Not that any of it is a bad thing, but some people are beginning to feel lost, like something is missing.
That's where I come in. As a Certified Wilderness Survival Instructor I can help start you on your re-wilding journey, just head over to our classes page to see our initial offerings and to sign up, or fill out the form and tell us what kind of classes you would like to see!
So what is re-wilding to me?
Well, for over more than a decade I have been learning old skills in an effort to get in touch with my inner caveman. What initially started out as me wanting to up my camping game has turned into a lifestyle that I feel brings me closer to nature and the past but still with a foot in the present. Now, do I go running around downtown in moccasins and a handmade buckskin shirt? Sometimes, but mostly I save that for when I’m camping. I love wearing my moccasins as often as possible but especially when hiking and hunting. You can really get a feel for the ground and the energy of the forest. And when you do, you really start to feel your surroundings as your senses come alive. From the sensation of the ground under your feet to the sounds filling your ears and smells flooding your nose, those parts of your DNA I mentioned earlier wake up and you slowly begin to remember your place in creation. I feel they really make any outdoor adventure so much more meaningful.
But I do much more than just wear moccasins. I like to forage for berries and herbal medicines. I love to do “catch and cooks” when I’m out fishing. I enjoy bushcraft and making what I need from what nature provides. For me, re-wilding has become almost a spiritual journey. In all honestly, re-wilding is just getting back to nature and the old ways in search of simplicity and meaning.
What do you think Re-Wilding is?
Share your thoughts! Moccasinoutdoors@gmail.com
As always, thanks for reading!
Just Enough Rope to Light Yourself!
Today I’m going to talk about the venerable rope lighter that found popularity with sailors, shepherds and trench soldiers in WWI because of its simplicity.
But First, a bit of history….The first use of tobacco on sailing vessels dates to about 1580’s-ish. It was allowed only during daylight hours, only at the front of the ship and completely banned at night. This is because the fire hazard on board was so great that one stray ember could destroy an entire ship and its cargo. Since open flames were discouraged a “burning wick” was kept up front for the sailors to use to light their pipes. It was a piece of cotton rope nailed in a convenient spot and left to smolder. No definitive dates were given for the inception of the rope lighter but seeing the prohibition on flames and the cotton rope would only smoulder, it stands to reason that it didn’t take long for the rope lighter to come about. The only other references I could find have it as a type of trench lighter popular in WWI that was copied by soldiers from sailors. Regardless, it is a reliable and timeless design that would do well in any fire kit.
The rope lighter consists of a piece of cotton rope with one end charred, placed in a metal tube that can be capped or plugged. Some versions even have a sparker attached to its side to ease in lighting.
Mine is homemade and a bit more rustic so my lighter has a wooden plug connected to a short piece of chain thats hooked into the rope. The rope is held in a section of copper tubing with the . There is no sparker attached so I have to apply sparks with my flint and steel or ferro rod.
The theory is that you pull up on the plug, exposing the charred end, apply sparks and vola….Fire! Well, sort of. It's a hot and contained burning ember that you can apply to tinder to grow a larger fire from or your pipe to light your tobacco.
Now for the really neat thing, it is windproof. That's right, totally windproof. The more air that moves across the lit end, the hotter it burns! This is what makes it ideal for starting a fire.
When I have my fire lit, I just pull on the bottom end of the rope, drawing the burning end into the metal tube and wood plug right behind it to cut off the air supply. Thus extinguishing the rope. But wait, it gets better, this leaves a new charred section ready to catch another spark and will continue until the rope is used up.
You can find various flavors if rope lighters on Amazon. I've done the homework already and picked one that I like, so head over to my products page for the link and to purchase.
As always, thanks for reading!
My Top Five Kit Items…
When you're hiking, fishing or doing any of a myriad of things outside you should always have a bag of some kind with you. It doesn’t have to be big or a full on backpack. It can be as simple as a fanny pack or a small pouch on your belt or in your pocket. The idea is that you have a small assortment of items that could make your time outside just a bit mor convenient and safer.
Here is my Top Five list of things that I carry with me when I’m having an outdoor adventure.
A knife. It doesn’t need to be a huge Army/Rambo/Crocodile Dundee style knife. Just something with a sharp edge that you can use for cutting. Swiss Army knives are my favorite for just such an occasion. They typically have two blades, one larger than the other, and hold an edge well. You never know when you may need to slice an apple or carve a spoon for eating on the trail! Aside from the blades, they have a bunch of useful tools on board. The most useful next to the knife is the can opener! I have used that so many times I cannot count. I strongly suggest you find one that fits your needs and get it!
550 type of paracord. This stuff is worth its weight in gold. From using it to tie a water bottle to your bike or secure a splint on a broken bone, you will not be making a mistake in including this in your kit. Cut it to length, then seal the cut ends with a lighter to prevent it from unravelling and you are good to go. And that leads me into number
A lighter. Either Zippo or Bik is a much warranted addition to any Outdoors kit. Its a foolproof way of starting a fire to cook food and keep you warm as well as stopping your paracord ends from unraveling!
Coming in at number four is a multitool. You can either spend a lot of money on one or very little. Keep in mind though, when it comes to multitools, the more you spend the better the quality. If you're stuck out in the middle of the woods you really don’t want a tool that is going to fail you. There’s lots of styles to choose from so do your homework. I prefer Gerber tools. They have an excellent line of multitools and knives. I have a few and definitely recommend them.
Lastly, add a tarp to your kit. It doesn’t have to be huge, but big enough to wrap up in, make a fast shelter, or a nice ground cover to rest on while having lunch. A tarp provide protection from the elements and can even be used to signal for help.
What’s in your Top Five?
I hope you found this article helpful if not inspiring!
As always, thanks for reading!
Scott