Topic: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person (Read 7861 times)

RedLeader · « **on:** September 05, 2013 »

How to remove ticks and leeches
How to set up a tarp
How to build the perfect fire
What to do when you run out of water
How to find direction without a compass
What to do if you encounter a bear
How to treat a wound
Hike further and faster
How to keep a knife sharp
How to Boil Water For Safe Consumption

http://explore-mag.com/8736/skills/10-essential-skills-for-the-outdoorsperson

Rich.H · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2013 »

I'm guessing this is from an american site as some of these tips seem to neglect some very basic stuff, to address a few.

How to build the perfect fire:
No such thing as all fires are built for different reasons, the one given in the example is fine if you want a large campfire but almost useless for anything else.

What to do when you run out of water:
Seems like a very Bear G tip, anyone spending time outdoors knows to carry a map and thus you can clearly see all your sources of water and plan your trip accordingly.

How to find direction without a compass:
A handy tip sure but again it's useless unless your in a survival situation as you don't carry a map without also taking a compass.

Hike further and faster:
Great tips if your out to do races or general speed hiking, but if that is the case why are you building large campfires? The general point of being outdoors is to enjoy it, thus you go at your own pace to take in the sights/sounds/smells.

Rusty Madra · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2013 »

Updated version for Northern Ireland:

1) The lost art of parallel parking for busy days in Donard Carpark

2) Navigating to the nearest fried chicken outlet without map or compass

3) Identifying the difference between a geo cache and an arms cache

4) Identifying the 4 main species of weirdo that share the outdoors with hikers: doggers, juvenile delinquents, occultists and (surprisingly frequently) DOE workmen

5) Pitching of a tent in adverse conditions... 10 pints worth of adverse conditions

6) The lost art of Yarn telling to tourists... And the pleasure of seeing someone reach the summit of Donard and ask you where the cafe is located

7) The Modern Art practice of creating a "shit tree". Fire one bag of Dog Shit into a tree anywhere and watch as everyone else follows suit till one tree along the route looks like some kind of mutated Christmas tree.

Mastery of the increasingly popular practice of gear talk in lieu of any actual outdoor activity. No one will notice but you'll appear to be dead rugged with a dazzling knowledge of the molecular difference between gortex and pertex.

9) Dispaly of "no fracking" logos and slogans. This is essential regardless of wither or not you've actually an idea of what fracking is or not

10) The projection of supreme confidence to others in the outdoor community. This is above all the most important aspect to master: no matter what never say such things as "I'm not sure about this" or "I really don't know the answer to that". Lives may be lost as a result but importantly you'll have saved face. This is the most important element.

Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2013 »

You forgot the big one!

One downmanship!

Oh is that a steak you've having? By God you're good to yourself, I make do in the hills all day on a scone!

Oh is that a scone you're having? Someone's kind to themselves, I've survived for the last 3 weeks on cracker dust!

Rusty Madra · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2013 »

Cracker? .... That's a bit luxurious. I spent three weeks in the mournes and the only thing I brought was the pair of underpants I was wearing. Ate 3 stray Duke of Ed folk and made a teepee out of their skins. Pure luxury. I'd maybe not bring as much kit with me next time tho... Trying to keep it light you know

..... Lol

Mourneman · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2013 »

thanks for the laugh lads

LandyLiam · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2013 »

nice one

Kayakgirl · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2013 »

Love it!

Revsi75 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2013 »

That made me chuckle

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person (Read 7861 times)

RedLeader

10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Rich.H

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Rusty Madra

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Ed

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Rusty Madra

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Mourneman

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

LandyLiam

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Kayakgirl

10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Revsi75

Re: 10 Essential Skills for the Outdoor Person

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics