Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: Kirth on April 15, 2010

Title: Skills Day?
Post by: Kirth on April 15, 2010
Billy Packpack was in my house earlier and we were chatting about trying to do a skills day, like just heading out into the hills for a wander and doing a bit of map reading, cooking, learning tips & tricks.

This would be right up my street as a beginner, and would defo learn a lot.  I realise that a lot of guys on here know all that stuff and would be well advanced for it.

But does anyone think this would be worth while?

Even in the small time we were chatting, I picked up loads of wee tips.  At one stage we nearly had my Hike lite pitched in the Hall !
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: billy backpack on April 15, 2010
Definitely would be great fun, we wouldn't be under any pressure to complete a set route and I think everyone would learn something useful in a very casual environment... we should really give this some thought and support !
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: MikeD on April 15, 2010
I'd like to learn to make a few of the different types of fires you see in the sas survival guide, just for the fun !
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: RedLeader on April 15, 2010
Any excuse to get into the hills. Count me in.
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: MG1 on April 15, 2010
Count me in you could prob count 666_pack as well.
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 15, 2010
I ain't got no skillzzzz so count me in ;)
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: racer on April 16, 2010
Hi
I would be keen to do this need all the help I can get
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Blackthorn on April 17, 2010
Why don't you give the Bushcraft boys a shout the niba ones I think, I'm sure they could help with survivaly type stuff?
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: 666_pack on April 19, 2010
Count me in you could prob count 666_pack as well.

Yep.
not sure if i have any skills though.....I can talk alot of shite though ;)
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: chris on April 19, 2010
aye I'm in too
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Kirth on April 19, 2010
What do we need to organise this and when? Do you reckon we could incorporate this into an over nighter? That way it would be about navigation, building fires, setting tarps, sleeping wild?
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Scribble on April 19, 2010
Would this be open to anyone as I would like to improve my knowledge on using a compass and in return I can teach you how to open bottle if beer with a lighter or open a bottle of wine with just your shoe  :-\
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: chris on April 19, 2010
Would this be open to anyone as I would like to improve my knowledge on using a compass and in return I can teach you how to open bottle if beer with a lighter or open a bottle of wine with just your shoe :-\

This I've got to see!

What do we need to organise this and when? Do you reckon we could incorporate this into an over nighter? That way it would be about navigation, building fires, setting tarps, sleeping wild?

Not that much to organise just need to get a weekend that suits and hit the hills! At the min I've nothing planned between now and the ben nevis trip so any time is good for me. Is it more the walking/wild camping or the bushcraft side of things you guys are interested in? What did you mean about "setting tarps" kirth? Setting up tarps for sleeping or setting traps?
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Kirth on April 19, 2010
Tarps for sleeping, I just had a vision there if setting traps, and some backpacker hanging by one leg!
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: RedLeader on April 20, 2010
So we're thinking of getting a more organised plan for this. At the moment it seems like people are interested in orienteering, fire lighting and tarp setups. Seems like we could have a Saturday where we orienteer ourselves to a forest somewhere (or from a forest and back again), put up a few tarps, light a fire and cook dinner on it. Then either stay the night or head home.

Does this sound like what people are thinking of. Also, can anyone think of anything else they'd like to do?

Seems also like a good time to mention that we're all obviously a group of amateurs so we can't exactly provide a typical education - more like a group idea sharing day!
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Kirth on April 20, 2010
I'd like to learn a map reading, taking a bearing etc.
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: chris on April 20, 2010
I'd like to learn a map reading, taking a bearing etc.

No probs. Try and find out how many paces you do in 100m, dont worry if you dont have a chance tho.
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 20, 2010
Seems like we could have a Saturday where we orienteer ourselves to a forest somewhere (or from a forest and back again), put up a few tarps, light a fire and cook dinner on it. Then either stay the night or head home.

Stay the night.  I've got my "Hunka" to try out :)
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: NeilB on April 20, 2010
I would like to get out also and meet some of the guys, keep threatening to go on overnighter but never make it.

Any chance of leaving this until after may day weekend until im back from cumbria
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Kirth on April 20, 2010
im away May Day Weekend, How does the 8th May Sound?
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: NeilB on April 20, 2010
sounds ok for me
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 20, 2010
I would like to get out also and meet some of the guys, keep threatening to go on overnighter but never make it.

Just make sure you dont bring that Hilleberg with you... place will end up looking like Beverly Hills ;) :P

I should be okay for 8th May, don't think I've anything on that weekend.  Any thoughts on where to go?
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Scribble on April 20, 2010
I'd like to learn a map reading, taking a bearing etc.

that's what I would really be intrested in as got lost once when cloud came down but I remembered which way the wind was blowing . I prob still be wandering about the mournes. Anything else I learn from this would be excellent benefit as I am a complete novice
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: billy backpack on April 23, 2010
This seems to have stirred some interest so do we want to try and tie down dates (to give everyone time to plan) and discuss a bit of an agenda?

So a start point could be The Antrim Hills on the weekend of 8th June .... we can work out later on what format the various activites will take, but can we agreed it will be informal and relaxing to afford everyone the chance to contribute.
Title: Re: Skills Day?
Post by: Kirth on April 23, 2010
Sounds Good to me.

Count me in, think moving it to June will give more time to to prepare stuff and let the boys get Ben Nevis over them. Then wee will have a few stories to hear.