-What draws you to nature?
To me, nature is everywhere, whether you're in the middle of nowhere Alaska or in downtown Chicago (the name Chicago is actually an indian word that means "land of the smelly onion," So you see, nature is even found in big cities) Bird are still chirping, trees are still growing, and water is still flowing everywhere.The difference between the two is the level of technology that is present; technology like the process of turning raw ingredients of nature into plastic for example. Broken down (over the course of many years) plastic is still made of the same things that you, me, and the entire world is made of. Realizing that nature is all encompassing, to me, "nature" in the traditional sense (middle of Alaska) is a chance to appreciate the raw ingredients that go into making our technology based civilization possible.
-What is the hardest part of wilderness survival for you?
The hardest part of surviving in the wilderness is maintaining a positive outlook. When you haven't seen water all day and you've missed your only chance at taking your dinner you can begin to feel inadequate, and like you may never see water or a meal again. If you begin to feel bad for yourself and your situation, you will die.
Being thankful for the little things helps. Warmth, shelter, food, and water even in small degrees should be cherished and not taken for granted.
-The easiest?
The easiest part of wilderness survival is learning the technical information. There are a lot of members on the wilderness-survival.net forums that can teach you everything you could ever imagine from ycc's hide tanning how-to's to crashdives homemade knife articles.
-How long have you spent doing this?
I've been camping and fishing since I was a young boy. The extras like backpacking and hunting I've only added recently. I'm 25 so there's still a lot more I have to learn and to do.
-Best experience?
Either catching my first fish or taking my first game. There's something to be said about one hunting or fishing for their food.
-Worst experience?
My worst experience was having my car break down in the middle of winter in northern Wisconsin in the middle of nowhere. When I broke down, it was -30 and was around midnight. I didn't have the blankets in my car that I now keep, so needless to say, I spent the night fighting off the shivers. The next morning in -30 degree weather, I had to walk to the nearest town and find a mechanic that could get me the parts I needed.
-Is it something anyone can do?
If you look at the world as it is. Big cities can sometimes be more wild than the traditional wild. In the wilderness you can be eaten by a bear, but you can also be shot by a mugger in a big city. They both have their predators, prey, and tools to deal with the environment. So Wilderness survival is something everyone does everyday to a certain degree.
That said, unless you win a darwin award, you can perform wilderness survival.
-Should more people learn how?
It is essential that everyone learn wilderness survival. Not only for recreation but in the event of poor fortune. The lord givith and the lord taketh away. When he taketh away, being able to improvise and use the tools you do have will mean the difference between life and death.
I'm not sure if all of these are complete thoughts or even answer the question you initially asked. However if it does, feel free to use my words in any way.
I too am interested in seeing the end product. Keep us posted.
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