A Cody Lundin Quote

**rebel** · 11-20-2009, 09:18 PM

"Over time, the repetition of survival assumptions, half-truths, or outright lies became an all-too-trusting public's "truth" about outdoor survival and primaive living skills. The majority of the public didn't care (and still don't). A plethroia of survial books, as well, have been written by authors who are not survival instructors; and, judging by their works, they haven't bothered to try out the supposed lifesaving skills the regurgitate upon the page. Even more common are survival skills practionioners who, while proficient in many physical skills, don't psychologically live what they teach. This "walk-the-talk" concept goes much deeper than simply doing a hand drill every other morning while living in the city. It is an all-encompassing life attitude that affects every decision one makes in their quest to do more with less. All within their environment. The quest for the all-important calorie ruled the day, and there was no time or consciousness for complicated, flashy skills that didn't put meat in the pot. In essence, truly living a self-reliant life (whether the lifestyle incorporates literal "stone-age" skills or not) demands a lifstyle commitment on all levels that few can stomach".
Ultimate guide to wilderness living by John and Geri McPherson

**Sourdough** · 11-20-2009, 09:35 PM

I am rereading for the fourth time: "The Wilderness of Denali" a great book written by Charles Sheldon. He lived in a 6'X7' Wall tent for two years, where Cody Died. O'yea it was 1906-1908. (Strange who we choose to worship as a society).

**rebel** · 11-21-2009, 06:18 PM

For some reason Lundin's quote hit me like a bolt from the blue. It made me self-reflect on where I was with wilderness survival. I've been comfortable and confident with the use of modern man-made items. The things you hope to have when you need them. Such as, a knife, firesteel, paracord, etc. Why not be just as comfortable and confident with primative skills? If you can master friction fire making, cordage and tool making from natural objects, having the modern gear is insurance for success.

**Mertell** · 11-21-2009, 07:34 PM

Sourdough:
I have also read "Wilderness of Denali" by Charles Sheldon.

I shall put it this way: The list of books worthy of a 4th reading is rather short, but "Denali" makes the list!

Is that why you live in Alaska?

-Mert

**Sourdough** · 11-21-2009, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Mertell

Sourdough:
I have also read "Wilderness of Denali" by Charles Sheldon.

I shall put it this way: The list of books worthy of a 4th reading is rather short, but "Denali" makes the list!

Is that why you live in Alaska?-Mert

Old' Sourdough saying, "The Body must reside near the HEART".

**Ken** · 11-21-2009, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

Old' Sourdough saying, "The Body must reside near the HEART".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6d03gbmAzc

Do you know they have 22 restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf that serve Dungeness Crab?

**Rick** · 11-21-2009, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

The Body must reside near the HEART

And vice versa I would think.

**Pict** · 11-22-2009, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by rebel

For some reason Lundin's quote hit me like a bolt from the blue. It made me self-reflect on where I was with wilderness survival. I've been comfortable and confident with the use of modern man-made items. The things you hope to have when you need them. Such as, a knife, firesteel, paracord, etc. Why not be just as comfortable and confident with primative skills? If you can master friction fire making, cordage and tool making from natural objects, having the modern gear is insurance for success.

I look look at wilderness survival and bushcraft as two separate skill sets.

I know that in central Brazil I can put 10-12 lbs of survival gear in a daypack and do just fine to cover my needs for shelter, fire, water, singals, navigation, food, and minor medical. At 15 lbs I'm starting to get into items that just make me comfortable.

Learning to cover those needs with just a machete making use of natural resources is a whole 'nother level of knowledge and skill. I would say most of my time spent in the bush is in pursuit of these "Bushcraft" skills.

There are several factors that I think modern people miss when they approach this subject. Primitive people carried what they considered to be essential kit as well and when they didn't have it they often went cold and hungry too. They also have the benefit of collecting the correct resources from their environment over the span of the entire growing season and as a collective group effort. That group effort also includes intimate group knowledge of the local area.

I'm reminded of the Ray Mears episode in which he was learning all sorts of stuff from a group of natives in Venezuela. When it came to making friction fire they admitted that they had heard it could be done (and were on the right track to do it) but they had never actually seen it done.

Mac

**your_comforting_company** · 11-22-2009, 08:05 AM

Rebel, that is a great quote and I must admit that the McPhersons really summed up how I feel about primitive skills. The quote in my signature is an excerpt from the introduction to the 5th book, where John rants about peoples dependence on modern technology and the obligatory ignorance that follows dependence.
I love the McPhersons books and as far as I'm concerned, they are top of the line for wilderness living skills. They not only write great instructionals, they actually practice what they preach.
I do my best to follow their example. I won't simply regurgitate something I've read without going out and doing it, failing miserably many times, succeeding a few and learning with my own hands. It is appalling how many authors think they can tell you what to do, what works, and how to apply it, but they have never actually seen or done any of it. Reading and doing are two completely different things.

One thing I want to add is the difference between primitive skills and wilderness living skills. Primitive means "first". that means go all the way back to the stone age and do things with no metal tools, and only things that occur in nature. wilderness living is different in that you take into account that you find modern things like tin cans, buckets, pieces of metal, etc, that can be used. Lets face it.. this isn't the stone age and you can find objects laying around in junkpiles that can be used to help sustain life with only minor modifications. I call this "improvisation skills" though that might not be right. one good example is finding old glass bottles that can be broken and knapped into usable knives or points. Primitive peoples didn't know how to make glass or metal, but as soon as they found a way to get it, they took up using them.
I love the McPhersons books.
good post!