Modern Outers

Outers.

That is the term that Nessmuk (George W. Sears) used to describe people that go to the woods to escape the din and the humdrum of life in modernity.

His was a very simple approach … one that went against the grain of the modern outers of his day.

It was a modernity where the popular trend was to haul a wagon load of gear into the woods only to have to haul it out after the trip. Newcomers to outing would usually rely on an outfitter to construct a package of gear and supplies to last for a designated period of time. Quite a few outers employed an outfitter-guide and cook to go along to do the setting up and camp chores. Going to the woods for a “vacation” was an expensive venture.

Nessmuk cut a different trail.

He, rather than hauling everything he could into the woods, rediscovered how to get along comfortably with the least he could take with him … conveyed not with wagons and boats but in a simple ruck on his back. Even his preference in canoes changed. No more large cargo hauler but something light and just big enough to safely float him and his minimal gear.

Sears is fairly well credited with being the spark that started the ultralight camping movement. A lot of what is happening in the modern woodcraft/bushcraft community is built upon the spark created by the writings and outings of Nessmuk.

We go it as simple as possible. 

We go it as light as possible. 

We go it as smart as possible. 

Our gear is generally made of more modern materials. We have made a few adjustments to the ideals. But the simplicity is similar. If Ole Nessmuk crawled out of his grave and stumbled upon one of our camps he would see the familiarity and feel right at home.

Survival has become the big word these days.

Survival … knowing how to survive in difficult and dire situations … is important. I do not downplay it at all. We live in such a dumbed down time that the vast majority of people have no clue how to survive if their lives absolutely depended upon their knowledge and skills. I am of the opinion that the vast majority of modernites are victims held captive by the glass, concrete, asphalt, goods, and services that surround them. Conveniences, entertainments, peer pressure, schedules, and advertisements have modern society in their grips. Breaking those chains and getting free of those grips is no easy thing to do.

I do not consider myself a survival instructor. The skills that I teach do naturally transfer into the survival category. I prefer, rather, to consider myself a teacher of practical common sense outdoor life-skills that possess the capability of doing a lot more than just keeping your fanny alive in a dire situation. These are life-skills that are ideally employed every day as lifestyle rather than an in-the-event life raft.

These are life-skills that assist people in transitioning away from seeing the natural world as something to SURVIVE and toward seeing that same natural world as something to ENJOY with all its diversity and challenges!

The outdoors is a vast and diverse world.

Seasons change creating different conditions to reckon with. Weather patterns within the seasons change creating different conditions to reckon with. Each change presents opportunities. Each change presents challenges. Here, on the Coastal Plain of lower Alabama, these changes … especially where precipitation and temperature changes are concerned … happen rapidly and frequently. Being prepared and knowing how to deal with the changes, opportunities, and challenges is part of the learning curve.

My primary role during our Winter Skills Camp was that of observer. I wanted to simply watch these guys perform their skills and only intervene where there was a safety issue and lend assistance only where absolutely necessary.

I was also on a personal mission.

Part of it was to do a minimal fire cold weather camp all weekend. I hung back away from campfires utilizing my layered clothing and sleep system to maintain my 98.6 and kindled a fire Saturday morning only long enough to heat a canteen cup of water for coffee. Rather than building a fire Sunday morning I borrowed some heat from another fire to heat my water. Although it wasn’t something stated to the group it was to model the reality that a huge blazing fire is not necessary when attention is given to adequate cold weather clothing … our worn shelter.

Part of the mission was to test the efficiency of the calorie dense bannock that I brought with me. It served me well but I’ll admit that I was beginning to crave some protein by midday Sunday.

I was also testing out the Roycroft pack frame and pack sack … something that I was highly impressed with. The simple thing carries a load well. It’s a bit of an adjustment getting used to the idea that I don’t have those side pockets to easily access certain items that I frequently use but it is an adjustment that I can also easily accustom myself to. Having used the thing on this trip I seriously doubt I’ll ever buy another modern pack.

Listening to the owls hooting at night.

Listening to the yipping of the coyotes.

Listening to the transitional sounds when the day critters grow silent and the night critters begin their songs. Then the morning transition when the opposite occurs.

Laying there under my shelter looking up at the 

stars that filled the sky.

Sitting there before daylight listening to the music of nature, observing the false dawn, watching daybreak as the Eastern horizon brightened with color.

Survival?

No.

That wasn’t survival.

That was SHEER PLEASURE!