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Choosing wood for a bow drill

Being able to light a fire by friction, using a bow drill is often seen as one of the key bushcraft skills. In this blog, we’re going to show you how to choose the correct wood for a bow drill and have a quick look at which types work best together.

Remember, the best way to learn how to light a fire by friction is to sign up to a bushcraft course with an experienced instructor. Click the following links to find out more about our friction fire lighting and weekend bushcraft courses.

 

Bushcraft in Dorset

 

Anatomy of a bow drill

A bow drill is composed of four main parts – the bearing block, the drill, the hearth, and the bow.  At it’s most simplistic, a bow drill works by grinding two combustible materials which are rubbed together until the material is taken beyond its auto-ignition temperature, this then creates an ember which is used to ignite timber. To find out more about how bow drills work and the anatomy of them read our blog Bow Drills a Beginners Guide.

 

 

Choosing wood for a bow drill

 

Suitable lists for your bow drill

What follows is not an exhaustive list of woods that are suitable but rather a selection of those that we consider some of the best suited to making a bow drill in the UK.


Remember, never take live wood. Look for dead wood that has not yet started to decay.
Bushcraft is about living in harmony with nature, not overcoming up.

 

Learn the art of fire lighting on our weekend bushcraft course
Click here to learn more

 

Elder (Sambucus Nigra)

Elder is native to the UK and is thought to be named after the Anglo-saxon ‘Aeld’ which means fire. This is because its hollow stems were thought to be used to blow air into embers. 

Choosing wood for a bow drill in the UK

 

Willows (Salices)

Willow (Salix or Salices) is a very varied genus. The Salix Fragilis crack willow is one of Britain’s largest native willows and grows to around 25 metres. 

Salix fragilis

 

Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Hazel is a tree that is native to the UK. Not only is it native, but it is also one of the most useful trees for bushcraft.  Throughout the ages, Hazel has been thought to protect against witchcraft, protect against evil spirits, in ancient Ireland it was considered to be the tree of knowledge.

 

Hazel trees for bow drill

 

Silver Birch (Betula Pendula)

Silver Birch is incredibly useful for bushcraft. It is also heavily bound up with Celtic mythology. In the past, it symbolized renewal and purification, love and fertility.  Silver Birch is also great for fire lighting using sparks. 

Silver Birch Bark trees

 

Learn the art of fire lighting on our weekend bushcraft course
Click here to learn more

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5 Essential Knife Skills

5 Essential Knife Skills to Learn before Going Camping [GUEST BLOG] 

This is the first in a series of guest blogs. The author of this first guest blog is from Billy at Perkin Knives (https://perkinknives.com), custom knife makers based in the UK. Read on to see what Perkins Knives has to say.

We all love to be outdoors! But being outdoor enthusiasts or adventure lovers, we need to develop a certain set of skills. Of all the varied skills that the outdoor enthusiast needs,  knowing how to make the best use of a knife is possibly one of the most important.

A knife is an irreplaceable part of your outdoor kit, and knowing how to use it makes your time in the outdoors much easier and enjoyable. Knowing how to use a knife for bushcraft and camping though first relies on having chosen the right type of camping/bushcraft knife.  Perkin Knives are one of the best custom knife makers in all of UK. They sell a wide range of premium quality knives from Bowie to hunting to camping to bushcraft to a hatchet to axes and even choppers.


Important knife skills that you need to have before going camping 

 

You may bring home a brand-new premium quality camping knife for your upcoming camping trip. But, the story doesn’t just end there. The bottom line is that you need to learn how to use it in a smart and efficient manner. This is the only way you can ensure that the knife is useful when it’s actually needed, or else it gets reduced to just a worthless piece of sharp metal. So, on that note, let’s take a look at some of the most essential knife skills:

  1.       Fire Starting
     Knowing how to start a fire is totally crucial in every sense of the word. You need to use your knife to ignite a Ferro rod as it’s one of the most convenient ways to start a fire. Ferro rods can be used thousands of times, so you don’t want to skip this part of learning. You should practice with both dry and wet materials, maybe at your own backyard, before trying to use this skill for real.

  2.       Chopping:
    This skill can be best honed at home, before you set out camping. You just need to have a firm grip on the knife at all times. You can chop up branches and wooden sticks to collect all the firewood you need to start a fire.

  3.       Feather sticks:
    This is one of the most important knife skills to learn. By knowing this, you can light up a fire even when it’s damp, or all when other methods have failed. This skill is not rocket science, but it’s not a piece of cake either! Practice makes perfect, right?

  4.       Carving:
    Carving helps you to construct super useful tools like spoons, bowl. etc., when you are out in the wild. This process is both fun and also helps to make use of whatever’s lying around you. So, basically you could carve anything and everything starting from weapons to utensils to baskets, cooking tripods etc.

  5.       Food preparation:

    You could use a knife to prepare your food when you are out camping. From preparing vegetables to small game butchery, a knife is an essential tool for wilderness food preparation.

These are just a few of the basic knife skills that you will need for bushcraft and camping adventures. Remember, practice makes perfect and it all starts with choosing the right tool for the job.

Learn more about knife and axe skills in these blogs from Wildway Bushcraft:

How to sharpen your bushcraft knife
https://www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk/how-to-sharpen-your-bushcraft-knife/

How to choose a bushcraft axe
https://www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk/choose-bushcraft-axe/

How to sharpen your bushcraft axe
https://www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk/sharpen-axe/

The best way to perfect your knife skills is to join our weekend bushcraft course.
Click here for more information

Sharpen your bushcraft knife

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Edible Plants in the UK Spring

Spring is well and truly here, despite the recent weather in certain parts of the country. With it, spring brings the chance for the keen outdoors and bushcraft enthusiast to find some of the edible plants that we have here in the UK.

Read on to learn more about some of the edible plants that we have in this country and there uses.

Before we start though, remember, never eat anything that you
have not positively identified as edible.

 

Garlic Mustard 

Foraging in Spring UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garlic Mustard is also known as ‘hedge garlic’ or ‘jack-by-the-hedge’. Its Latin names are Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (A. officinalis, Erysimum alliaria, Sisymbrium alliaria). The plant is most commonly found in damp shaded areas, such as at the edge of woodlands or in hedges. Typically, it doesn’t spread onto arable land.  

It flowers from April through to May with seeds being shed in July. The plant is edible and is most commonly used as a salad green and has an odor of garlic, a characteristic which is helpful in identifying it.

Join our weekend bushcraft course for an introduction to foraging
Click here for more information

Wood Sorrel

Edible plants UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Sorrel, or to give the plant it’s proper Latin name Oxalis acetosella grows in woodland, hedgerows and river banks throughout the British Isles. It typically flowers from April through to May although, depending upon the weather it may flower for a second time in the summer.

Although the plant is edible it should only be eaten in small quantities as it does contain oxalic acid which is thought to cause kidney damage. It is recommended that children don’t eat Wood Sorrel at all. 

 

Join our weekend bushcraft course for an introduction to foraging
Click here for more information

 

Wild Strawberries 

Edible plants UK

 

Wild strawberries are very different, and in our opinion more delicious, than their shop bought counterparts. Their official Latin name is Fragaria vesca and they produce tiny, edible red fruits.

Wild strawberries in the UK are most typically found in open woodland and scrubland. They particularly thrive in limestone and chalk downland soils.  They are most likely to be spotted from April through to August, it can easily be identified by its tiny heart-shaped red fruits growing on the outside of the plant.

 

Pignuts

Edible plants UK  

Pignuts, properly called Conopodium majus is a small plant with edible underground tubers. It is best to forage Pignuts in the spring as once the leaves and flowering heads die back they leave no above ground presence.

They are most commonly found in open woodlands, hedgerows and dry grasslands. They are a member of the carrot family and have fine and delicate flowers on delicate branched stems when pignuts flower they have small white flowers.

The tubers are edible and are not bad tasting. They are eaten by digging down under the plant and extracting the tuber – typically found about 20 cm under the ground.

Stinging nettles

Edible plants in the UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The much-maligned stinging nettle is actually an incredibly versatile plant in the hands of the experienced bushcraft enthusiast. Found in gardens, hedgerows, woodlands and very many other places the common stinging nettle can be found throughout the UK all year round.  Also known by its Latin name of Urtica dioica the leaves of the nettle are edible and are best picked throughout spring.

For the best tasting experience, pick them when it has dried off after a recent rain shower. The stinging part is neutralized by boiling or blanching it.  After this, the leave can be used as you would do a leafy vegetable such as spinach.

Nettles have very many other uses for the keen bushcraft person. The stems can be used for cordage and the leaves can be used for making tea.

 

Join our weekend bushcraft course for an introduction to foraging
Click here for more information

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What To Expect On Our River Spey Trip

On the 8th-14th of July, 2019, we will be running our annual canoeing expedition along the river Spey. With only four months to go until this amazing trip, we thought that we would have a look ahead at what you can expect on this incredible expedition.

About the River Spey

The river Spey is one of the most incredible rivers in Scotland. It runs from Loch Spey in the Scottish Highlands through to Moray Firth at Spey Bay. It is the third longest and fastest-flowing river in Scotland and the ninth largest river in Scotland.

 

canoeing trips with Wildway Bushcraft

 

Where we will travel

On our river Spey expedition, we will be traveling from Loch Insh all the way down to Spey Bay. It will run for five incredible bays which will transport you through some of Scotland’s wildest scenery.  The river is home to some amazing wildlife, including Atlantic Salmon, otters, seals, deer and Bottlenose Dolphins have even been spotted in Spey Bay. Who knows what you might be lucky enough to see. If you would like to learn more about the wildlife on the river Spey then read our blog here.

Sign up for more information on our 2019 trip!

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DISCOVER MORE ABOUT OUR RIVER SPEY TRIP

CLICK HERE

 

Camp out under the stars

As we travel down the Spey we will be wild camping along the river each night. Setting up under the stars we will have a campfire and a chance to sit around an enjoy the remote scenery. If you would like to learn some bushcraft skills we will be running small demonstrations each evening, but these are not compulsory.

Sign up for more information on our 2019 trip!

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Canoeing prep

Hazel helping out with some last minute canoeing prep.

No experience necessary

While some paddling experience is obviously an advantage no experience is required for joining our river Spey canoeing trip. The expert paddlers at Wildway Bushcraft will provide you with tuition and there will be a chance to practice a bit of paddling before getting on the Spey. We do provide you with dry bags to keep your kit safe, but it is best to pack lightly as space in the boats is limited. If you have any questions about what you need to bring then don’t hesitate to contact us on john@wildwaybushcraft.co.uk .  You do need to be over 15 in order to come on this trip and all under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult.


Truly a once in a lifetime experience

Our river Spey trip is truly a once in a lifetime trip. Imagine, five days in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, slowly making your way down the river and camping out under the stars every evening.

Watch our video below to see what you can expect on our amazing canoeing expedition.

 

WATCH: a film of our Spey canoe expedition. This film shows the highlights of 2018's week-long canoeing expedition along the Spey. Click the link below to learn more about 2019's trip and to book your space: https://www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk/product/river-spey-bushcraft-canoe-expedition/

Posted by Wildway Bushcraft on Monday, 16 July 2018

 

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT OUR RIVER SPEY TRIP

CLICK HERE

Sign up for more information on our 2019 trip!

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Bushcraft knife skills – feather sticks

In this blog, we’re going to be looking at knife skills for bushcraft. In particular, we will be looking at how to use a knife to make feather sticks. Feather sticks are a great fire lighting tool and can help you to get a fire started in damp or even wet conditions. Read on to learn more about the bushcraft knife skills needed to create feather sticks.

 

 

First, a word on knives

 

Knife skills for bushcraft


A knife is often seen as a key part of a bushcraft enthusiast’s kit. Topics on ‘which’ knives are popular on many bushcraft internet forums, and knives are often fetishized among certain groups of bushcraft enthusiasts. We believe though that a knife is a tool and, like any tool, a knife is made to be used – not locked away and only ever taken out to look at. Also, like any tool, you need the skills to use it. Read on to learn more about knife skills for bushcraft and how to make feather sticks. 

 

Learn knife skills, book our weekend bushcraft course

CLICK HERE

 

Making feather sticks

bushcraft knife skills

 

When it comes to knife skills for bushcraft, feather sticks, like almost everything else, doesn’t start with the knife, it starts with choosing your materials.  Whatever you are doing in bushcraft, you should be looking to be using standing, deadwood. Bushcraft is about being in harmony with nature, not overcoming it.

Learn knife skills, book our weekend bushcraft course

CLICK HERE

Choosing wood for feather sticks

The wood that you should be looking for when it comes to feather sticks should be standing dead wood. The wood should be around the thickness of your arm and about the length of your extended middle finger to your elbow.

 

Knife skills for feather sticks

The first bushcraft knife skill that you will need for making feather sticks is battoning. Battoning is splitting wood by placing your knife on top of the wood and then, making sure that about an inch or so of the tip of the blade protrudes over the edge of the wood. Gentle tap the blade, being sure to hit it along the centre, into the wood. Keep bashing the knife into the wood until it splits, then repeat the process until you have split the piece of wood that you have chosen into four. 

Learn knife skills, book our weekend bushcraft course

CLICK HERE

 

Using your knife to make feather sticks

The next knife skill that you will need involves making the curls that form the feather sticks. To learn how to do this, watch the video below.

 

 

Weekend bushcraft course

Sharpen your bushcraft knife


On our weekend bushcraft course we will introduce you to some basic knife skills. We will show you several knife techniques that you need for basic bushcraft skills and how best to put these into practice.  Our Intermediate Bushcraft Course will introduce you to more advanced techniques in a way that enables you to live out in the woods for a week. 

Learn knife skills, book our weekend bushcraft course

CLICK HERE

 

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Friction Fire Lighting on Our Weekend Bushcraft Course

The ability to light a fire by friction is one of the fundamental skills of bushcraft. It is a skill which our ancestors perfected over millennia, before, sadly, losing these skills in the face of industrialization. Mastering this skill though can give you a huge degree of freedom. Once you are truly comfortable with bushcraft, you will be able to go into the woods with nothing other than what you are wearing, and live comfortably. As we like to say here at Wildway Bushcraft, it’s about more than ‘just survival’.

Read on to learn more about the origins of friction fire-lighting, what you can learn on our weekend bushcraft course, how to perfect your technique, and how we can help you.

 

 

Origins of friction fire-lighting

Learn friction fire lighting on our course

Friction fire-lighting is a skill that has been around as long as humans. There is even evidence of fire being used by Homo Erectus around one million years ago. The fact that our ancestors were able to light fires and, importantly, replicate this technique whenever they were called upon to do so, ensured the survival of our species. There is a range of academic theories that believe fire lighting began with exploiting natural fires, such as lightning strikes. This then evolved into our ability to transport embers, then, eventually master the art of friction fire lighting.  

CLICK HERE TO BOOK OUR BUSHCRAFT COURSE

 

Friction fire-lighting on our weekend course

Friction fire lighting UK

Our weekend bushcraft course, held in beautiful woodland on the Dorset/Hampshire border, introduces you to the basics of friction fire-lighting. If you already have a degree of knowledge around friction fire-lighting, then our instructors are willing to work with you to help you to develop your skills further.  

 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK OUR BUSHCRAFT COURSE

Introduction to bow-drill

Bow drill ember

 

 

On our Weekend Bushcraft Course, we will introduce you to the basics of bow-drill techniques. Having shown you how to use a knife in a way that enables you to make the cuts needed to construct a bow-drill. From there, we will show you how you can use your bow-drill to hopefully get an ember.  If you’ve never heard of a bow-drill before, have a look at our blog on perfecting your bow drill technique.

 

Develop your technique further

Our courses are very flexible. As we’ve said, if you have a basic level of understanding, then we are willing to work with you to help you to get the most out of our sessions.  If you would like a specialist fire lighting session then book on to our one day friction fire lighting course.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FRICTION FIRE LIGHTING COURSE

 

Let us help you!

friction fire lighting from Wildway bushcraft
Have a go at making your own bow drill and practice your technique at home. Upload photos to our Facebook group here and let us know how well you are getting on with your bow drill. We will try our best to help you from a distance!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK OUR BUSHCRAFT COURSE
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Shelter Building Basics

Shelter Building Basics – What You Need to Know

 

Shelter building is one of the fundamentals of bushcraft. It is often more important for you to find shelter than it is to find food or water. Remember the rule of threes; three hours without shelter, three days without water and three weeks without food. This is obviously an extreme time scale, but it does show the importance of shelter building skills in bushcraft.

 

Basics of shelter building 

Read on to learn more about the basics of shelter building. For the sake of this blog, we are going to assume that you are in the woods with good tools and all the kit you should have.  Find out more about our guide to choosing a bushcraft axe here.

 

Basics of shelter building

Learn the basics of shelter building

 

 

What does your shelter need to do?

The first thing to consider when thinking about building your shelter is to ask, ‘what does it need to do?’. Think about the weather, how long you are likely to be staying in the area, how many people does it need to protect and how long do you have to build it? Asking yourself questions such as these before you start will save you time in the long run. 

 

 

Shelter building with wildway

 

Location of your shelter 

One of the most important considerations, once you’ve determined the purpose of your shelter, is the location. Long term shelters will need to be closer to a source of water than those that are just being used for a night or two. Your shelter also needs to be in close proximity to the materials that you will need to use to build it. Think about it this way, do you really want to be walking to and from to get water and materials or should you not just bring the shelter to the source. 

chose a location for your sehlter

Learn the basics of shelter building

Time and energy

The amount of daylight remaining and the amount of energy that you have left will also determine the type of shelter you should build. Late in the day and after a long walk you will want to build the simplist shelter possible. You can always work on it the next day if you are staying there for a while. 

 

Shelter building from Wildway Bushcraft

Natural aids 

Having chosen the location of your shelter and decided on what type of shelter you are going to build, have a look around at what natural features there are that could help you. Look for fallen tree branches that could make the basis of a lean-to, are there any caves in the vicinity that could shelter you? Natural features such as these can save you loads of time and make your shelter incredibly stable.  

How to learn shelter building basics 

The best way to learn shelter building is to join a course with an experienced bushcraft instructor. Our Weekend Bushcraft Course is accredited by the IOL and covers all the basics of bushcraft, including shelter building. During the course, we will teach you how to build a shelter in the woods and then give you the option of sleeping in it. If you would rather sleep in a tent or under a tarp then you are welcome to! 

Join our Weekend Bushcraft Course

Learn shelter building with Wildway Bushcraft

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A Look Ahead to Our River Spey Trip

On the 8th -14th of July 2019 we will be running a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip, canoeing along the river Spey. This incredible trip will begin on Loch Insh and continue all the way down, through the beautiful Scottish countryside until we reach Spey Bay. Read on to learn more about this amazing trip and how you can sign up for more information.

 

Canoeing on the Spey

Gentle paddling

What to expect

Our river Spey canoe expedition starts at the beautiful Loch Insh in the Highlands region of Scotland. Situated seven miles south of Aviemore, in the heart of Badenoch and Strathspey. From there, we wind our way down the river Spey, camping under the stars along the river each night, until we reach Spey Bay.
As we canoe down the river Spey you will have a chance to pick up some bushcraft skills as we camp each evening. Alternatively, you can just relax and revel in the beautiful surrounding scenery.

Watch the video below for a glimpse of what to expect on your river Spey trip.

WATCH: a film of our Spey canoe expedition. This film shows the highlights of 2018's week-long canoeing expedition along the Spey. Click the link below to learn more about 2019's trip and to book your space: https://www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk/product/river-spey-bushcraft-canoe-expedition/

Posted by Wildway Bushcraft on Monday, 16 July 2018

 

About the Spey

The river Spey is the ninth longest river in the UK and one of the fastest flowing in Scotland. Famous for its salmon fishing and use in whisky production, the Spey flows for 107 miles (172 km) from Loch Spey to Spey Bay.

 

Experience required

While you don’t need to be an expert paddler to join our river Spey trip we do ask that you have a reasonable level of fitness and are able to swim. All under 18s do need to be accompanied by an adult.

Chance to practice

You will have a chance to get up to speed and practice paddling on the loch before our adventure begins. While some previous canoeing experience would be of value it is not absolutely necessary. Throughout the trip, our expert and highly trained course leaders will be on hand to provide you with canoe tuition, no matter what your level of skill.

 

Wildlife you might see 

Wildlife Scotland Spey

 

The beautiful river Spey is home to a wide variety of fantastic wildlife. While we can’t guarantee that you will see everything that there is to see – after all, nature is unpredictable – hopefully you will spot something.  In the summer Bottlenose Dolphins are regularly spotted in Spey bay; Atlantic Salmon swim throughout the length of the river, otters and seals dart from its banks and Ospreys soar overhead. Find out more information about the fantastic range of wildlife on the river Spey in our blog here. 

 

Equipment

 

Wildway Bushcraft river Spey

Throughout the trip, all safety and technical equipment will be provided by Wildway Bushcraft. If, however, you have your own buoyancy aid please do bring it with you. In addition to all the technical and safety equipment, we will also provide you with dry bags, these will help to keep your stuff dry throughout our trip. 

 

Camping equipment

Each night of the trip we will wild camp alongside the beautiful river. As such, you will need to bring your own camping equipment. We do have a comprehensive kit list which can be found here. If you have any questions about the kit required for this trip then don’t hesitate to email us on john@wildwaybushcraft.co.uk .

Sign up for more information 

If you would like to know more about our river Spey trip then fill in the form below. We won’t spam you, we hate it when companies do that, but we will keep you updated about this trip and send you relevant information.

Sign up for more information on our 2019 trip!

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Course Dates 2019

We at Wildway Bushcraft are excited to announce the dates of our courses for 2019. It’s an exciting year ahead with highlights including our River Spey Canoe Trip, Women’s Only Bushcraft Course and our Intermediate Bushcraft Course to name but a few. Read on to find out more about our courses and click on the links below to book your space!  

Foundation in Bushcraft Skills and Wilderness Living Course Level 2 – Weekend Bushcraft Course. (IOL Accredited Course).

Course dates for 2019


8-10 February
8-10 March
12-14 April
24-26 May
7-9 June
26-28 July
9-11 August
13-15 September
18-20 October
22-24 November

One Day Bushcraft Course

Weekend bushcraft courses UK Dorset Hampshire

9 February
9 March
13 April
25 May
8 June
27 July
10 August
14 September
19 October
23 November

Spoon Carving Course

Sharpen your bushcraft axe

30 March
21 September

River Spey Canoe Expedition

Seawater into drinking water
Takes your breath away.

27 – 31 May

Women Only One Day Bushcraft Course

Friction fire course

16 March
17 August

Friction Fire Lighting Course

family bushcraft course

17 March
18 August

Intermediate Bushcraft Course

Clothing for winter camping

28 September – 2 October

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Snow Shelters to Try

It is nearly Christmas, the winter has well and truly arrived and the world seems to be hibernating. So, at this time of year, we thought that we would have a bit of fun by looking at the different types of snow shelter that, give enough snow, you could practice making. If you do get round to trying any of these out then it is a good idea to have someone close by – mostly to be impressed by your skills but also to dig you out if needs be. As always feel free to skip to the section that interests you the most by using the links below.

Quinzee  

Snow shelter

The Quinzee type of shelter is best used on flat areas of ground and can be built using soft snow.  It is essentially a mound of snow with the middle hollowed out and an entrance bug out. The easiest way to build a quinzee is to pile your gear, particularly if you are in a group, into the intended centre of your shelter and then pile snow over the top – this will then allow you to easily hollow out your shelter by removing your gear.  The pile of snow should be around 7-8 feet high (just over two metres) so that it forms a dome. The snow should then be left to harden for around 90 minutes after which an entrance can be dug out and the inside hollowed out. Be sure to bring a bothy bag or equivalent to keep warm in while you wait for the snow to harden.

TREAT SOMEONE TO A
WILDWAY BUSHCRAFT VOUCHER

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOURS TODAY

 

Snow grave


A snow grave is an easily constructed snow shelter, typically used in an emergency. Snow graves can be easily constructed using an ice axe and are best constructed on flat areas of ground. Simply in their construction, they simply involve digging out an area that is slightly wider and deeper than your body. After the hollow has been dug cut some slabs to put over the top of the grave to further shelter you from the elements. Make sure that everything, apart from your warm clothes and sleeping bag – obviously – are placed below you in order to further insulate your body from the ground.

 

TREAT SOMEONE TO A
WILDWAY BUSHCRAFT VOUCHER

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOURS TODAY

Igloo

snow shelters

Due to their association with Eskimos Igloos are, by many, considered the quintessential snow shelter. In order to construct an igloo, you need harden, packed snow which can be cut into slabs. The maximum dimensions for an igloo need to be less than around ten feet (3.4 metres) in diameter, anything bigger than this becomes almost impossible to construct in the field. Cut blocks of snow and arrange them in a circle formation which spirals upwards to the roof. Remember to pack the snow down on each block so that it is as hard as it can be.

 

Kit

Below we have listed a few pieces of kit that are essential for going out into the woods during winter or at any time of the year.

 

Further Reading

Here are some other blogs that might be of interest, use the arrows to navigate between them.

 

Lighting a fire in damp conditions

Family Bushcraft

family bushcraft course

Weekend Bushcraft Course

refresh your bushcraft courses UK Dorset Hampshire

What the woods mean to Wildway

Understanding your sleeping kit

 

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