Pictures say a thousand words...

Here are some of the pictures from our Bushcraft & Wilderness Survival Course with Mors Kochanski at Jack Mountain Bushcraft in New Hampshire.

Me and the Mors!

I think I will let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves.

Thanks for reading (or looking, in this case...)

Decado.

Thanks for the amazing time...

I will be posting some information about the fantastic time I had at Jack Mountain Bushcraft in New Hampshire with Mors Kochanski over the next couple of days but I just wanted to drop a post now to say thanks to everyone.

First of all I wanted to thank Tim Smith and his family from Jack Mountain Bushcraft for being an incredibly generous host while I was there. Tim made everyone feel right at home and was always available when you needed something. Tim's particular brand of 'social humor' while coupled with his professionalism, made him one of the easiest people to work with that I have ever met. The school facilities were great and the resources that any student had access to was brilliant. A chance to test out one of Mors styled "super shelter" for a couple of nights made it all the better! Thanks Tim!

To say that Mors Kochanski is a good instructor is like saying Canada has a few people living in it! Mors 'down-to-earth' nature (no pun intended) vast wealth of knowledge was if nothing else.... inspiring! His easy manner ,and talent as a speaker, made it an incredible experience and his saying "The more you know, the less you carry" really came to life during his training. I have learned so much in the short time I was there. He is an inspiring person to be with and his stories and humor will be something I will remember for the rest of my life! Thank you Mors!

I had the pleasure of driving down to the site with Mungo on the friday. Although the drive was long and at some times mildly frustrating, Mungo was a great companion, and his enthusiasm made the trip that much easier. Thanks Mungo! Looking forward many more trips with you in the future.

To Shawn, thanks for hanging with the wierd Canadian, it was great. To Frank, thanks for all the taping you did and the conversations we had (not to mention the paracord!). And to all the other students that I had a chance to speak with, thanks to each of you and best of luck in the future!

My time over the 4 days was more than I could have expected and I will remember it for a long long time!

Thanks again to everyone!

It's confirmed!

Just got the email this morning from Tim at Jack Mountain Bushcraft! I am confirmed for the Bushcraft course with Mors Kochanski! I booked the time of work, promised myself that I would get a bunch of stuff done around the house for my wife before I go (when she is happy.... we are happy.... Gentlemen, you know what I am saying?) I made adjustments on Google maps to figure out the best route. Click here if you want to see it. Not much for liking the "Cut through Montreal" route that was first suggested. (Sorry Mungo!) The route adds a bit of time but its less kilometers. Should be an interesting drive.

Started working on my kit list. Not sure if I should treat it like a Base Camp and add a few extra comforts, or just focus on my Bushcraft kit and only take the things I want to use or test. Hrmmmm,.... decisions, decisions..... Then again, I am one of those people that could spend days on end, playing around with my kit. Trying this and that and spending hours just working it through in my head, packing and un-packing. I am probably the only person that has those tendancies huh?

Ok so on to the list. So far I know I am taking:

Shelter:

• Hennessy Hammock (that's right people! I have the original Hennessy! Been a hammock camper for about 10 years now)
  Still like sleeping on the ground when the time/conditions are right but with a Hennessy I can move sideways and lay darn near flat!


• -7c Sleeping bag - I have been reading a couple of the bushcraft blogs out there and I have been seeing more and more comments about how wool blankets are more versitile. I couldn't agree more but I need to play around with them a bit to get myself the right bedroll. I always have a few in the back of the car just in case anyways.



• Gortex Bivvy sack - always handy if I decide to ground it and the weather is wet. Plus it increase the bag rating by about 10 degrees so I have been told. (thats celsius)


• Blue foam pad - actually I got myself a 'manly' green one that is a smidge thicker.


• 3/4 length Therma-rest - have not used this in a while... might just take it in case.


• MEC Scout Tarp - its a bit heavier that the more expensive Sil-Tarp I have but I just seem to like setting this one up more.
  
• Extra rope and cordage etc.
  
• Army Half-tent/Poncho - I have had this since I was a teenager. I got it at a Surplus store I worked at for a short time in Kitchener. Though a bit heavy I can button it up over me and the pack when its raining or set it up with a couple of sticks to make a half tent shelter. It is handy and rugged enough to not get a hole in it from laying it on the ground. I usually end up laying this over me when I do winter camping in my teepee to keep the sparks off the nylon..... I hate sparks! It looks like half of this:
  
  

Well gotta get back to life.

Thanks for reading,

Excitement isn't the word for it!

From my last post I asked anyone reading if they knew of Bushcraft courses or groups in Ontario that were available. Well no one made a comment on anything going on in 'Ontario' (kind of sad that there isn't much!)

BUT! Mongo did drop me a comment and put me on to the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School website.

They have some great courses and they are located in New Hampshire. Well yes.... its not Ontario.... and yes it's about a 10 hour drive to get there.... but.... A chance to learn Bushcraft and Outdoor Survival with Mors Kochanski? Hell Yeah!.... ehem...... sorry. Got a little carried away there.

I contacted Tim Smith, M.Ed.Founder And Owner Of Jack Mountain Bushcraft & Guide Service by email, asking if there was any places left in the "Bushcraft and Survival with Mors Kochanski" (basic and advanced). Well guess who got the last spot on both courses! (insert embarassing dance of joy!)

Look out New Hampshire! Here comes Decado! Oh wait..... that means I need to pack! Oh-oh.... better start now.... I only have 3 weeks! Gotta' go!


Thanks for reading,