News Archives
Ben and Lisa have been busy overseas this winter, and have recently returned from the awe-inspiring winter wonderland of the Maine North Woods, which has just had one of its harshest winters in years. They had a fantastic experience, both learning and employing the traditional winter travelling skills of the North Woods. Ben and Lisa spent most of their stay in a canvas walled tent at well down the zero’s whilst acquiring many valuable trail skills such as reading ice for safety. In addition they learned about how to make their own outfit using time-tested methods; they prepared their own traditional Cree toboggan, Ojibwa snowshoes and winter clothing such as mukluks and hide/canvas mittens worn by the natives of Labrador. Thanks to Garret and Alexandra Conover, who taught them so much about winter living and trail skills.
We are currently making plans to launch a winter skills expedition next year, in conjunction with North Woods Ways. We are also really excited to be working with the founders of North Woods Ways
- Garrett and Alexandra Conover. In addition to being inspiring
company, they are renowned Maine Guides and internationally recognised
experts in traditional winter travel skills. The Conover’s are also
respected authors, having written some of the most authoritative and
valuable books on wilderness travel, including Beyond the Paddle and the Snow Walker's Companion.
The planned two-week expedition will involve learning classic winter survival skills and snow tracking, whilst undertaking a 10-day snowshoeing journey, using traditional clothing and equipment, pulling your gear on toboggans through the unspoiled wilderness of Northern Maine. The proposed date will be late January to early February next year to guarantee pristine snow conditions. Accommodation will be in wood-heated canvas tents. The days will be spent trekking through breathtaking scenery, and the nights enjoying classic pioneer trail food, good company and watching the aurora borealis. This trip is still in the early planning phases, but promises to be a really special expedition.
If you think you would like to join us on the winter trail, please send us an email to register your interest.
Steve Smith has just re-styled and re-launched his ‘Open River Canoe Adventures’ website, you can find it here. The new site is packed full of photos, course details and trip reports from Steve’s recent adventures.
Steve is just back from Lake Malawi, where his party encountered elephants, crocodiles, hippos,
storms, 6 ft swells, malaria, scorpions, snakes and parasitic worms –
as well as crystal clear waters, full of beautiful tropical fish,
picture-perfect sandy beaches, and spectacular thunderstorms. Summing
up his most recent trip, he says, “Lake Malawi really is quite something. It encompasses the raw wilds of Africa with dream-like paddling environments.”
Dr. Stephen Quilley of the One Planet Institute project is currently researching possibilities for constructing a new academic program in Bushcraft Studies. If you are interested in the proposed MSc Bustcraft Studies please take a look here and register your initial interest. You may also email him directly at s.quilley@pol.keele.ac.uk
We have added a new 'Reviews' page to the website. Matt and Steve have already added a couple of book reviews. To read them, click here.
Back Off Badgers!
The RSPCA is reacting with horror and disbelief to the muddled suggestion by a select committee of MPs that badger-culling might help reduce cattle tuberculosis (TB) in some areas. Help by signing the petition before the government makes the decision to proceed with a mass slaughter of one of Britain's most loved mammals.
"Any attempt at badger-culling flies in the face of sound scientific judgement," says John Rolls, the RSPCA's director of animal welfare promotion.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) public consultation on badger-culling prompted a record 47,472 responses, 95% of which opposed a cull.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has launched a national campaign, called Chicken Out!
Part of it is the new TV series on Channel 4, which will help you to
understand the conditions in which most table birds are reared, and to
put pressure on the industry to raise its standards. Chicken Out! is about boycotting intensively-reared chickens and choosing free range instead. As
well as choosing free-range you can register your support on this
website. Hugh needs thousands of signatures to convince supermarkets,
farmers, government regulators and anyone else involved in this
unacceptable business that they must change. Click on the logo to sign
up.
As a result of recent climatic temperature rises,
there has been a huge rise in cases of Lyme Disease (spread by ticks)
throughout the UK, from the South Downs to the Highlands. There has
also been an increase in Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) amongst
travellers to mainland Europe.
Ticks are common in woodland, heathland and in particular areas where deer graze (they have also been found in London's urban parks). If you want to learn how to recognise the diseases that they carry, visit the MASTA 'Tick Alert' website.
Ben has been asked to speak at the RGS's 'Explore' exhibition in November - giving a short talk on the main stage on 'Five things you need to know about living in a wilderness environment'.
Are you planning an expedition, fieldwork or exploration in 2007?
If so this might be just what your looking for - Explore is the place to find the inspiration, contacts and practical advice you need. Explore is the starting point for hundreds of expeditions each year. The emphasis is on small projects with a research component, but anyone planning an overseas expedition, or fieldwork is welcome.
Ben and Lisa will be there all weekend - so please feel free to come and meet us, and have a chat on the Land Rover stand.
A
blatant display of nepotism to advertise my folk’s place in Gascogne.
They have renovated a beautiful old farmhouse into a sizeable
Gite for hire (pictured left). It has a private swimming pool, stocked
carp pond, a help-yourself organic vegetable garden and is surrounded
by woodland and lakes,
and is less than an hours drive to the Pyrenees. This is a great place
to
relax for a week or two. For more details, check out www.mcnuttinfrance.com
Environmental Commitment - Woodsmoke is committed to a ‘minimum impact’ environmental ethos, not only when on the trail, in the field teaching, but also in the office.
Our brochure literature and all the stationary that we use is made from recycled paper, with a high percentage of post consumer waste. Our brochure covers are handmade in Nepal, from the inner bark of a shrub (Daphne papracea)
locally known as ‘Lokta’. This sustainable resource regenerates every
six years, preserving the fragile forest ecology of Nepal and
supporting the local economy. This is tree free paper!
Our Land Rover has been converted to run on natural gas. Autogas (LPG) is completely lead free, and compared to petrol and diesel emissions, is a much more environmentally friendly product.
Conservation - To help conserve our worlds wildlife and its diminishing habitats, Woodsmoke provides ‘Biosphere Expeditions’ staff with free wilderness skills training. Ben and Lisa also volunteer their time and expertise, to lead some of these expeditions. To find out more about ‘Biosphere Expeditions’- please click here
Ray Mears best selling book - 'Bushcraft' , which was illustrated by Woodsmoke instructor - Ben McNutt, has recently been released in a soft-cover edition.
'Bushcraft' has also been condensed into a smaller, more rucksack friendly handbook, titled ‘Essential Bushcraft’. Still
packed with Ray Mears’ survival tips and Ben’s illustrations, this
edition is more of a 'how-to' manual than the larger format editions.
The new layout of this smaller book makes it an invaluable companion on
any expedition.
Combining his formal training in Fine Art with his extensive knowledge of bushcraft, Ben's detailed illustrations clearly describe the many techniques that are explained in this "superbly illustrated compendium of practical skills and wisdom, containing step by step guides to all aspects of survival techniques, and inspiring accounts of Ray Mears own experiences and his philosophy behind bushcraft."
Ben and Lisa have been busy overseas this winter, and have recently returned from the awe-inspiring winter wonderland of the Maine North Woods, which has just had one of its harshest winters in years. They had a fantastic experience, both learning and employing the traditional winter travelling skills of the North Woods. Ben and Lisa spent most of their stay in a canvas walled tent at well down the zero’s whilst acquiring many valuable trail skills such as reading ice for safety. In addition they learned about how to make their own outfit using time-tested methods; they prepared their own traditional Cree toboggan, Ojibwa snowshoes and winter clothing such as mukluks and hide/canvas mittens worn by the natives of Labrador. Thanks to Garret and Alexandra Conover, who taught them so much about winter living and trail skills.
We are currently making plans to launch a winter skills expedition next year, in conjunction with North Woods Ways. We are also really excited to be working with the founders of North Woods Ways
- Garrett and Alexandra Conover. In addition to being inspiring
company, they are renowned Maine Guides and internationally recognised
experts in traditional winter travel skills. The Conover’s are also
respected authors, having written some of the most authoritative and
valuable books on wilderness travel, including Beyond the Paddle and the Snow Walker's Companion.The planned two-week expedition will involve learning classic winter survival skills and snow tracking, whilst undertaking a 10-day snowshoeing journey, using traditional clothing and equipment, pulling your gear on toboggans through the unspoiled wilderness of Northern Maine. The proposed date will be late January to early February next year to guarantee pristine snow conditions. Accommodation will be in wood-heated canvas tents. The days will be spent trekking through breathtaking scenery, and the nights enjoying classic pioneer trail food, good company and watching the aurora borealis. This trip is still in the early planning phases, but promises to be a really special expedition.
If you think you would like to join us on the winter trail, please send us an email to register your interest.
Steve Smith has just re-styled and re-launched his ‘Open River Canoe Adventures’ website, you can find it here. The new site is packed full of photos, course details and trip reports from Steve’s recent adventures. Steve is just back from Lake Malawi, where his party encountered elephants, crocodiles, hippos,
storms, 6 ft swells, malaria, scorpions, snakes and parasitic worms –
as well as crystal clear waters, full of beautiful tropical fish,
picture-perfect sandy beaches, and spectacular thunderstorms. Summing
up his most recent trip, he says, “Lake Malawi really is quite something. It encompasses the raw wilds of Africa with dream-like paddling environments.” Dr. Stephen Quilley of the One Planet Institute project is currently researching possibilities for constructing a new academic program in Bushcraft Studies. If you are interested in the proposed MSc Bustcraft Studies please take a look here and register your initial interest. You may also email him directly at s.quilley@pol.keele.ac.uk
We have added a new 'Reviews' page to the website. Matt and Steve have already added a couple of book reviews. To read them, click here.
Back Off Badgers!The RSPCA is reacting with horror and disbelief to the muddled suggestion by a select committee of MPs that badger-culling might help reduce cattle tuberculosis (TB) in some areas. Help by signing the petition before the government makes the decision to proceed with a mass slaughter of one of Britain's most loved mammals.
"Any attempt at badger-culling flies in the face of sound scientific judgement," says John Rolls, the RSPCA's director of animal welfare promotion.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) public consultation on badger-culling prompted a record 47,472 responses, 95% of which opposed a cull.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has launched a national campaign, called Chicken Out!
Part of it is the new TV series on Channel 4, which will help you to
understand the conditions in which most table birds are reared, and to
put pressure on the industry to raise its standards. Chicken Out! is about boycotting intensively-reared chickens and choosing free range instead. As
well as choosing free-range you can register your support on this
website. Hugh needs thousands of signatures to convince supermarkets,
farmers, government regulators and anyone else involved in this
unacceptable business that they must change. Click on the logo to sign
up.In October Woodsmoke hosted a 4x4 and survival challenge charity event for ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’.
With almost 80 folks in attendance, the event was a roaring success and
raised £26,000 whilst having a lot of fun and learning some invaluable
wilderness skills.
The event is covered in a seven-page article in the December issue of Land Rover Owner international (LROi) – You can read it here.
The event is covered in a seven-page article in the December issue of Land Rover Owner international (LROi) – You can read it here.
As a result of recent climatic temperature rises,
there has been a huge rise in cases of Lyme Disease (spread by ticks)
throughout the UK, from the South Downs to the Highlands. There has
also been an increase in Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) amongst
travellers to mainland Europe. Ticks are common in woodland, heathland and in particular areas where deer graze (they have also been found in London's urban parks). If you want to learn how to recognise the diseases that they carry, visit the MASTA 'Tick Alert' website.
Ben and Lisa recently helped out on Chris Evan's Foraging event to raise £120,000 for 'Children in Need' teaming up with the inspirational Fergus the Forager (BBC 3's Road-kill Chef). You can read about it in Chris's Blog here and view the gallery here.
To make a donation to 'Children in Need' visit the donation page here.
To make a donation to 'Children in Need' visit the donation page here.
'The Art of the Bushcraft Tool-maker' - Ben Orford mas made an appearance on BBC Hereford, giving an interview and tour of his workshop. To view it in RealPlayer - click here.
Ben was recently interviewed for one of Cumbria's local papers, the News & Star. Journalist, Mark Green's article is called 'Back in the food Chain'
Ben's sixth article for Camping Magazine, all about spring-time Wild Food is now online, it's called 'The Spring Forager'. Next month's article will be about Shelter building.
Woodsmoke's wild foods and wilderness cookery courses recently got a mention in the BBC's Good Food Magazine's green pages.
You can read them all on the Media page by clicking here.
Ben's sixth article for Camping Magazine, all about spring-time Wild Food is now online, it's called 'The Spring Forager'. Next month's article will be about Shelter building.
Woodsmoke's wild foods and wilderness cookery courses recently got a mention in the BBC's Good Food Magazine's green pages.
You can read them all on the Media page by clicking here.
Ben has been asked to speak at the RGS's 'Explore' exhibition in November - giving a short talk on the main stage on 'Five things you need to know about living in a wilderness environment'. Are you planning an expedition, fieldwork or exploration in 2007?
If so this might be just what your looking for - Explore is the place to find the inspiration, contacts and practical advice you need. Explore is the starting point for hundreds of expeditions each year. The emphasis is on small projects with a research component, but anyone planning an overseas expedition, or fieldwork is welcome.
Ben and Lisa will be there all weekend - so please feel free to come and meet us, and have a chat on the Land Rover stand.
A
blatant display of nepotism to advertise my folk’s place in Gascogne.
They have renovated a beautiful old farmhouse into a sizeable
Gite for hire (pictured left). It has a private swimming pool, stocked
carp pond, a help-yourself organic vegetable garden and is surrounded
by woodland and lakes,
and is less than an hours drive to the Pyrenees. This is a great place
to
relax for a week or two. For more details, check out www.mcnuttinfrance.comGift Certificates are available for any of our courses, please just contact our office to request a gift certificate.
Environmental Commitment - Woodsmoke is committed to a ‘minimum impact’ environmental ethos, not only when on the trail, in the field teaching, but also in the office.
Our brochure literature and all the stationary that we use is made from recycled paper, with a high percentage of post consumer waste. Our brochure covers are handmade in Nepal, from the inner bark of a shrub (Daphne papracea)
locally known as ‘Lokta’. This sustainable resource regenerates every
six years, preserving the fragile forest ecology of Nepal and
supporting the local economy. This is tree free paper!Our Land Rover has been converted to run on natural gas. Autogas (LPG) is completely lead free, and compared to petrol and diesel emissions, is a much more environmentally friendly product.
Conservation - To help conserve our worlds wildlife and its diminishing habitats, Woodsmoke provides ‘Biosphere Expeditions’ staff with free wilderness skills training. Ben and Lisa also volunteer their time and expertise, to lead some of these expeditions. To find out more about ‘Biosphere Expeditions’- please click here
Ray Mears best selling book - 'Bushcraft' , which was illustrated by Woodsmoke instructor - Ben McNutt, has recently been released in a soft-cover edition.
'Bushcraft' has also been condensed into a smaller, more rucksack friendly handbook, titled ‘Essential Bushcraft’. Still
packed with Ray Mears’ survival tips and Ben’s illustrations, this
edition is more of a 'how-to' manual than the larger format editions.
The new layout of this smaller book makes it an invaluable companion on
any expedition.Combining his formal training in Fine Art with his extensive knowledge of bushcraft, Ben's detailed illustrations clearly describe the many techniques that are explained in this "superbly illustrated compendium of practical skills and wisdom, containing step by step guides to all aspects of survival techniques, and inspiring accounts of Ray Mears own experiences and his philosophy behind bushcraft."