There’s a useful difference between walking a route someone else has marked and being able to mark a route for somebody to follow. The second takes a little more thought. You need to decide where a marker belongs, make its meaning clear and check that…
A successful hike depends on more than choosing a route and putting one foot in front of the other. Conditions can change, paths can become difficult to follow, equipment can fail and people can become tired or injured. The decisions you make when something unexpected…
A stream can look harmless from the bank, but moving water is not always as shallow or predictable as it appears. Rainfall upstream can raise water levels quickly, and slippery stones or hidden holes can turn a simple crossing into a serious hazard. This is…
If you ever need help outdoors, being able to attract attention could make a big difference. Shouting might work when someone is nearby, but your voice can become tired and may not carry as far as you imagine. A whistle or torch can help you…
Before heading out on a walk, it’s useful to make sure someone else knows where you’re going and when you expect to return. If your plans change or you don’t come back as expected, that information can help someone work out where you might be…
When you’re walking outdoors, it’s easy to keep moving even when you know that something doesn’t feel quite right. Perhaps a path doesn’t match your map, you’ve missed a turning, or you’re no longer certain which direction you should be heading. Continuing without checking can…
Good navigation is about more than knowing how to read a map or follow a compass bearing. You also need to keep checking your surroundings, make sensible decisions and recognise when something isn’t going to plan. The Five Ds of Navigation provide a simple way…
Getting lost outdoors can feel frightening, especially when you are unsure of how far you have travelled or how to get back. The important thing is not to panic or rush into making a decision. The 3-3-3 rule is a useful little way to remember…
Being able to read a map is one of the most useful skills you can develop for spending time outdoors. A map can tell you far more than where a path goes. It can help you recognise hills, valleys, rivers, woodland, buildings and other features,…
It’s easy to become so focused on following a path that you stop paying attention to the place that you’re actually walking through. Learning to recognise landmarks helps you build a better picture of your surroundings, making it easier to keep track of where you…
Your first Pure Bushcraft Outdoor Skills Challenge starts here. This challenge is all about taking a skill you’ve learned and actually using it outdoors. You don’t need specialist equipment or somewhere wild to begin. All you need is a safe outdoor space, a little patience…
