Thinking Ahead…

By Sean Fagan

Hidden within a tree - carved stakes (Photo: Sean Fagan).

Thinking ahead...

and

Bush Tucker Man?

.

In above photo, a nicely stashed trio of wooden stakes for a campsite I occasionally visit (I eventually made a total of 8 stakes).

The stakes are made from holly, which is a tough wood and can take a good hammering into soil (I use these stakes for pegging out my tarp).

Here's a question: can you think of a connection between my carved stakes and a great man of Australian bushcraft - Les Hiddins (Bush Tucker Man)?

I bet you can't...

Back to my stakes.

By placing those stakes in the nook of an old tree they are off the damp soil and away from the worst of the weather - which will greatly slow down any decomposition.

I can use these stakes many times over as they will remain in good condition for a long time.

And just as importantly, I have a stash of stakes at a campsite that I don't have to carry or make when I get to the campsite.

Can you see the benefit of planning ahead when outdoors?

Can you think of any items you can create with your hands and discreetly leave at a long-term campsite?

The great advantage of making bushraft items from natural materials is that if I forget these items they will eventually decompose.

Other natural items I often create and hide at favourite campsites are cooking tripods, walking staffs, batons, log benches and ridge poles for suspending a tarp.

If you think I'm alone in this approach, I can assure you I'm not.

Check out below the fantastic Les Hiddins (Bush Tucker Man) in one of his many great videos about the Australian outback.

At 5mins 30secs into the video you'll see Les return to an old campsite after a one year hiatus. The rough, wooden frame of the camp is still intact and partially functional.

After some repair work and a quick tidy up, Les comfortably settles into his old campsite - like a bear happily returning to an old den : )

Even though the video quality is not the best it still makes for great viewing (I recommend watching the whole video from the start - it's just great).