What is your Default Setting?

You set out on your next adventure whatever it may be. You are loaded with gear, looking more like a pack animal then a human. Did I bring enough you ask yourself? Chances are you did, plus excess. Yet you still feel that urge to bring backups for our backups. So I ask you, what is your default setting? Stripped of all the latest gear, left with just few things or nothing at all, do you have the knowledge to get by?

The resources are around us as they have been since the beginning of time, we just have to familiarize ourselves with them. Like Mors Kochanski said "The more you know, the less you carry", and this is very true. Imagine that high tech GPS or compass you brought along accidentally gets dropped of the side of a rock face or swept down a flowing river. Do you have that knowledge to navigate by the sun, stars or other traditional methods? Would you even need this gear in the first place?

This is why educating yourself and building a more prepared default setting is important if you are going to spend your time outdoors. Skill sets that include bushcraft, survival knowledge, wilderness first aid are all key tools to add to your outdoor toolkit. If you are a "gearhead" at least you will have backups for your backups, in the form of knowledge. It is great to know the insides and out of that latest piece of gear but it is also great to know how to get by without it. As for Wayne and myself, we are always gaining knowledge on bushcraft, survival techniques to keep our asses safe. That coupled with good risk management practices before setting out will allow you the confidence to enjoy your adventures, with or without the gear, knowing that you can depend on the knowledge you have if you are stripped of it all. So if this is something you haven't thought of we encourage you to. Join forums, read books, watch documentaries, there is a wealth of information out there. Use it to your advantage, a knowledge based foundation may save your life one day.

Until next time, adventure awaits!

Johnny- Two4adventure