Outdoor Survival Skills

OVERVIEW

If you’ve ever wanted to learn some basic outdoor survival skills that will allow you to find shelter, water, and food and stay out in the woods comfortably without modern camping gear this might be the adventure for you! We will hike along the trail that follows the creek into the St. Mary’s Wilderness from the Shenandoah Valley side near Vesuvius, identifying plants for food, first aid, cordage, and tinder for starting fires and then stop near a swimming hole to construct a small survival shelter. Due to dry conditions we won’t have a campfire but we can boil with a stove some sassafrass tea or other wild edibles we find. We will also meet Becca Percy’s group where the trail forks and have time to cool off with a swim!
On our return to the trailhead we can practiice foxwalking, stalking, and other nature observation skills for finding and approaching wildlife.
Please bring bug repellent, 2 liters of water, snacks, a bathing suit, lightweight gloves, and a pocket knife if you have one. I have extras if you don’t. I will expand the adventure as more drivers sign up. See you soon!
Total distance: 3 miles, a fair amount of upper body activity involved as well, however.
Club provides a seat in a car and money for gas.