All this to say that when I came across this article, 'How to start a fire and 15 other outdoor skills', my first gut reaction was, 'well, what could I possibly learn?'
(In case it's not obvious, the emphasis was on 'I'.)
That question then morphed into, ''well, what could I possibly learn?'
(In case it's not obvious, the emphasis was on 'could'.)
This article was a great reminder of a few basic things I had forgotten. And, it taught me a few things that are only basic once you know them... like that tip about duct tape on a blister. And that other tip about using dry leaves to add volume for insulation. Or how long it really takes to boil water to purify it...
I remember reading an article that explained that it's often the most experienced backcountry adventurers who get into the most trouble, because familiarity leads them to overstate their abilities and understate the risks. ("Hey., we've done this twenty times before without any incident...')
It's not just outdoor skills that benefit from a review of the basics, it's playing an instrument; it's storytelling; it's relationships; it's life...
Where have you experienced a welcome surprise or two from going back to basics?
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