Bushcraft, Survival, Outdoors Enthusiasts?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
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I was curious if there are any bushcraft, survivalists, outdoor adventurists on the forum?

It’s been a part-time hobby of mine since I was young - Extended Hiking, Camping, Exploring, etc. There is a lot of really nice gear, camping supplies, survival tools available here in Switzerland at stores such as transa.ch or galaxus.ch in Zurich. Recently I have been purchasing some new gear for my hiking backpack and have found many great items available here in Europe that were unknown to myself when I lived in America. America has some good stuff as well if you generally avoid the made in China stuff at the big-box stores, but I am more interested in European made gear at this time.

I keep a basic Mammut Creon 35 liter backpack with a good full-tang Swedish knife, fire starter rod, Stainless Steel 750 ml water bottle, a water repelling tarp and some 550 paracord, Suunto Compass and Leatherman in my sack for basics. Of course, being in Switzerland I also keep a mid-sized Victorinox Swiss Army knife with several functions as well.

Not to be confused with a Bug Out Bag, which is more of doomsday survival bag where people buy all kinds of unnecessary and redundant low quality items and think they are going to survive a terrorist attack or the end of the world with some duct tape, a Bic lighter, 20 franc knife and a Redbull, etc. I am referring to the serious outdoors hobbies and being able manage off the land for a couple of days if one had to.

Just curious what some of you serious outdoorsman and women found the most useful for Switzerland and maybe some the surrounding countries like Italy and Germany? Any good local resources for such a hobby in the Zurich area, Swiss TV shows? Must Have Gear recommendations?

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Surely, you'd be a better 'survivalist' if you practised without any nice gear and just what you had with you?

But as far as cooking on wood in the forest is concerned - my kids have been doing that here since Kindergarten - as part of the curriculum.

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A colleague of mine and I do a bit... I had looked at courses (particularly foraging) a while ago, but found very little...

Seemed easier to head to Italy on a train and do them there...

M

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completely agree with you. using a stainless steel bottle feels like cheating to me. i prefer to fashion my own container out of the guts of the animals i kill.

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Yes, your logic is undeniable, as witty and funny as it may be.

They typically practice the same outdoors skills with children in the U.S. as well in many areas of the country. Many kids nowadays are also not so fortunate.

I was throwing the question out there not expecting to get many responses on this forum, but on the forum it can provide a long term topic that is searchable. Meetup would pry lend a better response to meeting like minded persons.

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there is the boy scout organisation which covers these kinds of activities

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It's boys and girls here. Things have moved on in the world - it's mixed in most countries except the U.S.

I learnt my biouvac building and living of the land in the Scouts.

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i might just be out of date. i remember there being the boys scouts and girl guides.

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Forgot to say, here are some links:

https://www.swiss-survival-training.com/

http://www.bushcraft-school.ch/

http://www.howtosurvive.ch/

Please do post if you find anything in English...

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Yes I do ..

I run private courses for Adults and Children.

I have access to the forestry commission are surronding my home in Neckertal Toggenberg.

1 day introduction course for individuals or groups in English.

Based on the "Lofty Wiseman" P.L.A.N system.

What this is not is Ray Mears style Bushcraft or wilderness living nor is it Bear Grylls style theatrical TV.

The course location and time can be tailored to suit you, it can be in a group or as a Family or individual.

Price upon application (depends on the distance i have to travel or if you come to me)

We will examine the true skills required to survive the unexpected and await rescue.

We will look at various types of survival kit - kits - tools & clothing.

For families, what to carry in your car/boat/canoe, on your person.

Protection : Medical/Clothing/Shelter/Fire

Location: Signals/Rescue

Acquisition: Water/food/resources

Navigation: Priority/Map compass/terrain

We can also start a discussion here on the forum prior to training - i'll gladly answer questions on the subject.

Who am I?

I have been practicing the art of Survival & Bushcraft since my youth, I was keen Scout & Scout group leader in the UK.

I am married with 3 children & live near St Gallen.

I have completed extensive survival training to a Level 4 (7 days immersive), Advanced navigation & Medical training (First Aid in the workplace/outdoors) with the Trueways School in the UK

Stay safe

Simon

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Thank you Audiodruid,

I would definitely be interested. My wife and I are outdoorsy kindsof people and appreciate someone local. Is there more information, contact details you can provide with direct communication?

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As Saiya-jin thought it necessary to groan my post (but then not bothering to add his own post explaining perhaps why he did and why he has a different view), I thought maybe elaborating might help.

For example, I almost always wear an analogue wrist watch (rather than a digital one) because I can also use it as a compass using the watch hands.

I also have navigated using the sun.

I've been in a few 'survival' situations in real life (not sure how much life-or death they actually were as I'm actually still alive so probably not too life-threatening) but I never had any specialist equipment with me.

I make do with knowledge and what I have around me.

What I'd argue that people should have:

A good knowledge of first aid - especially pertinent to the area they are travelling.

A good knowledge of navigation - without relying on smart phones or GPS.

A knowledge of how to stay warm at night.

A knowledge of fires, cooking on them and foraging for food.

How to signal for help.

There's probably more but you get the idea.

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Your quite right Tom and these are exactly what I can teach people but don't forget practice makes perfect.

I like your thinking with the analog watch, i too wear such combined with this nifty little compass from Sunto

https://www.transa.ch/produkte/kompass-clipper

Simon

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I navigate by smell. West is the most unique.

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Is this an attempt at sarcasm, a joke, something really clever or what?

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Trueways is good - went with them a few years ago for the survival weekend.

If you plan a weekend thing (i.e. head into the forest, build a shelter, collect food, start a fire, etc), I would be quite interested...

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Jumping on this thread to see if anyone knows of survivalist courses near vaud? Thinking of coordinating my class of gymnase students to take a daytrip course in English as we are reading a book based on survival skills. It's gotta be in english and i'm open to creative ideas

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Actually I don't know of anyone near there but i'm willing to travel no problem, all we would need is an outdoor location where we can light a fire ( virtually any woodland BBQ platz would do .. what book are you reading?

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And I suppose you will use your bare hands and teeth because using a knife would be cheating