Woodcraft and Camping

The book looks extremely interesting and I am looking forward to reading it. I wish the print was a little larger but that may be my old eyes.

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I loved the book. Could I find info elsewhere that would fit today's available equipment better? Definitely. Would this book tell me what I need to know in a grid down you're stuck with what you have or what you can make yourself situation? Definitely. I liked the style and the old wood lore. Some of it looked like my old Boy Scout Handbook, which I wish I could get my hands on. I am so glad I bought it. It has made me rethink just what I need for a wilderness adventure. His 20 pounds for an adventure hits the mark for today's go-bag goal. Ultra-light backpackers could learn a lot from Mr. Nessmuk. His tales about campfire making brought back fond memories of counseling at some church camps in the redwoods where everything was dripping wet in the mornings. I taught city kids how to build a decent fire with one match and keep it at a safe, usable level so we didn't need a redwood tree to keep it going, and how we needed to put it out cold before we left camp or hit the sack at night. Nessmuk shared some good stuff in a way I can relate to. I enjoyed it immensely.

While many critics I have seen on blogs and forums speak of the "wanton waste" written about, Nessmuk also promoted the reader to begin to look to the future and conservation. Yes, he cut many trees down for his camps, something that was a prevalent practice in his day and shot deer while only taking the choicest cuts for his meals. He did speak to not harvesting a deer unless necessary to eat but the carcass left provided food for the predators which were common during his time afield. If read and only looked upon with the mentality of many modern backpackers and hikers, his system is far removed. His was based on living within the woods and full enjoyment ("...don't rough it, smooth it...") to relax and lead a less stressful life which is in contrast to so many modern woods users who determine success by the amount of miles they cover, the least weight of gear and ability to "conquer". Nessmuk lived the woodslife; he didn't just exist in the woods.

This book most definitely exceeded my expectations. A quick note to some, however...if you are looking for a fun book to mostly page through to look at illustrations, and to just read a bit here and there, this isn’t the book for you. This book is a joy to read, funny at times, and on the whole entertaining, but to be appreciated, it requires you to sit down and read its pages. While this book is over one hundred years old, it is amazing how so much of it is so directly applicable to today. Yes, many of the things discussed in the book are outdated, but the heart and soul of the work are as fresh today as when it was written. In this literary treasure, George W. Sears, aka “Nessmuk”, grants us modern readers a window into a bygone age of our American heritage. He describes some of his outdoor adventures which took place in a part of America which no longer exists as it did for him in the late nineteenth century. This aspect of the book reminds me in a way of Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire. At the same time, the conservationist in Sears speaks to us of a fish and game conservation ethic which easily pairs with the writings of Aldo Leopold. Perhaps one of the more surprising aspects of this book is Sears’ treating of the subject of go-light wilderness gear principles, which feels to be quite ahead of its time. As an aside, many years ago, a dear mentor of mine in the ways of the outdoors made a humorous reference to something he had once read in a book regarding a lightweight canoe outfit. For twenty-some years I wondered where that reference came from, and if I’d ever be able to find it. When I read this book, I finally discovered that passage!

A historical look back to a simpler time and way. Advice is still practical and useful, and the old ways are missed.

Out of all the antique camping/outdoors books (like Kephart and similar), I liked this one the most. I only wish it was a longer book because it had me hooked and I could read it for hours. This is more is a “story” book (for lack of better words) than a modern how-to style book (though he does mention how to do stuff and what to pack). It’s like listening to a great great grandfather tell amazing stories of camping in remote lands with minimal, but quality gear. Makes you realize how skilled these men were and they were able to thrive on n their knowledge and experience instead of fancy gadgets. Nessmuk was a true woodsman, and this book is worth its weight in gold.

This is a great book- a gem, really. For those looking to extend their understanding on bushcraft and related subjects, it does have a good amount of info. I enjoy the style of writing and it's helpful in how it goes beyond the technical to speak simply and seamlessly of the philosophies without getting lost in a tangent. My being also from the Adirondacks, he is speaking in a language I understand and shares beliefs I very much agree with. For anyone else, I think it's still going to be a fairly quick, enjoyable read and can be highly relatable. I would hope more people could go into the woods and be able to come out not depleted, but instead revived.