Just finished teaching a ten day course in the mountains to the military. Seems like the wind never stopped blowing during that entire time as is often the case this time of year in the West. Some days we had fires, some days we went without as it was just too risky.
Each year, though, we hear about lost hikers who light up a signal fire to expedite their rescue and then ends up torching the forest instead. With much of the Western US a tinderbox, my advice is to carry a quality (glass) signal mirror and learn how to use it- something that takes a few minutes in your backyard.
A decent signal mirror will run you $10 and can shoot a flash for miles and miles and, most importantly, doesn't endanger the forest and the dozens of searchers on the ground headed your way.
Signal fires have their place; such as when the ground is covered with snow, it's the rainy season, it's a non-windy day, and you have exhausted other means.
Since survival is all about being prepared, carry a signal mirror and whistle, at the very least, and you'll have a much easier time drawing Search and Rescue personnel to you in the event you become stranded in the wilds.
Ancient Pathways, LLC
Welcome
to Ancient Pathways, LLC
Outdoor Programs
in Desert Survival and Bushcraft
About Ancient Pathways
Ancient Pathways has been offering experientially-based courses in Desert Survival and Bushcraft Living Skills since 1989. Our school is designed for those seeking to develop proficiency in both primitive and modern wilderness skills.
We also offer comprehensive corporate training programs that highlight outdoor survival training for professionals, corporate groups, and companies who find themselves working in remote wilderness regions.
All outdoor survival courses are steeped in the rich natural-history and archeology of the southwest and, in addition to learning valuable outdoor skills, you will be able to explore ancient ruins and hike in some of the finest canyon country in North America.
Each survival course is light on theory and heavy on pragmatic, time-tested skills. We receive high marks from our students who say that they are amazed at the scope of practical wilderness skills that we cover and the wealth of handmade primitive tools that they walk away with.
The classroom we use for all of our outdoor programs is the Colorado Plateau. This stunning region comprises most of Northern Arizona and is the ancestral homeland of the ancient Anasazi, Sinagua, and Cohonina people whose aboriginal dwellings still dot the landscape. Survival courses are held throughout northern and central Arizona and at our outfitted basecamp near the Painted Desert located an hour from the Grand Canyon.
We also offer comprehensive corporate training programs that highlight outdoor survival training for professionals, corporate groups, and companies who find themselves working in remote wilderness regions.
All outdoor survival courses are steeped in the rich natural-history and archeology of the southwest and, in addition to learning valuable outdoor skills, you will be able to explore ancient ruins and hike in some of the finest canyon country in North America.
Each survival course is light on theory and heavy on pragmatic, time-tested skills. We receive high marks from our students who say that they are amazed at the scope of practical wilderness skills that we cover and the wealth of handmade primitive tools that they walk away with.
The classroom we use for all of our outdoor programs is the Colorado Plateau. This stunning region comprises most of Northern Arizona and is the ancestral homeland of the ancient Anasazi, Sinagua, and Cohonina people whose aboriginal dwellings still dot the landscape. Survival courses are held throughout northern and central Arizona and at our outfitted basecamp near the Painted Desert located an hour from the Grand Canyon.
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