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I set out into the Woodlands unsure of what the land would demand of me, but determined to learn what it takes to survive when comfort and coin are stripped away from a merchant like myself. The Woodlands revealed right in front of me with dirt paths that tested footing, sandy stretches that has plentiful water nearby, and snow covered higher grounds that appeared prolific with bears nearby. Each terrain required a different mindset, and I learned quickly that survival is not about brute force, but about reading the land as if it were like a trade that requires having knowledge. I learned how to prepare for sustenance and safety. We dug a pit for fire and carefully outlined the area with pebbles to keep the flames from spreading, a cautionary act that could mean the difference between warmth and disaster. Shelter came next, where I crafted a lean-to using nearby wood. I was taught to question the safety of any accessible water. Heating water before drinking it, as one never knows what contamination hides beneath clear surfaces. When possible, we relied on what nature offered freely, such as coconuts, reminding me that resourcefulness is the most valuable currency in the wild. The trip leader taught me a very valuable lesson: always be resourceful and observe the terrain and surroundings. She was very patient with everyone during the scouting trip and taught me how to observe and how to see opportunity in the environment around me. She emphasized the importance of wooded areas for building shelter, setting alarms and traps, and building fire. I left the Woodlands with more than knowledge; I left with confidence, respect for the land, and a deeper understanding that survival, much like trade, depends on awareness, patience, and wise use of what is at hand. -Splurge Goldsworth | |