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Many skills comes from the bush. This article is about just
one of those skill sets I have learned. I call it "Bow's
Blind-folded Fireboard".
In the first picture we see some troops working on a fire
board beside a fire. Nice concept -- the idea of making a
fire beside a fire to keep you warm and provide some light!
However, on this training it wasn't to be that easy! I'll
explain.
With my training for the troops I always like to
challenge them in ways most never get. I show them real
skills and how sometimes they are needed when you're in the
bush. This evening, after a long day in the bugs and working
other important skills, I had made a fire on this large rock
outcrop. We were talking and discussing our life cycles and
where some of us have been or would like to go. The evening
was full of laughter, and looking at the stars and viewing
the night sky, it was truly one of those nights to remember
about being deep in the bush.
Then I stopped the flow of laughter and asked, "if we
went off this rock and down into the bush away from the
light, could you make a fire with a fire board from the
bush, right now?" |
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Now , the attention span
was high. I mentioned to the troops that it is possible,
and how it falls under one of my "blind-folded
techniques'" that from time to time I display on my
courses. So, the challenge now at 1:00am in the
morning, beside this fire we were all sleeping at, was
to not put any more wood on this fire, go into the bush,
get your materials, and before the fire goes out make
coal from your fire boards!
Sounds easy enough -- but is it, and have you
actually tried it? Or ever heard of any one doing this?
So, the troops starting this challenge, were off on
this learning of this new skill. |
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Most people, when they think of a fire board, always have a
picture in their mind of a nice day, things are working well
and you see the coal forming and spirits are high. And you
have a real sense of accomplishment, and believe me you
should! But, how about when you're in the bush, things
aren't always good and you now need a fire. But it's not so
nice out, and the canopy over head is dense and its dark,
real dark! But, the need for fire is very high!
When people view the photos of "Bow's
Bush Fungus Fire Board" how many sit there and say,
"where did that skill come from", or was it just good
reading?
Well, this skill was developed by myself, not from a book
I read, or something I polished up, but from being in the
bush, in a situation and needing a fire!
Ill keep it short, but I will explain...
One time deep in the bush, in the dark, I was in need of
a fire. Working on my fire board, I was a blinded as I could
ever be, working away by feel to produce this coal (without
a fire near by). This was a very difficult task. However, I
managed, as did my troops on our training. While I was doing
this skill and seeing the need for a much more effective way
of doing it, not only to save time, but to be guaranteed the
end result would be there when I needed it, my idea of the
"Bow's Fungus Fire Board" was invented!
The rest is history. I had made it work, and to display
how effective it was, I also did this skill for this site,
in -40 below zero, and again, with my hand drills using this
same technique.
And once I had my fire lit, I boiled my water, and "Bow's
Fungus Stove'' now came alive!
The articles were developed as a result of an event and
time spent in the bush, which produced these unique skills.
They are important skills, as I have come to learn. Many
times I have been deep in the bush, and needed something to
make life easier there or perhaps be in some sort of
difficult situation. I use the bush in all four seasons
during the year and all hours of the night!
I'm certain that for someone out there this skill will be
important!
Good luck, and God's speed!
--"Allan
"bow '' Beauchamp. |
