3. Self Organised forest field trip winter

Self Organised forest field trip winter
Location / Environment / Distance covered: Skråstadheia, Boreal forest, +-10 km
 
We decided do the self-organized trip in Jegersberg (forest area near to UNI). It took place from 11 to 14 of March. Normally, at this time the snow should be here, but this year the weather conditions are changing and the weather was sunny, without snow and without rain.
Jegersberg is not really a mountainous area, but rather a forest area for easy hiking. There are a lot of tracks that we used to practice orienteering. Also you can find a lot of lakes and swampy areas. The highest point it´s not more than 250 meters up to level sea.
With this in mind we opted for the following learning outcomes:
–          constructing natural shelters
–          get to know the area better
–          get to know one another
–          improve fitness
–          develop a stronger connection with the environment
We started the trip the morning of 11th March. We hiked from the university to Glattetrevannet Lake, where we installed our camping. We spent two nights in the same camping area. Then we hike to another area and we camped close to Kyrtjonn Lake. At the next morning we came back home.

We were very fortunate, the weather was sunny and warm during the day and the nights were not so cold.
We were a group of nine persons and we organized the camp with the next structure:
–          6 persons slept in shelters (3 in each shelter)
–          3 persons slept in tippy.
We had a common fire place and around this area we did a lot of different activities (cook in the fire, woodcarving, baking bread, building natural seats between trees, started pagoda fire with matches, listened music, told stories…)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
–          Hiking:
In total we hiked 10-12 km. Always had a person in charge of leading the group using the compass and the map. We put in practice knowledge like bearings, under bearing, looking navigation points, cross bearing.
Before start the trip we shared the food and the equipment in each back pack. We consider it appropriate to distribute the weight evenly.

 

–          Campfire:
The fire place was situated between two stones far away from the sleeping place. After collect wood we made pagoda fire that we used to cook and also to keep warm in the night.
  • Cook: I can say that in this trip we made wonderful meals every days. For example the Switzerland guys prepared a vegetables soup in the fire; Sara and I took Spanish omelet, Austin a special cake from Australia, but the best place is for Arjen. He baked a delicious bread on the fire. I never had seen it before. He made a big ball of flour with water, salt and some yeast; then he put it in the ground, where the fire was, and finally after 45-50 minutes…. Surprise! We had a delicious bread.

  • Tools to cook:

–          Sleeping place:
When you camp in winter or when the temperatures are low you have to find a good place to put up the camp. It necessary check the ground (not wet, flat without big stones, for example). The humidity on the floor can produce loss of body heat very fast. For this reason could be a good idea put some branches on the place where do you want to put your sleeping bag.
In addition you have to consider the wind direction and you must choose a place where the wind not be strong.
  • Tippy: we thought that take a tippy could be a good idea because the nights were cold and not everybody had good equipment to sleep outside (i mean bivy bag). Finally was a perfect decision, because Manuel was sick the second night, then he could sleep on the tippy (more comfortable and warm).
  • Shelter: How to set up?

Pay attention to the location of your shelter. Creeks can rise in the middle of the night. The altitude of the shelter can make a big difference in temperature. Do not take a chance by building your shelter close to water. Tides and rainstorms can cause the water level to rise unexpectedly. Be aware of the surrounding and always look above your shelter location for limbs (widow makers) and rocks. Be weary of dead branches/trees but remember, a healthy tree can drop branches under strong wind.

  1. Spot two solid trees at least 10/15 meters away from each other’s.
  2. Check the wind. You will install the tarp with one side higher than the other and make sure that the wind can’t take the canopy away. The lowest point will be the one where the wind comes from. The wind can turn at night time but most of time, the wind comes from the Lake or the sea.
  3. Unroll your rope for 6 or 7 meters, and use the rolled-up part to throw it and try to reach a high and strong branch. Once it’s done, roll the rope around the tree
–          Other activities:
  • Collect wood: when you are in the forest camping for a long time you need so much wood to keep on the fire. You have to be reasonable and choice good wood. For example you have to collect dry wood, and when you decide cut a tree you have to be sure that this is an old tree.
  • “Fridge”: in the place where we camped was still some snow that we used to put our food. We used this snow like our natural fridge.

  • Fly fishing: Nick and Kevin teach us some skills about (fly) fishing. We went to the lake and we practiced some activities with the rods.

  • Woodcarving: It was a fantastic idea that kept us entertained for a long time. The first thing that you have to do is find a good piece of wood (dry and soft- pine wood is perfect). Then you can use different tools like knife, saw, sandpaper or rasp to develop your idea.

CONCLUSION ABOUT THE TRIP:
In my opinion was possible to get our learning goals. The weather was sunny and was possible to do all the activities that we planned. The favourite activity was woodcarving, we were fascinated with this task so maybe we should have taken more equipment or specific tools to improve the quality of our results.
On other hand, the fire place and the food was wonderful because we eat healthy and delicious food. Maybe at the beginning, the back packs were heavy because we carried too much food. In other ways we enjoyed too much those fantastic days. Everyone was happy and also we developed our skills in different areas related outdoor life.
REFERENCES:
–          http://ultimate-camping.com/easy-to-set-up-canopy-that-keeps-you-dry_17/
–          Mountaincraft and Leadership by Eric Langmuir.
–          http://www.practicalsurvivor.com/shelter