ORIGINAL: Abuelo
Being a woodsman/woman is about knowledge, sure. But it's even more about attitude - even spirit, if you will. It's like a dance, and the mountain
always leads.
The opposite of being a woodsman is being "city", which isn't about where you live at all.A real woodsman avoids trouble. City folk either don't see it coming or they arrogantly refuse to acknowledge its potential.
Again, being "city" isn't about where you live. Most of us live in the city these days. I live in the city. But there are a few tell-tale city symptoms brought on by over exposure to city life and city culture.
1. Afraid of the dark
2. Uncomfortable withsilence
3. Uncomfortable being with oneself
4. Non-observant
5. Hyperactive/ easily bored
I've noticed that after a coupledays out in the wilds, my own headset makes a noticeable shift. I slow down and become focused,calm and centered. When I return home, friends and loved ones often ask, "What's wrong?"
That pretty much chalks it up, in my book.
Whether you could survive in the wilderness isn't so much about what you know, but how you act and react to the situations that present themselves. Granted you do need to know some basic survival skills to last any real length of time, but I believe that with the right attitude and mind-set anyone can survive 48 - 72 hours.