Winter bushcraft gear and the knowledge to make it work is the topic for episode 28 of the Jack Mountain Bushcraft podcast. Ed Butler, Christopher Russell and I discuss sleeping bags, pads, dressing in layers, and how to carry heavy wool clothing. We also discuss the difference between Merino wool and Dan Marino wool, amongst [...]

I think I can speak for everyone on the Jack Mountain team when I say we’re all passionate about the outdoors. That’s a broad statement and individually, each of us is drawn by different aspects of an outdoor lifestyle. Running School Of The Forest programs has let me see this same thing unfold with young [...]

Canadian guide, musher and old friend Jeff Butler (of Northwoods Survival) and I discuss how depth of knowledge is being replaced by shallow understanding and rant about a variety of aspects of the outdoor industry. We also talk about dispelling myths of survival and what he’s working on next; a cultural tourism business. Recorded at [...]

Hello everybody, Christopher Russell here again. Yesterday after a big Thanksgiving meal, I started thinking about exploration. I’ve been rereading “In northern mists” by Fridtjof Nansen lately. The book is a history of Arctic exploration, but Nansen spends a lot of time talking about the inherent human urge to wander throughout history and prehistory. The [...]

Two JMBS instructors by the river at the field school. It’s a long road getting your skills to the level where you’re ready to teach with us.

Our semester isn’t all misty morning canoeing; there’s a lot of academic work as well. Studying plants in the field here.

One of a long line of amazing campsites in northern Maine. If this looks like heaven you should think about paddling with us.

Feet up while people cook their dinner over the group fire. Not in a rush. The foreground is in focus, while the background is not – exactly how I feel after a long day teaching and guiding.