BUSHCRAFT BUHISAN XLIV: Return to Camp Damazo

THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE BUSHCRAFT CAMP is less than a week away. Today, June 4, 2017, is a day reserved for preparing the campsite. The last time I visited Camp Damazo was five months ago during my psyching up for the Thruhike. It had been jungle when I discovered it many years ago and still was jungle when I last saw it. I believed it would stay that way for as long as you kept it a secret to the mainstream crowd.

I come today with the right people. My kind of people and all belonged to the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild. Most of these guys who are present today cut their teeth here like Ernie Salomon in PIBC 2011, Jhurds Neo in PIBC 2012 and Richie Quijano during the Bonifacio Day Bushcraft Camp in 2015. The rest like Jingaling Campomanes, Mirasol Lepon, Jonathaniel Apurado, Glyn Formentera and Jhops Burbe either took the PIBC 2015 or in 2016 at Liloan.

 

These guys can work on their own without so much supervision. Before we left Guadalupe, each guy had been briefed of what we will all do and all are prepared for the tasks at hand. We all have some of our blades with us and the opportunity for another dirt time in a jungle is sheer joy. Nobody could beat that anytime. I am doing the point and my outdoor awareness level are again at its max. I expect reptiles lurking, especially that it rained hard last night and in the early morning.

The ground is wet, leaves dripping with dew. We move slowly among this man-made forest of Burma teak, its wide leaves that fell to the ground do not make pop-corn sounds anymore like it used to during the warm summer days. The trail follow a low ridge which is sandwiched between two small streams. We follow the bigger one (Creek Alpha) downstream. The water is clear and flowing, the stones among them glossy and shiny. Rubber works on most wet rocks but it is much safer if you go it slow.

The vegetation changed from a single species into a diverse chain of indigenous shrubs and vines that line the stream banks. Here, the birds and insects are much alive. The cacophony of sounds are just amazing. That is what rain can do to a parched land in so short a time. The stream is tricky on some point but I know these parts very well. I caught sight of the trail and we are walking on ground once more. This is a mixed forest of teak, mahogany, gmelina and thick undergrowth dominated by rattan, rhododendron, wild ginger and wild yams.

 

This is part of Lensa Trail which actually crisscross each other through the vast Buhisan Watershed Area. We keep to the high ground from then on until we cross another small stream (Creek Bravo) to proceed to another trail across. The path led me to a ridge which transforms into a beautiful forest of mixed indigenous and exotic species. For a moment, I seem to be in another world but it ended as wild vegetation claimed ground what was once theirs.

We are now at Camp Damazo, pure jungle environment and, soon, home-to-be to the PIBC once more. As we were approaching it, I did my usual trail maintenance work, clearing the path of obstacles and debris, bringing dry twigs and branches with me. The rest of the guys carry dry bundles of twigs collected along the way. We would need dry firewood for our cooking later on and these are few after a downpour. There would be a lot of work but the promise of a good meal would put more heart to our combined effort.

 

First things first, is to make fire and keep the smoke thick to keep daytime mosquitoes, hornets, ants and creepy crawlies away. In jungle environments, these insects are pesky and thick and they are attracted to human presence. It could be your carbon dioxide exhausts from your breath and perspiration or it could be your artificial odor on your clothes. Sometimes, it is just the wrong kind of shirt and bag color but we keep that annoyance to a minimum by using fabric with natural-toned colors.

Ernie will do the cooking and he is supplied with a generous amount of dry firewood that we collected along the way. Jingaling and Mirasol will assist him in his airy kitchen. Jhurds, Jon, Jhops and Glyn will work on a firepit and the kitchen furniture and stock it with more firewood. Me and Richie will dig a latrine for male and female. We just have to retrace our route and look for those perfect spots to commune with nature. Richie has his small pick-axe while I have with me a US-surplus folding shovel, given by Hawaii resident Remy Ababa a few months ago.

The work on the latrines were easy due to modern tools and we were able to finish it earlier than we expected it to be. We go back to the camp and Ernie and girls are in the middle of preparing the food while a cooking fire is doing its work on two blackened pots which, most likely, contain rice. Jhurds and his crew are busy with their blades splitting firewood picked up from the ground. Richie joined them while I go check the water source. It is located 150 meters away. The bamboo trough is now missing and it needs replacement with a new one. Time to look for bamboo poles.

 

In this jungle, only a few groves of bamboo grow. Most of those that grew are the hardy type which are protected by a screen of thorns. I saw one in a nearby stream (Creek Charlie) and I unleashed my big AJF Gahum knife to forage one pole. I am able to clear the thorns away, work which is quite painstaking and time-consuming, so I could have access to a pole. The sound of chopping reverberated in the silence of the place, disturbing the bird calls and the chirp of cicadas and other insects. All sorts of ants fell from the foliage and dropped on my person and it made this work more difficult. I should have smoked it before I commenced.

I cut the pole but it hanged forever above me, its foliage and branches completely intertwined with its own kind. Forcing it with all my strength only budged it just a few inches down. My footing is only limited to two narrow boulders and there is not much I can do except pulling it with a rope from the streambed which is eight feet below. The more I pulled, the more ants falling over me. Some bit and some leave substance that stung. It crawled over my hair to my face and it caused me eye irritations. The pole moved just a foot. I tried to force the pole down by grabbing it and jumping down to the stream like Tarzan which is very dangerous and it budged just a little.

 

Leaving it hanging, I go back to Camp Damazo. I would just hire a local to bring it down to earth in time for the PIBC. I need two green bamboo poles though for survival tool-making and for knife dexterity exercises for the participants and another short piece of dry bamboo for friction fire-making. Anyway, I got a piece of the green bamboo and go first to the water source and insert this to replace the missing trough. The kitchen fire pit is already done when I returned and two iron bars are placed over it. These will hold the pots and pans when it is operational during the PIBC.

I sipped my cup of coffee and enjoyed the sight of the kitchen furniture frame already standing. Soon a platform of round sticks will be laid across the two wooden beams. Meantime, I have to help in collecting firewood and identify more ground for tents and ground sheets. I brought two 4 feet x 10 feet laminated nylon sheets for the latrines but it would be best if this is installed on the day of the event and so I have to cache it securely where its unnatural color of blue and orange would be an obvious sight in a jungle environment.

I looked around the hidden beauty of the jungle even the sinister presence of stinging plants gave off its enchanting allure to butterflies and bees. The “giraffe tree” is now threatened by man. Its surroundings gets cleared as a hunter’s blind is erected near it. Hunting of jungle fowls, ground pigeons, palm civets, leopard cats, monitor lizards and pythons are frequent here and the government do not have the manpower nor the resources to enforce laws in this protected area.

 

The camp preparation work and the walk in a humid environment left me sweaty, thirsty and hungry and a shout from Ernie says that food is now ready along with a rapping of spoon on metal cup. Food are fried mixed vegetables, lo-me (local noodles), seaweeds in vinegar, grilled pork and cupcakes baked in Dutch oven. Truly, this meal is a meal fit for kings considering it is just a day activity. In the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild, this is regular. Someday, I might entertain of elevating it into bushcraft glamping.

Well fed and invigorated by coffee, camp prep work continue to the rest of the day until we have what we need: firewood placed on a platform above ground, latrines, fire pit for the kitchen, kitchen furniture and trough for the natural spring. The bamboo poles could contracted to locals which I would do when we get out of the jungle on the way to Lanipao. The return of the PIBC to Camp Damazo is very well-considered as participation increased from last time and so are volunteers. But I trust in my people to practice Ethical Bushcraft when they are in pristine environment. I taught them how.

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NAPO TO BABAG TALES CXXII: Outdoors Leadership

THE PASSION OF SHARING MY IDEAS to people is a very intoxicating feeling just as I had experienced it when I initially introduced the Philippine Independence Bushcraft Camp in Cebu in 2011. The outdoors then were all about mainstream activities with people doing the same things over and over again for more than 25 years. It had reached its summit a long time ago and it overflowed to dangerous proportions despite its monotony.

I have seen that and I do not want to be part of the problem. Shifting to leisure bushcraft was the best decision that I made because the outdoors landscape was virgin ground and it is an interest that is closest to my heart. I learned it young from the greatest teachers of all time: self-reliance, endurance, kindness, audacity, wisdom and humility. It was a long process and it came to a point in time where it has to be served on a silver platter.

Getting a share of people’s attention was not difficult. I found many unenlightened ones. These were the ones who watched too much survival reality TV shows and stereotyped bushcraft with it even though it is a completely different animal. Those who embraced my brand of bushcraft with an opened mind came to love it and understood the idea very well. They became the Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild.    

 

The PIBC became an annual affair and institutionalized as a membership requisite for the Guild. I journeyed far and wide to share my knowledge to more people who cannot come to Cebu. I have succeeded in educating people about the correct practice of bushcraft and ignorance declined. It would not have been possible were I would not have composed the raw manuscripts for a future book which would soon become known as Ethical Bushcraft.

I envisioned Ethical Bushcraft as a guiding literature for those who would like to indulge or enjoy leisure bushcraft in the Philippines. It is still under improvement and more pages have to be added. It is indigenous, it is modern, it is for the environment, it is practical, and it is common sense. Its heart and philosophy are anchored on the very simple and time-worn principles of Blend, Adapt and Improvise.

This is the same material where I based a new outdoors seminar that I organized as the Bushmasters’ Camp. This is an overnight camping activity which answers people’s thirst for more knowledge about bushcraft and its best practices. It refines an individual into someone who could blend instead of standing out, to adapt instead of giving up, and to improvise instead of complaining. This is outdoors leadership training and a prerequisite for camp volunteers in PIBC MMXVII, therefore, an advanced subject matter.

On April 28, 2017, seventeen people who have taken the PIBC and related training done by me arrive at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Guadalupe, Cebu City. We proceed to a new campsite that I had located five days ago. They are Jhurds Neo, Rany San Juan, Marc Lim, Jingaling Campomanes, Mirasol Lepon, Mark Lepon, Jon Apurado, Justin Apurado, Locel Navarro, Maria Theresa Lanit, Jamer Maestrado, Justin Abella, Nelson Tan, Nyor Pino, Ariel Lim, Glyn Formentera and Jenmar de Leon.

The first part of the seminar is about Campsite Management. Before we proceed to the choice of a campsite, it is important that you know the different outdoor activities here. It could be Mainstream which is purely recreational on popular destinations; Adventure Tourism which is regulated and also on popular destinations; Outdoor Sports which is a race; and Unconventional are activities on unpopular destinations.

Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Sports may well be part of Mainstream for it is well organized with participation and support of local government units, business, NGOs and community organizations. Bushcraft, even if it is recreational, comes under Unconventional along with exploration and hunting. Bushcraft is not that popular here and it is held without too much fanfare. Our camp selection would concentrate here.

First thing to look for is accessibility. It does not have to be difficult and far. It shies away from the high and exposed places. What it desire are places below treeline. It is a small activity if you compare it with mainstream camping. It strictly consider hazards that might threaten people like running water, unsteady trees and branches, rockfalls and landslides. It has to have a water source and it makes sure that it will not threaten or disturb wildlife.

Going to a campsite requires good travel management. Bushcraft is found in wilderness areas and it may well pass mountainous and difficult terrain which route you must identify. You must have a good knowledge of the places you are passing for your security. Walking composition are the same as that of mainstream. Pace depends on the slowest member. Distance between members are 2 meters on normal terrain and 4 meters going downhill.

Trail ethics puts more emphasis on the right of locals on the use of trails. We are just visitors, we see to it that we give them right of first passage and we make sure that the trails are in good condition after walking through it. Leave less footprints and walk elsewhere when trails are muddy. Of course, do not forget to show respect. Use your people skills. The principles of Blend, Adapt and Improvise are very useful here. 

When camp is found, it is always a good practice to give importance to hygiene. Size of camp affects health and hygiene of people. Small-sized camps are manageable and, where latrines are made, catholes may well do. Personal hygiene should also be practiced especially when touching food and, if possible, purify water sourced locally. Assign a compost pit for biodegradable wastes while separating non-bio ones inside garbage bags.

It may also be important that when you are a responsible outdoorsman, you must also be an advocate for the environment. You do not confront locals making their livelihood cutting trees, burning grasslands, hunting wildlife and making charcoals. Use your cameras secretly and upload images in social media with date, place and caption. Be responsible with your posts. Do not mention people who had nothing to do with that. While you are at that, you must also think of what you will bring outdoors: garbage.

Garbage issues needs a good understanding of wastes. There is the biodegradable, the non-bio and the recyclable. Campers pack opened cans and mix it with the rest of the undesirable ones inside a thin black bag. Because of hygiene issues, they tie the garbage bag on the back of their bags or carry it by hand. Note that the opened cans will severe easily the thin bag and disembowel your garbage on the trail without you knowing. Razor-sharp blades of grass will also tear away the bags to shreds even if you pack it double.

The best practice is to segregate your garbage. You place food scraps, fruit peelings and unused ingredients in a compost pit. Top it with ash from the fire before covering with soil so it would not be smelled by wildlife. You just rid the most unpleasant pieces. What about plastic? You just let them dry and let the ants sort them out. By the morrow it would be clean and light and ready to pack. What to do about the cans?

After opening, you turn it upside down so the juices would flow out and let the ants do their thing. In hours it will be completely cleaned off then you fold the opened serrated top back inside and step on the opened part. Once it is partly sealed, step on the bottom towards the rim so it would lay flat. It would not be bulky anymore once you place it inside your garbage bag and you can pack that inside your backpack with peace of mind.

In a bushcraft camp, there will always be cooking with real fire. It becomes the center of social activity and becomes a campfire. A campfire could be placed down a pit or it could be encircled by stones. Whether it is a big camp or a small one, the fire should be small. Just enough to boil water, cook food and provide heat and light. Do not make bonfires. It is a waste of firewood. Use the ash to neutralize the odor of your biodegradable pit.

Never use a live tree as your heat reflector. Do not set-up shelter near designated fire pit. Clear dry debris around your fire and protect it from gusts of wind. Do not make fire inside a tight forest of pine, cedar, pulpwood and eucalyptus and within a rubber tree plantation. Assign a night watch to protect and feed the fire throughout the night. If that cannot be possible, put it out thoroughly. Spread the ashes when you leave. Cover pit with stones.

Water source management is making sure that you do not contaminate this with your presence. Keep your camp and latrines a hundred feet away. The same with urinating. Do not wash your pots and plates directly on the stream. Make a water hole and use water from there. Do not leave food scraps on the water hole. Waste water should be thrown spread out away from the stream. Do not use household detergents.

Bushcraft is a child-friendly activity and it is normal to find children/minors participating. Minors are usually shy when in the company of other adults. The parent or the organizer should make it a point to hydrate the minor regularly. Same with nutrition. The child does not know outdoor conditions and it is so different from an urban setting. When in the presence of minors, adults should behave appropriately. Watch those language.

Long ago, it used to be just between a male or a female only but now there is the LGBT. They are people who are just different yet they are protected by law. A bushcraft camp should respect all genders. You must be sensitive to what you say or act. Aside that, all must respect the culture and religion of others. Serve them with food appropriate to their faith and do not force them to worship with you. Ask first.

Last for the day is conflict resolution. A bushcraft camp might tolerate the serving of alcohol but not too much. You can not carry much anyway. Conflict could sometimes happen within the camp or it is caused by outside interference. Put your best foot forward by reconciling all parties. If cannot be reconciled, separate both as far away from each other. Be very accommodating when dealing with locals but be alert. Use good people skills.

It was a long day but the lectures were delivered before sundown. Most of the participants set up simple shelters while a few brought tents. I used and tested for the first time another Silangan Outdoor Rev 20 tent acquired last August 2015. Cooking were done with small pieces of firewood in special burners and by butane stoves. I have explicit instructions to bring only canned goods. There will be no feasts. Just mundane proletariat meals.

I have already identified garbage management as the most underappreciated task in outdoor activities. Few people thought of that. New set of campers complain of garbage strewn about in popular destinations. I have even passed by camps left by so-called “environmentalists” and the most ardent followers of Leave No Trace and it is discouraging for one was in a watershed area. People are only good when someone is looking. 

The opened canned goods would be the yardstick of how people would treat their garbage seriously. I hope I could change old mindsets. I would inspect that in the morning if people have really absorbed my lectures. I would also home on the latrine and the compost pits. I would not allow people to assign one to carry all their garbage nor will I allow this to be carried outside of a backpack. They do not know that yet.

The second day, April 29, opened my eyes to one person who have not absorbed the part about opened canned goods. Old bad habits cannot be changed overnight. There are people who absorb knowledge like a sponge and there are some who have low absorption process and they are college graduates, come to think of it. Adaptation and improvisation are skills learned by those who want to practice bushcraft. If you do not have that, you can never blend in.

This is the second part and is about Organizing Outdoor Events. You must identify the kind of people you are targetting before creating one. Nowadays, it is very easy to broadcast your event. Facebook has a template for that and it is very user-friendly. You just name the event, identify a place, set the time and date, and describe the event in as understandable language as possible. You may add an itinerary. Contact person is a must!

The itinerary is the plan of action as ought to happen in your event. It is the guiding path of how, where and when should who will be. You place the dates, the places, the hours and the micro activities. From this information, making the food plan would not be difficult. You develop organizational, management and control skills starting from small day events, progressing to complex multi-day ones. Do not be tempted by greed.

The event should be realistic, controllable and manageable. Limit the participation. Mainstream events are known for massive participation to attract more revenues for the organizers. Too many people are eyesores to the mountains and causes environmental degradation due to the wear and tear on the vegetation and its soil by a huge number of shoes treading on it. It is rampant on popular destinations. Then you consider human wastes. Create your own destinations and make it small.

You should present your intentions to the LGUs and the police or military authorities on the places where you plan to hold your events. You should liaison with these offices and you should exchange contact numbers with them. You must provide yourself all the numbers of all police stations, tourism offices and rescue units of certain places in your phonebook. You send messages as you enter their AOR and on places where you set up campsites. Give them the courtesy of informing them too when your event had ended. Thank them!

Another item in liaisoning that you should make is the Route Card. It is the event with the itinerary but, included, are the names of the participants, their age, the contact numbers of their nearest kin and information of medical history and medication taken. Other information are special equipment, evacuation routes, extraction points and your contact numbers and final instructions should you remained incommunicado after 24 hours. A copy should be provided to a friend, a relative or a rescue unit.  

Lastly, if you are on leisure bushcraft, do not join a mainstream activity camp. You could never blend yourself in there. You would be a sorry sight. On the other hand, a bushcraft camp is a special activity that nurtures creativity in a person. If you have a place like this, it is better that you keep it to within yourselves. Do not share. Do not tell.

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