Will To Live by Joshua Poole

Will to Live - Reflections of THE EDGE - Part I Skills

by -  Joshua Poole

"This extreme, intense, THE EDGE challenge is what drew me to the wet and wild world of southern Oregon. Some may be interested in survival skills for chaotic end of the world scenarios, and others prefer to study the materials to aid in outdoors emergency situations.

I’m hoping I never have to deal with either but being able to make a fire, a shelter, a trap for food, just seem like good skills to acquire....."

Part II Quest for Fire

"The biggest concern I had going to Oregon to learn survival skills was that I had little knowledge of the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. In Madagascar I could identify most trees and plants, forage for food, even harvest water from a number of items like the national tree, the travelers palm.

But here on the Oregon coast, it was a whole new ballgame. One important skill that proves useful wherever you are is fire. Although what can be used for tinder and kindling may differ from place to place, the art of starting and keeping a fire is similar wherever you may be...."

Part III A Walk in the Woods

"For the first time in recent memory, I was not annoyed at a 5:00 am alarm and hurriedly dressed and prepared for the day. The rain had been falling all night long, amplified by the yurt’s dome roof and didn’t seem to be letting up.

I piled on the layers, my mind fast forwarding to a cold night ahead. The storm had knocked out electricity, which added to the feeling that the day would have some challenges in store. I threaded my knife through my belt, packed up my belongings and set out to meet the group...."

The Will to Live - Part IV The Best Hot Water I Ever Drank

"Back at the fire we spread out the Tule, started drying out larger pieces of wood and put on some water to boil from the lake. Unless you like sulfur burps and non-stop diarrhea, be sure to bring your water to a clear boil.

We passed a metal cup around with the hot water and shared sips. No joke (although we had many), it was the best hot water I’ve ever had. We went a step further throwing spruce needles in for a minty, delicious treat. A few passes later and the headache lifted, my head was light and my eyelids heavy...."

In Conclusion - Part V The Joy of Discomfort

"For me though, there’s something about being in the outdoors, getting closer to nature, roughing it, getting away from the comforts of life.

When I’m out, every gulp of water is savored, each cup of tea is the best I can remember, the air feels fresher, the heat of the fire soothing, even the absence of choices (clothes, food, luxuries) is liberating. Is it that I actually seek out discomfort and enjoy it?..