Grit, Gear, and Gumption: The PNW Survival Video games Expertise

An engineer, municipal employee, and a trainer stroll right into a campsite. No, this isn’t the setup to a joke, it is a testomony to the vary of individuals with various backgrounds who got here from all around the nation to take part within the PNW Survival Video games. Within the coronary heart of Oregon’s rugged wilderness, the Video games gives a novel mix of schooling, competitors, and camaraderie. This occasion, held this 12 months on the scenic Hipcamp in Molalla Ripple, invited individuals from all walks of life to check their survival abilities in a collection of intense, hands-on challenges. With almost 40 contestants, esteemed judges from widespread survival TV exhibits like Alone and Bare and Afraid, and specialists from well-known survival coaching firms, the occasion provided a novel alternative for anybody interested by honing their wilderness survival abilities.

Above: Most of the individuals had no prior survival coaching and felt a bit nervous earlier than the video games began. Nonetheless, they had been optimistic and desperate to study!

The PNW Survival Video games is open to the general public, requiring nothing greater than the acquisition of a $395 ticket to take part. This accessibility, mixed with the chance to study from seasoned survival specialists, is making it a must-attend occasion for each seasoned lovers and curious novices. This 12 months, individuals ranged from academics and utility employees to retired engineers and even a former PBS correspondent, every desperate to study and push their limits within the wild. For many who are followers of survival actuality exhibits, signing up requested individuals in the event that they wish to be thought of for inclusion a televised model of the Video games, including one other layer of pleasure to the combo.

Day 0: The Gathering

The primary day of the PNW Survival Video games was extra about connection than competitors. As contestants and workers arrived at Hipcamp Molalla Ripple, the ambiance was relaxed and welcoming. There have been no claims of experience, no bravado—only a group of individuals united by a shared curiosity in survival abilities. This was a gathering of various people, every with their distinctive background and expertise stage, coming collectively to study, share, and develop.

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The occasion’s specialists, or subject material specialists (SMEs), had been significantly enthusiastic about sharing their data. Their enthusiasm was infectious, setting the tone for the times to come back. Regardless of the relaxed ambiance, there was a palpable undercurrent of pleasure as everybody anticipated the challenges that lay forward.

Above: Contestants signed phrases of settlement earlier than taking part, and had been issued essential objects for the times forward.

Day 1: The Challenges Start

Day one of many PNW Survival Video games kicked off the morning with introductions and backstories, permitting contestants to get to know each other and the specialists they’d be studying from. Contestants additionally obtained every part they’d be allowed to make use of over the course of the 2 days. This included:

• Customized-branded water bottle with hydration packs
• Pack of Winterfresh gum (Firestarter Problem)
• Skippy Peanut butter
• Grim Workshop tin w/customized playing cards
• First Assist Package
• JxeJxo Axe
• Black Beard Ferro Rod & Fireplace Plugs
• Work gloves
• Shemagh
• Paracord
• Duct Tape
• Financial institution Line
• Sharpie
• Snare Wire
• Petzl Headlamp
• Sawyer Permethrin, Picaridin, Solar Display screen
• Pale Blue Earth Battery Set
• 6″ Bushcraft knife
• Folding Noticed
• Outside Component Firebiner
• Outside Component Omni-Tensil
• Size of Medical Tubing (for the First Assist Problem)

All of these things had been positioned right into a pack that may be carried all through the length of the challenges, and had been meant to reflect frequent survival objects which can be incessantly carried by recreationalists and adventurers versed of their use. With gear distributed, and introductions out of the way in which, the Video games started with the primary problem!

Above: Every contestant was issued a backpack full of drugs that may be essential to finishing the challenges over the following two days.

Problem 1: Shelter Constructing

• Time: 60 minutes
• Teacher: Wild Mountain Man Dan
• Standards: shelter have to be weatherproof, have bedding materials, and have facet partitions
• Part 2 (no time restrict): take a look at weatherproofing by way of fireplace hose

Led by Dana Anderson (aka “Wild Mountain Man Dan”), the shelter-building problem was an train in resourcefulness and fast pondering. This problem started with an introduction to the “Rule of Threes”—a survival precept that emphasizes the significance of addressing important wants inside particular time frames. Peter Bauer of Rewild Portland added his personal twist: “Three seconds to verify your angle,” stressing the psychological facet of survival. From there, Dan moved on to debate the significance of shelter in a survival state of affairs, significantly the necessity to mitigate publicity to the weather.

Above: Two contestants lash sourced timber collectively for the body of their shelter.

The foundations for the problem had been easy however demanding: contestants had 60 minutes to construct a weatherproof shelter utilizing solely pure supplies discovered on the bottom. The scramble for supplies was fast and intense, with contestants racing to assert the most effective assets alongside a brief stretch of the riverbank. The strain was on, and because the noon solar beat down, temperatures soared into the mid-80s, including one other layer of problem to the duty.

When time was up, contestants had been required to step away from their shelters and put together for judgment. Exhausted and overheated, they took a brief water break whereas the judges evaluated their work. The shelters, constructed from leaves, branches, and different pure supplies, had been put to the take a look at in a dramatic vogue. One member from every staff donned a dry orange jumpsuit and lay beneath their shelter as a hearth hose pumped water from the close by river in an overhead method that resembled a heavy downpour. The purpose was easy: keep dry.

After 15 seconds of the shelter being drenched by the hose, the jumpsuits had been eliminated and weighed to find out how a lot water that they had absorbed. This sensible take a look at of the shelters’ effectiveness highlighted the significance of correct building and a spotlight to element in survival conditions.

Above: Foliage wanted to be stacked thickly to stop water from getting inside through the climate proof take a look at.

Problem 2: Archery

The second problem of the day centered on archery, with EJ Snyder from Bare and Afraid main the way in which. EJ’s experience in primitive weaponry was evident as he demonstrated using a bundle bow and shared recommendations on arrow-making and the development of a slingshot bow. The foundations for this problem had been equally demanding: contestants had 60 minutes to craft six arrows, a bundle bow, and a slingshot bow. Some supplies, like fletching and river cane for arrows was supplied. Different supplies needed to be sourced from the panorama and supplied gear. Arrowheads had been accessible by way of Grim Workshop survival playing cards included in every of the contestants kits.

Above: River cane with a bigger diameter than the arrows was used because the “barrel” for the slingshot bow.

The archery problem was divided into three stations, every testing completely different elements of the contestants’ abilities. On the first station, they had been tasked with taking pictures at 5 spinning balloons, incomes one level for every balloon hit. The second station concerned a side-to-side transferring goal, with contestants needing to hit the goal as soon as to earn 5 factors. The third station featured long-range pictures at giant balloons stuffed with coloured powder, with factors awarded primarily based on the order of profitable hits.

Above: Orange balloon targets had been rotating on a spindle, offering a further layer of problem to the problem.

Regardless of the problem’s depth, the contestants impressed with their resourcefulness. Though some arrows weren’t completely straightened, they nonetheless managed to hit their targets. The Video games aren’t with out hazard, as the primary damage of the occasion occurred throughout this problem. One contestant, making an attempt to fulfill the time constraints, misplaced his focus and suffered a minor knife wound whereas setting up their bow and arrows. Fortuitously, the damage was not severe and was shortly tended to, underscoring the actual dangers concerned in survival actions.

Above: Though minor, this contestant injured his thumb whereas shedding focus crafting his bows and arrows.

Problem 3: Fireplace Making

The ultimate problem of the day revolved round a ability important to survival: fire-making. Sharon Ross of Afrovivalist took the lead, emphasizing the evolutionary significance of fireside in human historical past. She demonstrated begin a hearth utilizing a gum wrapper and an AA battery, a way that fascinated and challenged the contestants.

Above: Beginning a hearth with AA batteries and chewing gum wrapper is difficult however attainable if ready correctly.

Guidelines for this problem had been simple however difficult, contestants had 60 minutes to construct a tripod that their fireplace could be made beneath, collect tinder and kindling, begin a hearth utilizing the gum wrapper methodology, and warmth a plastic bottle of water to 210 levels Fahrenheit with out it melting or spilling on to the flames. In the event that they failed to start out a hearth with the gum wrapper inside quarter-hour, they may swap to utilizing a ferro rod. And eventually, after heating their water to boiling temperature, that they had to make use of a second tinder bundle and light-weight a tiki torch as a part of the method.

Above: If suspended fastidiously, water may be boiled in a plastic container with out the outside melting fully.

After fires had been lit and water was boiled, the sense of accomplishment was, with everybody ending the problem with 7 minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock. The tiki torches had been later used to mild the dinner tables, including a heat and symbolic glow to the night’s meal—a pig roast that had been cooking over an open fireplace all day. After dinner, contestants had been inspired to choose the brains of the visitor judges, gaining additional insights into survival strategies.

Day 2: Pushing Limits

The second day of the PNW Survival Video games started with a dialogue led by Wild Mountain Man Dan on the origins of the self-reliance motion, tracing its roots again to the Again to Fundamentals motion of the Seventies. This historic context set the stage for the day’s challenges, which might push the contestants to their bodily and psychological limits.

Above: Pulling a affected person on an improvised litter is laborious and bodily exhausting, even over comparatively quick distances. The new climate made for powerful circumstances for the the individuals.

Problem 4: Wilderness First Assist

Natalie Bonthius from Survival Med delivered an in-depth session on wilderness first support and first responder abilities. She coated a variety of subjects, from the primary proof of amputation 30,000 years in the past to fashionable strategies for bleeding management. Natalie emphasised the significance of the MARCH Protocol—Huge Hemorrhage, Airway, Respirations, Circulation/C-Backbone, Hypo/Hyperthermia—as a information for prioritizing care in emergency conditions.

Above: Faux blood, suspended in an IV bag, was used to duplicate a significant hemorrhage. The bleeding wanted to be stopped by way of improvised tourniquet earlier than contestants might transfer on to the following a part of the problem. 

The problem that adopted required contestants to use these abilities in a simulated emergency. They’d 60 minutes to cease a bleed stemming from a pretend blood pouch, shut a wound with duct tape sutures, splint a leg with improvised supplies, and transport the “affected person” to security utilizing an improvised litter. This problem introduced out the most effective within the contestants, but additionally highlighted the tough realities of survival. One contestant suffered from warmth exhaustion and needed to withdraw, a stark reminder of the bodily calls for of the atmosphere.

Above: Contestants had been taught how they may use duct tape to suture a wound with out really must penetrate the pores and skin (wound was simulated).

Regardless of the difficulties, the problem was successful. Contestants confirmed resilience and adaptableness, studying useful classes in regards to the significance of preparedness and the dangers concerned in wilderness survival.

Problem 5: Lure Constructing

• Time: 60 minutes
• Teacher: Biko Wright – Alone
• Standards: dig a pit, construct and set the entice, take a look at the entice, camouflage the outlet, catch a bear

Subsequent up was the trap-building problem, led by Biko Wright from the Historical past Channel’s Alone – Season 8. Contestants had been tasked with setting up a spring-step entice, a conventional snare used to catch small sport. The foundations required contestants to dig a step gap measuring 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches (later revised to six inches deep as a result of soil circumstances), camouflage the outlet, set the entice, and efficiently catch an “animal”—on this case, a stuffed teddy bear.

Above: Spring traps are efficient at catching small sport, or on this case, a careless teddy bear. With the ability to procure useful meals assets is a crucial survival ability.

This problem examined not solely the contestants’ technical abilities but additionally their endurance and a spotlight to element. Setting the entice and camouflaging it successfully was no straightforward feat, and lots of contestants struggled to get the set off mechanism good. Nonetheless, the satisfaction of efficiently suspending the teddy bear not less than 4 toes above the bottom made the trouble worthwhile.

Above: Setting a snare entice may be irritating, even for skilled trappers. Getting it performed inside a 60 minute timeframe is nothing wanting spectacular.

Problem 6: Raft Constructing

• Time: 60 minutes
• Teacher: EJ Snyder and Karie Lee – Alone
• Standards: construct a one particular person raft
• Part 2: accumulate 6 streamers alongside a size of river and cross the end line

The ultimate problem of the occasion was the raft-building competitors, which required teamwork, creativity, and resourcefulness. EJ and Karie Lee from Historical past Channel’s Alone, had been main the cost, and mentioned the fundamentals of a “Huck Finn” model raft. Groups had been mixed (two groups per raft), and given 60 minutes to assemble a one-person raft utilizing supplies from the shelter-building problem.

Above: Wild Mountain Man Dan gives ideas to groups with questions, however as an teacher/decide, he’s unable to assist them bodily.

They had been additionally given two 5-gallon jugs and a blue tarp to make use of wherever groups deemed acceptable. The rafts had been judged on buoyancy, craftsmanship, and maneuverability, and contestants had to make use of their rafts to retrieve flags hidden within the river and on the distant shore. As soon as they returned, they needed to carry their rafts a brief distance to the PNW Survival Sport’s end line, and to triumphant celebration!

Above: Mixed groups didn’t have a lot time to debate design and construct their rafts. This meant utilizing some severe teamwork and drawback fixing abilities.

The raft-building problem was a becoming conclusion to the PNW Survival Video games, bringing collectively all the talents and classes discovered over the previous two days. As contestants examined their rafts within the water, it was clear that the designs had been each modern and practical. The joy was palpable as groups navigated the river, retrieved their flags, and returned to shore, showcasing their survival abilities and teamwork.

Above: The improvised rafts didn’t all the time maintain up the way in which the contestants needed them to, making navigation by the river extraordinarily troublesome.

Winners and Rewards

The PNW Survival Video games culminated within the announcement of the highest three groups, who had been acknowledged for his or her excellent efficiency all through the occasion. The third and second-place winners each earned 41 factors and the judges had been requested to judge the nuances of their rafts to interrupt the tie. Remarkably, one member of the second place staff, a retired municipal employee, had by no means even been tenting a day in his life and had bought his gear simply two weeks previous to the occasion. The primary-place winners, with 45 factors, attributed their success to their meticulous preparation, together with training challenges from earlier years and sustaining an organized strategy to their gear. As one of many winners famous, “You by no means rise to the event, you sink to your lowest stage of coaching.”

Above: As soon as the rafts had been out of the water, the contestants needed to carry them a brief distance over the end line. They had been met with enthusiasm and encouragement alongside the way in which.

Winners of the PNW Survival Video games obtained a beneficiant prize cache for his or her efforts:

• third Place:
  – $250 Money Prize
  – 20 L ORCA Cooler
  – 40 L Outlast Provide Co Drybag
  – Outside Component: Pot Set
  – PNWBushcraft: Waxed Canvas Journey Tray
  – Survival Med All Entry Cross to On-line Catalog
• 2nd Place:
  – $500 Money Prize
  – 40 L ORCA Cooler
  – 40 L Outlast Provide Co Drybag
  – Outside Component: Pot Set & Windproof Range
  – PNWBushcraft: Waxed Canvas Foraging Hip Bag & Waxed Canvas Cedar Bucket Bag
  – Survival Med All Entry Cross to On-line Catalog
• 1st Place:
  $1,000 Money Prize
  58 L ORCA Cooler
  40 L Outlast Provide Co Drybag
  Outside Component: Pot Set, Windproof Range, & Basecamp Bliss Bundle
  Blackbeard Firestarter Pirate Plunder Package
  PNWBushcraft: Waxed Canvas Floor Material, Hammock Chair, & Waxed Canvas Foraging Hip Bag
  Survival Med All Entry Cross to On-line Catalog

Above: The primary staff from the raft constructing problem crosses the end line, making them the primary to finish the 2024 PNW Survival Video games.

Reflections and Insights

Because the PNW Survival Video games got here to an in depth, it was clear that the occasion had left a long-lasting impression on all who participated. Contestants had been desperate to share their ideas and experiences, reflecting on the challenges that they had confronted and the talents that they had acquired.

Above: Groups who positioned within the high three had been awarded customized made PNW Survival Sport plaques.

One contestant remarked, “I by no means realized how a lot I did not know.” One other famous, “I really feel rather more assured being self-reliant within the wild.” These sentiments had been echoed by others who praised the sensible, relevant abilities that they had discovered, significantly through the medical portion of the occasion. “You do not understand how a lot time it takes to finish considered one of these abilities,” a contestant noticed, which speaks to the significance of follow, preparation, and endurance essential to grasp these abilities.

Above: Todd from PNWBushcraft watches the individuals of the Video games as they construct their bows and arrows. Other than presence of sponsors, contributors and a busy digital camera crew, spectators had been additionally invited to take care of cheer on their contestants.

Many individuals expressed their intention to return subsequent 12 months, with many planning on bringing pals. The sense of accomplishment and the arrogance gained from the occasion had been evident of their phrases. “I discovered a lot sensible, relevant abilities from the medical portion. I really feel rather more assured with the ability to assist others or myself,” one participant stated, which gave the impression to be the general influence of the occasion amongst contestants.

Above: Nothing builds the bonds of friendship fairly like a shared impediment to beat. Everybody who attended left the 2024 PNW Survival Video games with new pals and new tales to share round their subsequent campfire.

Closing Ideas

Regardless of some minor setbacks—comprehensible for an occasion in solely its second 12 months—the PNW Survival Video games proved to be an accessible and invaluable expertise for anybody interested by survival abilities. It provided a novel alternative to study and follow these abilities in a supportive atmosphere whereas additionally offering a platform for individuals to fulfill TV personalities and probably pursue their very own path within the survival neighborhood. For many who participated, it was an unforgettable expertise that left them higher ready to face the challenges of the wild—and desperate to return for extra.

Particular Thanks

This occasion wouldn’t have been the success it was with out the onerous work of LeeAnn Peniche holding down base camp, and the entire sponsors, distributors and contestants chipping in to assist. We’re additionally grateful for the well timed response of the Molalla First Responder crew who got here to assist the contestant who suffered a warmth damage.

Above: Molalla First Responders arrived briefly order to help with a warmth damage. Their presence added a layer of consolation understanding they had been close by and able to assist.

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Written by Patrick Diedrich