Had I not taken the time to learn from Kalahari Bushmen, I would have missed out on a
plentiful—and easy-to-catch—source of food: the weaver bird (which, as shown here, I
am attempting to pull out of a nest).the terrain in your head. Later, when you’re out there, nothing will surprise
you. Beyond this, here are the vital things you should always know about
any region you plan to visit:
What kind of vegetation, trees, or plants can you expect to find?
Which, if any, of these are edible?
Where are the water sources?
What kinds of animals are there, and which are dangerous?
What’s the worst possible weather for that area and season? (Checking the
weather forecast is a must, as well: if conditions look bad, maybe you should
postpone your trip for a while.)
What will the day and night temperatures be?
When do the high and low tides occur, and what are the levels?
Who are the local people, what are their customs or taboos, and are they friendly?People can play a bigger part in your wilderness adventure than you
may think, and unfriendly people may prove a significant hurdle to over-
come, even where I live in Canada. There is a river in northern Ontario
(^6) | Survive!