By Karie Lee Knoke
Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall
In ancient traditions, summer is the element of fire. The time of action, expression, creativity and joy. A time to be free and untethered.
Here in the Inland Northwest, our summers are short. There is an urgency in the air to play as hard as we can, allowing our bones to soak up the heat and vitamin D, giving us a surge of bountiful energy.
The sun invites us to let go of our daily grind and responsibilities and reconnect with nature and the outdoors. Escaping to true wilderness offers a profound opportunity to disconnect from the urban hustle and immerse yourself in untouched natural beauty. This experience allows you to truly appreciate the raw, unspoiled landscapes and the serenity they provide.
Planning weekend getaways to nearby national parks, forests, or nature reserves can be a practical approach. These trips don’t have to be lengthy; even a brief retreat they can rejuvenate your spirit and provide a sense of peace. Engage in activities like hiking, camping, horseback riding or kayaking to fully immerse yourself in the wilderness.
Such activities not only provide physical exercise, but foster a deeper connection with nature and the opportunity for learning about the wild world our ancestors lived in. What foods did they eat? How did they shelter themselves from the elements and predators? What did they carry water in? There is so much lost wisdom and it’s imperative to keep these traditions alive.
Gaining the wisdom of our ancestors enhances your outdoor adventures with self-confidence and self-reliance. Knowing what to do when adventure turns awry can turn a surviving situation into a thriving situation. Learning ancestral wilderness skills is not only crucial for survival, but fun and inspiring. Just think about what you could make with willow. Perhaps a basket, or a stick horse for your child to play with, or a simple hotdog roasting stick. Not to mention that nibbling on willow bark is a great antidote for those troublesome headaches. And all this costs you nothing except some time spent outdoors.
Of course, in summer, there are endless encounters with wildlife, from the finned to the furred and the feathered, providing a wealth of entertainment watching their mysterious movements and methods of survival for their species. Understanding their movement patterns and habits can lead you to that perfect shot, whether you’re an aspiring photographer or trying to put food on your family’s table.
And what about those rocks! Here’s a topic that is easily stepped over. What do we have to learn from stones? From shelter building to making a cutting edge, stones have been used for tools since the stone age. Knowing how to find the right stone that will break and can be flint-knapped into a knife or arrowhead is priceless and intriguing. Flint-knapping is an art that few master, but if you can make a stone that cuts something, that’s valuable and may be all you need. So instead of practicing your stone skipping abilities, try breaking one open to create a useful tool if you find yourself in a pinch.
Gaining this type of knowledge will forever change the way you hike. Instead of just aiming for the peak, you’ll develop a keen ability to identify useful plants and stones, find ideal shelter spots, and truly connect with your surroundings. Your journey will become more meaningful and deeply connected to nature than ever before.
Tapping into the ancient wisdom of our ancestors is profound and can dig up a sense of belonging. A place to call home within yourself, regardless of where you live.
Joining outdoor groups can provide structured, guided experiences and the camaraderie of like-minded individuals, making your wilderness escapes more enriching and enjoyable. The best place to learn these skills is out in the wilderness itself with supportive mentors to guide you through each step of the process, physically and emotionally.
So, this summer, play with purpose. Ignite your fire and creative passion and allow yourself to be free and wild. Feel free to join us on a wilderness adventure of learning and connection to nature with supportive guides. You’ll build a community of fellow outdoor adventurers, creating a sense of belonging, confidence, self-reliance and unforgettable memories of family fun!
Karie Lee Knoke is a wilderness/primitive skills instructor and founder of Sacred Cedars Wilderness School. She was a contestant on the reality survival TV show, Alone Season 9, on the History Channel. Go to www.karieleeknoke.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook @SacredCedarsWildernessSchool or Instagram @karie_lee_knoke
