Iowan Vs. Wild

Ever since the show Man vs. Wild and Survivorman started showing I knew that I would want to try this out on my own. From that point when I made the decision I have been training myself with things ranging from reading military field manuals, website information, and other survival books that I could get my hands on. I wanted to make my own southern Iowa edition of these ever popular t.v. shows.

I know that I want to do this my senior year of summer (the summer before I head off to college) and I’m going to do this with my younger cousin. We may or may not tape this as I don’t want to end up being another of the millions of never found, but yet good youtube videos. I’m leaning away from this as it will be just a hassle, and a reason to ruin an expensive camera.

Our version will consist of us residing along the banks of the North Skunk river, and the whole point of this “experience” is to see how long we can survive out in the woods without any outside help or assistance of any kind or form. I’m hoping that we can sustain ourselves with both a shelter, food, and water and that we will have no need to give up, but will rather turn in because we are bored of being out in the woods. Also, my cousin and I are hoping if things turn “south” and we do struggle in maintaining a supply of food and water or if the weather is horrible that we will at a minimum be able to stay out in the woods for one week.

The conditions (what we are going to bring with us) include two knifes, one hatchet, 200 yd. of braided survival line, and a set of hooks. Due to the fact that we are going to be on a river we are going to be fishing a lot, and it is going to be a huge aspect of what we are going to need to do to “survive”. There are several nice locations on the river that would be great spots to make our camp shelter.

I think our days will consist mostly of fishing and tending the fire, but also foraging, preparing the meals, and improving and making the shelter. (Kind of sounds like Lord of the Flies, doesn’t it?) Anyways this is what I’m going to do next year and this year I’m going to try a “test” trial to see if I’m capable of sustaining myself for at least a couple of days.