Bushcraft Los Angeles

PRIMITIVE & MODERN TECHNOLOGY: FIRE WORKSHOP

PRIMITIVE & MODERN TECHNOLOGY: FIRE WORKSHOP WE’LL BE COOKING TOO! October 31, 10 a.m. We will take a walk and you will see the woods that are used to make the most basic methods of fire-production: The bow and drill, and the hand drill. You will also see flint and steel. You will learn by doing. You will work to make an ember, and you will learn which woods are best, and how to process your woods. A short walk included to see which plants are best for your fire-making kit. This is a timeless bushcraft skill. We expect that each person will be able to collect and process most of your kit during this class. You will learn this fundamental bushcraft skill by doing! An excellent overall survival skill, since fire is at the very heart of survival: signalling, purifying water, cooking, etc. BONUS: Once we make a fire, we’ll cook some wild foods at the grill for each of you to try. October 31 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm $45.00 – $65.00 Location 2, Hahamongna.

MIDDAY FIRE WORKSHOP — hands-on

To attend and for exact location, Register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/lunchtime-plant-id-walk-with-soup-and-fire-making/) October 22 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm $30.00 – $45.00 Thursday, October 22, Noon. LUNCHTIME FIRE WORKSHOP SURVIVAL, BUSHCRAFT, SELF-RELIANCE! Primitive skills are very popular, and the ability to make fire without matches is at the top of the list. We will practice a few of the primitive methods of fire-starting methods, and you will learn some of the secrets that come from years of experience. You will get to practice the bow drill, the hand drill, flint and steel, and more. We will also go for a short walk (if time) so you can see the types of woods that are best for making fire, and the tinders that are best for getting your fire to light. And enjoyable gathering. Bring a bowl and water. And yes, you will learn about a few wild plants at this class as well. Location sent when you register — most likely Hahamongna. Please register to attend and for location. Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.

Craft Night x Movie Night

**This event is SOLD OUT🧙🏻‍♀️** *\* **Movie night is a ticketed event. Please RSVP on*** ***[Luma](https://luma.com/burdenof-zw82)*** **This October, we're celebrating every kind of craft at craft night... including witchcraft 🔮 Join us for an extra-cozy edition featuring a screening of *The Craft*.** Bring a project (knit, mend, stitch, sketch, whatever you're into!) and a small personal light if you'll need one to see your work during the movie. ​Seating is a mix of picnic-style floor spots, low tables, and chairs, so grab whichever suits your craft. Feel free to bring a blanket and pillow for extra coziness. ​Dressing up as a teenage witch is *strongly* recommended. **Your ticket includes:** 🥂 Non-alcoholic mulled wine 🍿 Fall snacks 🎃 Fun and prizes! ​**Schedule:** 🚪 Doors: 6:00 PM 📺 Screening: 6:30 PM ​*Please note: The Craft depicts scenes of self-harm and domestic and sexual violence. Please take care of yourself while you attend.*

MID-DAY NATURAL NAVIGATION CLASS

October 29 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm $30.00 – $45.00 October 29, noon Getting around accurately is a valuable survival skill! Sometimes you have a compass and map, and sometimes you don’t. In this two-hour class, you’ll learn how to construct a sun compass, and how you can use that to tell direction and time. This sun compass is nearly as accurate as your magnetized compass, and the “clock” is more accurately telling you local solar time — good enough for general purposes. You’ll also learn some natural methods of telling direction, which are ages-old observations. You’ll learn which are worth remembering, and which are “old husband’s tales.” We’ll also address how to identify constellations for telling directions, and how to navigate with only a compass. So bring your compass. What we cover in our short time will depend upon how much time everyone needs to grasp the concepts. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

Craft Night at Burden of Proof

First Tuesday Craft Night at Burden of Proof 🍸 It’s the night of craft, chatter and laughter. Bring your work in progress, be ready to get inspired by amazing projects fellow crafties are working on 🪄 Delicious N/A drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the shop 🍿 Please rsvp on [Luma](https://luma.com/user/SoftSeduction)

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS Class, One night summary, on-campus

SURVIVAL SKILLS, Friday, October 23, 7 p.m. Sponsored by Pasadena City College. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost is $49. The class topics include uses of wild plants for food and medicine, purifying and finding water, making fire with primitive and modern methods, natural navigation, finding fibre from natural sources and making cordage, emergency shelters, tools and weapons, and more. The conversation and questions from students makes this lively and engaging. Christopher: “Let’s get real! Two hours is barely an introduction, but you will see a lot and get a good well-rounded introduction. See you there.” Taught by Christopher Nyerges.

TRADITIONAL ARROW MAKING

To Attend and for Exact Location, Register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/traditional-arrow-making/) Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m., TRADITIONAL ARROW MAKING $65 ($45 for seniors and students) BUSHCRAFT SKILLS This is one of the fundamental bushcraft skills that all hunter-gatherers needed to know. You might make a new bow every year, but you had to make arrows all the time. In this class, you will learn the basic parts of the arrow, and how an arrow can be very simple, or more complex. You will learn at least two common methods that arrows were made in the past. You will learn each step of making the traditional arrow, and then each student will make one. You will learn all the steps along the way, from selection of wood, shaft straightening, to adding the nocks, points, and feathers. Bring your knife, and fine files if you have them. Otherwise, tools will be provided. What’s more important? The bow, or the arrow? Obviously, the arrow, since it is the projectile that flies through the air. It must be straight, and properly aligned. Nearly every society of the past used archery for hunting, and that meant LOTS of arrows. You’ll learn that there are several ways to make an arrow that will shoot straight, and you will make at least two. Again, bring whatever tools you might have. Cost is $65, with a senior and student rate of $45. Be sure to RSVP. LOCATION 2. Hahamongna Watershed Park, on Pasadena’s west side, bordering with La Canada. Enter the park from Oak Grove and Foothill, and drive into the park, staying on the upper road (do NOT make that left turn and drive downhill), until you see the outdoor bathroom. Park there.

Learn New Skills-Make New Friends-Experience New Adventure

**INFORMATIONAL POSTING ONLY-See Website at** **[www.wildernesstravelcourse.org](http://www.wildernesstravelcourse.org/)** Dear Group Members, particularly the recent swell of new, never-been-backpacking-before-but-want-to-start members: There is a great Sierra Club opportunity that is about to begin….an opportunity that only happens one time each year and it is one of the best outdoor learning experiences the Sierra Club has to offer. This is the Angeles Chapter Wilderness Travel Course (WTC). Some of you have taken the course and are now leaders and/or knowledgeable hikers. For those of you who have not, enrollment in WTC is something you should consider now. The Wilderness Travel Course helps build outdoor skills so hikers can be safe in the backcountry. The course runs for ten weeks and includes four field trips (two one day and two weekend outings). Students learn map and compass navigation skills for competent hiking off-trail, snow travel, rock scrambling techniques, first aid, nutrition and lots more. The course is followed by unforgettable experience backpacking trips, most of which take place in the High Sierra, Sequoia and Yosemite during the summer months. WTC moves you from being a day hiker to a more serious adventurer. You will acquire skills in trip planning, preparation, equipment and wilderness safety to take you into the backcountry in all seasons, beyond roads and trails with new friends that share your interest in the outdoors. Again, the course runs only one time each year and takes place in Southern California in four locations as follows: West Los Angeles (Wednesdays beginning Jan 6th;Orange County (Tuesdays beginning Jan 12th) Long Beach/South Bay (Wednesdays beginning January 20th); San Gabriel Valley (Tuesdays beginning Jan 26th); The four geographic areas fill up well in advance of the class start date so register early. **FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR THE COURSE GO TO: www.wildernesstravelcourse.org**

~ INDIAN COVE ~ Group Site Camping Joshua Tree Nat’l Park

**We will be camping at INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND, GROUP SITE, on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, 2026.** **Although they allow up to 20 people we’re capping the group at 15 people and we are allowed up to 8 vehicles, max, at the group campsite.** **Please join the waitlist.** **There is a campsite fee of $5.50 PER PERSON, payable in advance.** **PLEASE PAY BY OCTOBER 1 to ensure group campsite fee is 100% covered.** **>>>>Fee is refundable only if the trip gets canceled.** **You’re completely free to go explore on your own, or just chillax at camp.** **>>>NATIONAL PARKS PASS IS REQUIRED FOR EACH VEHICLE ENTERING THE PARK.** **Purchase online or pay at the gate.** **October 31 is the last day of Daylight Savings. That means we’ll enjoy an extra hour of sleep, overnight, into Sunday morning.** **If you have any questions please comment below.**

Informational Posting-Learn New Skills-Make New Friends-Experience New Adventure

**INFORMATIONAL POSTING ONLY-See Website** **[www.wildernesstravelcourse.org](http://www.wildernesstravelcourse.org/)** Dear Group Members, particularly the recent swell of new, never-been-backpacking-before-but-want-to-start members: There is a great Sierra Club opportunity that is about to begin….an opportunity that only happens one time each year and it is one of the best outdoor learning experiences the Sierra Club has to offer. This is the Angeles Chapter Wilderness Travel Course (WTC). Some of you have taken the course and are now leaders and/or knowledgeable hikers. For those of you who have not, enrollment in WTC is something you should consider now. The Wilderness Travel Course helps build outdoor skills so hikers can be safe in the backcountry. The course runs for ten weeks and includes four field trips (two one day and two weekend outings). Students learn map and compass navigation skills for competent hiking off-trail, snow travel, rock scrambling techniques, first aid, nutrition and lots more. The course is followed by unforgettable experience backpacking trips, most of which take place in the High Sierra, Sequoia and Yosemite during the summer months. WTC moves you from being a day hiker to a more serious adventurer. You will acquire skills in trip planning, preparation, equipment and wilderness safety to take you into the backcountry in all seasons, beyond roads and trails with new friends that share your interest in the outdoors. Again, the course runs only one time each year and takes place in Southern California in four locations as follows: West Los Angeles (Wednesdays beginning Jan 6th;Orange County (Tuesdays beginning Jan 12th) Long Beach/South Bay (Wednesdays beginning January 20th); San Gabriel Valley (Tuesdays beginning Jan 26th); The four geographic areas fill up well in advance of the class start date so register early. **FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR THE COURSE GO TO: www.wildernesstravelcourse.org**

Search and Rescue Open House

For more info, visit: smsr.org Visit this family-friendly, educational day celebrating 75 years of volunteer wilderness rescue. The event takes place right at their rescue station in Sierra Madre. **Rescue Station Tours:** Go inside the headquarters to explore the nerve center where the team coordinates wilderness searches and emergency operations. **Gear & Technology Displays:** Get a close-up look at specialized technical rock, snow, and ice rescue gear. Members will showcase their mission-critical tracking software, satellite messengers, and drone/UAS equipment. **Preventative SAR & Hiking Safety:** Team members will host public outreach sessions covering wilderness survival basics, heat exhaustion awareness, and steps to take if you get lost in the San Gabriel Mountains. **Kid-Friendly Activities:** The event is designed for all ages, offering interactive safety activities, fun learning experiences for children, and photo opportunities. Chat directly with the all-volunteer crew to learn about real missions, or speak with recruiters if you are interested in joining the team's upcoming January 2027 training class.

Mt. Baldy via the Ski Hut Trail