Hi. I am new to this forum (actually forums in general I guess), and this sounds like a great idea. Just depends on the actual dates of trip. Location is good. Any of the three for meeting is good too. I think I've got all necessary gear (lol, I'm very much a newbie, but smart and interested...just no buddies that are interested in this type of stuff), but would like to talk it over before committing, as I don't want to be a hindrance.

Why don't you post more so you can pm me.

Hi. I am new to this forum (actually forums in general I guess), and this sounds like a great idea. Just depends on the actual dates of trip. Location is good. Any of the three for meeting is good too. I think I've got all necessary gear (lol, I'm very much a newbie, but smart and interested...just no buddies that are interested in this type of stuff), but would like to talk it over before committing, as I don't want to be a hindrance.

Honestly the only real way to learn is to go out and do it. It will be safer with a group of people. In my opinion I don't see any reason why you can't come but I'm not in charge of this venture so...

One quick question. Regularguy, you said that we would be hunting and searching for wild edibles. Does that mean no bringing food or is bringing food still an option? =/ I like food. hehe

We will be bringing food and eat some for the first night but next day early morning we are going to try to catch some food. I would like to get everyone to do a differnt task like a fully functional unit but since it is going to be our first time, we will try and do everything on the same level so everyone has an idea of how things work. I will need all the help I can get from you guys to make it go smoothly.

Ideally tasks would be divided:
1) hunt/foraging/scouting (ie: hunt animals, gather edible/medicinal plants, scout areas for recon missions to gather intel)
2) water/firewood (ie: collect, purify/filter and storage of clean water, collect firewood for cooking and possibly cook)
3) security/safety of the camp (ie: setting up a security perimeter, assign emergency signals/callsigns, looking for possible gun positions and setup defensive line)

anyone who are not doing those task will be helping out with shelter and fortifying it if necessary (digging trenches, making the latrine, etc..)
Since its a short term camp fortifying is not necessary.

If I miss a point in there then let me know but I think those are the 3 main ones. basically those 3 can be broken down further but it is a condensed version so everyone has to do more because lack of people.
It can be scaled up or down depending on group size.

I joined the zombie survivalists on the social Web engine "Meetup".

We did a similar trip this summer, though I had to leave early as I scratched my cornea and had to be "evac'd" to the Sundre emergency room 😳

The leader was very experienced in outdoor survival. I'll see if he's following these forums as he did a winter trip last year apparently and might be interested in something like this.

This is a great idea.

I can confirm for certain that, as long as someone can give me a ride, I'm coming.....It would be nice to know who else is coming. =) I think a date would make it easier for other people to commit regularguy. If that is possible.

I'll be coming from Rocky Mountain House and can pick anyone up along the way. I have a jeep patriot so it's not huge, maybe 2 or 3 people depending on how much gear.

I'm from Lethbridge =. I think that's out of your way but thanks for the offer.

If anyone is interested I could brings some Information on winter wild edibles in Alberta and teach people new to that field some basics on finding wild edibles in the winter. If we provide some information and training it might make people more interested in coming. If not that's fine too. just offering to help.

I'll check my schedule to see which weekend I am available and get a date for you guys. It will be for sure late January or early February.

I can pick you up PP, I live in Lethbridge also. Any info you have on wild edibles is useful so bring what you think is good. I have a SAS pocket book that covers a general variety of plants only. Hoping the highways are open on the day of travel. The weather we got this week is bad. More info to come so check back here often.

Ya, I have a fair amount of region specific information and personal research I have done over the years. I could probably even print out some small pamphlets of things we will likely find on our trip.

I have a great book on wild edible and medicinal plants in north America. I'd have to see what's available in the winter but something to add to it.

mmm...yum!! I just had Russian olive and ham soup. It was surprisingly good for a wild edible. I figured I should get some experience cooking with wild edibles instead of just trail nibbling them in the bush. Let me tell you Russian olive as a base in a soup is actually quite good. hey so its not a five star restaurant but not bad.

Russian olive is a tree that has naturalized itself here in North America. You eat the fruit which is present all winter long. The fruit is not actually much like a fruit at all. It is mealy and dry. This being the case, it can be used similar to a flour when ground up. Apparently historically it has been used to flavor soups and I can see why. It is quite the invasive plant so you can find it quite often and it has quite a few a lot of fruit on each tree.

hehe just a fun little update on my preparations for the coming trip. if anyone wants me to shut up I will happily do so.

oh my!! I just took the leftover seeds(which are a decent size) and ate one. Its surprisingly similar to a sunflower seed(that was boiled). Then I roasted the rest and they are quite tasty. Note: I found it easier to eat the boiled ones. the roasted one were just a little harder to get past the seed coat. both ways are tasty..... So you can make soup with the outer flesh then nibble on the seeds after dinner.

oh my!! I just took the leftover seeds(which are a decent size) and ate one. Its surprisingly similar to a sunflower seed(that was boiled). Then I roasted the rest and they are quite tasty. Note: I found it easier to eat the boiled ones. the roasted one were just a little harder to get past the seed coat. both ways are tasty..... So you can make soup with the outer flesh then nibble on the seeds after dinner.

That's great PP! 😀

Something else that I would like to add...

Especially with all this snow, I will be carrying my BOB in a sled...*actually mountainman's idea* ... can you imagine lugging one's 40ish lb pack in 1-2 feet of snow?

pulling one's BOB in a sled may be a smarter way to go...just an idea id like to share with y'all 🙂

ya hehe. Your probably right. Nothing like a 40 pound bag to make you sink through the snow. I've seen sleds used to carry gear before but I have never personally used one to carry my gear. I might give it a try this year.

Hey CentralAB, you should come with us. The more the merrier =)!