FREE Wild Survival Winter Get Together

Christopher Nyerges, School of Self-Reliance; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Xochitl (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Christopher placed this passionflower wreath made of living vines on my head.

Guide to Wild Foods, Plants

FREE WINTER GET TOGETHER, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, 10:00 am-1:30 pm

It’s a good time to socialize, network, and learn valuable skills in a relaxed setting with snacks.

This event for students and friends of The School of Self-Reliance, those interested in learning survival skills, learning botany, foraging, healing with plants, and developing simplicity and wisdom in ancient Native American ways.

This is an annual gathering of friends of the School of Self-Reliance, founded by Nature Guide Christopher Nyerges, author of many nature, plant, survival, and spiritual books.

A “trade blanket” will be set out for people to place books, gear, knives, and similar items for trade or sale.

He's written lots of books on nature.

There will be a discussion of what makes a good “survival kit” (bug out bag, camping essentials, prepper material) — so bring a kit to have it “analyzed.”

Most of Christopher Nyerges’s books will be available at discount direct prices, as well as GIFT CERTIFICATES.

Foraging Edible Wild Plants

This is a meet to share survival stories, including what hikers should always have on them while trekking in nature and what should be in a “survival pack” in order to be prepared for the unexpected. 

If anyone wants to bring products for sale or trade, please let Christopher know in advance.

• FREE WINTER GET-TOGETHER
• Hahamongna Watershed Park, Pasadena
• FREE, no fee, but RSVP for better planning
• Date: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
• Time: 10:00 am-1:30 pm
• Cost: FREE
• School of Self-Reliance

WHAT HAPPENED? (Review)

We gathered around the outdoor fire on a sunny Southern California winter's day. Potluck food piled up on the main table. Others set out tables and carpets on the ground to trade, sell, and give away camping and survivalist equipment. Soup simmered on the crackling flames, as hugs went round for old friends. Then Christopher presented four packs to evaluate their emergency and bug out value. There is no one safety bag. It all depends on conditions and plans and should constantly be evaluated. Have a knife, a map, water, a compass, a blanket, a means of making a shelter. The philosophies of each bag packer became apparent, and only Keith made sense. He leads outings and classes and spoke of the Rule of Threes. We can live without food for three weeks, without water for three days, and without air for three minutes, but "air" isn't what we breathe in a diving situation. It's the essentials of survival if we get cut and start bleeding out. We need a first aid kit but, more than that, we need to know how to use it. We need the right mindset, the right outlook. That and a utility knife are enough to survive. The rest depends on conditions. We ate. Christopher told jokes. And people gathered around the table of books, flints, blades, Swiss Army knives, backpacks, and firesticks. Then an ancient yarn spinning machine from the 1800s was brought out for all to admire the ingenuity of our forebears. Cody got on the mic, taking some limelight from the day's guitarist and singer. Then hugs and all spread out to take the information to the world.