When I was first introduced to proper mountaineering techniques, we tied in with a single loop bowline tied on laid rope and routinely did body rappels (I had the scars to prove it). Mountaineering techniques certainly have changed for the better with the development of new technology and techniques (which are considerably more expensive, I might add).

I think it is a little different with the traditional woodcraft mode. Nowadays, with the rise of LNT and the need for lessened environmental footprints in heavily used recreational areas, bough beds, leantos hacked from living saplings, and even wood fires just don't compute anymore, especially in vast areas of the relatively arid West (unless we are talking about very unusual circumstances, like emergencies). The old woodcraft still works fine, but it is now just inappropriate.

Today, I go out garbed in fleece and other synthetics, even though they are susceptible to melting if contacted with hot embers from a wood fire. I have kindled hundreds of wood fires over the years, but today, I routinely carry some kind of a stove. The last wood fire I built was twelve years ago (when our gas stove crapped out). If you build wood fires, wool clothing is much better, but wood fires, and a lot of other traditional techniques, in many areas just don't make a lot of sense.

I am particularly fond of a Pulaski (axe variation), an extraordinarily versatile tool. It needs to be used with care, but so does a Primus stove, or a GPS.