I have been outdoor hiking, camping ever since I could walk.
Living near a river and woods helped. Most kids skipped school to party I skipped school to fish, hike and hunt.

I then was a co-founder of a Search and Rescue Team, and got involved in Medical Rescue. Then I was fortunate to be able to take man-tracking training from some of the best instructors around which led me to training Law Enforcement officers, Search and Rescue teams, and even got to be a civilian instructor to train a Marine Corp Sniper team.< a great bunch of guys by the way....HOOYAH

Part of my paid job was to actual build high detailed maps from scratch, but I was into Land Navigation from an early age. I have taught Land Navigation on a military base. Since I am trained to be a trouble-shooter I have been cross trained in many areas.

I have worked for the government for over twenty three years.


So I have picked up my skills from several varied sources and from real world rescues. I won't say I have seen it all and I am not an expert, I am still learning. Like they say though some things I have seen in my career would make a billy goat puke.