A bushcraft inspired kayak trip; Part III

Nadir busy bushcrafting

This kayaking trip to Ulu Muda dam is probably more bushcraft inspired than anything else. While I have been trying to learn and trying out bushcrafting, Nadir seems to have it built into his genes. Both of us tried our hands on a few projects, some turned out okay, some better left unsaid.

We dedicated one full day to simply relaxing at the camp and doing all things bushcraft. Nadir came prepared. Among the many things he brought along were pieces of blades called ‘Pisau Malas’ (translated as ‘lazy knives’). He made them by grinding down retired steel saw blades. They really look awesome. His project…to make working handles. He managed to knock one out in less than 30minutes. Not the best looking things but definitely functional.

One of the Pisau Malas which Nadir made the handles for

The Pisau Malas was definitely useful in making small, more intricate control cuts and carvings

Nadir was relentless. I had to admit that I was taking it easy. After working on a parang handle that turned out looking like  d!*k, I decided to just lie down and take a nap. A short nap and by the time I got up, Nadir was already into his wooden spoon.

Nadir drawing the outline of his wooden spoon using charcoal from the fire

Later he carved out a wooden spatula with his Mora and axe. Good job!

Nadir’s spatula

Now I am inspired! I picked up another piece of wood and started carving. After seeing some really nice wood carving on BCUK, I thought I’d try to make one too. I made the below entirely using my Mora!

The parang handle I carved at Ulu Muda

Come at night, we made a fire, hoping to rid the mosquitoes and sand flies that have been feeding on us. It wasn’t easy making the fire with all the rain and dam wood. Once going, Nadir started on his wooden spoon again.

Nadir worked on his wooden spoon right into the night

Progress was slow but definitely satisfying

We put our bushcrafting skills to test by trying to catch fish as well. The thought of making rod, fishing line and bone hooks was mentioned once (before the trip) but reality is we WANT to catch some fish. So we did bring some fishing gear with us. The objective was to try to catch some for feed and put of ‘fish cleaning’ skills to test.

With no artificial lures, we had to dig for earth worms. Surprisingly, it was a breeze looking for those worms compared to other places I have been.

We dug around for earth worms as baits

How did we fare? Alright I suppose. One of them fishes literally drag my rod into the river! So, I was kind of hooked on trying to catch them. Cleaning them became the easy part. I was expecting the ‘task’ to be pushed around between us but obviously we both are more than happy to do it. Somehow I think it has something to do with the idea of constantly putting our Mora into use.

One of the fishes we caught

Driving home from Kedah to Kuala Lumpur after the trip had me thinking about the entire trip in Ulu Muda. I did not feel the pressures associated with other trips that I have been on. I knew Nadir is more than capable of looking after himself  and we both understood the joys of bushcraft. It was a trip like no other and bushcraft made it possible. I wonder if this kayak trip in Ulu Muda is the start of something bigger…Bushmoot Malaysia maybe?