Bushcraft is a wide open, intriguing and varied field where knowledge of the woods and of survival are intertwined.
Different arts and skills related to a genuine concept of life spent in the woods guarantee a solid longevity to bushcraft as a field. It differs in this way from a more military perspective on outdoor survival linked to an “Escape and Evasion” context.
Authenticity, in fact, should be the common thread which connects all the skills necessary to live the in the great outdoors with awareness, knowledge, and respect for Nature in all her shapes and gradients.
The bushcrafter is very often associated with the woodsman or the lumberjack in the popular imagination, but dedicating ourselves to bushcraft includes a larger number of activities which are essential to not only living a good life in the woods but also favoring
- self-reliance,
- self-sufficiency,
- comfort, and
- independence from technology.
Megan Hine, a well-known female personality in survival.
Why Are There So Few Women in Bushcraft?
“Every girl and every woman, has the potential to make this world a better place, and that potential lies in the act of thinking higher thoughts and feeling deeper things. When women and girls, everywhere, begin to see themselves as more than inanimate objects; but as beautiful beings capable of deep feelings and high thoughts, this has the capacity to create change all around. The kind of change that is for the better.” -C. Joybell C.
Bushcraft is not just about cutting wood and cooking at the campfire all day long. On the contrary, it involves making shelter, making fire, purifying water, tracking, trapping, hunting, foraging, skinning, preserving food, navigating and other activities.
You cannot live in the woods if you aren’t able to be self-reliant. All of the abovementioned skills are not superfluous but are the basics necessary for life in the woods.
Most of these skills take a lot of effort. Physical fatigue is one of the main issues, especially in carrying wood (for example, in order to make a shelter using only natural elements—no tarp), or dragging big game to the camp.
Other skills involve more sensitive topics. Killing big or small game, in fact, is not suitable for everyone. Needless to say, you must have some guts to skin and process meat.
No doubt, women are generally more keen on foraging, navigating, firestarting, purifying water, and, in my case, on reading and following tracks.
Nonetheless, “It seems impossible until it’s done,” right?
Some golden examples from the past actually paved the way for the new generation of bushcraft women.
Ancestors of Bushcraft Women
“A strong woman understands that gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” -Nancy Rathburn
When it comes to bushcrafting, the main difference between past and current times merely consists of two things: necessity and choice.
Some great examples from the past can be found all through the 18th and 19th centuries. Pioneer women who emigrated from the Midwest to make their way to the West Coast proved to have all the bushcraft skills needed to face such a long and tough journey, accomplishing several tasks like foraging, trapping small game and making fire when the circumstances required.
One crystal clear example above all is the Donner Party. Before the tragic epilogue, journals filled in by Irish immigrant Patrick Breen talked extensively about the role of women. Other cases are provided by the sturdy and determined ladies who used to live in the poorest areas of the Appalachian mountains.
What about the Great Depression? Those who were located in woodland scenarios resorted to their bushcraft abilities to carry on, day by day. In the very same manner, on the European Continent, a large amount of historical evidence back to WWI and WWII recorded the crucial roles of women who lived in mountainous locations.
My grandmother Adele told me a lot about her personal experience back she was a young girl. She used to live in the Alps, and foraging, processing meat, and collecting wood were daily duties for her and her sister.
The above mentioned cases are just a few. We can write a lot on these strong and brave women and their necessity to learn and practice such skills in order to survive.
Current bushcraft ladies are obviously moved by choice. And there’s nothing wrong with that! From a prepping perspective, in fact, bushcraft includes a lot of remarkable skills to have when a SHTF scenario strikes.
10 Women in Bushcraft You Should Know
“Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.” -Anita Roddick
I apologize in advance if this personal selection of ten may not meet the approval of all readers. I made it according to several requirements:
First of all, I am honored to have had the chance to meet some of the ladies mentioned in person, and I truly consider them a constant inspiration to me. Other premises I took into consideration are related to the resonance of the social profiles of the bushcraft women I selected.
But above all, I picked them by focusing on their authenticity, passion and moral integrity.
Unfortunately, bushcraft in some cases became a fad. Sadly to say, it is common to see some girls wearing only a bra while they hike or make a shelter. These girls aren’t doing bushcraft. They just want to have the spotlights on them.
Without further ado, let’s lift the lid on some solid women who are the real thing in bushcraft today.
ISKOGOCHMARK (Instagram Profile) – Sweden
Her 31,600 followers appreciate the genuineness and constant efforts of this young and capable lady in providing valuable outdoors content. Ida, in fact, knows how to capture people’s attention with her cutting edge photos and videos, always offering a personal perspective on tools, activities, and sharing moments of life outdoors. She talks straight, spreading important messages on respecting nature and on keeping the community together.
BUSHCRAFT GIRL (Instagram Profile) – Germany
www.youtube.com/user/suzannewilliams
I first met Suzanne in October 2020 when she attended my Basic Mantracking Class in the Netherlands. I was already familiar with her incredible and polytropic mindset. Her dedication to “authentic alpine bushcraft” (as she lived in a mountainous area of Germany) makes her one of the most interesting ladies to follow. She is an avid learner, and on her YouTube channel you can see proof of how good she is at sharing her skills with enthusiasm and commitment.
ADVENTURE_JENNY (Instagram profile) – United Kingdom
If the U.K. is recognized worldwide as the homeland of bushcraft, Jenny Pearce strikes in with her voracious passion for the great outdoors.
Among cliffs and moorlands, her journey into bushcraft is an engaging flow of skills put into practice. In particular, she’s very good at setting up natural shelters which I am totally keen on so… keep an eye on her! Even Ed Stafford struck into her page. And rightfully!
ANI 4 X 4 (Instagram Profile) – Spain
With 172,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, Ani is one of the most influential figures within the bushcrafting community.
The tormented history of her natural homeland, Armenia, turned her into a tough woman, where the commitment to outdoor activities is, at the same time, relief and pure essence. Good videos, full of remarkable advice. Check her out!
VANESSA BLANK ADVENTURE (Instagram profile) – Germany
http://youtube.com/user/OutdoorBavaria
106,000 subscribers on YouTube and 22,500 followers on Instagram. These numbers speak for themselves. Vanessa Blank knows her stuff and she never ceases to amaze the bushcraft community with her overnight solos and her adventures in the outstanding setting of Bavarian forests.
BUSHCRAFT ALLI (Instagram Profile) – Germany
LUSTAUFBERGVSBUSHCRAFT (Instagram profile) – Austria
Patricia Klidis is a reference point when it comes to bushcrafting and mountaineering. Smart, accurate, prepared, and overall deeply respectful of local fauna and flora, Patricia has lead with her skills, constant commitment, and will to improve for a long time. On her profile you will find some nice gear reviews too.
ALEXIS OUTDOORS (Instagram Profile) – Canada
www.youtube.com/alexisoutdoors/
The wilderness is home to Alexis and Canada is such a lovely setting to practice bushcraft skills. Her 100,000 YouTube subscribers follow her experiences with engagement, due to Alexis’ fresh and to-the-core attitude.
BUSH EULE (Instagram Profile) – Germany
Moody photos, fantastic landscapes, and a true passion for fishing and bushcrafting—Eule is the real deal in life around the campfire. Despite her young age, she has caught the attention of the community thanks to her spirit and knowledge.
NATURA CARITATE (Instagram Profile) – Switzerland
Along with her soulmate “Bushcraft Edelweiss,” this amazing girl immediately got my attention for her spontaneous approach to bushcraft and for the stunning gear she always shows in her pics. Clear explanations, catchy photographs. Definitely one of my favorite profiles.