Embrace the Outdoors... Again

Wildcraft's Dinesh KS pens his thoughts in today's DNA on outdoor adventures.

Upping the Quality Ante!

Folks,

Introducing - the Wildcraft “Signature Series”

To reinforce the international quality standards & in line with rolling-out state-of-the-art products, the range has been designed with best in class materials.

1. Made with HD 1000D texturized w/r Nylon Fabric which is tough, abrasion resistant & long-lasting; stitched with Nylon bonded thread & bar-tacked to last a lifetime.

2. The series features select models from the best selling Outdoor Gear range from the current catalogue.

3. Now available in FOUR single color options –
Camouflage, Grey, Green, Blue

4. The entire range will be carrying a TWENTY FIVE year warranty


Signature Series models Available NOW in stores.
Alpinist, Trailblazer, TechPac, Pack Y, Wallet y

Also watch out for additional models to be launched under Signature series shortly –
Daypack A4, Eiger, Cauvery & Gangotri, Cruiser & Ursa

Look forward to your feedback at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildcraft/19867530026
http://twitter.com/wildcraftnews

Wilderness First Responder: A First-Hand Account

Wilderness First Responder: A First-Hand Account

Tarsh Williams is Manager, Outdoors at Wildcraft. An HR professional who chose to follow his heart into the hills, he runs Wildcraft’s adventure-based training programs. Here he speaks of the Wilderness First Responder Program he underwent that equips you with skills necessary to administer first aid and treatment when conventional care may not be at hand.

One of the best places in the world to learn about the outdoors and wilderness adventure is the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Wyoming, USA. I’ve been among the fortunate few from India who has got a chance to go through a 120 day semester that covers everything from winter camping to wilderness medicine.

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is one of the memorable programs I went through. 30 participants and 80 hours didn’t sound particularly out of the ordinary until it actually began and I realized that it was rigorous to a point of being extreme! We put up in a ranch in Wyoming, one of America’s most scenic states, but what we were about to go through was anything but scenic!

I remember one exercise where 3 members or our class were chosen to be volunteers who would subject themselves to extreme cold water to bring on hypothermia and it was our responsibility that we took action required. Each of us was observed as we put them in a wrap, maintained their body temperature and monitored vital signs among other things. It was a great learning experience on how to keep your wits about you and not take rash decisions in the grip of panic.

As you can see, sessions were divided into theory and practical: every concept from femur fracture to snake-bite to CPR was covered from a hands-on point of view as well so that we’d never be caught off-guard in the wild. Sometimes, we learned, it is essential to take that crucial decision about whether to abort the expedition or carry on and the WFR equips you with tools to aid that decision.

I came away from the WFR feeling confident that I would be able to take on a situation that demanded medical action in the wilderness. So far, fortunately, I haven’t had to need to take action on a serious incident: but that is also because the WFR ensures that protocols of preparation for an outdoor activity keep safety paramount!

The Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) administered WFR will be held in Bangalore from Aug 15-24, 2009. Part of the renowned NOLS curricula, WFR has trained over 75,000 students in the art and science of administering medical care in the wild.

It’s raining adventure!

Deccan Herald, 25 July - Arun Katiyar

MONSOON MAGIC The outdoors are great for fitness and provide a mental toughness that no gym can. Besides, there’s that seductive temptress adventure waiting for you, only if you care to step out of your house this monsoon, says Arun Katiyar

Bangalore is not just blessed with great weather; it is blessed with great places to go out to. And the monsoons make the perfect time to backpack into the hills for a hike or toodle down to a river for some heart-stopping rafting... read more >>

Let a river run through you...

Deccan Herald, 25 July - Dinesh K S

Being in the outdoors has a transformational effect on human minds, says Dinesh K S

Imagine you’re atop a mountain, high in the Garhwal range, breathing in the rarefied air, beside a small mountain stream, a 'babbling' brook, straight out of a Wordsworth poem. You pause by its side to catch your breath, revel in its icy coolness as it wends its way past rocks. Their jagged edges have, quite like the edges of rough people, been smoothened by the water's tenacious persistence... read more>>

TiE event

Here's a note completely unrelated to the outdoors and adventure: about The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE). They are the world's largest not-for-profit organization promoting the entrepreneurial spirit. Founded in Silicon Valley in 1992 by people who had their roots in the Indus region, TiE now has 53 Chapters in 12 countries. Over 12,000 members are top entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and management professionals in their chosen field.

So what has this got to do with Wildcraft, you ask? Well, Dinesh KS, co-founder of Wildcraft and intrepid entrepreneur himself was invited to a TiE Member Meeting in Bangalore on July 8, 2009 to speak on the panel discussing The Business of Sports and Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Sports. On the panel with him were Charu Sharma, Saumil Majumdar (co-founder and CEO of Sportzvillage), Mahesh Bhat (Founder, MMB Legal) and Ara Pararajasingham (Director, Leander Paes Sports). It was by any standards, a very august gathering.

The discussion centered around sport and its attendant ecosystem of players and athletes, equipment, events, sponsors, training, media & entertainment, and agents that drive huge business opportunities worth billions of dollars. In India, this is an emerging industry. Dinesh spoke of the story of Wildcraft, and how it was an integral part of this ecosystem dealing in adventure and outdoor activity gear.