Okay, so, I signed up for this thing called the Soda Butte Survival School. Sounds kinda intense, right? Well, it kinda was. I went in there thinking, “Yeah, I know some stuff about the outdoors,” but boy, was I in for a ride.
First off, I drove to this remote place up in Utah. I saw some beautiful views along the way. I arrived there, and the whole vibe was way more serious than I expected. We were diving right into it. We’re talking about what keeps you alive out in the wild – the basics. They hammered in the importance of a good mental state. Like, if you freak out, you’re done for. Staying calm, thinking straight, that’s half the battle, apparently.
Then, it got physical. They taught us how to build shelters from nothing but what you find around you. And fire, let me tell you, starting a fire without matches is a whole different beast. I struggled, I really did, but I finally got it, eventually. I never would’ve thought of that before this. That feeling of getting that first spark… man, it’s something else. I could feel something special about it.
We also learned about finding water and what plants you can and can’t eat. That stuff is so essential. Turns out, a lot of what I thought I knew was, well, not quite right. They even had us practice signaling for help, using mirrors and making these big SOS signs on the ground.
Food, Glorious Food
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with some foraged berries. Sounds simple, but trust me, after a few days, it tasted like a gourmet meal. I felt like I was eating healthily for the first time in a long time.
- Lunch: Usually some kind of protein they provided, like jerky, plus whatever we could safely find around us. I felt like I could eat a lot of it.
- Dinner: This was the big one. We actually learned how to trap and prepare small animals. I never thought I’d do that in a million years. It was a learning curve for sure.
The whole experience was incredibly humbling. It pushed me way out of my comfort zone, physically and mentally. But I came out of it feeling way more confident in my ability to handle myself in the wilderness. I even felt a bit emotional. If you ever get the chance to do something like this, I highly recommend it. Just be prepared to work your butt off and learn a ton. It’s a wild ride, but so worth it.
So yeah, that was my adventure at the Soda Butte Survival School. It’s become a bit of a trend on TikTok, but beyond the hype, it’s a real test of your skills. One of the key things I will never forget is the food and how to get it. I can’t forget those things now. It left a mark on me, that’s for sure.
