But it gets easier and you can eventually graduate to more challenging substrate. And if you’d like to work with me one-on-one… just send me a message and tell me what you’d like to work on together… and I’ll get you all the details! Imagine spending your entire life blindfolded…. “How do soldiers move quietly in the forest during autumn time when all the dry leaves are lying around?” I know - it sounds odd, right? ... Share on LinkedIn. Here, I’m not talking about the sticks or rocks immediately in front or below you… I’m talking about the big picture of the forest type you’re exploring. Share on Facebook. Going barefoot enables your feet to conform most naturally to the forest floor. So what does it say when you can’t walk in the woods without causing a huge disturbance of noise & frightened wildlife? You’ll really come to understand your true level of balance & walking mastery (or lack thereof) by blindfolding. The Ninja Stealth walk is not easy to … If you’d like to learn more about bird language, I have a short series of videos that will introduce you to some core concepts in the Bird Language Adventure series. The good news is that it’s not that difficult to learn how to move through the woods without making a sound. The cloth will muffle most of the noise. The ideal method is simply to go barefoot. Or take a route through the pines? You can also download a free copy of my Ebook – ‘The Wild Observer’. It’s a very meditative experience, and if you’re really doing it properly and honestly using your feet to feel the ground, it’s TOUGH. It can take months or even years of consistent effort to build up the strength of your soles. There are even techniques for running while causing a lot less noise but I highly recommend you walk before you run . Start with adopting a sit spot and practice these movement methods every-time you walk to your spot. Boots or shoes with light, flexible soles make the least amount of noise in the forest. If you ever need to look down, the best strategy is to stop first. When trying to move silently, if you have anything on you that jingles or jangles – get rid of it. Always practice blindfolding with the help of a “spotter”, or possibly in a place that you know very well with your eyes open. The full implications of where you choose to step might not fully manifest for another 50-100 feet ahead of you. Gradually increase the amount of barefoot time, and roughness of the surfaces you’re walking on. While walking toe to heel is considered to be the main stealth skill, there are other … wikiHow's. Choose the clearest path to walk on – smooth, bare dirt is best. This is a very natural urge because your brain thinks, “Hey, if I look at what I’m stepping on… I can avoid sticks, or noisy leaves, or painful objects.”. Watch Where You’re Walking. This helps to ensure you’re balancing movement with open sensory awareness. I do a whole lesson about birds & stealth in my online bird language course. Avoid dry grass and foliage which will crunch underfoot and make noise. If you’re seeking age-old tools & techniques to go deep with knowledge of plants, trees, birds and energize your natural instincts… you’ve come to the right place! My 11th video, how to walk quietly in the woods will hopefully show you how to be more stealthy while stalking, hunting, or playing capture the flag:) I encourage you apply these techniques over and over again in order to gain gradual improvements. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Your feet are designed to softly absorb the impact of any sticks or rocks that would normally snap while wearing shoes. If you feel a coughing bout coming on, try to hold it until you can mask it with a louder sound – maybe the person you're following will toss their pack to the ground to rest, or you hear a group of riders on horseback approaching down the trail. Share on Twitter. A dense fog blanketed the woods and cast a ghostly aura around the fox. For example: If you’re trying to get from point A to point B without making any noise… is it better to walk through crusty deciduous leaves? Whether you're indoors or outdoors, you can consciously walk over materials that help you move silently instead of creating extra noise. There are times when it’s necessary to move through woodlands silently: when hunting game … and when you don’t want to give away your position are just two. With all of this, the best results come from long-term practices. Slowly shift 100% of your weight onto your right foot. I shared this exercise in more depth in my article about stalking animals. Slowly shift your weight onto your foot, listening for any crackling or crunching noises. However, if your goal is to be as quiet as possible, that’s the opposite of what you should be doing. Share on Facebook. It just comes from practice. ‘This exercise will make you quieter, and help you see more wildlife. With few exceptions, the only time you can truly walk quietly in the woods is when the woods are quiet--when the forest floor, damp with rain or melting snow or … Survival Tools Wilderness Survival Camping Survival Outdoor Survival Survival Prepping Emergency Preparedness Survival Equipment Bushcraft Edc. Your feet are your eyes for seeing the ground. Great read. How can I pay attention to what I’m stepping on without looking at my feet?”. Your email address will not be published. If you're walking through the woods or in another outdoor area, try to walk on soft grass or dirt. Pay attention to the length of time that elapses, then use that same amount of time to adjust your own steps – put your own foot down a split second before theirs will touch the ground. A big part of being able to walk silently in the woods starts with having a strategic understanding of the landscape. If you pay attention, you can learn to spot the signs of birds up ahead by watching, listening & getting to know the birds in a more personal way. Last Updated: November 5, 2020 One of the most important tips I can give you is to simply practice slowing down. Going barefoot enables your feet to conform most naturally to the forest floor. By using our site, you agree to our. 104. Each step you make is a decision point. You should get to the point where you can feel a stick under your foot before transferring your weight, lift your foot back up and reposition so you don’t cause a big snap… all without looking down at your feet. This just comes from your own knowledge of the forest, what kinds of plants and surface conditions to expect in different landscape types, and keeping your awareness up to see what’s coming ahead. You’ll be able to cover distance with the wind, while still being very tuned in and very quiet. But wait… I thought I wasn’t supposed to look at my feet! Well stated. Want to go into the woods without disturbing wildlife? If you’re not paying attention you might find yourself in a tough navigation spot that could easily be avoided by being more conscious of the forest around you. When I first started developing my sensory awareness I noticed it was very difficult to stay in peripheral vision for long periods of time. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Share on LinkedIn. Survival Skills. You should be used to hearing me say this by now . Start by letting your feet breathe every opportunity you get. Repeat until each step is drawn out at least 30 seconds or longer. November 4, 2020 by admin 0 Comments. From their personality & emotional state, to how mindful or aware they are of the surrounding environment. It stands out against the background noise and has the feeling of fight or flight. Your feet are designed to softly absorb the impact of any sticks or rocks that would normally snap while wearing shoes. #5 Pay Attention To What You’re Stepping On, This just comes from your own knowledge of the forest, what kinds of plants and surface conditions to expect in. Crouch low and bend your knees, then walk slowly and carefully with your body balanced low over your center of gravity. Eventually, you’ll get to know how your movement requires different speeds & levels of difficulty depending on what kind of surface you’re walking on. And one of the games I’d play with myself was attempting to emulate the silent walking of those nearly mythological Native American warriors. They tell you when you’re about to snap a loud stick or tumble some rocks down a hill. Would you like to join us? But, it’s important to resist this urge and train yourself to keep your eyes up. If you need only walk a short distance over noisy surfaces, throw a piece of cloth over the surface to walk on. This is why it’s important to train your balance. Most people have very underdeveloped sensing abilities with their feet simply because they’ve spent almost their entire life wearing shoes. [Video] How To Walk Silently Through The Woods Walking Silently Through The Forest. Slowing down will have the natural effect of making you more aware of your body. If you just do anything just once, the effect will be less…. With Halloween just around the corner, there’s no better time to learn how to walk silently through the night like a ninja. To walk silently, assess the terrain and determine which path is the quietest. For now, let’s see the techniques you might use if you need to walk silently. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. But it is relatively simple to bring the level of the racket you create below the level that will attract undesired attention. Learn How to Walk Silently. ), 6 Excellent Nature Awareness Questions To Ask Outside, 12 Easy Ways To Navigate Without A Compass, How To See Animals: Easy Wildlife Viewing Techniques, Nature Awareness Journey: How The Forest Can Change Your Life, 22 Nature Connection Activities For Sharing Nature With Beginners, How To Spend More Time Outside (And Make Every Minute Count!). References. Staring at the ground gives a sense of fast results because you’re using your eyes to pick and choose the best spots to step for optimal quietness… but the losses are too great for this to be a good strategy. Think of your feet as like an entire sense organ all to themselves. Then look down. You can tell a lot about a person by how they walk. Continue reading. As long as you don’t violate the bird’s comfort zone, birds will respond to your body movements, eye contact, overall energy… and circle around you. It’s well worth studying this skill if you really want to master the art of moving silently in the forest. Blindfolding completely removes the element of sight. Zoe. Rest assured it is absolutely possible to walk silently and even navigate long distances through the forest completely without your sense of sight. Hey, after many requests, I've decided to post an easy tutorial on how to read qr codes. You’ll really come to understand your true level of balance & walking mastery (or lack thereof) by blindfolding. Walk established paths where they are available. he more balance you have, the more flexibility of step & awareness you’ll have. There may still be times when you want to move quickly and silently at the same time. Required fields are marked *, When I was 15 years old I had an experience of sudden lucid clarity while hiking in the woods. Walk toe to heel with your knees slightly bent, keeping your weight primarily on your rear leg until your lead foot has rolled from the toe back through the heel. Plant your feet so you feel balanced. All the home learning products in my online store come with a money-back guarantee and cover unique aspects of the holistic deep nature connection journey from bird language & naturalist intelligence to mindfulness & goal-setting. Eventually practice keeping your weight grounded in at least 1 foot at all times. Take three or four careful steps, then pause and regroup before continuing. And I highly recommend you take an approach that doesn’t involve pain! Filed Under: Articles, Naturalist Training, Nature Connection, Wilderness Survival. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Start practicing in the forest, and give your feet lots of time to adjust. ", https://delamagente.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/16-tips-in-the-science-of-walking-silently/, http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2013/11/how-still-hunt-and-stalk-deer, http://www.offthegridnews.com/extreme-survival/native-american-survival-skills/, http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/how-to-move-through-the-woods-silently-1724221824, http://bottomlineinc.com/what-you-never-knew-about-sneezing-including-how-to-stop-it/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. There are times when it’s actually quite easy to blend in with the overall noise level. If you are too quiet you may startle a bear, which can create an extremely dangerous situation. Very Buddhist. This is an advanced ninja skill. Treading carefully helps us to avoid attracting unwanted attention while minimizing the chances of scaring off prey as well. To walk silently wearing tight clthing does the trick by ensuring that no noise is created when the clothes and legs rub together; Slip into soft footwear – If you want to walk silently try putting on socks since it generally doesn’tmake noise however here the exception are those people who sweat a lot. Enjoy! 02-11-2009, 01:04 AM. Zippers are another ite… Go slow and use the balancing techniques in tip #4 so you don’t impale your foot on a stick. Sudden exposure to sunlight can trigger a sneeze. % of people told us that this article helped them. When you spot a bird up ahead, you can either wait for it to move on and let you pass (usually this only takes a few minutes), or if you’re more advanced, you can gently communicate with body language your intentions to pass. Fox Walk – How To Walk Silently Through The Woods. But there is no great secret about it. Go slow and use the balancing techniques in tip #4 so you don’t impale your foot on a stick. Most people are used to walking on flat city landscapes and concrete sidewalks. It was common for me to cross paths with wildlife in these woods, though the ravine was boxed in on all sides by dense suburbs. Moving soundlessly is much more difficult when you're walking on crunchy gravel and leaves than it is when you're moving over soft grass or dirt. This video shares lessons that will forever change the way you look at trees & forests. I noticed myself automatically slowing down when tracking, but I didn’t think of these other strategies and going barefoot. Your email address will not be published. With the right techniques for practice, anyone can cultivate this skill to great success with even just a few days or weeks of honest effort. Then feel forward with your left and find your footing before transferring your weight and repeating. Pay attention to sounds like wind, rain, or flowing water, even noisy bird sounds. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Walk-Quietly-in-a-Forest-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Walk-Quietly-in-a-Forest-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Walk-Quietly-in-a-Forest-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid130306-v4-728px-Walk-Quietly-in-a-Forest-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"