Legendary woodsman and TV presenter speaks with Amanda Hunt about touring the UK, surviving in the wild, and wildlife.
“Over the years I have discovered many stories about incredible human beings that have inspired me and I want to share a few of these tales,” says Ray Mears. After an intense journey hiking in the Arctic circle, Ray is back in the UK and touring with a new show, Tales of Endurance, to highlight the power of the human spirit. “I hope that these stories will never be forgotten as they include people who gave their lives for us, like the amazing war hero Violet Szabo. Every few years I also enjoy going around the country and meeting people.
“I have been very lucky for various reasons, including doing a series called Wild Britain for ITV, to have travelled extensively over the UK,” he continues, “and yes, I do love Wales.” Ray has educated audiences around the world on everything from survival to wildlife, his knowledge of these topics so vast that he was approached by Northumbria Police to track down the fugitive killer Raoul Moat. What comes across most about Ray is his real passion for bushcraft, be it in the Australian Outback or in the UK.
“On my last visit I started my journey in the Cambrian Mountains. I travelled down the River Wye and in Wales the watervole are making a great comeback. I also observed the mating behaviour of the sea lamprey. The birdlife is amazingly rich, and the Wye is one of the only places to see all three species of British wagtail.”
Many of the skills that Ray Mears is keen to promote have been forgotten by most in today’s age of convenience. “It’s my wish to inspire future generations to seek out such knowledge and to preserve it and ensure it is not lost forever. We’ve learned a lot from our ancestors. I have travelled widely in the boreal forest in search of the older knowledge of how to live in what can be a difficult region. This has taught us many special things and has inevitably shaped our outlook and attitude to travel in the remotest corners of the North Woods, an ecoregion in the United States and Canada.
“I’ve just written a book with my friend Lars Falt, and we both share a passion for the North Woods, its people and wildlife. We want to share our philosophy and love for travel in this wonderful landscape. In so doing we shall be calling on a hybrid repertoire of traditional skills gleaned from every corner of the boreal forest, some learned from first hand tuition others brought back to life from dusty anthropological records.
“I hope we aren’t losing touch with the world we live in,” says Ray. “I still meet lots of inspiring people with great tales when I am out and about. I still think there is a thirst for knowledge. We have loads of beautiful open countryside to explore in this country and I want to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy it and respect it.”
Does he have more to learn? “I am always learning and always will be. Writing this book has made me reflect and realise it has been 30 years in the making.” What with a life spent travelling around some of the world’s most inhospitable environments, I can’t help but wonder how he handled such extremes.
“I take each day as it comes. I can never imagine doing anything else.”
Ray Mears: Tales Of Endurance, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 16 March. Tickets: £21. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk