Texas StrenFest IV took place at Ratcliff Lake in the Davy Crockett National Forest, bringing together members of the Texas region for a weekend of skill-building and fellowship. In attendance were @bhart, @cmarkle, @colbyjack, @prometheus, and a late arrival, @veterandaddfw. The event blended practical instruction, outdoor challenges, and campfire conversation, all rooted in the spirit of The Strenuous Life.

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Chris Markle arrived on Thursday to scout and establish the campsite. His early setup ensured a strong foundation for the weekend’s activities. By Friday, Colby Jackson, Brian Hart, and Nicholas Myers had joined him. The group spent the day preparing for orienteering under Brian’s guidance, learning how to navigate with maps and compasses while discussing strategies for movement in unfamiliar terrain. That evening, Chris led the group through a nighttime navigation exercise, demonstrating how to use the movement of the stars to determine direction and travel orientation after dark. The lesson connected modern orienteering skills with ancient methods of finding one’s way when technology fails.

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Saturday brought the arrival of Shawn Presley, completing the team. The morning began with a bushcraft session focused on the importance of the S.T.O.P. principle — Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan — a cornerstone of wilderness survival. Chris introduced a survival pack he had created, explaining its components and purpose, before leading a demonstration on how to use it effectively in the field. The group then hiked a nearby trail to test their new navigation skills on an orienteering course designed by Brian. Most participants completed the course successfully, returning to camp with greater confidence in their abilities.

As evening approached, the group shared a pot of Texas chili and discussed nature journaling, exploring how writing and observation can deepen one’s relationship with the outdoors. The conversation was cut short when the weather turned, sending everyone back to their shelters to ride out the storm.

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Sunday morning opened with the smell of damp earth and the crackle of flint and steel. Chris led a demonstration on firestarting techniques, walking the group through several methods and encouraging everyone to practice. The activity served as a fitting conclusion to a weekend focused on preparation and resilience. Once the final embers faded, the group broke camp and made their way home, ready to apply what they had learned and continue building their outdoor kits.

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With Texas StrenFest IV wrapped up, attention now turns to Texas StrenFest V, planned for 2026. The next event will continue the mission of growth, brotherhood, and adventure that has defined the Texas region since its beginning.