Learn About Backtracks Events
Take a minute to get a feel for what Backtracks events are all about.
2026 marks the 48th year since Rabbitstick was founded.
Started in 1978 by Larry Dean Olsen and Dick and Linda Jamison, Rabbitstick is the original primitive skills conference; there are currently over 40 world-wide events that have followed this original model. It was the result of a collaboration between the Olsen's and Jamison's who, since 1977, were also publishing, from a remote compound in Montana, the short-lived Woodsmoke magazine (1978-1983). The original Rabbit Stick Rendezvous only ran for 2 years, however the 2nd Annual Rabbit Stick was actually rebranded as the 1st Annual Woodsmoke Rendezvous; the Jamisons' took over the event and magazine full-time on their own in 1979. In 1980 the name was officially changed to Woodsmoke Rendezvous, and ran until 1983 under the banner Woodsmoke Primitive Living Conference. There was an announcement for the 6th event in the last issue of Woodsmoke (#13) published in 1983, but there is no report of it's taking place.
The Wescott's assumed ownership of Boulder Outdoor Survival School in 1985 (BOSS Inc. was founded in 1979). They approached Larry Olsen about reviving the event, and he granted permission to use the name. With the success of its inaugural year (1988), the original Rabbit Stick Rendezvous name was changed to Rabbitstick Primitive Skills Conference. rabbitstick.com
In 1997 the Wescott's sold BOSS and formed Backtracks, LLC to host Rabbitstick as well as manage the offices and publish the Bulletin for the Society of Primitive Technology (1991-2015). primitive.org
With a growing interest in America's camping legacy, Watts and Wescott partnered to create a series of handbooks focusing on classic/traditional camping skills. As part of that effort, Camping in the Old Style was published (2000). Having kept Woodsmoke alive through publishing, video production and more, the Jamison's were approached in 2010 about using the Woodsmoke name and reviving the old event. They happily gave permission, and we held that event in 2012 - check out the full timeline of events under the History of The Brands tab.
With a growing interest in Traditional Woodcraft skills and camping in the "classic style", Woodsmoke was a timely addition to the Backtracks offerings. It also kicked off a years-long partnership between Watts and Wescott to expose the public to the joys of camping in the old style.
Every genre of outdoor pursuit has its own literature, heroes and history; everyone but camping. Our goal is to show a spotlight on this unique outdoor legacy and create a place for it as the rootstock from which most modern outdoor pursuits are derived.
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When Dave and Paula Wescott started Rabbitstick in 1988, they contacted everyone they thought they would like to meet in the primitive skills field and invited them to come. One of the first people to respond was Steve Watts. Steve has been a good friend and traveling companion (along with the third musketeer, David Holladay - www.davidholladay. rocks) on such adventures as working as a consulting team on the movie Castaway, as well as a variety of television productions including Digging for the Truth with Josh Bernstein, Extreme History with Roger Daltry, NBC News and others. Cody Lundin of Dual Survival fame considers them mentors. With the unfortunate passing of Steve in 2016, Woodsmoke got put on the back-burner along with a number of unfinished writing projects. Hopefully this website will continue to honor Steve's legacy to the field of Classic Camping.
Relax and watch the clips that have been provided for you, and spend a little time in the woodsmoke.
RABBITSTICK
Primitive Skills
Conference
Christian Noble of MasterWoodsman.com compiled this great little slide show from photos he took at Rabbitsick in 2011. From the many views of the camp, you get a feel for what Backtracks has been doing for 30+ years to promote the international field of primitive technology.
Don Kevilus of Four Dogs Stoves takes you on a tour of Woodsmoke 2012. This will give you a pretty good idea of some of the things that took place there. Video courtesy of Karamat Wilderness Ways.
WOODSMOKE