A Turkish athlete who leads a nomadic lifestyle has recently added a new activity to his pastime of exploring the outdoors. By spending 30 days in a forest with his dog, he’s been pushing his survival skills to the next level.
“These adventures aim to test my limits, measure my endurance, and demonstrate what a person can achieve in nature,” Hakan Karahan, 34 told The Epoch Times.
Chronicling his adventures on video, Mr. Karahan who focuses on long-distance running and participates in international marathons—aims to show viewers how he lives with the bare minimum as he explores new countries and locations.
“For the first 30-day camp, I didn’t want to push myself too hard as it was my initial experience,“ he said. ”I stored a sufficient amount of food in the canyon where I stayed since I didn’t know how my body would react. This first adventure served as a psychological preparation. However, for my next adventure, I won’t be taking any food with me.”
Mr. Karahan, who is currently in Montenegro, said the most challenging aspect of venturing off into the wilderness is mental preparation.
Before heading out, he researches everything about the location, including weather, vegetation, and wildlife.
“I ensure they are not on the path of wild animal migration, free from fallen trees that might decay, and not prone to flooding,” he said.
However, this doesn’t mean there are no surprises along the way. One night, a herd of wild boar surrounded the shelter he’d made for himself and his dog Sila, a 4-year-old American Akita.
“Sila fearlessly attacked the boars and drove them away,” Mr. Karahan said, “[She’s] my best friend, my companion. She always helps me.”
Clearly, the bond between them is extraordinarily strong. Sila, who once lived on the streets, was adopted by Mr. Karahan when she was just 2.
“I always take her with me wherever I go,“ he said. ”I’m very happy she’s with me.”
Sharing more about his unique bushcraft locations, Mr. Karahan revealed that he sources all his shelter-building materials from nature.
“[I] cut logs from fallen, decayed trees, and building with rocks found in the surroundings,” he said.
Building each of his roughly 6-foot by 9-foot shelters takes him an average of 3 to 4 days. To stay warm and comfortable through the night, Mr. Karahan sets up a fireplace.
He usually sources water from a nearby canyon. However, he also knows how to produce water using the vapor method which is a vital survival skill.
For food, Mr. Karahan goes fishing.
Throughout his time in the forest, the weather changes constantly; sunny days suddenly turn into rainy days. After 30 days, the young Turk said that what he missed the most was his bed and being able to take a hot shower.
Upon reflection though, he believes it’s worth all the hardship.
His first 30-day adventure taught him the power of the human mind in the face of adversity, increasing his confidence and giving him motivation to further push the boundaries of survival.
“My confidence increased, and I believe more in my ability to carry out my second 30-day plan of surviving on an island in the middle of the ocean without food or water,” he said.
For his second 30-day adventure, Mr. Karahan plans to strand himself on an island in the Indian Ocean.
While he did film his activities, spurred on by the positive impact of the videos he’s been sharing since 2019, living in the wild was a major digital detox.
“It allowed me to disconnect from people and technology, fulfilling my dream of getting away for an extended period,” Mr. Karahan, who has been interested in nature from a young age, said.
In sharing his experience as a survival expert in the wilderness, Mr. Karahan advises others to pursue his dreams.
“There is nothing impossible in this life—everything starts and ends in your mind,” he said.
