Everybody knows about that one TV series, that movie, that YouTube channel that you return to, time and time again. It's something that just feels comfortable to you, some kind of place that does not expect any kind of participation from you, beyond you to sit and just ' be ' for a little while. Amidst the 3 million odd videos that upload daily and an ocean of shows that pull you towards them, it's interesting to see how the heart finds the ' one '.
For me, it was Outdoor Boys.
The channel was started in the year 2015 by Luke Joseph Nichols, who camps, ventures into wilderness survival, bushcraft, prepares cooking for outdoor trips, fishes, travels, and goes on various expeditions to some of the harshest but beautiful locations on earth. A former criminal defence lawyer who always had a proclivity for outdoor ventures, Luke sets on his adventures with remarkable curiosity and a sense of practical approach. Each and every video, however, makes you appreciate his subtle, calming and pragmatic approach to life and adventure alike.
But what makes the channel a class apart isn’t really the expeditions it’s the way these expeditions are shot. It’s never a loud affair, no hurried approach, but a beautiful still space where you can appreciate the sound of snowfall, the sizzle of a campfire, the drumming of rains against a tent or a hot meal being prepared amidst the wild. And perhaps this is the channel's understated, implicit reminder that fun doesn’t necessarily mean a riot.
Having watched the channel for years now, it feels almost as if I have grown with the channel. Each new episode comes with a new concept and yet holds the sanctity and familiarity that got me hooked in the first place. Though the adventurous survival expeditions and harsh weather trials, were equally riveting, but surprisingly I found myself as drawn towards the more peaceful moments where Luke and his family carry out everyday activities - catching a mouse in their house, attempting oysters for the first time, building something together or simply having a meal together. There’s something deeply warm and soothing about these mundane everyday snippets, which is becoming rare online.
Maybe this is why people connect so much to Outdoor Boys, this channel never wants to make you feel overwhelmed. It is simply a beautiful reminder, about the joy that is present in simplicity, about the number of beautiful places yet waiting to be discovered in our world, and that adventures don’t always have to be about expensive equipment or grand gestures. All you need is curiosity, a dash of patience and a brave heart.
It’s the kind of channel I could put on as my morning accompaniment while my day starts, or on an exceptionally long, tiring evening when I crave just a bit of solace. From being an entertainment, it has transformed into something else entirely; something more of a solace. Recently, Luke announced that he would be retiring from making content regularly, which marked an end to a decade long, shared journey for millions of viewers. Much like most of the dedicated subscribers, I was also disappointed with this announcement, but also consoled that every episode was still there for us to cherish and relive whenever nostalgia hit.
Though I'd love to keep this a secret, there are some things that are just too good to be kept to oneself. So, if you're looking for a corner of the internet that has just about the right amount of adventurous, informational and surprisingly serene, do yourself a favour, check out Outdoor Boys.
Or better yet, don't, if you're happy missing out.
Fadhl Talal is pursuing her BA ENGLISH (Hons.) from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Edited by: Sritama Chakrabortty
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.
