Although presently residing in a native village in the Yukon Territory, Canada, Jose is originally from Galicia, the Celtic northwest part of Spain. He first became interested in wilderness survival after reading Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild,” and fostered his skills when he joined the Special Forces of the Spanish Foreign Legion. He began learning bush craft and primitive technology from the best mentors he could find, as well as practicing with Native American elders from the Arctic to the tropics. In 1996, he was formally adopted by the Lakota Nation, which is one of the proudest moments in his life. He has travelled extensively, testing and acquiring new skills in many different environments and honing the skills to live on the land in a balanced, harmonious and sustainable way. Jose hopes to use his abilities not just to survive, but to thrive in the Vancouver Island wilderness. He will be away from his wife and son, who are his main sources of inspiration.

Here are the ten items Jose selected to bring on his survival journey to Vancouver Island:

1. Bushcraft knife

2. Ferro rod

3. 2 quart cast iron pot with lid

4. 300 yards of fishing lines and 25 assorted hooks

5. 1-piece handsaw

6. Ax

7. Canvas and flannel sleeping bag

8. Gill net

9. Woodworking multi-tool

10. Emergency rations