My journey alone into the wilderness

[Pathfinder]

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." ~ T. S. Eliot



The plan:

To journey deep into the wilderness with only as much gear as can be carried on my back, and the skills I can keep in my head. There is no time limit. I will return when I feel the need to return. I will be leaving sometime next year, after winter has ended. I have until then to prepare.


Destination:

Still undetermined


Gear that I currently own:

ALICE pack (large)
2 one-liter canteens
2 canteen covers with ALICE pack clips
2 canteen cups
SOG Seal Pup Elite (http://sogknives.com/store/E37.html) knife
Ruger GP100 (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Revolver&subtype=Double%20Action&famlst=8) .357 magnum revolver
Strike Force fire starter
Magnesium bar
2 Bic lighters
100 cotton balls soaked in Vaseline
Diamond knife sharpener
Revolver cleaning kit
Leatherman Charge TTI multitool
Compass
100 feet of 550 paracord
Toothbrush and toothpaste


Gear that I still need:

Ammunition (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=485587&t=11082005) for defense against wild animals
Snare wire
Hatchet
Entrenching tool
Mess kit
First-aid kit
Emergency rations
Fishing hooks and line
New clothing
Sewing kit
Pocket magnifier
Sleeping bag (optional)
Tent (optional)
Duct tape
Bandanas
Other items still under consideration

[silkyblue]

right on!


sounds like a life of road kill soup and sore feet!

whatcha gonna do when your shoes wear out go to Walmart?

ever tried camping?

[Pathfinder]

ever tried camping?

Ever tried getting off your couch?

[Staurm]

Take your your soul and a belly full of mama's cookin', can't go wrong with that.

[silkyblue]

Ever tried getting off your couch?


I dont own a couch !


why the cotton balls soaked in vaseline?


oh ic from having to wipe yo ass on corn cobs!


go to it buddy!

[Pathfinder]

why the cotton balls soaked in vaseline?

YouTube - Lint vs Vaseline soaked cotton ball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk6dWFVWv6M)

[Frickr]

sounds like lots of fun man. looks like you got alot of stuff covored.also take some thin cotton and put it in an airtight metel box, and stick it in a fire, like an altoids can will work perfect, and burn the cotton so its all black. with the magnesium stick or even a flint rock and steel, will ketch the spark and help light your fire. another thing i would bring would be a good tarp. you would be suprized how handy it will be. and if you are in the rockies, i would get a bar bag or the food safe. dont forget to pack the weed also!

i plan on doing this too. and word of advice, the alice packs get really uncomfortable for long hikes, so maybe invest in a good internal frame. they are alot more comfy and hold about the same. and a net would be handy too.

[geonagual]

Dude, go for it..shit, I would build a log cabin and just stay there..grow a long ass beard and grow the kindest of weed:jointsmile:

[Nuglove]

add weed to your checklist

[kingjustin]

watertight box
emergency blanket
4 ft bong :jointsmile:

[dragonrider]

The only necessary thing on the whole list is duct tape.
Leave the rest and just bring the tape --- you can make anything you need out of duct tape.

[WEsmokeED]

Awesome gun! :jointsmile:

Some sort of light-weight frying pan would be useful also. Just a thought

[dragonrider]

Why is a sleeping bag optional?

Also I would agree with what someone said earlier about a tarp --- extremely useful, especially if you are skipping the tent.
You will also probably want a water filtration system or purification tablets to avoid the squirts.
Maps are handy.
Lights are handy.

[Frickr]

a folding shovle would be useful to. and maybe some toilet paper.. i dont know about you, but when i take a shit, i dont exactly like using pinecones.... they tend to hurt but they do a great job of scraping everything off

[Pathfinder]

Why is a sleeping bag optional?

I'll bring a sleeping bag if there's enough room after getting more essential gear. It will make life more comfortable, but is not critical as long as I can build a good shelter and have a fire going.


You will also probably want a water filtration system or purification tablets to avoid the squirts. .

The only way to guarantee water is safe to drink is by boiling it. Although I may bring some purification tablets just in case I run into a situation where I don't have time to boil water.


Maps are handy.

I'll get a map once I decide where I'm going.

[Algag]

Buddy, the weed. You have to add the weed to your list.

[vej33]

dude did you forget to put Weed on your check-list?

or is that kind of just a given?

totally cool if this is one of those non-smoking trips, just wonnndering :thumbsup:

[Pathfinder]

Yes, I'll be bringing weed. I'll also be bringing seeds to plant all over the place.

[the image reaper]

spent my whole life on the move, good for you ... take rubbers ... oh, wait, they call 'em 'condoms' nowadays :D

[Fotokopie]

Yes, I'll be bringing weed. I'll also be bringing seeds to plant all over the place.

SHIT!

It's like Johnny Appleseed!


Johnny Cannaseed!

You should refer to yourself as that when you meet people on the journey.

Hahaha. :jointsmile:

Sounds like it's going to be an enlightening trip to say the least.

[Pathfinder]

Johnny Cannaseed!

haha

Good one. :D

[Infamous]

+Rep for you mate I respect anyone who has the testicles to do what you're doing.

But why are you taking bananas?

[Infamous]

Oh its bandana's................ my bad.

[vej33]

hahahah bananas

[silkyblue]

hey photokopie!

stop sending me nasty im's

I dont get it!

[Ghengis Chron]

I find that T.S. Elliot quote rather ironic. You have a lot of stuff on that list.

someday I want to embark on a similar journey. recently, in the hustle and bustle of life, i've been feeling like for some reason, i need to prove to myself my actual worth on this planet. our society dumbs us down so much, it forces us away from nature. so many of this earth have lost their connection with nature. I don't understand how a person can be afraid of a simple bug as a spider when not even hundreds of years ago, we were living alongside such critters.

i think people need to realize not only their worth on this planet, but more importantly, other organisms' worth on this planet. the ecosystem is such a delicate and fragile thing, the slightest alter with be magnified. i think taking a journey like this will teach me a lot about the environment around us.

I don't plan on taking nearly as much stuff as you do. but don't forget to bring a pen and paper. you're going to want to record your thoughts, keep a journal, ect.

[Pathfinder]

You have a lot of stuff on that list.

It's going to be rough. I have no illusions about that. And so I am trying to prepare for everything. I'll be alone out there. If something comes up, it's up to me to deal with it. No one is going to be there to save my ass.

[sarah louise]

Hypothermia and hyperthermia are the 2 biggest risks of getting back to nature on foot. So I would expect a sleeping bag and a tent to have a higher use value than a firearm and ammo in most situations. Granted I have never hiked with a hand gun, so I can't comment on their usefulness, but I have kicked myself severely in the past for failing to carry adequate shelter.

I think the best way to decide what is really essential is to pack it all up and then take a stroll with it. Then unpack and start culling the dead weight. Trim the kit and repack until you can carry it comfortably at an average walking speed over flat ground.

Then test the kit. Set it up in the backyard and camp out. Sounds silly? Not really, if you have to go back into the house to get something, you know your kit is inadequate. Cull again and try again. When it works at home, take a couple of short trips.

This way you can find the flaws in your kit... long before your life depends on what's in your rucksack.

Leave only footprints, take only memories. Happy travels :hippy:

[jessem98]

I find that T.S. Elliot quote rather ironic. You have a lot of stuff on that list.

haha i was thinking the same thing. personally i wouldnt bring a REVOLVER... hunting knife and a hatchet can make you whatever weapon you need.

[bud luv]

Interesting plan. Much respect to you for going through with it.

I suggest you bring a backup knife that is serrated. It will come in handy for cutting wood to make a shelter and tools, and it will keep you from dying if you somehow lose your SEAL knife.

And you can make the sleeping bag and tent work, no shame in that.

...And if you're going out there long enough to grow some pot, you should definitely bring vegetable seeds too.

[bud luv]

haha i was thinking the same thing. personally i wouldnt bring a REVOLVER... hunting knife and a hatchet can make you whatever weapon you need.

I'd keep the gun. Bears are pretty tough.

[WielyDevil]

Sounds like u watched the movie into the wild and decided to do the same. There is a whole group that follows the into the wild idea that Christopher McCandless started. Thats who into the wild is based off of. If u havent seen the movie i recommend it man. It really directly applies to what ur talking about.

[Pathfinder]

I'd keep the gun. Bears are pretty tough.

Mountain lions, wild hogs, wolves, etc. I'm not going to try knife fighting a mountain lion. He'll tear me apart. If I go to brown bear country, I'll also bring bear pepper spray.

If I'm desperate for food, a .357 magnum will drop a deer. One deer could give me enough meat for quite a while.

[4.2O]

Sounds crazy man...and fun to some degree.
but dont you like have a job/family, and what are their thoughts on all of this?

[Ghengis Chron]

Sounds like u watched the movie into the wild and decided to do the same. There is a whole group that follows the into the wild idea that Christopher McCandless started. Thats who into the wild is based off of. If u havent seen the movie i recommend it man. It really directly applies to what ur talking about.


Read the book first though. The movie is pretty good, but the book is better.

I wouldn't say Christopher McCandless "started" this idea, I think it's in everyone. It only surfaces in some people though.

[bud luv]

Mountain lions, wild hogs, wolves, etc. I'm not going to try knife fighting a mountain lion. He'll tear me apart. If I go to brown bear country, I'll also bring bear pepper spray.

If I'm desperate for food, a .357 magnum will drop a deer. One deer could give me enough meat for quite a while.

It will be tough to take a deer with a handgun. Since you plan on staying long you could consider an ultralight hunting rifle as well (5.5 lbs).

Immerse yourself in bush food preserving techniques... smoking... curing. You're gonna need cookware... A Pot to boil water, a pan to cook in... a cup. You can also cook food in folded leaves directly over coals... I'd go somewhere that the salmon or trout are plentiful, and the soil is fit for growing and has a rich supply of natural nutrients. gotta do some research.

Learn the aboriginal method of starting a fire with a bow... just in case.

Learn how to trap animals..

Look for quick-yielding veggies.... some radishes are ready in 3-4 weeks. Beets are good because you can eat the root and the leaves, good source of vitamin A and C. Cabbage is hardy... Watermelon is nice if it's warm enough. Generally things that grow low to the ground are better for the short term.

Learn about composting... maybe even bring some earthworms with you...

Ok... that's all for now...

[bud luv]

Oh and bring herb seeds too...

And try to go to an area that supports salt-making... or maybe even bring a bunch of salt.

[Frickr]

if you plan on staying a long time, some nails would be handy too. if you have a hatchet you wont need a hammer. also a book about etable plants and stuff in your area would be nice, maybe even a book to identify some mushrooms incase if you want to spice up your meal or night. get one of those little handheld weather band radios too. its nice ot know when a storms coming your way so you can prepair a little in advance.

most importantly have a good emergency plan inplace. have people know where your going to be, so that if you dont come back in a set amount of time, or if something important comes up, they can find you. say if a family member was dying, they would be able to get ahold of you somehow to tell you. remember safety first for things like this. this is pretty dangerous stuff, and if you have never done anything like this before, it is even more dangerous. remember, just be careful, and repsect where your staying and the area around you. dont just go up to the top of some mountain and make a mess of garbage and a bunch of things like that.

[bud luv]

Weather radios and emergency plans cheapen the whole experience.;)

[dragonrider]

If you do not return. we will have this equipment waiting:

Helicopters
Snow mobiles
ATVs
Jeeps
Thermal imaging
Satelite imaging
Search and rescue team
EMTs
Paramedics
Ambulances
TV cameras
News crews
Official Spokesperson
Blood hounds
Cadaver dogs
Body bag
Coroner
Weeping family members

[friendowl]

sounds like an experience
have you ever spent time alone...in the woods
its not as easy and as fun as you might expect

i hope you do make this happen
id be very interested to read your journal

what part of the country are you thinking

why not hike the john muir trail
you can have all the solitude you like and
when you get tired of yourself you can have fun with us

[dragonrider]

Pathfinder, what kind of experience do you have doing this sort of thing? It seems like some people are giving advice like you had never gone on even a single backpacking trip, and others are telling you how to survive on your own totallly bereft of human contact for the rest of your life. If you are going to be way out on the wilderness with no contact, you should ahve a good amount of experience with smaller scale backpacking trips, and you will need experience with fishing, hunting, trapping, edible plants, etc.

Personally, I'm not that interested in a full blown survivalist experience, unless it is the stranded-on-a-tropical-island variety, preferrably the Mysterious Island of Beaturiful Women. Wilderness is great, but total solitude gets old after awhile --- it's ok for some time, but it gets old. And completely relying on catching/finding your own food also gets very old very quickly --- most people have no idea how much work it is every day.

So no survivalist trips for me; however, I do have a lot of backpacking experience, and I would like to some day do something like what freindowl was talking about --- one of the long trail treks, like the John Muir, or Pacific Crest or Appalachian trail.

[friendowl]

7-18-08...jmt

[Pathfinder]

dont you like have a job/family, and what are their thoughts on all of this?

I have a job that I absolutely hate, and I have zero desire to remain at this job for the rest of my life. I'm planning a career change. After I leave my current job, and before I start a new one, I'm a free man.

The only family I have worth mentioning is my 15 year old. But he lives half way across the country from me and I never get to see him anyways.

There's really nothing here for me to miss. The solitude won't bother me at all. I've been groomed for it my whole life. I've always been the outsider, always been alone. Loneliness is the very least of my concerns.

[friendowl]

what part of the country are you thinking of exploring

[Pathfinder]

what part of the country are you thinking of exploring

I still haven't made a definite decision as to location. Here is one prospect:

YouTube - Ray Mears' Extreme Survival - The Rocky Mountains 1of3 (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7RS2xeYqpoQ)

[Ghengis Chron]

Thanks for that link, I think I like Ray Mears better than Bear Grylls and Les Stroud. This is really cool. Teaches you exactly what you have to know that's most important, and nothing more. And the music is great!

[Pathfinder]

Thanks for that link, I think I like Ray Mears better than Bear Grylls and Les Stroud. This is really cool. Teaches you exactly what you have to know that's most important, and nothing more. And the music is great!

Ray Mears is awesome. Thank goodness for YouTube or those of us in the U.S. would never get to see his show. I like Les Stroud, too. Bear Grylls, however, is the pro-wrestling version of survival shows.

[Ghengis Chron]

Yeah I actually like Les Stroud too. Bear Grylls is O.K, I don't see any problem in staying in a hotel or whatever he did, the point is to prepare people to the extremes. Les and Ray are more realistic though.

[MadSativa]

haha been their done that

[silkyblue]

pathfinder,

I was harsh on ya in my post, stupid of me, I just don thin we are equipt to live in the wild, yes thats the way our ancestors lived but, life expectancy was at 30 years old then

anyway

I apologise ~


Go west young man, take care of yourself, watch for accidents,

dont overdo it, notify your loved ones where you are, and if you ever feel the need to come back to us, you will be welcomed with open arms

or stop and get me we'll run off together ~~


lol!

good luck !;)

[MasterKief]

Ever tried getting off your couch?
Jeez, why the hostility, man?

Anyways, I'm entirely jealous of you. I'd love to do that someday! :thumbsup:

[GonzoKerouac]

i saw that you hadn't decided yet on a previous post. have you decided yet on the general area? rockies? pacific northwest? canada? alaska? where you are going is going to dictate what you need. how long? i dunno about open time frame. you may want to have some time frame once you decide on a place. just things to think about.

[TheSmokingMonkey]

Water filter kit + iodine tablets (or similar). Extra Nalgene bottles or a big Camelpak.

BRING THE SLEEPING BAG - it's not optional when it gets cold. And it gets cold often, no matter where you are, at night. Same goes for the tent - it's optional if you're staying a weekend, not so much if you're staying for a month. Soaking wet hypothermia is no fun and is bad for an extended length of time.

I might recommend a big hunting knife instead of the multitool but that's up to you. Make sure the knife on your multitool is plenty big. If you do have a multitool I'd make sure it had tweezers. Splinters are hard to remove with only a knife and dirty fingers.

Matches, good hard wood strike-anywhere matches in a WATERPROOF container. Your Bic lighters should also be in a waterproof container.

First aid kit should include antibiotic ointment, an ace bandage, and if desired things like scalpels, tweezers, etc - you can find lists online of recommended camping first aid kit items.

Extra T-shirts - you can rip them up for use as bandages if, God forbid, you injure yourself severely. You'll be glad to always have dry clothes and extra layers, and you can use them to tie things with or as a pillow, etc.

Sandpaper. You'll be surprised when it will come in handy. File your fingernails if you break one, smooth out a whittled end of stick, whatever. It weighs basically nothing and can be useful.

One lightweight pan for cooking food, if desired. Do not bring utensils - you'll be using chopsticks au naturel.

Topo map + a good compass in a waterproof padded pouch. Don't get lost.

I understand the purists among us will scoff at some of these suggestions, but if I were staying a month, I'd want to be comfortable. The point, for me, is to enjoy the woods and get in touch with my survival instincts, not to test my mettle or inconvenience myself beyond reason. Others may feel differently.

[action.420]

Lots of confidence is all you need in reality, but like others said I wouldn't mind be comfortable and making life in the woods a little easier with what everyone else said.

[silkyblue]

I saw the movie "Into the wild"

why dint he just go to McDonalds? instead of crawling around on the dirt for roots and plants, jeezz

I thought the epic was of one wif a self destructive personality

May Chris Mccandless rest in peace

[dragonrider]

We are coming up on one year. Did Pathfinder's trip ever happen? Is Pathfinder still out there in the wilderness? Did Pathfinder survive? Should we send a search party?

[dragonrider]

7-18-08...jmt

Did this John Muir Trail trip happen? I'm interested in doing that next summer. I am also considering doing the Tahoe Rim Trail first. JMT is about 220 miles, and TRT is 165. So they are both long thru-hikes, and the terrain is similar. But TRT crosses into civilization now and then along the way, so you have more options for resupplying, and you can get a shower every week or so. Or you can even just duck out of the whole deal if it is not working out.

I'd be interested in hearing about it if Friendowl or any of his associates are still around. Or if anyone else has done the JMT, TRT, PCT or AT, I'd like to hear about it.

[linearvermin]

I dont own a couch !


why the cotton balls soaked in vaseline?


oh ic from having to wipe yo ass on corn cobs!


go to it buddy!

Dude...you're fucking stupid. Shut up. Thats such a sick idea man it will be a crazy adventure that not everyone gets to have. You need a lot of tree for the trip haha you need to add a 1lb of marijuana on your list of things to pack.

[Frickr]

also in to know if hes gone on his trip. one place you guys should also look into is the theodore roosevelt national park in medora north dakota. the sunrise on this badlands is amazing, and not to mention all the wildlife. the Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 100 mile long trail, i got to walk half of it one summer, something i wouldnt mind doing again with some herb

[backwoodsganja]

living of the land is alittle extreme for me. I enjoy being in the back country as well but i like to keep it on designated trails with a pack of food and emergency supplies. i looked at your list and a tent and sleeping bag would be something that i would diffenetly carry. If you dont want a tent you can carry a emergency bivy and sleep in it but i like the comfort of my tent, plus you can hotbox lol. just keep your supplies light try to buy things they hae multiple functions. you may have to spend extra doe to get the lighter stuff but your feet and back will thank you. also plenty of energy bars and a couple simple soup supplies make the experience much better

forgot to mention i started a thread hiking stoned. check it out share some info