Alone in the wilderness - revised inventory

[Pathfinder]

I thought about how thrilling it would be to do something like this, but Id never stay out for how long I could possibly go, Id set like time because I would want to return to civilization.

I plan to eventually return to civilization too, along with some incredible memories and a perspective of the natural world that most human beings in modern times will never have. But when undertaking something like this, I think it's prudent to plan for the worst. I may not be able to get back when I want to get back. I may be forced by circumstance to remain out there longer than I would like. Who is going to know where to find me? Who is going to even know to start looking for me? No one. It will be totally on me to rescue myself, and I'm giving myself the best chance I can of accomplishing that.

[SurfBud]

Why not try the Pacific Northwest, the Cascades are simply amazing...

As for arms, I may go heavier than a .357 Magnum. 180 Grains is minimum for Large Animals, I would in all honesty go for a Glock 21 .45 or better yet a Mossburg 12-gauge with slugs for bears...

IMO the best would be a Marlin .45-70 Guide Gun... If its good enough to drop Grizzlies in Alaska in a single shot, itll handle everything else just fine...

[Herreic68]

when were you planning on going? My guess is that you really dont know when just because you arent positive on where you are going. How long do you plan on being gone? Like only a couple of months or like a year +. Either way good luck

[Pathfinder]

when were you planning on going? My guess is that you really dont know when just because you arent positive on where you are going. How long do you plan on being gone? Like only a couple of months or like a year +. Either way good luck

After the end of winter. If I happen to get stuck out there long enough for the next winter to start, at least I'll have plenty of time to brace myself for it.

[dragonrider]

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

[cygnustaxt]

sounds like this guy has been reading/watching too much Into The Wild. Lol, aye there Mr. Supertramp?

this is good stuff though, I'd love to do this. I hope everything is going well for you pathfinder.

[dragonrider]

sounds like this guy has been reading/watching too much Into The Wild. Lol, aye there Mr. Supertramp?

this is good stuff though, I'd love to do this. I hope everything is going well for you pathfinder.

Cygnus, you are interested in doing the AT next year, right? I just read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods. It is a laugh riot, but also a very good travel book about his expereinces on the AT. Lots of humor, but also history, science and hiking lore. I'd recommed it for the humor alone.

I'm getting very intersted in doing a long thru-hike next year, but not as long as the WHOLE Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. I'm thinking about maybe the John Muir Trail, or I am also considering doing the Tahoe Rim Trail first. The JMT is about 220 miles, from Yosemite to Mt Whitney. And the TRT is 165 all the way around the Tahoe Basin. So they are both long thru-hikes in the Sierras, 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.

One of the things that sounded great about the AT from the book was that it does get into or close to town fairly often, which the PCT and JMT do not do. A week of wilderness at a time sounds good, and I don't think I'd like to carry more than a weeks worth of consumables at a time. So I'm leaning toward the TRT just for the resupply aspect. It's also a loop, so I wouldn't need to arrange for pickup at the other end.

Another thing that sounded great about the AT is that it has SHELTERS. Mostly I am fine with sleeping al fresco or pitching a tent. And I'm fine with shitting in the woods. But shelters and privies could be nice at times too.

[deathduck]

PLEASE READ this post before you go!!

wow I would love to do this someday and have thought a lot about it.

In into the wild (movie) his greatest regret was having no one to share all his great experiences with.

Well I thought about this and I liked the 'on my own survival' aspect but disliked the 'always alone' aspect and came up with a great solution!!

Get a puppy dog from the pound and bring him with you. Raising him in the woods and hunting/adventuring together will make the experience so much more enjoyable that you will not want to trade the time you spent w/ that dog for anything in the world.

When you have time to devote all day into raising a dog they will become an amazing best friend.

Please take this advice you will be so much happier and much less lonely. Thank me when you get back

[epilepticme]

There is some great advice floating around in here.
Pathfinder if and when you actually do take this trip. There is going
to be on JEALOUS epilepticme floating around.
I suggest the Katadyn water filter systems for potable water.
The idea for a dog is great as well. They make back packs for the pooches so they can carry their own supplies as well.
I would also suggest a good water proof tarp.
When you put together the First-Aid kit I would recommend some common over-the-counter medications as well. Aspirin, Benadryl etc.

Safe Travels

[Stoner Shadow Wolf]

dude, good luck to you!


i aspire to do something like this some day, but i have a lot to learn about survival before i can even think about doing that!


Anyone know any real good survivalist books i can benefit from??