Locations to live off the land

[ObscuredByClouds]

I want to leave everything behind and find a spot to live in the wilderness. Where would be the best location to do so? If some of you have experience living off the land please help me out. I can fly almost anywhere for 50 bucks, so other countries are possible suggestions. The ideal location for me would be:

-away from people
-close to water
-relatively calm weather
-have enough edible plant life and possibly small game

If anyone has any wisdom to share please do so.

[Mystic Jewfro]

Nebraska. Anywhere thats not close to the bigger cities here. Like midwest nebraska, lots of riversand lakers, prairie dogs, etc.

[JIGSAW]

How bought somewhere in australia for the people down under?

[Enfaded Serenicity]

Wollemi National park in NSW , just northwest of Sydney, huge largely unexplored wilderness. Alot of game and one of the colo river is one of the cleanest in the State.

[ayingerbrau]

Are you planning to buy some land, or just squat on someone elses land. How will you be living?

The $50 & Up Underground House Book is a good read, for building techniques, if you want to build a little home.

As far as location goes what has been suggested is fine, just do research. I'd go somewhere you can fish easily.

[i poop in your cereal]

http://www.lisaashby.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/christopher_mccandless_alex_supertramp.png

[Olaparib]

Kootneys in Canada

Relatively cheap land stil (you'll have to buy a lot of it)l, tons of wildlife

lots of other places in BC too...

[Headspin]

Depends on how far you're willing to travel I spose. What terrain are you best sutied for sounds like a mountainous area full of wildlife and fresh water. Colorado is my suggestion.

[Femme Fatale]

http://www.lisaashby.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/christopher_mccandless_alex_supertramp.png

Hey Chris, how's Alaska? hehe.

[Sir Cornwell]

Are you talking during the warmer months or year round? Many places are pleasant only part of the year, otherwise being very hot/cold.

[godly]

You can live off the land anywhere. It will come down to how tough and durable you are, and the attitude you have. Get in the woods. Start cutting stuff down, catching stuff, scavenging, light fires, cook, figure out your water supply and where you can get resupplied...however that might be. But in the woods there are no excuses. You have a fortress, and you protect it and you.

[SomeLowLife]

Deep in the forests of NorCal. Also in close proximity to the ocean, hippie girls, and LSD.

[Trix Are For Kids]

I'd say in the Northeast U.S., in lower NY or upper CT. There are a bunch of rivers and farms here, along with many small towns. It worked for me. Just set up by a small tributary and nobody will find you or care. If you need food, there's plenty of deer and crop fields. Hell, I'd give you a specific location in a PM if you want. The thing to remember is that you want to be in the woods, yet not TOO deep in. Sometimes it's easier to get out of sight of people than you think.

[Struwwelpeter]

http://www.lisaashby.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/christopher_mccandless_alex_supertramp.png

LMFAO

Anyway, I don't recommend going to the northeast, unless you like drinking dirty water and feeling like shit. I also don't recommend anywhere in the "midwest", that place is even worse. Northern California is great, maybe you could go there. Unfortunately I don't think there is much wilderness there, you will still be disturbed in one way or another. I suppose you could go to the Idaho-Montana area but the winters there can be rough. And central Texas is so so but there is no wilderness there. Still it is nice, you don't eve have to worry about the weather out there.

[AnotherAnimal]

I was personally looking at the Missouri/Arkansas area. Anyone know how that'd be?

[OmmEGGA]

LMFAO

Anyway, I don't recommend going to the northeast, unless you like drinking dirty water and feeling like shit. I also don't recommend anywhere in the "midwest", that place is even worse. Northern California is great, maybe you could go there. Unfortunately I don't think there is much wilderness there, you will still be disturbed in one way or another. I suppose you could go to the Idaho-Montana area but the winters there can be rough. And central Texas is so so but there is no wilderness there. Still it is nice, you don't eve have to worry about the weather out there.

Central Texas? You've got the be fucking kidding me. Don't ever try live in Texas woods... full of snakes,insects,spiders and other nasty shit. Texas doesn't really have "woods" It's just one big bush with low trees. It's really hard to move around.

[reject]

Where I live there are plenty of rabbits, pheasants, sheeps, cows, deer, you know it.

Also the fields are full of vegetables.

The land is dead flat, all easy terrain.

The weather is pretty good, my area has the lowest amount of rain on average in the UK. I barely see it raining, it's usually at night.

I live in the perfect place.

Except when the sea levels rise a significant amount it's guna be one of the first places to go ; D

[jolt890]

LMFAO

Anyway, I don't recommend going to the northeast, unless you like drinking dirty water and feeling like shit. I also don't recommend anywhere in the "midwest", that place is even worse.

You should be boiling and filtering your water.

Northern California is great, maybe you could go there. Unfortunately I don't think there is much wilderness there, you will still be disturbed in one way or another.

You've obviously never been to NorCal.

And central Texas is so so but there is no wilderness there. Still it is nice, you don't eve have to worry about the weather out there.

Central Texas is barren and unless you plan on buying supplies often, you will die in the summer.

[Struwwelpeter]

um, no, you won't die in the summer, lame ass white boy, it's not like it's fucking Africa or anything like that. there are lots of rivers and streams and deer and coyote to live off of. it isn't barren. there are trees and cacti and weeds and all sorts of shit all over the place. and i wouldn't drink northeast water... unless it was sterilized in a pressure cooker. and yeah i've obviously never been to north cal.

[OmmEGGA]

Northern California is great, maybe you could go there. Unfortunately I don't think there is much wilderness there, you will still be disturbed in one way or another..

Did you ever travel more than 5 miles away from your trailer park? Shut your stupid ass and don't ever speak another word.

[Struwwelpeter]

Did you ever travel more than 5 miles away from your trailer park? Shut your stupid ass and don't ever speak another word.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, wow, you are a real scumbag... You ought to be executed for the betterment of this country.

[Dread_Lord]

I want to leave everything behind and find a spot to live in the wilderness. Where would be the best location to do so? If some of you have experience living off the land please help me out. I can fly almost anywhere for 50 bucks, so other countries are possible suggestions. The ideal location for me would be:

-away from people
-close to water
-relatively calm weather
-have enough edible plant life and possibly small game

If anyone has any wisdom to share please do so.

You can't do anything without money anymore. Sorry bout your luck.

[OmmEGGA]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, wow, you are a real scumbag... You ought to be executed for the betterment of this country.

U mad?

[Struwwelpeter]

nope

[vial]

Central Texas? You've got the be fucking kidding me. Don't ever try live in Texas woods... full of snakes,insects,spiders and other nasty shit. Texas doesn't really have "woods" It's just one big bush with low trees. It's really hard to move around.
Really? I guess texas parks and wildlife has been lying all these years about hundreds of thousands of acres of forests, and the time I spent in the pine forests of east texas was a hallucination.

Low trees hahaha. That's just part of texas. And I know every part very well. You could live in west texas too, when you start going up the mountains, it's desert, but as you go higher you get junipers, maples, etc. It's very beautiful. Texas is so hot though, you would probably like northern california more.

Most snakes in texas are harmless, same with the spiders. Black widows actually prefer to live around houses. Snakes are a good source of meat. Mosquitoes are plentiful unfortunately. And then there's the deadly beetles that came from mexico and are now spreading throughout north america.

[Struwwelpeter]

Really? I guess texas parks and wildlife has been lying all these years about hundreds of thousands of acres of forests, and the time I spent in the pine forests of east texas was a hallucination.

Low trees hahaha. That's just part of texas. And I know every part very well. You could live in west texas too, when you start going up the mountains, it's desert, but as you go higher you get junipers, maples, etc. It's very beautiful. Texas is so hot though, you would probably like northern california more.

Most snakes in texas are harmless, same with the spiders. Black widows actually prefer to live around houses. Snakes are a good source of meat. Mosquitoes are plentiful unfortunately. And then there's the deadly beetles that came from mexico and are now spreading throughout north america.

Exactly. Yes, rattlesnakes are plentiful. Texas is really an oasis, but probably not for a lame ass like OmmEgga, who can be sunburned my mere candlelight. You don't even need to build shelter in Texas, other than a sun shade.

[Firemind]

Any of the unmanned tropical islands along the coasts of South America. And the Northwest Territories of Canada, increasingly difficult the more north you go.
That is about all you'll find.

[AnotherAnimal]

So how's the land and wildlife in the southeastern/midwestern states?

[Sir Cornwell]

Oregon is good too is it not? Most of my knowledge of further south into Arizona NM, Texas comes from old Westerns where the cowboys are sleeping under the stars. They never seemed to get bitten by other than rattlesnakes. I wonder where all the brown recluse and black widow spiders were?

I wonder where the OP is? Has he already gone off into the bush?

[Jesus of Nazareth]

Definitely not the glades, this place is a fucking shithole of death and destruction.

[1983]

New York or some other big city. Live in an abandoned building where you could possibly get the electricity running and water once you purge the water lines.

You can rummage for food outside of bakery and grocery stores but beware of those free cycle trend fags jumping your claim.

Other than that you'd probably have less of a hassle living like this than starting from scratch with no background in survivalism or bush craft.

Al

[Asheville]

New York or some other big city. Live in an abandoned building where you could possibly get the electricity running and water once you purge the water lines.

You can rummage for food outside of bakery and grocery stores but beware of those free cycle trend fags jumping your claim.

Other than that you'd probably have less of a hassle living like this than starting from scratch with no background in survivalism or bush craft.

Al

There are no more real "abandoned" buildings in NYC. Property is too expensive. There are some old boarded-up's in NJ, try Paterson, East Orange, possibly Newark, etc. although most of the plumbing and shit has been scrapped to pay for crumbs of crack cocaine, still, keep the dream alive buddy.

[ChinaCat]

There are no more real "abandoned" buildings in NYC. Property is too expensive. There are some old boarded-up's in NJ, try Paterson, East Orange, possibly Newark, etc. although most of the plumbing and shit has been scrapped to pay for crumbs of crack cocaine, still, keep the dream alive buddy.

lol

[rideronthestorm]

I have extreme aversions to the cold so although I currently live in the often frigid state of Utah I would lean towards the south. The larger the state the more elbow room you have so I suggest Florida which has a LOT of largely inhabitable bayou if you can deal with the bugs, snakes, and gators which are prevalent. I enjoyed my time there immensely, and the lazy warm southern sun suits me, especially when I can get myself to the ocean from time to time.

That being said I would like to comment that when living off the land the elements are your greatest enemy, and fat is your best friend. Whatever you hunt to eat you should always consume all the fat with it.

Also, fishing while fun is a horribly inefficient way to keep nourished. It just does not have enough fat and protein for the time you spend getting it. So unless you have a sluice gate to netfish with or some dynamite to fish with I wouldnt count on fish being your main form of sustenance as many people often do.

[kervin]

Whatever you hunt to eat you should always consume all the fat with it.



I wouldn't recommend it, if you want to be self sufficient you could use the animal fat to make soap by using the ashes from a fire, salts ester hydrolysis etc.

[ObscuredByClouds]

shit son i forgot i even made this... Fuck i think i actually should look more into it now and actually do it

[Zok Jr.]

I want to leave everything behind and find a spot to live in the wilderness. Where would be the best location to do so? If some of you have experience living off the land please help me out. I can fly almost anywhere for 50 bucks, so other countries are possible suggestions. The ideal location for me would be:

-away from people
-close to water
-relatively calm weather
-have enough edible plant life and possibly small game

If anyone has any wisdom to share please do so.

Trying to hide from 2012 huh??



Lolol sorry i had to but seriously this is a dream of mine getting away from all this shit for at least a few months out kof the year would be nice. Cali is the perfect place to do this im surrounded by rich forests and pretty much unexplored forests. Im near yosemite so its hella nice here

[rideronthestorm]

I wouldn't recommend it, if you want to be self sufficient you could use the animal fat to make soap by using the ashes from a fire, salts ester hydrolysis etc.

If it were winter, the fat would be the difference between life or death

[kervin]

If it were winter, the fat would be the difference between life or death

goes without saying mang.

[AINews]

Also, fishing while fun is a horribly inefficient way to keep nourished. It just does not have enough fat and protein for the time you spend getting it.

Actually trout are quite fatty. That's why trout jerky spoils quicker than less fatty fish. I've only lived off fish for a couple of weeks at a time in the high country, but I'm thinking I could for months. Trapping small animals is another good source but rabbits are EXTREMELY low in fat. It's wise to eat a rabbit's bones to get the marrow and stuff.

[AINews]

If it were winter, the fat would be the difference between life or death

Unfortunately yes, you are absolutely right! I was talking to a cardiologist, however, who told me to avoid animal fat at all cost. I suppose there has to be a balance. I would be eating a LOT of fish. Lots of protein and some HEALTHY fat.

[AnotherAnimal]

So, for me, I settled upon heading down to North Carolina. Specifically West North Carolina, amidst the Appalachians. Anyone have any experience or words of wisdom from the Appalachians?

[Struwwelpeter]

In the winter the Lapps would remove pine and spruce barks and eat them over the winter as a famine food. It is possible to survive off of pine bark. Bears survive mostly off of pine bark, pine nuts and flowers. And cold weather isn't really a problem since you can build fires, wear warm clothes, etc.

[felonious_monk]

Trying to hide from 2012 huh??



Lolol sorry i had to but seriously this is a dream of mine getting away from all this shit for at least a few months out kof the year would be nice. Cali is the perfect place to do this im surrounded by rich forests and pretty much unexplored forests. Im near yosemite so its hella nice here

my dream is to live in yosemite valley

[Zok Jr.]

my dream is to live in yosemite valley

lol im like 20 miles away its pretty nice right now

[jolt890]

I wouldn't recommend it, if you want to be self sufficient you could use the animal fat to make soap by using the ashes from a fire, salts ester hydrolysis etc.

goes without saying mang.

Even if you have enough food you should definitely be eating most if not all of the fat you come across, especially if you're active (I'm assuming you will be if living off the land)

Your diet needs to be diverse, and immense.

A male 19–30 years of age undertaking 60 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking while hunting), requires 3000 kcal/day.[1] At 114kcal/100g[2] that would require the consumption of 2.6kg (5.7lbs) of rabbit meat. At typical carcass yields,[3] this would require approximately 6.9kg (15.3lbs) of live rabbit (around 8 medium-large wild rabbits)[4] to be caught and consumed.

Unsafe levels of protein. It has been observed that human liver cannot metabolise much more than 200-300 g of protein per day, and human kidneys are similarly limited in their capability to remove urea (a byproduct of protein catabolism) from the bloodstream. Exceeding that amount results in excess levels of amino acids, ammonia (hyperammonemia), and/or urea in the bloodstream, with potentially fatal consequences[7], especially if the person switches to a high-protein diet without giving time for the levels of his hepatic enzymes to upregulate. Since protein only contains 4 kcal/gram, and, as mentioned above, a typical adult human requires in excess of 2000 kcal to maintain the energy balance, it is possible to exceed the safe intake of protein if one is subjected to a high-protein diet with little if any fat or carbohydrates.

Read More Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation)

[Craigslist.org]

How will you protect yourself from serial killers, bears and cougars?
How will you prevent yourself from thinking of friday the 13th while your trying to sleep in your tent at night?
Do you have books on plants so you dont wipe your ass with poison ivy or nettles?
Do you have enough toothpaste?
what will you do in the winter to keep warm and to get food?
What happens if you get a tooth ache?
Where will you get your clothes when they fall apart?
How will you get internet?:muahaha:

Go to northern bc.
You can always turn over a rock thats sitting on some dirt and find protein bugs to eat.

http://www.newsrealblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Feeling_Grizzly-1600x1200.jpg

*watches op's camp from a hill behind some trees*
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nYmWjp9KBI0/TGW-zWhoyLI/AAAAAAAADi8/taM_nBUAH6U/s1600/JasonV.jpg

[yawanur]

Go to northern bc.


That's my favorite option so far, I don't mind the snow

I'm thinking outside of pemberton, where I'm close enough to pick up a few essential supplies when I need them, and there's awesome mountains to explore on my splitboard [more info on that- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splitboard]

[Craigslist.org]

That's my favorite option so far, I don't mind the snow

I'm thinking outside of pemberton, where I'm close enough to pick up a few essential supplies when I need them, and there's awesome mountains to explore on my splitboard [more info on that- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splitboard]

Sounds like fun if it isnt permanent. I wouldnt mind doing that for a year or 2.
The pemberton area is full of black bears Ive been there. But if you want to be away from people you need to go deeper.
That area is full of tourists because of whistler. Loads of deer though. Get a cross bow.
This made me want to do it http://www.aloneinthewilderness.com
You can download the full documentary from the pirate bay. ;)

[water bottle]

I can fly almost anywhere for 50 bucks

How on Earth is this possible??

[water bottle]

Oh, and I've got my apocalypse place spotted out already. All I'm authorized to say is that it's somewhere not far from Stuart Island, BC :hrmph:.

I'd recommend going somewhere in central coastal BC, like the Haida Gwaii or somewhere on the mainland.

[Craigslist.org]

Oh, and I've got my apocalypse place spotted out already. All I'm authorized to say is that it's somewhere not far from Stuart Island, BC :hrmph:.

I'd recommend going somewhere in central coastal BC, like the Haida Gwaii or somewhere on the mainland.

Yeah that would be a good spot, close to rivers and the ocean.
2 places to catch a water based meal. :muahaha:

[yawanur]

Sounds like fun if it isnt permanent. I wouldnt mind doing that for a year or 2.
The pemberton area is full of black bears Ive been there. But if you want to be away from people you need to go deeper.
That area is full of tourists because of whistler. Loads of deer though. Get a cross bow.
This made me want to do it http://www.aloneinthewilderness.com
You can download the full documentary from the pirate bay. ;)

nice, downloading that now

are black bears really that much of a nuisance? I figure if I deal with my trash they shouldn't really bother me... I also plan on having a rifle, probably a revolver as well. Is a crossbow really worth it? I'm not an excellent archer but I'd rather just work on using a real bow, they're lighter/faster and personally I think they're more badass.

I'm not really that set on 'getting away from people' so much, like I wouldn't mind going into town a couple times a week or even owning a truck. My main goal is to live frugally, for food rely as much as possible on the wild, and yeah just keep it simple and have free time to explore, play guitar, carve stone, snowboard, etc. By using a few essential items from the modern world I could spend a lot less time constructing furniture with my bare hands n shit.

I can respect the fully detached style of escape for what it is, but I'm not that set on living off the land. I'd like to construct an A frame hut way up on a mountain slope semi-close to town, then work out some basics like a small solar panel to collect energy for my computer/camera as well as basic running water [maybe rainwater collection in a tank on the roof, gravity fed tap]. Plus I'll be snowboarding so I'll take trips down to whistler, washington, norcal and such. I'm hoping to do a fair amount of work over the net from my house to avoid location issues and make just enough cash for essentials and adventures

how detached from society are the rest of you trying to get?

[Craigslist.org]

nice, downloading that now

are black bears really that much of a nuisance? I figure if I deal with my trash they shouldn't really bother me... I also plan on having a rifle, probably a revolver as well. Is a crossbow really worth it? I'm not an excellent archer but I'd rather just work on using a real bow, they're lighter/faster and personally I think they're more badass.

I'm not really that set on 'getting away from people' so much, like I wouldn't mind going into town a couple times a week or even owning a truck. My main goal is to live frugally, for food rely as much as possible on the wild, and yeah just keep it simple and have free time to explore, play guitar, carve stone, snowboard, etc. By using a few essential items from the modern world I could spend a lot less time constructing furniture with my bare hands n shit.

I can respect the fully detached style of escape for what it is, but I'm not that set on living off the land. I'd like to construct an A frame hut way up on a mountain slope semi-close to town, then work out some basics like a small solar panel to collect energy for my computer/camera as well as basic running water [maybe rainwater collection in a tank on the roof, gravity fed tap]

how detached from society are the rest of you trying to get?
Well if your armed I wouldnt worry about the bears.
A good reflex compound bow would be good fun, I just say cross bow cuz its easier. If I did it I'd want to be well away from people so I can have a bath in a lake and not worry about getting caught naked by a bunch of german tourists. :D

You might want to try constructing your own rope tow as well for the hut using weights or a remote control winch on a truck.
Wind might be a problem if your going to live for a while in the hut if your up a mountain, If you pick up some cement mix you could probably build a strong wall with rocks. That might handle the wind better than wood.

ps. If you see this guy walking along the beach while your out there, for the love of god run.... you are not safe. :muahaha:
http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/beachcombers.jpg

I think you can get something to fix to your truck tire without having to take it off and make a tow.
YouTube - Portable Rope Tow

[Irukanji]

That being said I would like to comment that when living off the land the elements are your greatest enemy, and fat is your best friend. Whatever you hunt to eat you should always consume all the fat with it.

Yup, and meat should be preserved during the summer months for the winter or times when it is hard to come by.

Also, fishing while fun is a horribly inefficient way to keep nourished. It just does not have enough fat and protein for the time you spend getting it. So unless you have a sluice gate to netfish with or some dynamite to fish with I wouldnt count on fish being your main form of sustenance as many people often do.

Tie fishing line to tree, cast out with a float and sinker and hook, go to do daily tasks, reel in when it is time to. Plus fish actually have good amounts of protein which you no doubt need.

[Craigslist.org]

Go to Greenville BC.
On the plus side your close to the Alaskan border so you can go check it out.
On the down side your close to a grizzly bear sanctuary.:muahaha:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Greenville,+British+Columbia,+Canada&aq=0&sll=55.03181,-129.573698&sspn=0.021644,0.077162&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Greenville,+Kitimat-Stikine+Regional+District,+British+Columbia,+Canad a&z=10

[water bottle]

Go to Greenville BC.

It's called Laxg̱alts'ap you white devil!

[Charles Manson]

This thread is super gay...

Who would ever want to live such a pitiful existence??

You gonna be alone forever?
Or with one girl?
LMFAO.

Like any modern girl would even consider such bullshit.

Im tryin to fuck all the bitches.

All of them.

[Zok Jr.]

This thread is super gay...

Who would ever want to live such a pitiful existence??

You gonna be alone forever?
Or with one girl?
LMFAO.

Like any modern girl would even consider such bullshit.

Im tryin to fuck all the bitches.

All of them.

those stockton bitches be stankin

[ObscuredByClouds]

How on Earth is this possible??

dont worry about it bro.. Lets just say i have a way to get pretty much anywhere, so any location is a possibility...

Im still considering doing this, looks like bc is pretty favored.. I'm not too keen on winter temperatures though, but i suppose i could always migrate south when it gets closer to winter..

[Sir Cornwell]

Have you considered BC's Gulf Islands? As the more obscure ones have less appeal to most people and are thus cheaper.

[yawanur]

Well if your armed I wouldnt worry about the bears.
A good reflex compound bow would be good fun, I just say cross bow cuz its easier. If I did it I'd want to be well away from people so I can have a bath in a lake and not worry about getting caught naked by a bunch of german tourists. :D

compound bow, that's the ticket for me! I'll probably sport a bow as my main weapon, bolt action hunting rifle as a backup, one of those AR-7 .22's for plinking and backpacking, and finally some sort of powerful revolver to keep at all times for defense from bears and such. I figure I'll mostly bow hunt deer for meat.

I'm not nearly as worried about getting away from civilization seeing as I will be living directly on the frontier with unparalleled access to the places you desire. Hiking, biking, and snowmobiling in the winter will allow me to reach the wild at a whim, while staying close enough for vital supplies and social contact.


Wind might be a problem if your going to live for a while in the hut if your up a mountain, If you pick up some cement mix you could probably build a strong wall with rocks. That might handle the wind better than wood.

Good thinking, I'm hoping to establish my settlement among the trees rather than chop a patch down so hopefully they will help dampen the winds, but I will have to tend to them carefully in order to keep branches and such from falling on my abode.

My goal is to incorporate a workshop/barn area into the lower floor of the A-frame for projects, then finish off the loft as my apartment. I will look for an area with a bit of sunlight so as to light my home through large windows and support a greenhouse holding an home-sized aquaponics set up, which will provide fresh veggies and fish.

among the trees I wish to build various skateboard ramps and possibly work them into buildings of their own, but I would be happy with a tiny ramp in the barn so I'll attack those pipe dreams once I'm already established. I'd also like to master post+beam construction to make 'natural' structures that will fade back into the environment when their time comes.

As far as a shop, I'd like to run various woodworking tools like a bandsaw, table saw, compound miter, etc along with metalworking equipment for welding and such, so I MIGHT want to stay within range of electricity... but there's always generators [which my diesel truck might be able to double as]. A small solar array should get my by on the day-to-day just fine.


You might want to try constructing your own rope tow as well for the hut using weights or a remote control winch on a truck.

I think you can get something to fix to your truck tire without having to take it off and make a tow.
YouTube - Portable Rope Tow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_VwA4IDqrw)

Fuck yeah I've looked into this a bunch but I haven't seen that, fuckin sick! I like how it consolidates by utilizing existing engines, less maintenance means more free time! Hopefully I can devise a rig that allows me to park my truck on a dyno of sorts to transfer the power, so set up is quick and easy. I would imagine length is mostly limited by rope type/weight, I wonder how far truck power will get me... I'd imagine pretty far!

having a personal tow running 500m up into the BC backcountry would be fucking WILD!

[IIIII]

Learn to like dog meat. You could start a ranch.

[Craigslist.org]

Fuckers encrypted their wifi so here I am at wetherspoons on the internet. :(
Google diy hydro electric dam too. ;) Youtubes got loads of tutorials on anything and everything.:muahaha:

[marketgarden]

Runaway_Stapler :muahaha:


wtf

[yawanur]

wut

[marketgarden]

i applaud your ambition

[yawanur]

thx brooooo
I've learned a fair amount about construction, none of it should be too difficult. Mainly I just have to master living frugally+working over the net so I can afford to build my home, without holding down a 40hr job with 2 weeks vacation. Luckily I'm really satisfied with the camera and laptop I have so it will be a rare occurrence that I want to buy new gadgets and gizmos; sure, I'm slightly materialistic and I own a collection of shit, but a lot of it is old stuff I found at the recycle center like my awesome chair, green milspec trunk, and my speakers and chunky stereo from the 70s with knobs all over it.
The largest collection of things I will eventually own will no doubt be woodworking, metalworking, and auto repair equipment, all of which lasts a lifetime when cared for properly. And a big chunk will come from my dad's collection of random tools, the only thing I'm really missing is a MIG welder.

I've gotten REALLY used to living in one room because of uni and at this point I would have a difficult time with any more space. If I have a bedroom, small studio, tiny kitchen, and a barn area for a workshop, I'd be in heaven. From observing my friends' parents while growing up, a huge downfall for most people is trying to maintain too much shit. Big picturesque house with a big lawn and three cars maybe a boat maybe a pool and nice furniture and more space than they ever REALLY use. I would rather a small space that I use thoroughly and effectively with timeless items that will never be outdated or break.

The RV should be a great learning experience to delve even deeper into construction and space management.

[Xlite]

"subs"

[Sir Cornwell]

I'd like to live in a small space too. Though I think having a shelter like they have in parks, where there is a semi-enclosed space with just a wood stove would be great too.

Where I'd have my prime shelter with my stuff and off a ways my super-simple one. The weather has to be pretty poor for such a shelter not to be good enough when you get that stove going.

[Struwwelpeter]

Bunch of lil queers

[Creepy Lurker Dude]

LMFAO

Anyway, I don't recommend going to the northeast, unless you like drinking dirty water and feeling like shit. I also don't recommend anywhere in the "midwest", that place is even worse. Northern California is great, maybe you could go there. Unfortunately I don't think there is much wilderness there, you will still be disturbed in one way or another. I suppose you could go to the Idaho-Montana area but the winters there can be rough. And central Texas is so so but there is no wilderness there. Still it is nice, you don't eve have to worry about the weather out there.

Dumbass most of northern california is wilderness. Oh you're right though Montana winters can be slightly cold sometimes, better bring some mittens.

[Crazy Polymath]

Whoever said you can live off the land anywhere was just about right, if no one kicks you off, that is. :s

You can really build up to any level of sophistication for your settlement, too. There are very little things you can't get from society (you might want solar panels or a computer), and even fewer you can't scavenge to save time (furniture from the side of the road). As well as how much of a nomad you are, etc.

The question comes down to what things do you really want? If you want a specific diet, then you're going to want to go to a place where it would be abundant (as far as diet goes, my perfect location would be in the tropics, but you may be different--if you want a diet of bagels and imperfect produce, go to NYC, lol). Other factors of course come into play as well: whether, etc. But mainly it comes down to what you want.

Water is probably going to be your main limiting factor: you don't need to constantly be by water, just with in walking distance of a source. And walking distance can mean a days (or a nights) worth of walking. There are several options when it comes to the cleanliness of water. The lowest tech but safest option is to strain it through a piece of cloth to remove any visible sediment, then boil your water (1 minute at sea level, more above). The great thing about this option is that it will almost always be available to you, and it's fairly effective. There are some great filters you can buy as well, I'm partial to the LifeSaver Bottle, because of both it's efficacy and convenience, even though it's a bit pricey. But it will supply you with clean water from any source for a year, and filters out even the smallest virus's and most chemical contaminants. I do not like the chemical tablets: they make your water taste horrible and are not safe to consume long term. However, some people like to carry them for emergencies. Ultimately, if it comes down to dehydration or drinking contaminated water: drink the water unless it clearly contains a fatal threat. But drink the water, and then work your way to getting medical attention, if your choice is between that and dehydration. Never drink urine, it's like drinking sea water and makes everything worse.

There are a few factors to consider at the survival level, and then more for longer term settlements and arrangements. Water is usually where the hardest to obtain and "most vital" lines meet, so I outlined it first. The others are shelter (including clothing, although usually this is a pre "going out in the wilderness choice, and not something you make while there), fire (which factors in with water, defense, cooking, heat, and simply psychological comfort), and food if you're going it long term (most people can survive a month or more without food, but if your planning for a long time, go in expecting to get some or bring some).

Shelter is the most ubiquitous necessity, and lack of it is the one people die the most from. Depending on where you plan to be, tailor your shelter building skills and supplies. There are short term shelters and longer term ones that are useful for different things. A "brush shelter" is a lot like a sleeping bag and can be built in almost any temperate area at any time of year in an hour or so with very little skill. It's a great one to learn period; you'll find plans for it online elsewhere and it's easy to master. If you are planning to go to very cold snowy climates, learn to build an igloo and build one right. Get an Inuit guide if possible. If you happen to casually be in a snowy area, you can still build a stow shelter, but a traditional igloo is the best if you want performance. I've also heard that caribou parkas and pants are the best clothing for that region. In tropical areas, it's good to get something water repellent for a roof, as well as a structure to sleep above ground (whether that be a hammock or a raised bed). In the desert, you're screwed for anything short term AND comfortable. My advice would be to travel at night, create/find shade in the day to sleep (possibly collect water with various methods while you sleep, like a solar still), and get outa there asap.

Fire you just need to get really good at starting. There are several methods, all of which everyone could stand to be good at, including bow drill, hand drill, flint, and match. The key to getting each of these down is practice--especially practice in different conditions (wet whether, etc). The only other skill involved here is finding material in different areas with the proper characteristics for tinder, kindling, and fuel--and knowing how to apply those progressively.

With food you've got a few options: hunt it, trap it, fish it, gather it, or grow it--and those are all disciplines on their own; although, gathering usually tied more to this stuff directly than being it own "thing". My personal preferences start at the back of the list and go forward, lol.

Basically, if you find yourself anywhere without your needs met think

1) Find/build shelter. (And know how to do so for where you happen to be)
2) Find and decontaminate water
3) Build fire
4) Meet other needs, starting with food

It's late and I'm tired and rambly but this is really just an outline of what to learn, not a how to. If you have any questions, ask.