Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum- I seek advice because I'm about to undertake a task which will be a serious challenge to my own personal survival....

Ok, so here's the deal- Details aside, I'm being put into a position where I do not know what to do with my life. In order to get a bit of direction, I'm going to set out around the country on foot, moving towards a few people that I wish to talk to...

I am leaving from South Carolina, and have many destinations around the country where the people I wish to talk to are located, my first destination being Illinois. The biggest challenge of my trip will be the beginning, crossing the Appalachian(or Blue Ridge) Mountain range- I'm looking at being in the woods anywhere from one to two months...

I realize that the survival gear I take will be the deciding factor on whether or not I am successful. So far, I've pretty much plotted out what I'll be taking as far as:

FIRST AID: (Neosporin, bandages, band-aids, sunscreen, disinfecting wipes, so forth),

SHELTER: (tent, amy-issue inflatable mattress or mat, not sure which yet,and a wet-weather poncho)

SELF DEFENSE/TOOLS: (Tear gas/pepperspray can of mace, Smith & Wesson survival knife complete with belt sheath and sharpener(also 2 other fixed knives), leatherman, telescopic fork for cooking things, collapsible fishing pole, string, hooks, sinkers)

FOOD: I realize that I'll be in the woods a good while. Due to weight and size restrictions, I'm not going to be able to carry enough food to last the duration of time that I'll be spending in the wilderness. I'll carry a bit for emergency purposes, but I'll have to rely mainly on the things around me to keep myself alive and walking. The emergency foods will include several high-protein and high caloric foods, a bit of stuff from Army MREs will be included as well. There are many streams in the mountains which can help me out with fish. Without a gun, I will not be able to hunt the game that I'd like to... Any suggestions on trapping, or creating snares?

One part of my equipment that I will not put so much reliance on is rescue equipment. I'm going to survive, not be "rescued"... I'll have a mirror and possibly a phone, but am not relying on the fact that it will work way out there.

So if you have any additional questions about the situation, please feel free to ask. Any suggestions that you all may have as far as getting food while I'm going, or any general hiking advice, I'll gladly accept and take into consideration....
:-)

Welcome Newguy!

I would suggest that you read Worldwalk , by Steven Newman. He took off from his home, planning to walk around the world, surviving mainly on what he caught, etc. Within a few days walk he ditched most of his "survival" gear, and instead mainly stayed with people who took him in, in many different countries. He also did odd jobs for people in exchange for food and lodging. That might work for you too. Good luck, no matter which way you decide...

I used to spend weeks at a time in the Blue Ridge mts. The animals to really be aware of are the bears, snakes and panthers. Learn the plants, there's tons of stuff to eat, we didn't see much in the way of wildlife but we did catch fish in the creeks. Stop often and listen. And don't assume that all snakes will be on the ground. I was walking through a creek and pulled back a tree branch and almost put my hand on a snake so they can be anywhere.

"...they can be anywhere..."

Indeed they can. Link

Yes, this is also a concern of mine, probably my main concern on wildlife... Snakes are a problem, we have cottonmouths(water moccasins), and a few rattlers. As careful as I'd like to be, I realize that there is a possibility of stepping on a snake and being bitten. I've debated whether or not to wear a type of leather legging going up to my thighs... Might be too bulky? I'd carry an anti-venom kit, but they can only be obtained through doctors, and only by prescription.

Plain old upper calf high gaiters, of a thick cordura type material, might do the trick. Or at least help a bit...

You've set yourself quite an undertaking to say the least. I suggest that you plan your equipment for maximum sustainability without resupply. Check the threads here for ideas on what equipment might best suit your purposes such as this one; Sustainable resources-New BOB idea

For traps and snares, here's a down-loadable free e-book in pdf format; Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making

I'll suggest that you study up on stealth/guerrilla camping to avoid entanglements with irate landowners, people of questionable intent and law enforcement officers that won't be interested in why you're doing what you're doing, just that you're acting outside of the norm, not a resident of the area and probably breaking some law or other (knowingly or unknowingly). Make your evening fire just big enough to heat water and cook your meal, (I've used a hobo stove for years but am currently experimenting with a home-made wood-gasifier stove based on the Bushbuddy.) eat, clean up and then move on a mile or two and make a cold camp. A Hennessy Hammock makes setting up a stealth camp in the dark quick and easy and doesn't depend on a dry, flat, clear space to set up in.

You are considering a massive change in lifestyle that will severely challenge you physically and mentally. Consider giving yourself abundant preparation and transition time.

Consider Plan B. Is there another alternative that will suffice? It sounds like most of your journey now is internal: seeking your right path in life. A physical journey may support you in this effort, but maybe doing something less dhallenging would free up energy to get enough internal movement. It is possible the rigors of survival on an epic trek would take up most of your energy, leaving little for the more important journey within.

Review the Appalachian Trail thru-hike information available on the 'net. One thing I recall is that they mailed or shipped supplies ahead to stops along their route. Another is that they traveled very light.

Good luck!

Have a practice; go for a few days somewhere first. And DO carry survival equipment. A mirror will do you no good with a tree canopy and no one looking for you anyway. See the gear guides on this site for expert advice.
The Sock

I assume you've been hiking/camping before?

I would suggest a small psk (personal survival kit) regardless of your skill set, no one plans on being up sh!t creek without a paddle. All too many times we hear of people who were "trained" or "experts" having things go downhill fast and either perish or need extraction. I carry Doug Ritter's psk, mainly because I can NEVER pack that small, being a pack rat. Has most of the basics, lacking only water treatment and storage, knife (a razor blade just will not cut it, pun intended, compared to a decent locking folder or fixed blade) and shelter.
If you can afford it a PLB is strongly recommened by many experts. Make sure to keep the psk on your person, as well as the plb if carried, in case you and your pack have to part ways in an emergency.
Not being an expert, barely a novice actually, I doubt the viability of snares if you are not setting up camp for a few days at a time. It will take a lot of time to set up multiple snares to catch someting (Murphy willing) and may not be worth the expenditure of energy every night to have to take them down in the morning and move on. Good luck.

-Bill Liptak

Those mts. are not someplace you should go alone. Things there can go south really quick. Some of the places back off the trails can be really dangerous and it's impossible to signal for help should you need it. Not only would you be in bear and snake territory but you also would have to watch out for moonshine stills too. Yes, they still have those up there and they are well guarded.

I think a trial run or two or three is a good idea. Trying it for a week and seeing if you can eat would be bettr than committing to it for a few months.

If you're going to walk across country to visit friends, why not use the roads? You'll find that there will be large stretches of territory that are not woods or wilderness nor public land for you to use.

I personally recommend motorcycle camping for this sort of experience. Still somewhat rugged but you get there a LOT faster :-) (I did this very thing to celebrate the end of my Navy career.)

The cross-country walkers I've heard about always have some kind of support crew to bring along food/water and moleskin.

Why not try a 50 mile 3 day weekend and see how it goes before you commit to this?

Even a bicycle allows you to carry more gear and it's a bit faster.

I read your first extraordinary post late yesterday and just re-read it. What strikes me this morning is that perhaps I failed to make clear that you have come to a good place to seek suggestions, that it is great that you are seeking suggestions instead of just rushing into your adventure, and that you are welcome here. Everyone here is focused on helping you succeed.

Trying to figure out what to do with your life, assuming that means more than just trying to get your next job, is something a lot of us are doing. That search-for-meaningful-existence thing is kind of a universal challenge for thoughtful people.

Clearly the search does not necessarily require a cross-country trek, but just as clearly that strategy might work. Why do you think it might work for you?

Have you looked at the info from those who have done long hikes like the Appalachian trail? they are likely to have good advice about gear, planning, food drops, water, first aid and etc.

white blaze

You might want to check into lightweight Snake Guards (http://www.snakeguards.com/snakeguards.htm). I would suspect that most bites to the legs would be below the knee. Don't wear tight pants in snake country. I think the second most 'popular' place for snakebites is on the hands. Use a stick for poking areas you can't see.

Antivenin is used very carefully by doctors, almost always in hospitals. Before they give you any, they test you to see if you're allergic. If you gave it to yourself and went into anaphalatic shock, you wouldn't be able/wouldn't have handy the airway, oxygen, epinephrine and cortisone required to deal with it. Besides, it needs to be refrigerated, and a serious bite could require from 10 to 18 vials of the stuff, at a cost of $250-350 per vial.

OTOH, a set of Snake Guards cost $58 + shipping. Hmmm, a tough decision.

Sue

If you intend to live off the land, I suspect that it's going to be a very loooooooong trip. It's hard enough to find enough to eat when you're staying in one place. Finding food while walking 20 or so miles a day could be very tricky.

I would seem to be a better idea to set up a savings account and ask for two or three debit cards. Keep the cards in various places on your person. Since you're not exactly traveling through uncharted territory, just stop at a grocery store when you need supplies. Nearly every place accepts debit cards.

Eat good food regularly. You're going to be using a lot of calories, and you will need to stay in good shape.

It sounds like fun. But I like the motorcycle idea.

Sue

I would think very carefully about the pepper spray/mace option. It can cause problems in some locales. Bear spray is good (and convincing to local authorities) when you are in bear country. You could just as easily use a small can of aerosol deodorant for the purpose in the "people environment".

My two cents....

I wish you great success on your search.

Chaotiklown,

As much as I enjoy the self-destructive behaivor of others, I have to say (based just on what you've said so far) that I don't see this trip ending well. Living off the land sounds wonderful and easy, but it isn't. Learning the skills to do this takes a lot of time and effort. Very few people in the history of mankind were able to go alone into the wilderness and come out the other side months later. Those that did were not bound by the laws and regulation you will have to work under and they definately weren't novices.

Have you spent a day in the woods eating/drinking just what you find? A week? Please try that before heading off on your adventure. I don't want ETS blamed for encouraging your death.

-Blast

p.s. You may have taught wilderness survival in the military for 20 years and if so, I'll shut up. I just haven't seen proof of the knowledge you'll need.

Yes, we want you to pop up on this board at the end of your trip and tell us how it went, and what adventures you had, all the crazy/interesting people you met, and what you should have taken that you didn't, and what you took that you shouldn't have bothered with.

Sue

Alright, so everyone has asked me many questions on my intentions, what information I've gathered so far, my plotted equipment, skills, practice and practice thus far: Here goes, I hope this gives you all a better picture of what I'm doing....

Allow me to begin with my intentions- This trip ties very closely into my spiritual views, political standpoints, and eventual aims in life. I won't go into a ton of details at this point, but I see many problems in the world. I see that if they keep moving along at the rate they are, things will end up very badly for all of mankind, not must my own family, kids, and community(No, I have no kids at this time). So basically, you could say that my ultimate goal is to make a change, enough of a shift to divert things from the path they're on right now.... I will not come to terms with any "apocalypse", or otherwise hopeless end. I look at my lifespan, and realize that I have a limited amount of time to make this difference. Being how I am only 22, have no kids, no wife/girlfriend, I believe myself in prime position to take on this task before it's too late. I realize that as people get older they get wiser, but more set in their ways- "Revolutions are meant for the young". I realize what an enormous task this is, but if I don't take it upon myself, who will?

So up until now, my goals have been to make change in the conventional way... Education+Money = Power+voice.... But I have had to come to terms with a few problems within myself that prevent this- Bad habits(smoking, bad procrastination, and others) I've had close to 25 jobs now, spanning all different fields, from food service to telemarketing, door-door sales to website design, landscaping to factory work. However, due to unforeseen chaos and my own habits, none of them have worked out as I'd have liked them to........ I dropped out of high school initially, but later developed the need for school, and have been to technical college for several semesters. I have no problems gripping concepts, and completing the work-However, I find that my habits make it near impossible to conform to the system of school that is set up. Somewhat recently I've come to this realization, and know that I may have to take another route to my objectives in life-

I am currently in the military, only about a year in the ARNG. I work as a logistics specialist for the motorpool. The training that I've recieved from my military service(other than knowledge of several tools I'll be taking, such as an E-tool), include map/compass navigation, on-the-go hygiene, and long road marches(full armor, carrying 50-80 lbs of equipment), the longest being a twelve-mile stretch. Other than that, I've picked up a good bit of other random tactical information that may well come in handy.

I was born in Jersey, moved to SC when i was 2 and a half, spent about 4 years total in Arizona.

I grew up pretty much alone, back in the sticks with little to do but enjoy the outdoors- I've done a good bit of camping, usually anywhere from 1-3 days worth of a trip.

I was in scouts all the way from the beginning of Cub Scouts, made it up to about 2 years in Boy Scouts.

I have a knack for business, especially with the internet- have done a good bit of work on e-bay, and I believe business to be my strongest point right now.

So now, what I hope to accomplish by this trip------

My habits are terrible, as I've said. I have a few problems that have prevented me from keeping jobs in the past, due to things like anxiety attacks, but am pretty sure it comes from a deep root that flipping burgers gets me no closer to my goals than when I started, so I get frustrated. Unfortunately I smoke cigarettes, have wanted to quit for a long time now- Even basic training wasn't enough, didn't even make it out of the Oklahoma airport before I had a cigarette offered to me, and lit it up. Had no issues of withdrawals throughout my 12-13 weeks of training, but I think my mistake was not mentally preparing myself for that first chance of lighting up..... So anyway, I believe that a good month or two in the woods is long enough for me to reset my habits. I've heard that it takes 14 days to break old habits, 16 days to make new ones, and it makes sense to me- Now that might actually be a load of horse-shnap, but don't tell me different. It has the best chance of working if I believe it will.

I do not know exactly WHAT it is yet that I'm to do in order to achieve this change I want to make. However, I know that if I stay in the situation I'm in, working for awhile to afford going to school a semester here and there, I'll get nothing done. I don't want to be 35 and finally in a position to make a move, but too set in my ways to take my chances. And who knows, I might even end up with a child or a wife by then, which won't help matters either. By heading into the woods for awhile, I start at basic survival and work my way up- After that, I plan to travel to different parts of the country where there are people that I've met throughout life, and always thought that I wanted to talk with them again before my time on this world ends. I figure that's a good place to start, and somewhere along the way I will figure out exactly what it is that I'm to do. My happiness and personal outcome is of no importance to me- My life is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and my mind will not rest until I feel that I've done my best.

I will be starting out near Anderson South Carolina, headed Northwest in the direction of O'Fallon Illinois to begin with. The stretch of woods I'll be looking at is around 60 miles, but I'll be taking my time- Remember, I'm hoping to "reset" myself, and build up new habits by the time I get out- So I have no issues with setting up camp for a day or two in order to figure out my surroundings. I'm not doing this with the objective of covering ground quick as possible, but to get the most experience out of my trip as possible. There are also a few other expanses of forest that I'll be going through on the way to Illinois, but I'd imagine the first leg of the trip will be the most important test of all. Throughout, I will be carrying proper ID and have a home mailing address in case I was stopped by anyone of authority.

My equipment-----------------------------------

Shelter- A one-man tent, an army-issue blow-up mat, and a poncho for rain protection.

Self Defense, Tools--------------------------------------

A high-quality Smith & Wesson survival knife(fixed blade), complete with sheath and sharpener. I also have 2 other knives, another cheap fixed-blade, and a Turkish-made bayonet, with a wire-cutter combination between the blade and sheath. I also have a leatherman for miscellaneous uses. I will be carrying a 4 ounce can of mace, for the purpose of bears and random people with bad intentions. I also just went and picked up a decent wrist-supported slingshot(due to a fantastic suggestion I got already on these forums!). I will have separate bags with a few lighters(Bic, no less!), and backup of flint/steel, and wax-coated matches.

FOOD-------------------------
I will not be taking much food- I plan on being in the woods a good while, and I realize that I won't be able to carry the amount of food that I'd need for the duration of my stay away from civilization. So I will be depending mainly on the methods of foraging, hunting, and the various forms of fishing that I'm researching through this site, and many others... I will have a pot to cook in.

WATER-------------------------------
There are lots and lots of streams throughout the mountains, and I'll have a map of the terrain overlay, and will have to judge how much water I'll have to carry to make it to the next source. As far as purification goes, I'm open to suggestions and still looking into it- but I think I'll primarily be boiling it. I'd rather not depend on being able to change filters, or re-up on purification tablets.....

TRAVEL---------------------
Primarily my tootsies:-) But if I come across someone willing to give me a ride, I may take it- However initially I will not, because the idea is to take my time and work on myself first.



So here it all is....... I may have missed a few things here, but if you guys have any suggestions, questions, concerns, or thoughts on this in general, please feel free to let me know- I'll be leaving in about 2-3 weeks. Thank you all for your help so far, and thank you in advance for any further help you may assist me with. And thanks for sticking with and reading such a long post, didn't mean to write a whole book:-)....(but maybe eventually?)

Dave