wildman
Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 5:22PM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I would like to become a man of the land if possible this next year, living either out of a tent or tiny cabin somewhere and do little more than run, hike, read, and "be one with nature." I have a job through the summer, and it starts getting cold in most mountain areas around September and October, but I'm wondering if anyone has some suggestions on places to go. I'm not opposed to staying in one place for a while and then moving south as the temperature drops. I prefer forest and mountain areas but enjoy deserts as well. I'm in the West and would prefer to stay out here. Anyone have some suggestions?
join a tribe
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 5:28PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The Amazon.
gallen
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 5:36PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Alaska.

Worked well for Alex Supertramp - http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0385486804
SWS
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 6:06PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
You don't want to be in the mountains after october.

Desert places to check out:

Grand Enchantment Trail

Big Bend -

Oil companies hire gate guards at wells-- Basically to sit out in the desert and watch a gate 24/7 for months

also check out wwof -- work for stay at organic farms. I have a friend that did one in mexico for a winter.

http://www.wwoof.org/
regadfasdg
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 6:12PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Forests out west tend to be drier and more comfortably warm in the summer months.
a female POV
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 6:46PM - in reply to regadfasdg Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
oregon. i know many people who did what you're describing there.
fisky
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 7:34PM - in reply to a female POV Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Thirty years ago, met a guy who lived in the sand dunes 20 miles north of South Padre Island in the Padre Island National Seashore. He got fresh water by digging a hole in the sand and letting water seep into the hole. Apparently, the sand filters the salt out of the water. He walked into town every two weeks to get and cash his disability check and buy cigarettes. I was exploring in my 4-wheeler when I met him on one of his treks into town I gave him a lift and a beer and he gave me a piece of coral that I still have to this day.
Calling Theoretical physicists
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 7:52PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I'll give you one week before you crack
crazy person
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 10:11PM - in reply to Calling Theoretical physicists Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I'd give it a go in northern California. Like real northern California, not San Francisco northern California. However, you might stumble upon somebody's marijuana patch and they won't be too happy about that.
Junk Master
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 10:18PM - in reply to crazy person Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
The Bitterroot, Montana. Without a doubt. The Bitterroot is the "banana belt" of MT and you can find quite a few "unoccupied" cabins in the winter. Lots of other pluses, and details if you are really serious.
yyy
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 10:27PM - in reply to regadfasdg Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Eastern Oregon, Southern Idaho mountains, montana. go, find, seek, become
JohnBoyWalden
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 11:03PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
There's a lake in East Central Massachusetts-It's pretty small-some might call it a pond. It's in the Sudbury area, as I recall. A while back, some guy lived in a cabin there and wrote a book about his experiences. Just remember in your adventure-life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.
once a hobo
RE: Wanting to become a wilderness bum. Best places to do it? 5/9/2012 11:44PM - in reply to wildman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I spent a couple of months one year living in a tent in a regional park outside of Langford on Vancouver Island (near Victoria). It was Winter, so it rained a fair bit, but far less than what cities on the mainland see and the sun came out for at least a little while most days. The temperature almost never drops below zero (Celsius) in the area and it's the most beautiful place that I've been to, full of lakes, mountains and beaches and great trails to hike and run on. The only issue was finding a place to park, as the parking lots are closed from sunrise to sunset and they'll tow your car if you leave it there. I ended up parking in nearby neighborhoods, but that felt a little iffy and I tried to vary my location every day or two, especially since my plates weren't from the province. I also backpacked the Juan the Fuca trail (out and back) and got all of my gear absolutely drenched. I don't recommend doing that in the Winter as the trail was pretty much a stream most of the way and part of the trail was washed out in a mudslide.

All in all though, it was a great time and I'd do it again. If I wasn't hiking or running, I'd go over to the library and read/mess around on the internet on my laptop. Every couple of days I'd go to the pool for a swim, shave and a warm shower and there were plenty of stores to buy any food or gear that I needed.

I'd love to go back there in the Summer sometime.