aojiroi
11-04-2011, 17:34
So here's kinda the story of my life. This seemed like the place to but it, but if not. Well, I'm sorry? (I was going to put it on the Thru hike area, but it's actually not an official 'Thru' hike as we're starting in the New York/New Jersey area and heading downwards.)
The story starts off with me moving from Maine to NYC for a job and school two years ago. Back last year I ended up in the homeless shelter (due to the retardedness of my then roommate) and let me just say I was miserable. It sucked the life out of me and I am normally a very happy go lucky person. Without going into too much detail, the place and situation made me consider killing myself.
Fast forward to almost a year later, got laid off from my job. Without this job I can not afford to stay where I am. Without a job I can not find living quarters in NYC. I've looked for a job everywhere but can't seem to find anything. Basically? I ended up down the path of homelessness again.
I will not allow that to happen. If I'm going to be homeless I'm going to do it on my OWN terms. I also, have always dreamed of taking off into the woods. I took most of my savings (aside from about 2000 for food) and will hit the trails.
I realize now is a bad time, but with no living family and no real friends I am out of time and options.
I am a hiker by nature and am not shy to hiking and camping. So I'm no novice. But I'd still appreciate any sort of help I can get for this very long journey. Let me get into what I've done so far/a bit more about my situation.
As for gear;
I've bought a pretty general tent, an rated for 0 degree sleeping bag (because of the months I'll be starting out). As for I have two long sleeve shirts (one cotton one base layer), two tee-shirts, two flannel shirts, a pair of cargo pants, and a pair of jeans, as well as pair of long john pants to go underneath as well as a polar fleece jacket and a windbreaker. And of course, wool socks. I am no stranger to cold as I was born and raised in Bangor Maine. So the cool doesn't bother me. These are all things that will keep me warm I assure you. For this part I feel I'm fairly good. But I'll accept any and all suggestions.
Food is something I really could probably use help with. I don't eat a lot, by nature, and I have never really looked into things calorie wise. Right now in terms of food I have; Rice sides (different flavors), pasta (some with cheese sauce), oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Cliff bars, granola, flour tortilla's, peanut M&Ms, Tuna, raisins, Chicken and beef jerky (hand made tyvm), dried fruits (also hand made), and dehydrated milk and flower (to make stews with the jerky). I realize that this is probably too much food but that is the one thing I worry about starting out. I also have enough for breakfast lunch and dinner for about a week. Is there anything I should add? I realize that as time goes on I'll be resupplying for less days. But I want to make sure that what I pack is good trail foods of if there is anything more to bring/add as I go along. Some of my snacks I plan on drawing out for a while. If I can.
In terms of water I have three (one is specifically for the dog) nalgene bottles and a camelbak (70). Is this realistic? Should I throw in my extra nalgene bottle? I also have a Steripen and coffee filters. (As well as tabs JIC the steri pen stops working or whatever).
For toiletries I have baby wipes, bar soap (which I plan to also use as shampoo), leave in conditioner, (a luxury I know! But my hair is miserable without), deodorant, toothpaste and that's about it. You probably don't want to hear this but I never shave anyway so I don't feel the need to weigh myself down with that sort of crap.
As far as cooking goes I have an alcohol stove (The MSR(?)s seemed to heavy for me) and a solo cooking set and a spork ;).
In terms of gear thats about it. Aside from ziplock bags, a diary, cellphone/MP3 player (and waterproof solar charger). I have a smaller pack, with my sleeping bag in a dry sac on the outside and still have a little more room. I just would hate to overpack. But I'm more than willing to hear suggestions to add or subtract.
And I get that this is all stupidly impulsive. But life long dreams usually are.
I also have a dog coming with me. But she's an experienced hiker as well and carries her own supplies. I get that hiking with a dog is controversial, but she is the only family I have. She's also a husky mix so is more than capable of holding her own. So I'd appreciate no blatant "TAKING A DOG IS STUPID" comments, please. If a dog was the only family you had left, you'd feel the same way I did about it. Trust me.
The story starts off with me moving from Maine to NYC for a job and school two years ago. Back last year I ended up in the homeless shelter (due to the retardedness of my then roommate) and let me just say I was miserable. It sucked the life out of me and I am normally a very happy go lucky person. Without going into too much detail, the place and situation made me consider killing myself.
Fast forward to almost a year later, got laid off from my job. Without this job I can not afford to stay where I am. Without a job I can not find living quarters in NYC. I've looked for a job everywhere but can't seem to find anything. Basically? I ended up down the path of homelessness again.
I will not allow that to happen. If I'm going to be homeless I'm going to do it on my OWN terms. I also, have always dreamed of taking off into the woods. I took most of my savings (aside from about 2000 for food) and will hit the trails.
I realize now is a bad time, but with no living family and no real friends I am out of time and options.
I am a hiker by nature and am not shy to hiking and camping. So I'm no novice. But I'd still appreciate any sort of help I can get for this very long journey. Let me get into what I've done so far/a bit more about my situation.
As for gear;
I've bought a pretty general tent, an rated for 0 degree sleeping bag (because of the months I'll be starting out). As for I have two long sleeve shirts (one cotton one base layer), two tee-shirts, two flannel shirts, a pair of cargo pants, and a pair of jeans, as well as pair of long john pants to go underneath as well as a polar fleece jacket and a windbreaker. And of course, wool socks. I am no stranger to cold as I was born and raised in Bangor Maine. So the cool doesn't bother me. These are all things that will keep me warm I assure you. For this part I feel I'm fairly good. But I'll accept any and all suggestions.
Food is something I really could probably use help with. I don't eat a lot, by nature, and I have never really looked into things calorie wise. Right now in terms of food I have; Rice sides (different flavors), pasta (some with cheese sauce), oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Cliff bars, granola, flour tortilla's, peanut M&Ms, Tuna, raisins, Chicken and beef jerky (hand made tyvm), dried fruits (also hand made), and dehydrated milk and flower (to make stews with the jerky). I realize that this is probably too much food but that is the one thing I worry about starting out. I also have enough for breakfast lunch and dinner for about a week. Is there anything I should add? I realize that as time goes on I'll be resupplying for less days. But I want to make sure that what I pack is good trail foods of if there is anything more to bring/add as I go along. Some of my snacks I plan on drawing out for a while. If I can.
In terms of water I have three (one is specifically for the dog) nalgene bottles and a camelbak (70). Is this realistic? Should I throw in my extra nalgene bottle? I also have a Steripen and coffee filters. (As well as tabs JIC the steri pen stops working or whatever).
For toiletries I have baby wipes, bar soap (which I plan to also use as shampoo), leave in conditioner, (a luxury I know! But my hair is miserable without), deodorant, toothpaste and that's about it. You probably don't want to hear this but I never shave anyway so I don't feel the need to weigh myself down with that sort of crap.
As far as cooking goes I have an alcohol stove (The MSR(?)s seemed to heavy for me) and a solo cooking set and a spork ;).
In terms of gear thats about it. Aside from ziplock bags, a diary, cellphone/MP3 player (and waterproof solar charger). I have a smaller pack, with my sleeping bag in a dry sac on the outside and still have a little more room. I just would hate to overpack. But I'm more than willing to hear suggestions to add or subtract.
And I get that this is all stupidly impulsive. But life long dreams usually are.
I also have a dog coming with me. But she's an experienced hiker as well and carries her own supplies. I get that hiking with a dog is controversial, but she is the only family I have. She's also a husky mix so is more than capable of holding her own. So I'd appreciate no blatant "TAKING A DOG IS STUPID" comments, please. If a dog was the only family you had left, you'd feel the same way I did about it. Trust me.