todd52
03-02-2013, 20:33
Hi everyone
I haven't posted in awhile but that doesn't mean I haven't been planning, preparing and accumulating supplies. I've also done a lot of reading, watching videos and just generally trying to educate myself on all the pros, cons and how-to's of hiking, backpacking, camping, survival, etc since the last time I was here and feel that I have a somewhat better knowledge of what I'm up against now.
Ok, here's where I stand at the moment. I've refined my gear list as much as possible without going overboard so that I have everything I need and nothing I don't. The only thing I haven't gotten yet is...well...food. My pack is light (17 pounds). I'll post my gear list a little later but I need to explain something...
My circumstances may be somewhat special/different than a lot of you (or perhaps not). You folks can decide. First of all, I don't drive (never have due to disability) and so I don't have a car or any transportation and because I am an extreme introvert and suffer from Social Anxiety/Agoraphobia, I have seldom left the house if nearly 15 years except to keep Doctor's appointments, go to the store or the post office. If this sounds strange, well it might be but that's just the way it is. I also have a pretty severe tic disorder as well as several anxiety and panic disorders and OCD (search the internet if your curious about what these are). My meds help some but not all the time. I am socially awkward and fearful of people (like a frightened animal more or less). There's a reason for this but I won't get into that now.
So this all probably sounds like some kind of a joke but I can assure you that it is not and these things are not something I want to have or that I can control. They are just part of my lot in life I suppose but I don't want them to stand in the way of my dreams and ambitions (ie; hiking the AP).
Having said that and being in the somewhat unique situation I find myself in, I'm not exactly sure how I would get the proverbial "ball" rolling here. For example, hitch-hiking is illegal (yes?) and since I don't think it is wise to hitch rides with strangers and/or end up with a stolen pack, I guess finding my way to the nearest trailhead is going to be a challenge. Also, even if I were to get a ride, it would be very awkward since I am agoraphobic and extremely shy (as I said earlier) and most people who give rides expect to chat with you.
So, lets say that instead, I actually walk all the way to the nearest trailhead. Where do I sleep on the way there? (I don't have money for a motel each night and certainly don't want to walk down the road for hundreds of miles). What about getting pulled over and hassled every few miles simply becasue I'm wearing a pack and look "out of place"?. Then, because of my anxiety disorders and OCD, I find myself worrying/obssessing constantly about killer bees, bears, feral dogs, someone mugging me or stealing my gear, being afraid of people and ending up getting beat up because I tic a lot and perhaps someone gets angry about that, etc. I could go on forever. I mean...just walking out the front door and into the "world" is kind of an intimating thing. And the one issue that could cause me all kinds of problems is that I pee the bed and I can't walk around with a huge refridgerator-sized box of depends strapped to my pack (I'd probably get laughed right off the trail!).
Any suggestions please?.
I haven't posted in awhile but that doesn't mean I haven't been planning, preparing and accumulating supplies. I've also done a lot of reading, watching videos and just generally trying to educate myself on all the pros, cons and how-to's of hiking, backpacking, camping, survival, etc since the last time I was here and feel that I have a somewhat better knowledge of what I'm up against now.
Ok, here's where I stand at the moment. I've refined my gear list as much as possible without going overboard so that I have everything I need and nothing I don't. The only thing I haven't gotten yet is...well...food. My pack is light (17 pounds). I'll post my gear list a little later but I need to explain something...
My circumstances may be somewhat special/different than a lot of you (or perhaps not). You folks can decide. First of all, I don't drive (never have due to disability) and so I don't have a car or any transportation and because I am an extreme introvert and suffer from Social Anxiety/Agoraphobia, I have seldom left the house if nearly 15 years except to keep Doctor's appointments, go to the store or the post office. If this sounds strange, well it might be but that's just the way it is. I also have a pretty severe tic disorder as well as several anxiety and panic disorders and OCD (search the internet if your curious about what these are). My meds help some but not all the time. I am socially awkward and fearful of people (like a frightened animal more or less). There's a reason for this but I won't get into that now.
So this all probably sounds like some kind of a joke but I can assure you that it is not and these things are not something I want to have or that I can control. They are just part of my lot in life I suppose but I don't want them to stand in the way of my dreams and ambitions (ie; hiking the AP).
Having said that and being in the somewhat unique situation I find myself in, I'm not exactly sure how I would get the proverbial "ball" rolling here. For example, hitch-hiking is illegal (yes?) and since I don't think it is wise to hitch rides with strangers and/or end up with a stolen pack, I guess finding my way to the nearest trailhead is going to be a challenge. Also, even if I were to get a ride, it would be very awkward since I am agoraphobic and extremely shy (as I said earlier) and most people who give rides expect to chat with you.
So, lets say that instead, I actually walk all the way to the nearest trailhead. Where do I sleep on the way there? (I don't have money for a motel each night and certainly don't want to walk down the road for hundreds of miles). What about getting pulled over and hassled every few miles simply becasue I'm wearing a pack and look "out of place"?. Then, because of my anxiety disorders and OCD, I find myself worrying/obssessing constantly about killer bees, bears, feral dogs, someone mugging me or stealing my gear, being afraid of people and ending up getting beat up because I tic a lot and perhaps someone gets angry about that, etc. I could go on forever. I mean...just walking out the front door and into the "world" is kind of an intimating thing. And the one issue that could cause me all kinds of problems is that I pee the bed and I can't walk around with a huge refridgerator-sized box of depends strapped to my pack (I'd probably get laughed right off the trail!).
Any suggestions please?.