Into the Wild

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to live in the woods. I think I was first inspired by Grizzly Adams on TV…but the thought has always been there.

What I have been longing for is a life out of the societal norm…where there is no use for money, only hard work. I recently saw the film, “Into The Wild” and can’t get it out of my mind. That has been my dream for so long now. I would love to go and do the same thing, though hopefully not with the same ending.

I have hitchiked, learned carpentry and built a small house single-handedly, learned how grow plants from both seed and propagation, fished, and developed a good sense of problem-solving…

My only fear in doing this right this second is the pain of lonliness that I might feel after months or even years of solitude. I’m afraid of going stark crazy mad out there alone. My real fear is not of trying and failing—but of never trying at all.

This makes me wonder if there is anyone else out there who would like to do this journey, into the wild as well? I don’t take this lightly…this is a great desire of mine and one I’m sure I’ll live out, though when, I’m not exactly sure yet.

If I sound like yourself, or you know of someone, a group, or a WEBSITE for those who also share my vision, please post and let me know. I can’t tell you how appreciative I would be.

Thanks for reading…God bless!

John

 

Where are you planning on doing this? When I finish my degree I want to join Peace Corps or live out in woods.

 

sounds the same as the dream iv had since i can remember. for a long time its all i wanted to doand iv learned as much as possible but facing reality im prepared to establish a more functional basis of education for myself so i have a fallback plan for when im older, being young and all (young in its sense of formality)

but i know i will oneday take to my dream and do as you say, living in the wild with hard work to keep me happy. its nthe one place i feel at home.

so i would say i am relativly ythe same and would love to do this sort of thing with good company. only, not for atleast 2-4 years.

the problem for me is i live in scotland which is a beautiful country, just difficult to do these things. but would be delighted to talk more about it.

i may be young but i have a good sesne of things. so you can always message me if you like. and if not, then good luck man!

 

To answer your question Hypatia, and to let you know too, Hamish...I plan on making the trek in the spring (of 2009). These next few months I plan to explore and learn as much as possible. I'm also seriously thinking of moving to Alaska and get a job there, since I'll need to work until it's time to leave anyway. That way I can speak with natives, get a chance to trek out to find the perfect place, and on my days off maybe get to slowly move supplies out there.

 

Be sure to take survival classes and read a lot about scavenging for food and herbs, and all that good stuff. My ex-boyfriend is doing the whole living out in the woods thing right now. A lot of people have starved, died, or been seriously injured. Be careful.

 

What I would recommend is you just live on "the fringes" - you know, stay a couple miles out of town, and then you can travel into town. But I don't know - living in the wilderness has encapsulated my dreams since I was a wee kid as well.. but at the moment my plans involve having a very large garden, farming, and in general living natural. I'll probably end up moving out of town/buying a farm out of town but still close enough that I can run into town for various things.

 

we all need to just make one post, mods make it sticky and set up commmunes across the states, or in one big place in the woods.many people want to do this, like, and afraid to do it alone. Im going to start it rite now so maybe you can find people in your region a little better and be able to set something up.

Peace & Love
Belinda

 

Turn on Discovery Channel and watch "Man vs. Wild" and "Survivorman" two of the best wilderness survival shows EVER.

 

that movie was amazing,id love to do what he did, but id pick somewhere else than alaska im skinny, not much insulation ,id probably freeze to death fast

 

i say go out for a year or so and then come back and teach others.
check out Tom Brown's books or even survival skills, the man is nuts good at outdoor living, my outdoor living skills professor was trained by him.

but yeah, dont be selfish, humans are social animals. solitude is great for pulling things together and testing yourself and other self beneficial practices but do not forget that you are not the only one in the world. you have to help society not leave it... sadly.

 

That movie touched me more than any others ive seen for a while.. for the whole of it i was thinking 'this could be me - same age, same uni crap, same family crap' then the end obviously relly hit me hard.

I think id be wild in terms of freedom, but not disconnected from society alltogether... Id visit cities regularly enough to be able to go skipping etc whenever i needed food, and of course i would make efforts to meet people all along the way.

 

I saw the movie recently myself, very inspiring. I also remember the article that appeared in Outside magazine back in the early '90's, which was also inspiring, but focused more on the events in Alaska as described in his journal, instead of the events leading to the trip.

I too fear the loneliness and isolation, or I'd've been there years ago.

Tragic the way it ended, dying from mistaking a poisonous plant for an edible one. The way I figure, he didn't do his homework before cutting off ties with civilization. Sure, he learned all the skills by talking with experts ahead of time, but he never got a chance to apply what he had learned before making the commitment--not that he had the chance to in his circumstance, but if I were to do the same, I'd experiment a bit in the practice of self sufficiency before I head out to the back country to live it.

 

ya, i think about the same kinds of things as the original poster all the time.. but that quote there, natureslaze, keeps me around seemingly..

there's a book i see from time to time at the bookstore that's the published version of the military's "survival guide".... i'm sure that's got some good stuff to know in it for outer living situations..

 

Some people believe we all have to contribute while others believe that society is too sick to be a part of. I believe it's better to distance yourself from society but still contribute.

 

Lead by example so that others might be inspired by your well being and follow your ways, and yet others might teach you better ways, so that everyone can benefit from a better relationship with the earth, but none of this can happen if you disconnect yourself from society altogether.

 

Again, its all a matter of perspective and opinion.

 

I'm a homesteader in Alaska. It only takes about 45 minutes to fly out to my land in a small plane, but I doubt there's a man alive that could make it on foot in less than 30 days. For all practical purposes, it is like being on an island. Nothing but millions of acres of wilderness in all directions. Yet, I have been able to live there and survive off and on for the last 12 years. I come to town from time to time to earn money, socialize, and gather more tool to improve my homestead.

I have been thinking about setting-up some kind of community so that people wishing to learn how to live in the wilderness could come to my land. There is plenty of room to build several cabins - perhaps a bunkhouse and plant a large garden.

The problem is working out an arrangement that not make people feel like they are being taken advantage. I want things done at the homestead and people want to learn, but I need to make sure everything is fair.

What I have in mind is allowing people to construct cabins that they would lease for $1.00 per year. They would have access to the garden or be allowed to build their own. The catch would be that the lease would not be transferable and they must spend at least 7 days in the cabin per calender year. Should they be absent for more than 2 years the cabin would be declared "abandoned."

I rather suspect most people would only want to stay about 1~3 months. For this group, there would be the bunkhouse.

There are still MANY details to work-out before I send out invitations. Any ideas? Are you interested?

 

i first heared of Christopher McCandless story on tv in the late 90s (97-98) if i remember good was on DATELINE or 20/20 it touch me alot at the time and couldnt wait for the day of the book and then the movie. very touching stuff and make ppl want to live free just like him!

Death's a fierce meadowlark: but to die having made
Something more equal to centuries
Than muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness.
The mountains are dead stone, the people
Admire or hate their stature, their insolent quietness,
The mountains are not softened or troubled
And a few dead men's thoughts have the same temper.
I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL.
alexander supertramp --last words

http://video.google.ca/videosearch?...sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=8&ct=title#

 

the book Into the Wild tells alot more than the movie so you guys should read that too. If anyone ever wants to discuss plans or methods and want someone to converse with, hit me up. either email me or message me. I've had the same dream to go into the wilderness and be ultimately free but where i live not many share my dream. I plan on doing it one day (along with hiking the appalachian trail) after college since im going to need a education to hold me up when im not young and full of fire haha.

 

Im pretty sure he applied everythink he learned before he visited alaska. The book goes into alot more detail about his other survival stories. The thing is he ate a wild potato that resembles another edible plant and deprives the body of nutrients even if you eat alot. so he basically starved to death. its so sad