Minimalist Camping

Trevorus · #1 05-17-2010, 01:06 PM

I'm looking to do a trip really soon with a buddy of mine, and we are planning on making it a minimalist trip. Just essential gear, some backup food sources, and 3 days with nothing but your wits. I'm having trouble finding a good place to do this though. Most places are state parks, and I am looking for a relatively unregulated place to go to, to get away from everything. I'm thinking of a Survivorman sort of thing, but with less purposeful handicap than what Les Stroud did. I'm in central IL, and I am thinking southern IL/Indiana, northern Missouri somewhere. Anyone got any ideas and/or tips for the trip?

chondro776 · #2 05-17-2010, 01:15 PM

Very cool. I am jealous b/c I haven't been able to get out on the trail in a long time.

I go to a place called the Cohutta Wilderness. It is probably too far for your situation (GA/TN border), but if not it is perfect. All of the easy trails get a bit crowded, but if you are ready to rock, then you can easily take on the less used trails and get away from everyone. It has some very rugged areas....

When I go on one of the less popular trails I don't see anyone for several days, and even then it is usually only another group like mine, that (while cordial) is looking to get away from everyone else.

Best of luck....pics or it didn't happen.

Trevorus · #3 05-17-2010, 01:27 PM

I'm thinking like within a 6 hour drive or so. There are state parks around here, but a lot of them are too regulated and I want to be away from any of that. No park rangers, or any of that sort of thing. That's the hard part to find, because the places that have the most info are the ones that are the public parks.

sleepytime · #4 05-17-2010, 01:33 PM

I've never been there, but have you checked out Shawnee National Forest?

Trevorus · #5 05-17-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepytime

I've never been there, but have you checked out Shawnee National Forest?

Yeah, I was near there once. Got our truck stuck in a HUGE mud hole. It was kinda fun though. That place may be a possibility.

MJ5150 · #6 05-17-2010, 01:40 PM

I think the idea of guys like Survivorman is they go places where noone knows about, that's kinda the point.

Make your own trail.

-Mike

sleepytime · #7 05-17-2010, 01:40 PM

Daniel Boone NF in Kentucky looks cool.

Stanley Design · #8 05-17-2010, 01:41 PM

Only 3 days? Don't take anything at all, be a man about it. Worst comes to worst you're really hungry when you get home.

MatticusMania · #9 05-17-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

I'm looking to do a trip really soon with a buddy of mine, and we are planning on making it a minimalist trip. Just essential gear, some backup food sources, and 3 days with nothing but your wits. I'm having trouble finding a good place to do this though. Most places are state parks, and I am looking for a relatively unregulated place to go to, to get away from everything. I'm thinking of a Survivorman sort of thing, but with less purposeful handicap than what Les Stroud did. I'm in central IL, and I am thinking southern IL/Indiana, northern Missouri somewhere. Anyone got any ideas and/or tips for the trip?

Yeah, thats the best way to go! My gf and I like to go out into the local canyon, for $5 you can buy an overnight pass. We bring a tent, some blankets, and an ice chest, maybe some reading material or a radio to listen to some tunes. Its nice to get away.

MJ5150 · #10 05-17-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Design

Only 3 days? Don't take anything at all, be a man about it. Worst comes to worst you're really hungry when you get home.

Serious. Les goes for a week and brings nothing.

-Mike

sloasdaylight · #11 05-17-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Serious. Les goes for a week and brings nothing.

-Mike

NOT TRUE!

He always has his trusty blues harp.

Regarding the OP, you'll be going out there with what? A backpack and a knife right?

Relic · #12 05-17-2010, 01:56 PM

I did something like this a few years back as a "history immersion" exercise. Get ready to laugh - we hiked and slept in Wharton State Forest for an extended (4 days) weekend using NOTHING but reproduction colonial era equipment, clothes and gear. Started fires with a flint and steel... au natural "toilet paper" (beware of poison ivy)
While I can say that it was a neat experience, you will NEVER catch my arse doing something like that again!!

Tsal · #13 05-17-2010, 02:07 PM

So, where are you going to get your food from? Fishing is always pretty safe bet, though.

Eublet · #14 05-17-2010, 02:08 PM

I haven't done anything like this in a while, but it is fun. I think there's different ways of going about it. If your idea is to survive on the land, then you have to determine what kind of survival gear you need to be able to eat. Making traps is probably to complex for most folks who aren't trained, so that means having some fishing/hunting gear. IME, even that can be really challenging and fun. Personally, I don't enjoy sleeping on the ground with nothing protecting me from insects and such. Yeah, I can make myself do it, but it makes the trip less enjoyable, so a small tent is all I need. The days are still long with hiking, hunting and fishing. You burn a lot of calories doing this, and it can be really hard/frustrating to get enough food to keep you going, even if you bring more modern gear to help you. Sometimes, simply being far enough away that you can't jump into a car and leave is enough for it to feel "minimalist."

You can always go more extreme with this later. For your first trip, I suggest starting out somewhat prepared. You can always choose not to use something while you are out there, but if you get stuck without anything to eat for a few days, it can suck really bad if you've not been there before.

FL Knifemaker · #15 05-17-2010, 02:09 PM

Just remember, if you hear banjo music, turn around.

**smperry** · #16 05-17-2010, 02:13 PM

No ideas or tips, but sounds cool!

wabbit · #17 05-17-2010, 02:16 PM

Don't forget your amp, bass and generator for jammin' with the local yokels ... and a really large cooler for your beer ... and more beer for when the cooler is empty ... and a lazyboy so you're all comfy while you fish.

YOU can still be minimalist while the sherpas carry your stuff.

Din Of Win · #18 05-17-2010, 02:17 PM

A multi-tool, a canteen/nalgene bottle/gallon bottle of fresh water, a backpack with layerable clothes, and a towel.

If yer a wuss, maybe a few powerbars.

jonathan_matos5 · #19 05-17-2010, 02:19 PM

bring beef jerky a hatchet a pocket knife and a pack of strike anywhere matches.

have the other guy bring a rifle or a fishing pole. and a tarp.

Trevorus · #20 05-17-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

I haven't done anything like this in a while, but it is fun. I think there's different ways of going about it. If your idea is to survive on the land, then you have to determine what kind of survival gear you need to be able to eat. Making traps is probably to complex for most folks who aren't trained, so that means having some fishing/hunting gear. IME, even that can be really challenging and fun. Personally, I don't enjoy sleeping on the ground with nothing protecting me from insects and such. Yeah, I can make myself do it, but it makes the trip less enjoyable, so a small tent is all I need. The days are still long with hiking, hunting and fishing. You burn a lot of calories doing this, and it can be really hard/frustrating to get enough food to keep you going, even if you bring more modern gear to help you. Sometimes, simply being far enough away that you can't jump into a car and leave is enough for it to feel "minimalist."

You can always go more extreme with this later. For your first trip, I suggest starting out somewhat prepared. You can always choose not to use something while you are out there, but if you get stuck without anything to eat for a few days, it can suck really bad if you've not been there before.

This is pretty much what I was thinking. Go for minimalist, but have the backup there. I have done a lot of camping, fishing, etc, but none quite minimalist. So it ought to be a fun experience.