How to Live Alone in the Wilderness

Camping can be a great thing to do with family and friends but what if you wanted to live in the wilderness alone? What would you need to make sure that the experience was a good, meaningful journey and not just a struggle with basic survival needs? Find out here.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waterproof tent
• Cold weather sleeping bag and pad
• Long johns
• Clothes (appropriate to weather)
• Rain gear
• Water bottle
• Water purification tablets
• Pocketknife
• Cooking ware and tools
• Liquid soap
• Rope
• Waterproof matches and a fire kit
• Guide to edible plants of the region
• Emergency guide
• First aid kit
• Compass
• Fishing gear (optional)
• Flares (to alert outside world of your whereabouts)
• Backpack to carry all of the gear
• Day pack for carrying emergency supplies

The Secrets To Living Alone in the Wild:

1. Have adequate shelter. It is imperative to be able to go to a dry, preferably warm, place at night or whenever the weather is intemperate. A good, waterproof tent is good to have with you even if you find an uninhabited cave or abandoned shack. Having a tent provides you with flexibility and true independence. Spend the money to get an above average shelter. You will not be sorry.

2. Bring some rain gear--a waterproof coat and pants are best--as well as a pair of long johns--even if you are existing in a desert, summer climate. You do not have to have many clothes with you--variety is not important--just have one of whatever you need.

3. Have at least two different kinds of fire sources--waterproof matches and a fire kit are great additions. Life becomes more bearable and friendly with a fire. Plus, this allows you to heat water and cook food.

4. Bring a cold weather sleeping bag (rated to keep you warm at -5 F) and sleeping pad. Again, even if this bag is overrated for your particular locale--it is best to be conservative and warm no matter what the outside weather becomes.

5. Stay hydrated and well fed. The brain thinks better when there is plenty of water in the body system. Try to drink at least two full water bottles a day. Set up your camp near a water source so you do not have to go far to get your daily water needs met as well as making it simpler to get water to cook as well as clean yourself. Be sure to purify all water with purification tablets or heating it first to boiling.

6. Bring dehydrated food that only requires hot water to be added to it. However, eventually food supplies run out so fishing gear as well as a guide to edible plants in your locale can be a great backup.

7. Have an emergency support plan. Tell at least one friend or ranger where you plan on staying when you camp. Have some kind of plan of action in place in case you need help (this could include having a few flares in case you need to alert someone). In addition, have a compass, rope, a first aid kit, a pocket knife survival tool, a fire source, as well as a survival guide on you (in a day pack for instance) at all times.

8. Invest in a survival guide to take with you. Always have a survival guide as well as an edible plant guide with you when you go to the wilderness alone. Often, survival guides have good first aid techniques if necessary to use as well as a small section on edible plants. However, it is best to invest in a more comprehensive edible plant guide for your own safety.

Tips & Warnings

• Staying dry, warm, hydrated, and well fed can mean the difference between a good time and a hard time when alone in the wilderness.
• Do not ever ingest plant matter that you are not 100% sure about its identity. Even if you are hungry. Some plants are toxic and the ingestion of them could be fatal.

Resources

• Good source for camping gear and foodstuff.
• Place to purchase food rations.
• Source for survival guides.

[shellbeth]

on 11/2/2009 Wow! And I thought living alone in my house was an adventure. An inspiring article. I'd still be cautious about selecting foods in the wild. I'll be interested in reading your other articles.