begginner

Het fellas,
I was wondering... What kind of tips and advice do ya'll have for a person who is new to "living off the grid"? I have been working on my fire starting at home which is coming along ok. Really i guess i am looking for advice on a first trip somewhere. Might sound dumb but how long should i try this on the first go? I was thinking maybe a 5-7 day trip expecially this time of year down here. Its not too harsh and i think it might be a good time to start since there are a lot of fish and animals moving. Just a little input would be greatly appreciated. I'm not a rookie to camping or fishing or hunting, but i am a rookie to eatible plants and medicinal plants. I guess what im rambling about is, If you could give a new guy a few tips to get started what would they be??
thanks
smirly

Just thought I would clarify something for you. "Living off grid" and camping are two different things. Living off grid means you are self sufficient enough to provide yourself with your own electricity, water, food, and other daily necessities. Most people are generally happy if they can get to the "free from using governmental energy" stage.

As for what you were asking, I think a 5 - 7 day trip is a great idea. Do you plan on going alone, or are you taking some people along with you. I would suggest going with one or more persons, and also letting the people back home know where you are going, for how long, etc.

For edible and medicinal plants, I think you ought to buy several field guides that indicate edibles for your region and while you are out on your camping trip do your best to try and identify as many of these plants as possible. I find it very hard to look at a book and recognize a plant, but once I have seen it in person I never forget what it looks like. It is very wierd, but that is how it works for me.

Also when dealing with plants be EXTREMELY careful about trying them unless you are absolutely sure you have identified the plant. I have a friend that is a master herbologist who almost died from cooking up a mushroom and ingesting it. He did correctly identify it, but it was the wrong time of year to be cooking it, so he put himself in a world of hurt. Even the experts can make mistakes so be careful :)

I hope that helps.

If you've never actually spent a good deal of time self sustaining, 5-7 days may be too much. I speak from winter experience, but one or two days just "trying to live off the grid" is an ordeal in and of itself. Summer certainly would be easier, afterall you can just fast for 5 days if all else fails. But since you're new to edible plants and herbal medicines, I WOULD NOT recommend a trial-and-error experiment in that field.

Thanks for the explanation grundle. Well i was planning on goin alone because most of the people i go camping with think it is necessary to bring the whole kitchen and house along with them and i think it takes away from the trip. I would definately tell a few people where i was going for safety sake. As for the plants i was definately not planning on trial and error. Any suggestions for field guides on plants? also what would you reccomend i bring along with me on my short trip? Of course a knife but what else??
thanks smirly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smirly22

Thanks for the explanation grundle. Well i was planning on goin alone because most of the people i go camping with think it is necessary to bring the whole kitchen and house along with them and i think it takes away from the trip. I would definately tell a few people where i was going for safety sake. As for the plants i was definately not planning on trial and error. Any suggestions for field guides on plants? also what would you reccomend i bring along with me on my short trip? Of course a knife but what else??
thanks smirly

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If you don't have much experience I suggest bringing a decent tent, sleeping bag, field knife, canteen (or two), 1 bucket or deep pan for boiling water and cooking stuff, and some food rations (enough for 5 days), a fire starter of some sort (matches or flints or both). That is just a very basic starter list. I mentioned these things because once you are out there it is all you have to fall back on. If you are trying to gain experience and you end up failing miserably you will have these things to rely on.

No one is ever completely successful the first time, and when you are trying to gain experience the last thing you want to do is panic and wonder how you are going to eat, or stay warm, etc. I know this may sound like common sense, but I have seen people ignore "common sense" and end up putting themselves in a world of hurt just because they were stubborn.

Once you bring those things with you, you don't have to use them at all if you don't want to, but as many many people have said over and over in this forum "Be prepared".

Work your way through the threads here, there's quite a bit of good advice on wild plants and recommended field guides. Where you live is going to dictate what flora and fauna will be available. Definitely don't go with trial and error, you're dead too long.

Note: a number of people you're going to read postings by take several firestarting means with them. there's good reason for that. I'm glad to read that you're practicing at home, but the big difference between at home and out in the bush is that at home you can say to heck with it if it's not going well and walk back into a warm house, in the bush...not so much. How are you at starting a fire when it's raining?

Oftentimes beginners get the impression that some of us old crusty buggers are trying to discourage them. Nothing could be further from the truth, we are however suggesting err on the side of caution. You can take a 5 day hike into the wilds that can be the adventure of a lifetime or a fatal mistake, let's shoot for the first option.

Check out the threads on survival packs, most of the contents listed by different members are pretty similar. You'll get some good ideas and probably customize your own.

If you're going to go it alone, make sure and set a schedule and let someone know your travel path and timing.

After giving yourself that education, I'd still recommend doing 1 or 2 day overnighters first. You can fast for five days, but you're probably going to be feeling a bit weak and light headed if you do so, not a good combination if you're alone in the bush.

Just a few thoughts, wish you the best of luck.

thanks for all the suggestions fellas... i definately understand the safety part of it all. I am a trained EMT and have heard some tales! thanks again. you'll definately hear from me again. I am going to keep practicing some skills and maybe take a lil weekend trip soon so im sure you will hear about it.
thanks, smirly

If you just "Do It" you will learn something. Then "Do It" again learn something else. Guess what you only stop learning if you stop "DOING". Life is a process of learning, enjoy the process, enjoy life.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hopeak

If you just "Do It" you will learn something. Then "Do It" again learn something else. Guess what you only stop learning if you stop "DOING". Life is a process of learning, enjoy the process, enjoy life.

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Couldn't have said it better, nice post.

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