Banff National/Alaska

[littlewing]

Hello, I'm new to the forum.. I'm John, 16 years old from Windsor, ON
You all seem like a great group of people. Anyways, next summer I'd like to take quite the journey; I want to hitch across Canada... maybe hop a couple freights or stick out the good old thumb! I'll be bringing a friend along with me, he's a couple years older, and has hitched all over Canada. I think this experience would be merely priceless, the sights I'd see, the people I'd meet, and would surely make a man out of me. First off, I'd like to head towards Banff National Park in Alberta, and truly live off the land once I am there. I'd like to build shelter, away from any campground, and truly in the wild. After a week of living in Banff, I'd like to head to Alaska for a weeks stay.. same procedure. I am willing to dedicate hours each day of the next year to preparation. Shoot with feedback, helpful advice, and ask!

[NCO]

Hey there littlewing! Glad you joined the forums. It's good you made an introduction post first, even though in a teeny weeny bit wrong place. Perhaps the mods will move this thread to the right place. To give you feedback about your plan we need more info about your experience in survival, trekking, knowledge of the nature, gear, plans and all that sorts of things.

Oh and the "make me a man" part reminds me of on old joke...
"Army turns boys into men and men into single men..."

[crashdive123]

Hello and welcome. As you can see, I moved your thread to the Intro section. Good luck on your trip and enjoy yourself.

[Rick]

Welcome home. Sounds like a great time.

[littlewing]

I'll be honest, I'm not all that educated or experienced on survival or of the nature, but that will definetly change in the next year, or before I would ever attempt this.

As far as gear, I'll be bringing a hunting knife for protection during travel, and also as a tool, a kit(bandages, antiseptic pads, matches, flashlight, a rifle/ammunition(I'll buy/rent it when I reach my destination, not the greatest idea to try and catch a ride when armed!), bear spray, water for the trip(I'll get rid of it before we head into the woods so to speak..), pemmikan, rice, carton of smokes, an axe(same as rifle), 20 ft rope, sleeping bag, pack, rubber boots, clothes, hiking boots, cell phone(incase of emergency only)..

Plans.. Well, I'll be leaving next summer, and I plan to put one foot ahead of the other until someones kind enough to pick me up, and I'll continue to do so until I get somewhere near Banff. I'll talk to some locals, get some info, then head into the woods and build shelter from a some trees, build a fire, and the rest is history. We plan to take turns sleeping, to keep an eye up for grizzlys or anything of that nature. We'll stay there for about a week and then hit the road for Alaska, same idea.

[welderguy]

Howdy and welcome aboard, my suggestion to you is start slow and learn then when you feel comfortable with the knowledge you have learned then take your journey so you can and will be able to return home to tell us all about your journey

[NCO]

Yup, there is a lot of work to do...

The knife, it is always TOOL first. Knife actually is THE TOOL.

You need to learn how to make fire without matches in several different ways, Bear spray is useless.

The rifle... your choice, but make sure you know by heart how to safely operate and maintain it.

Nothing is more worrying than a trigger happy dude in the bush.

Quit smoking if you can, it actually effects on your ability to cover distances.

I'd change the axe for a hatchet, rope is heavy, go for paracord instead. Otherwise, ok.


EDIT: Somehow I remember this movie about this guy who went to Alaska and lived(for a while) in this bus in the middle of nothing...

[Old GI]

I hear there may be a recreational survival program of some kind at Petawawa.

[Winter]

Welcome.

I was gonna pick your plan apart a little, but, I honestly don't have the time.

Suffice to say. You have alot to learn and as a 17 yr old, you won't be buying or renting a rifle.

You will need a passport to get back into the US.

[chiye tanka]

Welcome aboard.

[Sarge47]

Hi & welcome. Good luck on your planned journey, watch out for the 'Bos, & check with Sourdough about Alaska info! He may even need some help in exchange for lodging at his cabin. The outhouse gets a bit drafty though.

[Camp10]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like quite an adventure for a 17 year old, good luck with it!

[littlewing]

Welcome.

I was gonna pick your plan apart a little, but, I honestly don't have the time.

Suffice to say. You have alot to learn and as a 17 yr old, you won't be buying or renting a rifle.

You will need a passport to get back into the US.

"•It is unlawful to knowingly sell or transfer a firearm to a person whose physical or mental condition is substantially impaired as a result of an intoxicating liquor or drug, or to sell a firearm to a person less than 18."

The other person I am going with will be 19 at the time of the trip. Would I be unable to use the gun he had purchased, regardless of parental consent?

Also, NCO... You mentioned bear spray is useless, how so?

If anyone could offer any information on where or how I could get started it would be GREATLY appreciated... In other words, words of wisdom

-John

EDIT: Also, I do have a passport to come in and out of Canada.

[crashdive123]

It might be best if you start a new thread, give as much information as you can (not personal information) and then ask specific questions. Things like - since you are a minor - do you have your parents permission, detailed list of equipment you'll be taking, your experience level (with as much detail as possible), your friends experience and equipment ---- things like that. With wide open and general questions you may not get answers that are helpful to you.

[hunter63]

Hunter63 saying, Hey, Welcome.

[DOGMAN]

Bear spray is useless....

Say what? Bear Spray is useless? Please explain....

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Say what? Bear Spray is useless? Please explain....

The nose of a blood hound is 200 times as sensitive has a humans. A bears is 7 yimes as powerful as a blood hound. Shooting pepper spray up the worlds most powerful nose? Spray some up your nose then do the math.

[DOGMAN]

The nose of a blood hound is 200 times as sensitive has a humans. A bears is 7 yimes as powerful as a blood hound. Shooting pepper spray up the worlds most powerful nose? Spray some up your nose then do the math.

I know the power of bear spray...I just don't understand why our Finnish friend thinks its useless

[NCO]

I know the power of bear spray...I just don't understand why our Finnish friend thinks its useless

Could be a legislation thing.. The stuff you get around here doesn't really work. Might be that you folks in the States allow more potent stuff.

[KhonHd]

I hear there may be a recreational survival program of some kind at Petawawa.

LOL... That would be a good place for him to start... But it's about 10 hours from Windsor (they do have a great summer program).