Heading Across Canada on Foot

[XIXIX]

hey folks,

well as the title states ill be heading from one end of canada to the other on foot, i plan on heading out mid/end of may of this year ill be starting in nova scotia (cape breton) and headed all the way west.

i have a couple questions first, i have general knowledge of leantu's and cooking and what not but was wondering if anyone might be able to aid me by creating maybe a VERY basic list of what would be REQUIRED to live sufficently

i will be pretty much hoofing it (or backpacking) from city to city, forest to forest.

any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated as i know some bare basics of outdoor survival but not as much as im sure some of you may know

i just noticed a lengthy post on doing this staying in one spot and thought it helpful but if anyone has any info on NOT staying in one area please lend me your input

[Sourdough]

Have a nice trip and send photo's. Your going to have do a better story as this one is a no sale. I don't buy that your going to walk across town. The street maybe if it is only four lanes.

[crashdive123]

XIXIX - You're going to have to provide some more information before you will get any worthwhile advice. Information like - general age, physical condition, wilderness experience, what are your goals on the trek (other than getting from here to there). You can do that in the intro section here http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14

[BraggSurvivor]

I think it could be done, couple guys ran it but walking could be another story unless you took a three summers to do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox

[crashdive123]

Not doubting that it can be done - look at Forest Gump.

[Ole WV Coot]

Now why would a perfectly sane? person want to walk across Canada? What would that prove? I could get a high on risky things when I was younger, but I knew what I was getting myself involved in. I suggest you carefully map out your route, carry plenty of $$ and I sure hope you can defend yourself. I am sure you could find something more useful to do than IMHO a dumb stunt.

[XIXIX]

well im 22, i camp every summer (by camp i mean a sleping bag and hot dogs , not that rich camping situation), im athletic (hockey basketball soccer baseball paintball), ive taken some map reading courses and done orientation in the cape breton highlands, my time frame is to take as long as it takes, my goal is to get from one side of canada to the other and everywhere in between, im a huge walker/hiker.

my route is basically the transcanada highway, this is by no means a dumb stunt nor do i need to "sell my story" to you

[crashdive123]

So what kind of information are you looking for? How will you support yourself on the journey? What equipment will you be carrying? Will you be living off the land or off civilization? When you say "was wondering if anyone might be able to aid me by creating maybe a VERY basic list of what would be REQUIRED to live sufficently." what exactly do you mean. Ya see XIXIX, there is a wealth of knowledge here. Some are into ultra light backpacking and may be of some help. If I and others sound a bit skeptical it's because people come here often to ask questions like you asked for planning an "adventrure" with absolutely no way of succeeding. Nobody here wants to see anybody get hurt or worse, so please don't take any advice you may receive the wrong way.

[Ole WV Coot]

well im 22, i camp every summer (by camp i mean a sleping bag and hot dogs , not that rich camping situation), im athletic (hockey basketball soccer baseball paintball), ive taken some map reading courses and done orientation in the cape breton highlands, my time frame is to take as long as it takes, my goal is to get from one side of canada to the other and everywhere in between, im a huge walker/hiker.

my route is basically the transcanada highway, this is by no means a dumb stunt nor do i need to "sell my story" to you

Nope you sure don't because I wouldn't buy it. Keep your thumb out and your pants up and don't smile at the truckers. Good Luck

[BraggSurvivor]

Well I dont blame you for wanting to do it. I dreamed in my early teens to hitch hike across Canada or hop a grain train. I sometimes regret not doing it, I say go for it. (and stop in for a beer on your way by)

[XIXIX]

no advice is bad advice, ill be stuffing a midsize roughsack with the supplies and plan to live off both the land and civilization (a job will help restore supplies that have been lost or broken), this plan has been in the makings the past 14 months so it has been thought out, by the lists i mean maybe things a regular person wouldnt think to bring, kinda like half way through u think "crap i shoulda had a ...." kinda things

trust me ive met every kind of skeptic when originally alerting friends of my plans, this will not be just a trip thats understandable it will pretty much be what ill be doing within the next years to come

[Rick]

XIXIX - First, welcome to the forum.

Honestly, if you do everything correctly, I don't think you can make it. Not in one summer. That's over 4000 miles (6400 kilometers). Folks have already left Atlanta for the trek north on the Appalachian Trial and many of them will be hard pressed to make it this year. That's a total of 2,167 miles (3,488 km); about half the distance. Only 3 in 20 will be successful in completing the AT and those that do succeed will do it in five to seven months. You are looking at 10-14 months to complete a coast to coast trek of Canada. How good are your winter camping skills?

1. What equipment will you be taking? Be very specific.
2. How much food do you plan to carry?
3. What is your method of resupply?
4. What is your goal each day? How far to you expect to travel each day?
5. Have you been conditioning for this? If so, how?
6. What system do you have in place for checkins? (You must check in with someone on a periodic, specific plan so an accident does not leave you to die.
7. How many backups do you have ready to be shipped? You'll need two back up sets of boots, one backup sleeping bag, one backup tent.....at least.

That should get you started thinking and providing us some information to assist you if you are serious about this. By the way, you've already waited too late in the season in my opinion.

[Sarge47]

XIXIX, 1st, don't diss the Wolf-pack! You came here asking for advice and nobody's going to lie or try and "sugar-coat" things. If you don't like the answers you get then don't ask! Personally I'd take an RV, but that's just me! I don't know you or anything about you but I've already stated my feelings on this matter waaay to many times to do it again! Read Rick's post as well As The others again! Listen up! It could save your life. Ask yourself these very wise questions: "Why is everyone so Skeptical? Do they know something I don't?" I too have a dream, to be a magician. I've gotten a pro to work with me & I take every negative thing he says as gospel, weather I want to or not! I've gotten much better as a result! Good luck and say hi to Brad & Adrian for us!

[XIXIX]

i know this will take a very long time and i will probably stretch it out over at least 18 months i will probably be making about 60 kilometers a day (if i decide not to put my thumb out and prey for a lift), i have friends in ALMOST each province/territory that i will be checking in with and each will be aware of my travels to contact eachother

the reason ive decided for this time of the year to take off is incase i do change my mind or i remember something i should have brought more people tend to travel in the summer so i am morelikely to get where i am going faster

the items i have already to take with me are as follows:

2 person coleman dome tent
army pants
socks
t-shirts
wool jacket
hiking boots/running shoes/rubber boots/work boots
hatchet
a pot and a kettel
underwear
swiss armyknife
sleeping bag
tarp
winding waterproof radio/flashlight/siren
folding saw
folding spade
rope
fishing gear
wool socks and " long johns"
winter breatable jacket
headlight
flint
purel
army canteen
rucksack


i know ppl are skeptical because morons like those guys heading out for a month with just 1 set of clothes and a knife come on here and only last 13 days

also i have not diss'd any advice given

the reason ive come here is to hear what people have to say that may CONTRIBUTE to my thread, if i was truly and ignorant moron id'a just headed out like the Knife and clothes twins lol

[Alpine_Sapper]

Good luck man. Others are gonna give you all kinds of equipment advice, so the one thing I'd tell you is to price a bus ticket from one side to the other. Make sure you got that much cash with you at least so that you can get outta dodge if you have to, or simply decide this is not for you any longer. Always nice to have an escape route.

[crashdive123]

XIXIX - this is just a quick evaluation.

>Your plan is 18 months. I think you are lacking quite a bit. You will need t resupply (shoes, sleeping bag, etc) how do you plan on doing it.
>Not enough methods for starting fire
>Need water filter and water pruification tabs
>Need backups to knives
>Food
>How big is canteen - summertime you will be consuming alot of water - may need larger capacity
>How much and type of rope
>Your distance goals are ify - maybe xxxx if you hitchhike
>Only one pair of pants?
>Rain gear
>Field guide for edible plant life

I'm sure there will be more to follow. Just as you have been planning this trip for awhile, I can't give you a quick answer - since I haven't planned the trip.

[XIXIX]

Good luck man. Others are gonna give you all kinds of equipment advice, so the one thing I'd tell you is to price a bus ticket from one side to the other. Make sure you got that much cash with you at least so that you can get outta dodge if you have to, or simply decide this is not for you any longer. Always nice to have an escape route.

yup i got the pricing down pat and to get from ontario to nova scotia and vice versa itd cost the ball park of 120.00, i have 300.00 emergency cash set aside in case (for travel only)

>Your plan is 18 months (at least). i have at east 3 of everything ready to be mailed to me
>Not enough methods for starting fire (one of the reasons i came on here)
>Need water filter and water pruification tabs (theyre being ordered for me from a outdoorsman store locally (not too many stores carry them near me)
>Food - rice and dehydrated fruits and veggies
>How big is canteen - regular size army issue canteen and a camel pack
>How much and type of rope - 100ft and nylon
>Your distance goals are ify - if i hitchhike ill probly be looking at 100 kilo a day
>Only one pair of pants? about 3 pairs of army pants 3 pairs of jeans and a couple pairs of shorts
>Rain gear - winterjacket has a removable waterproof liner
>Field guide for edible plant life - got one

[crashdive123]

Like I said - quick evaluation. I left off first aid kit, communications (cell/sat phone w/charger). I'm sure there will be more.

[Tahyo]

This thread needs to be moved to http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...read.php?t=378 cause the cr@p just keeps getting deeper and deeper.

[Sarge47]

Okay XIXIX, (Whut-up with the Roman Numerals Dawg?), I like your tone, so here's the best piece of advice I ever give anyone. Get yourself a copy of Cody Lundin's book: "98.6 Degrees: The Art Of Keeping Your A*s Alive". Read it and re-read it over & over again, cover to cover. Stash it in your pack and take it with you! Best Survival book out there! BTW, good job on reading about "TBWN"!