You Want To Escape Civilization???

**Seniorman** · 05-22-2014, 02:45 PM

With just your bugout bag, survival knife, and AR15??

It's inevitable that every couple of months some new poster asks, "I hate civilization and people. I want to move out to the Alaskan wilderness, build a log shack or sleep in my backpacker tent and live off the land. Where can I find free land?"

Well, there is a marvelous, profoundly interesting and enlightening video, shown on PBS last night (here in Boise) of a couple, their six year old son, and a friend, who did just that in 1992. They did, however, make a few little plans beforehand, plus the man and woman had a bit of experience bustin' around in the Alaskan wilderness. They knew, so to speak, "how the stick floats."

The two hour documentary was one of the most interesting I've seen about wilderness, self reliance, preplanning, determination, perseverance, overcoming severe obstacles, dangerous situations, and reality, ever presented. It is called "Arctic Son," by Jean Aspen and Tom Irons. Every "I wanna escape..." person should buy a copy of the video, or if possible, catch it on PBS, and watch it before heading for "the wilderness."

Surviving out in the wilderness ain't hardly as easy nor romantic as some make it out to be.

http://www.jeanaspen.com/

Here is a great write up of Aspen and Irons, and their wilderness adventure and experience.

http://homertribune.com/2013/01/%E2%...emieres-feb-6/

Hope people here who just enjoy great wilderness documentaries can see it, or perhaps have seen it on PBS. You won't be sorry. The "escapers" should study it diligently!

S.M.

**hunter63** · 05-22-2014, 03:08 PM

The thought occurs to me that anyone that makes that ...."I want to run away in the wilderness" and does so on a public forum, on the interweb.....has no clue and doesn't want to listen to facts.

They want the world to say, "Yeah buddy that is the greatest idea since sliced bread, and you are the best, smartest toughest dude that can pull it off so his is a list of utopiaian places when ever tree will protect you, feed you and keep you warm and safe..... then tell the world that you don't need no stinking school, parents, (doesn't have a girlfriend ) money, job.....and here is the place".

Have a nice life.

Suggesting any logic and facts won't apply.

PS thanks for the link

**welderguy** · 05-22-2014, 03:13 PM

I keep hoping all my neighbors will run away to the wilderness , would make me quit happy!!

**finallyME** · 05-22-2014, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by hunter63

Yeah buddy that is the greatest idea since sliced bread, and you are the best, smartest toughest dude that can pull it off so his is a list of utopiaian places when ever tree will protect you, feed you and keep you warm and safe..... then tell the world that you don't need no stinking school, parents, (doesn't have a girlfriend ) money, job.....and here is the place.

I think I will just copy and paste that for the next time someones asks the question. Plus, I have some great places to recommend.

**hunter63** · 05-22-2014, 06:10 PM

Good idea
I may just save it to "Notes" and cut and paset as well.......for the next time......I mean if it get repeated enough times it becomes interweb true.....right?

**crashdive123** · 05-22-2014, 08:22 PM

Those that make the running off to the woods forever post are just bringing their problems with them. They are their own worst enemy.

**1stimestar** · 05-23-2014, 12:21 AM

Was already in love with the story half way through reading that link. I got my credit card out planning to order the video. Was blindsided by that one thing that I wont give away here as I don't want to "spoil" it for anyone. Put my credit card away and left sad.

**Seniorman** · 05-24-2014, 12:17 PM

1stimestar, it is still worth the viewing. A great accomplishment that shows skill, determination, and overcoming hardships and danger in the Alaskan wilderness.

S.M.

**1stimestar** · 05-24-2014, 04:05 PM

Ok, thanks. I guess I will order it. Just been in a funky state of mind recently. Need to get out into my wilderness more myself I guess.

**Adventure Wolf** · 05-26-2014, 11:22 PM

I absolutely love the wilderness! Love it, love it, love it. That being said, I don't want to live out there permanently. Anything more then a few weeks, and I start to lose it.

**hunter63** · 05-27-2014, 10:42 AM

This story reminds me of a proflle story in Mother Earth News back in the early 80's.
Was about a couple that moved out to the Alaskan back country, built a cabin and a life out there.

Then about 10 years later, MEN did a "Where are they now" article...to find thay had made it about 3 years, but both were back in the lower 48, divorced, and still talking about how much fun it was.....Back then....and maybe someday.

I'll have to see if I can find it.

Anyway, I guess the epiphany for me was simply.....Hey, you don't HAVE to do anything forever....when it ain't fun any more....Move on....it's OK.

**1stimestar** · 05-27-2014, 12:50 PM

On the other hand, I read a wonderful book several years ago "Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds" by Norma Cobb. She was the last female homesteader in Alaska (under the actual homesteading program). It was a great story and I loved it deeply. So I thought to look her up on Facebook as I do have several bush friends that do have internet now. I found her. Divorced and living in Arizona. It was almost heartbreaking to me. I couldn't even imagine. Giving up what to me is a dream and something I am striving for to live the life of the normal American. I live it close enough to not have the romanticized version of it running through my head. I know how hard it is. But still, how could one give that up once achieved?