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Post by uklemon on Apr 18, 2017 4:06:53 GMT -8
Hi there
Im new to this site and have never been to the states at an age i was old enough to appreciate it. Me (22yr) and my brother (28yr) are big adventurers and are looking for our next big outing. We both love the idea of hitting the large woodlands or north California and Oregon, but the problem is we are from the UK and have no idea where to start.
We are planning to go for quite a while and plan to live off the bush and stay away from society as much as possible. Is this possible and legal as in the uk technically your not really aloud to camp anywhere you (its just accepted by locals in few places big enough for an adventure).
What i need is advice from you guys, have you been anywhere particular thats a really good trail to start. We want to spend maybe 3-4 weeks hiking and working our way through the west mountains.
Me and my brother are both savvy in the wild and can easily keep ourselves safe and feed ourselves off the land in Europe at least. Something that needs to be addressed is the difference in climate, plant life and the fact that there really isn't much threat from a predatory sense in Europe but there is in the states.
Does anyone have a good source so i can learn how to survive in the wild in that area. Do you know anyone that can help us.
Im really struggling to start this project and would love any advice you can give.
If you guys have accounts of other peoples adventures around there then please link them in a reply!
Many thanks
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Apr 18, 2017 4:23:01 GMT -8
Only predatory animal you might encounter on such a trek is a mountain lion, but they will try to stay out of sight from humans. That is, unless you count other humans as threats. There are black bears in those woods, but they are not predators to humans usually. Read up some more.
As for living off the land? It would be illegal to take any meat unless you had a hunting license and it was in season. Personally, I would not be in those woods during hunting season, as every other hunter is out there shooting at most any movement.
This is not a Survivor type site, but a backpacking site. Trekking as you might be familiar with. We carry all of our food needs inside the pack. Some of us for long trips, like 4 weeks. Otherwise, we either resupply at a town, or we augment our food by fishing. Still need a license for fishing.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Apr 18, 2017 4:48:05 GMT -8
We not only have woodlands in California, but huge mountains that rise above the forests. There is a lot of snow this year and lots of high trails will be buried until August. But there are lots of good trails and lots of hikers. It's easy to stay alive in our mountains because of our mild climate, but I don't know anybody who forages for food other than supplementing what they carry with miner's lettuce, mushrooms, or fish.
If you want a place to start researching, I'd suggest Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for August. Maybe Trinity Alps & Marble Mountains in July.
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whistlepunk
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Post by whistlepunk on Apr 18, 2017 7:15:44 GMT -8
As mentioned above the only predator of any note is mountain lion, and attacks on adult humans are quite rare. No grizzly bears in that part of the U.S. Central to eastern Oregon, and a small corner of northern California has a small population of wolves. Again no threat to adult humans. Other critters of note are wild boar, rattlesnakes and skunks, and possibly sasquatch.  There are a few small animals with year around hunting seasons -- jackrabbits for example. Almost all other animals have bag and season limits. Fishing also has seasonal closures and restrictions. Non resident licenses are expensive. Foraging for food is iffy. When I was younger I used to go out for 4-5 days with no gear other than clothes on my back, a knife, and water bottle. I stopped when I got tired of being cold and hungry the entire trip. Try Canada. |
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jdlp
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SoCal hiker and backpacker, occasional kayaker, looking to explore
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Post by jdlp on Apr 18, 2017 9:02:04 GMT -8
Not as familiar with Northern California, but if you go a little south recommend Sequoia, Kings Canyon as toejam mentioned. Check out the trails heading north out of King's Canyon. One thing you will need if backpacking in these areas is that bear canisters are often required (and also just good to have) to store your food and other fragrant items in. As others mentioned living off the wild is probably not completely viable, so you'll want something (also check out the regulations of the park you're going to). You can usually rent the canisters at the parks and REI. |
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Post by georgeofthej on Apr 18, 2017 15:20:46 GMT -8
This sounds overly ambitious, uklemon.
First, I know you're just starting to research the idea, but I think it would take a year to plan this trip with a route through the west for 3 to 4 weeks in areas where you can legally hunt, trap and fish. Different states have different firearms laws and different hunting and fishing regulations. And then there may be a variety of different regulations for different regions you might hike through within a state. For example, it is probably illegal to hunt in a national park. Various backcountry camping permits may be required on your route.
Secondly--and more power to you if you can do it--living off the land while moving all the time for 3 to 4 weeks does not sound realistic. As others have mentioned, your best bet is probably fishing. I know a guy who was able to feed himself in the wilderness for a over a week by fishing. But he camped in the same spot the whole time and came home after getting bored. You can get some nutrition from plants, but nowhere near enough. Plus, with many of the edible plants, you would be best off to study the plants with an instructor in the field--not from books or videos--to ensure you don't poison yourselves. It would be hard to trap squirrels and other small mammals while on the move--you really need a base camp for that, right? And can you sustain yourselves on squirrels and still have energy to hike?
It sounds like a great adventure on paper, but I think the reality is you need to scale it back.
Good luck and feel free to keep asking about it here; we'll give you the best advise we can. And on this forum, we can give you better advise on planning a conventional backpacking trip than a live-off-the-land trip.
---George
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Apr 19, 2017 4:38:44 GMT -8
I think you should definitely come out for a 3-4 week backpacking trip, but give up the need to live off the land. It will be the trip you talk about for the rest of your life.
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speacock
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Post by speacock on Apr 20, 2017 10:41:05 GMT -8
Sequoia, is a backpackers National Park. The only road is along the western edge. The remainder is by foot/hoof. Once away from the busy trails (PCT/JMT) and its feeders, you will see few people. The only thing plentiful there is water. You would starve up there however. August this year will still have considerable snow at higher (12,000'+) passes.
There are unlimited opportunities for cross country trips. But not something I'd recommend for somebody new to the Sierra (or Colorado Rockies). Most of Sequoia is above 10,000' so plan on acclimating slowly.
Happy to discuss your plans with you. People here have been most places.
Alaska would seem more to your liking. It is BIG with opportunities that abound. I'd suggest a month (June would be nice) of driving around between Fairbanks and Anchorage to get a lay of the land. You can definitely get lost there.
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