So, I’ve really started to make some large changes to my life after many years of being a degenerate and all my money going on smoking weed and doing other drugs with friends etc.
It all started when I got diagnosed with ADHD, got medicated, since stopped as the cons were worse than the pros now I’m on a good track, re-trained as a software developer and have been in my first role a year and I’m late 30’s now.
Weed was the last thing to quit and it’s been almost a month and I’m finally able to do all the things I could never afford. Bought a nice watch and booked a session for a sleeve tattoo I’ve always wanted.
I still need something to focus on to keep me happy and I love being out in nature and just milling about, but I’m a city kid, north UK, so really don’t know anything about surviving outside; but I want to go out for weekends and see the stars and just explore and be self sufficient.
It all just seems so overwhelming and I have no clue where to start. I’ve been watching YouTube videos and still it seems so overwhelming. My plan is to start purchasing everything you would need with a view to start from April next year but I honestly don’t know where to begin. What do I buy, which tents should I be looking at, how do I learn about water supplies I can drink from, what about cooking; can I make bacon and eggs for instance, what sleeping bags, cookers, backpacks, shoes, etc.
The list goes on and on and I guess I’m just looking for good resources to consume over the next 10 months to make sure I can go out and be safe, considerate, and not a burden on anybody else.
Thanks for any tips you can provide.
Start slow. Car camping. (Drive in sights. Pitch a tent. Bring a cooler.) and the. Slowly remove the amenities while working on your skills.
The. Go up to walk-in sites. And slowly start walking in further from the car.
Always - always - let someone know where you’re going and how long you’ll be. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the UK that would be obscenely dangerous to go alone- as long as you use good judgement and don’t try to push beyond your abilities.
That said, having a camping buddy is definitely safer. If there’s people around, meh. Not as important. If you’re the only soul around… you twist your ankle you might get dead when that storm comes up and you can’t make it out and they can’t find you.
Using well-used trails to develop skills is a great way to learn. Map and compass as well as orienteering courses are helpful for navigation… just getting out is helpful. Having the car there so you can bug out (or hide out,) adds safety, while learning limits.
Thanks.
The consensus here is definitely to start slow and progress from there. I don’t fancy the idea of a camping buddy but I will try and stay close to known tracks until I get more self sufficient.
No worries at all. Stay safe and happy trails.
By the way, if you like fiddling with stuff, check out the photon stove. Burns alcohol, made out of soda cans.
Always fun to test (never fun to rely on, though.)
(I would recommend a trangia stove, they just work better, even when it’s brutally cold. Though my preferred go to is a stove I made based on The little dandy . The issue is a lot of places have bans on wood stoves and insist on propane. Fire hazards. But I burn mine with wood pellets for smokers.)