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Some tips on where to begin to learn more about nature and survive in the wild? Maybe an REI class? I'm a little embarrassed to admit that should I ever ventur

Some tips on where to begin to learn more about nature and survive in the wild? Maybe an REI class? I'm a little embarrassed to admit that should I ever venture out into the wilderness, I would definitely not survive. I lack basic survival skills and nature would eat me alive. That being said, I always admired folks who could go camping for days (or weeks), who could cook up a warm (and edible) meal over a campfire.

user3939382 4y ago
The first thing to learn is to have respect for the harsh reality of the environment. You’d be surprised how many people get killed because they don’t (looking at you Christopher McCandless). So your awareness itself is already a good start.
- the_af 4y ago
  I don't understand why McCandless was idolized (I do know there was backlash from actual knowledgeable people, like park rangers). He purposefully put himself in harm's way and didn't have any relevant skills that would have helped him survive. So what's admirable or romantic about the way he died?
  - blackbrokkoli 4y ago
    Well he most likely died due to poisoning himself with a misidentified plant that was only ever documented as dangerous in an ancient encyclopedia over 100 years old. Nothing romantic about it, but nothing screaming "no relevant skills", either. Don't think this is the part people romanticize, I think it's the whole "I think careers are a 20th century invention and I don't think I want one" and the "Instead, I will walk into the wild" that does it for people.
    - the_af 4y ago
      I think the plant itself was a detail. He was likely to hurt himself one way or the other. He was cut off from civilization or help, he didn't know about relatively nearby crossings (having "ditched the map" on purpose) and he had no survival skills. He could have poisoned himself with something else, or been attacked by a wild animal, or treaded on some treacherous ground and broken a leg, all of this outside the reach of human help, and he did this on purpose. > "Instead, I will walk into the wild" But this is what I don't get. "I will commit suicide by walking into the wild without resources or knowledge", what's admirable about that? He was basically playing Russian Roulette! I mean, I get that suicide itself is the stuff of romantic ideation, maybe that's the thing?
      - blackbrokkoli 4y ago
        You know, I wanted to type out some sassy reply, but I keep failing to put my finger on what's romantic about it (even though I guess I "relate" to that position). I don't think it's the suicide aspect, and - maybe besides the point - personally I don't think the guy was trying to die (not anymore or less than a freeclimber). Maybe the Webster 1913 definition for "romantic" can help shed a light: > Characterized by strangeness or variety; suggestive of adventure; suited to romance; wild; picturesque; -- applied to scenery; as, a romantic landscape.
        the_af 4y ago
        Why sassy? I like that you didn't try that angle. I know what "romantic" means. I don't think McCandless was a romantic; I think he was reckless. His romanticism was entirely artificial -- Krakauer's opinion that he "threw away the map" on purpose since there are no really unexplored lands anymore hints at this -- and he didn't need to live this rough life, he strived to put himself in harm's way. Someone who crosses the highway with their eyes closes is not a romantic, they are simply stupid. And like I said in another comment, I think he completely misread Jack London and failed to learn the lesson from that writer: that wilderness is ruthless and will kill you the minute you let your guard down, or simply out of bad luck.
    - chc 4y ago
      The only reason he was even still there when he died is because he didn't have a map of the area and thus couldn't figure out how to cross the river to get back.
      - blackbrokkoli 4y ago
        Certainly a way to look at it! Zooming out a bit, you could also say he died because he churned the philosophy of using the aids and crutches of civilization to maximize his hedonistic well-being at all cost - which is maybe a more interesting and ambiguous point to discuss than whether maps are useful ;)
    - pvaldes 4y ago
      Poisoned by legumes, that most people seen (wrongly) as safe to eat, just because they are legumes Many herbivores are poisoned only when desperated to find alternative sources of food. He probably tried and failed to find other sources of food, so he ate legumes, that caused serious damage in their nervous system, and left him unable to walk and hunt anymore
  - poulpy123 4y ago
    You mistake idolization and fascination. People (myself included) are fascinated by his calling to quit society and to act on it, but I never saw someone idolizing him
    - the_af 4y ago
      Ok, so it's fascination. And a heavy dose of romanticization. Yet McCandless was essentially reckless rather than heroic. It's not that hard to die if you put yourself in an extreme situation, without preparing yourself or having any safeguards. It's a form of Russian roulette rather than "rejecting society"; though, I suppose, suicide is the ultimate form of rejecting society. I see that he liked Jack London. So do I! However, I must wonder how thoroughly he read London's work, especially his Klondike gold rush stories, because very often in the stories the main character ends up dead, defeated by bad luck and an unsympathetic wilderness which is hostile to clueless men. I mean, did he read "To Build a Fire"?
- rob74 4y ago
  Another cautionary tale is the one of the "Death Valley Germans" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_Germans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_Germans) - to me, this one is even more chilling...
Loughla 4y ago
Look to your local Community College or State University extension office. Many of them offer outdoors classes. The problem with private wilderness survival classes you may find in the community, even the light versions, is that they tend to come with a very particular political slant. And that slant tends toward the paranoid.
- themaninthedark 4y ago
  As long as the paranoia is about how nature is going to try and kill you at any chance it gets, sounds good to me!
  - antipotoad 4y ago
    That paranoia is the creeping realization that civilization coddles us to the point of uselessness in the face of trivial survival challenges, and that nature actually cares not one jot for your continued existence as a living being. I’d modify your statement to say not that nature is trying to kill you, but that you’re irrelevant. The difference is deeper than it might at first seem.
    - krisoft 4y ago
      > civilization coddles us to the point of uselessness in the face of trivial survival challenges I scoff at this notion. Each of us is a weak, fragile hairless monkey. There is no such thing as “civilisation”. It is just other monkeys just like you and me caring about fellow monkeys so much that we go to extremes to protect each other. Civilisation is the term one uses to describe these combined efforts. It is not something which makes you weak, it is the way we choose to cling together and protect each other. It is our way to face the survival challenges.
  - Loughla 4y ago
    Sadly the paranoia in outdoors survival groups tends to be less about nature, and more about the government coming to take your guns and homes and what-not. Although, that is my experience in multiple mid-western states; so it may not translate to other parts of the country.
bombcar 4y ago
Honestly the three things you can do easily: 1. Only go deep into nature (out of cell range) with someone experienced. 2. Obtain a rescue device (Apple satellite cell, Garmin GPS emergency beacon, etc). 3. If stranded in a vehicle stay with the vehicle!
- itsmemattchung 4y ago
  > 1. Only go deep into nature (out of cell range) with someone experienced. I think the above is probably the most important. Having someone experienced within arms reach would be the best bet when/if shit hits the fan.
  - krisoft 4y ago
    > Having someone experienced within arms reach would be the best bet when/if shit hits the fan. Not just that. One can learn a lot from the mere presence of someone more experienced. How do they prepare, what do they bring, how do they pace themselves, how do they make decisions. Basically it makes it more likely that you don’t even get near the bad situation.
- whymauri 4y ago
  Garmin GPS coordinates + downloaded topos got me out of a dicey situation slightly lost solohiking in the Grand Canyon. Similar situations when the trail flooded in Ouachita National Forest. It's a must have for solo hikers.
- Swizec 4y ago
  “out of cell range” is not a great measure for deep nature imo. On the California coast, for example, you can lose cell range without even leaving the road. And in the Alps, you have areas with so many tourists the path is affectionally called a highway, but it would take 2 hours of hiking to get into cell range because mountains block signals. I think it depends more on how many people you’re likely to meet per hour than cell range.
  - bombcar 4y ago
blitz_skull 4y ago
Lots of local SAR communities will offer survival 101 classes. I know East TN has a REALLY good one that I’ve been to and will be back again.
jonfw 4y ago
Taking a class, hiring a guide, or going with an experienced friend would all be a great way to get started. If you wanted to bootstrap by yourself or with other inexperienced friends- I would start by getting a car accessible campsite, and then use that as a base camp. Go on small hikes that take you back to your site. Very few survival skills are needed for that sort of thing- you can get started with a cooler, a grill, and a bundle of firewood. If you enjoy that, then start using more primitive tools and trying larger hikes in future trips, and you can work your way up to backpacking or whatever your goals are
poulpy123 4y ago
There are millions of people practicing outdoor activities without problems, you would do fine if you don't do something stupid for getting views on youtube or tiktok. (and cooking a meal on a camping stove is just cooking, nothing magical)
TheCleric 4y ago
Start small. Buy a decent tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag (if you like REI, their people are usually very good at helping you find what you need in your budget). Find a local car camping campground (such as a state park) and just go car camping. For those unfamiliar, car camping is where you go to a campground that you drive up to your campsite (and you are rarely very far from some sort of civilization). Before you go think of all the things you'd want with you (food, water, entertainment, etc.) and pack it up in your car (cold food in cooler with ice, of course). If things go wrong (which they probably will at first, and that's fine), you can always choose to drive to the store if you forgot something or go home if something else happens. Most of these campgrounds have small hiking trails as well. Start small (<2 miles) and bring some water. When leaving, practice the principles of leave no trace and make sure the campsite looks how you found it when you leave. Do a few of these and try something new out every time. Maybe you want to work on building skills like fire making. Maybe you want to try out new equipment such as using a camping stove with dehydrated food instead of a fire. Or try out techniques like packing all of your stuff in a backpacking pack and take it on hikes to see how what you'd need (and possibly not need) go backpacking. Once you feel comfortable start expanding out. Maybe try a day hike where you cover more ground (but don't overdo it at first, stay within what you know for a fact you are capable of). Do an out and back one where you start at your car, and end back up at your car. Maybe try going for one night of backpacking to "wilderness" camp sites at a local park. These sites are usually a short hike from where you'll park with no amenities. Practice your skills. Enjoy the nature. From there figure out what you are enjoying and maximize that. Do you like the hiking? The camping? Just hanging out with friends around a campfire? Do that. It's not about how extreme you can make it, it's about what you like. If hiking makes you miserable and all you want to do is sleep outdoors for a few nights with a stable fire, then there is no shame in sticking to car camping. There will be purists who look down on it, but who cares? Try new things, find what you enjoy, and don't push yourself more than you know you are capable of.
unregistereddev 4y ago
A lot is just experience, and others have given great advice on getting started. I want to add a few rules, in no particular order, that I find valuable. Some of the rules are slightly overkill for basic drive-in camping, but they're worth following anyway. - If you go hiking, take a small backpack. It should have an extra layer of clothing, some snacks, and water, at minimum. - Never eat anything unless you are 100% certain you know what it is and it is non-toxic. Only drink from a lake or stream in an emergency, and then purify or boil the water if possible. - Always bring a hat. Like the girl in the article, I've found myself in unexpected relentless sun. - Wear sensible shoes. The definition of 'sensible' depends on what you're doing, but when in doubt go slightly overkill. - Never go into nature alone. Ideally, go with a group of at least 3 people. Then if 1 person is seriously hurt, 1 person can stay with them and the last person can go for help. - Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. When you get back, tell them you're safe. For a simple weekend campout, that means telling a friend or family member. For a strenuous full-day hike, that means stopping at a ranger station before and after the hike. - Never go off trail (both because it's easy to get lost, and because it's bad to trample mother nature). - Always have maps - ideally paper ones. Even for a simple trail, pull out a cell phone and take a picture of the map at the trailhead. - Bring more supplies (including food and water) than you think you need. With each trip you'll learn more about what you wish you had and what you brought but didn't use. - Bring backups of critical things. Two flashlights, two ways to start fires, and two knives of some description (they don't have to be fancy). - Have a realistic view of your limits (and your gear's limits). Seeing a nifty rock face doesn't mean you know how to climb it. Even if you know how, you probably don't have climbing equipment with you. - Animals are not your friends. Research in advance what animals to expect wherever you're going, and what precautions to take. Camping in bear country is different than camping in raccoon country, for example. - Research where you're going and pack accordingly. Is there running water? If not, plan how you will get and purify water. Are fires allowed? If not, plan how you will cook your food. If this whole list is intimidating, just start simply and enjoy figuring things out - it can be a lot of fun as long as you come prepared (and try to over plan and over-pack at first while you learn).
- deleted 4y ago
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dragonsky67 4y ago
Rule #1... Tell somebody reliable where you are going and when to expect you back and who to call if you don't come back. (Could be local police, park ranger etc depending on where you are going). Then make sure you let them know you are back. Far too many people get lost and nobody knows where they have gone.
muffinman26 4y ago
My own personal list: 1. Look up the 10 Essentials and learn what they are/how to use them. 2. Search for Wilderness First Aid (2 day) or Wilderness First Responder (10 day) courses in your area. The focus is on how to assess and treat problems after they've occurred, but in the process you'll learn what the potential dangers are and how to avoid them or notice them early. For example, you can get hypothermia at surprisingly high temperatures (50 degrees F) in the right conditions, and some of the symptoms are paradoxical. 3. This one might be a bit controversial, but look up the Boy Scouts of America requirements for tenderfoot, second class, and first class scout. Before kids can start earning badges, the Boy Scouts require them to learn a fairly rigorous and comprehensive set of skills in order to not die in the process (first aid, camping, starting a fire and camp cooking, navigation, knot tying, swimming, etc., as well as some ideological requirements that you can skip). Some of these, like what to do when you're lost, you can learn from books or YouTube videos targeted to scouts. For others, you'll at least know what you don't know and the right words to look up to find classes. For example, searching for 'map skills' might not find what you're looking for, but there may be an 'orienteering' club in your area.
- csharpminor 4y ago
  Yeah I second the scout handbook. You can also volunteer with your local Troop as a leader if you want. All of the classes offered by my local REI are in the $600-$1200 per weekend range. Scouts got me outdoors 12 weekends a year for about $250 in dues annually (plus a bunch of hours fundraising).
snowwrestler 4y ago
Something I haven’t seen mentioned in the replies are outdoors clubs, of which there are hundreds in the U.S. Most have a little website and/or Facebook page. Try searching “hiking club” or “outing club” along with your general area or perhaps a major park or natural feature nearby. There are some big ones like the Sierra Club in CA, Appalachian Mountain Club in the northeast, the Mountaineers and Mazamas in the northwest, etc. They might have classes or trips that interest you, or be able to point you to smaller clubs in your area. Clubs are usually lower-key than classes, and they go out regularly. So you can get a lot of experience and advice for free, or a small membership fee. (And maybe make some new friends.) There are also activity-specific organizations and clubs out there. The American Alpine Club has local chapters of climbers. American Whitewater has a network of affiliate river running clubs. Etc.
theshrike79 4y ago
This is how we started as a family: 1) Just go out to a forest/whatever and eat a packed lunch. See what you're missing. Maybe an insulated container for food/drinks? Camp-compatible cutlery? Something to sit on? Better shoes? Windproof clothes? When you feel comfortable enough, graduate to step 2 2) Make a meal in the wild, maybe have a nap or read a book. Get a Trangia or Primus gas cooker and some ingredients you can cook a meal with. A ready-made camping meal is just fine or you can get fancy and cook everything from scratch. Again see if you're missing something. Maybe something to wash the dishes? If you're cooking something, you either need to carry more water or have a way of purifying an existing source. Maybe a small solar panel + powerbank for your device(s). A better backpack that can fit all the gear without weighing you down? For napping, nothing beats a Ticket To The Moon hammock. They're light but durable and you're not laying on the ground. They do need trees though, so for deserts they're not really optimal :) The pro-models with the integrated mosquito net are amazingly simple to set up. Again, repeat steps 1 & 2 until you feel comfortable enough to move to the next step: 3) Sleeping outdoors This is the costliest bit. The two main routes to take are either hammock or tent. For both you need a sleeping bag. Good tents are expensive, so maybe look into borrowing or renting. For hammock camping you'll want an underquilt and a tarp on top so you don't get cold or wet. I recommend being brave about this and doing the first night(s) on your backyard or a friend's. If there are any issues you can just abort and walk inside. After you're comfortable and equipped for all three steps, you can start planning longer multi-day trips along popular paths. I heavily recommend getting/renting a Garmin inReach if you're going solo or outside of cell range.

user3939382 4y ago

The first thing to learn is to have respect for the harsh reality of the environment. You’d be surprised how many people get killed because they don’t (looking at you Christopher McCandless). So your awareness itself is already a good start.

the_af 4y ago
I don't understand why McCandless was idolized (I do know there was backlash from actual knowledgeable people, like park rangers). He purposefully put himself in harm's way and didn't have any relevant skills that would have helped him survive. So what's admirable or romantic about the way he died?
- blackbrokkoli 4y ago
  Well he most likely died due to poisoning himself with a misidentified plant that was only ever documented as dangerous in an ancient encyclopedia over 100 years old. Nothing romantic about it, but nothing screaming "no relevant skills", either. Don't think this is the part people romanticize, I think it's the whole "I think careers are a 20th century invention and I don't think I want one" and the "Instead, I will walk into the wild" that does it for people.
  - the_af 4y ago
    I think the plant itself was a detail. He was likely to hurt himself one way or the other. He was cut off from civilization or help, he didn't know about relatively nearby crossings (having "ditched the map" on purpose) and he had no survival skills. He could have poisoned himself with something else, or been attacked by a wild animal, or treaded on some treacherous ground and broken a leg, all of this outside the reach of human help, and he did this on purpose. > "Instead, I will walk into the wild" But this is what I don't get. "I will commit suicide by walking into the wild without resources or knowledge", what's admirable about that? He was basically playing Russian Roulette! I mean, I get that suicide itself is the stuff of romantic ideation, maybe that's the thing?
    - blackbrokkoli 4y ago
      You know, I wanted to type out some sassy reply, but I keep failing to put my finger on what's romantic about it (even though I guess I "relate" to that position). I don't think it's the suicide aspect, and - maybe besides the point - personally I don't think the guy was trying to die (not anymore or less than a freeclimber). Maybe the Webster 1913 definition for "romantic" can help shed a light: > Characterized by strangeness or variety; suggestive of adventure; suited to romance; wild; picturesque; -- applied to scenery; as, a romantic landscape.
      - the_af 4y ago
        Why sassy? I like that you didn't try that angle. I know what "romantic" means. I don't think McCandless was a romantic; I think he was reckless. His romanticism was entirely artificial -- Krakauer's opinion that he "threw away the map" on purpose since there are no really unexplored lands anymore hints at this -- and he didn't need to live this rough life, he strived to put himself in harm's way. Someone who crosses the highway with their eyes closes is not a romantic, they are simply stupid. And like I said in another comment, I think he completely misread Jack London and failed to learn the lesson from that writer: that wilderness is ruthless and will kill you the minute you let your guard down, or simply out of bad luck.
  - chc 4y ago
    The only reason he was even still there when he died is because he didn't have a map of the area and thus couldn't figure out how to cross the river to get back.
    - blackbrokkoli 4y ago
      Certainly a way to look at it! Zooming out a bit, you could also say he died because he churned the philosophy of using the aids and crutches of civilization to maximize his hedonistic well-being at all cost - which is maybe a more interesting and ambiguous point to discuss than whether maps are useful ;)
  - pvaldes 4y ago
    Poisoned by legumes, that most people seen (wrongly) as safe to eat, just because they are legumes Many herbivores are poisoned only when desperated to find alternative sources of food. He probably tried and failed to find other sources of food, so he ate legumes, that caused serious damage in their nervous system, and left him unable to walk and hunt anymore
- poulpy123 4y ago
  You mistake idolization and fascination. People (myself included) are fascinated by his calling to quit society and to act on it, but I never saw someone idolizing him
  - the_af 4y ago
    Ok, so it's fascination. And a heavy dose of romanticization. Yet McCandless was essentially reckless rather than heroic. It's not that hard to die if you put yourself in an extreme situation, without preparing yourself or having any safeguards. It's a form of Russian roulette rather than "rejecting society"; though, I suppose, suicide is the ultimate form of rejecting society. I see that he liked Jack London. So do I! However, I must wonder how thoroughly he read London's work, especially his Klondike gold rush stories, because very often in the stories the main character ends up dead, defeated by bad luck and an unsympathetic wilderness which is hostile to clueless men. I mean, did he read "To Build a Fire"?
rob74 4y ago
Another cautionary tale is the one of the "Death Valley Germans" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_Germans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_Germans) - to me, this one is even more chilling...

Loughla 4y ago

Look to your local Community College or State University extension office. Many of them offer outdoors classes. The problem with private wilderness survival classes you may find in the community, even the light versions, is that they tend to come with a very particular political slant. And that slant tends toward the paranoid.

themaninthedark 4y ago
As long as the paranoia is about how nature is going to try and kill you at any chance it gets, sounds good to me!
- antipotoad 4y ago
  That paranoia is the creeping realization that civilization coddles us to the point of uselessness in the face of trivial survival challenges, and that nature actually cares not one jot for your continued existence as a living being. I’d modify your statement to say not that nature is trying to kill you, but that you’re irrelevant. The difference is deeper than it might at first seem.
  - krisoft 4y ago
    > civilization coddles us to the point of uselessness in the face of trivial survival challenges I scoff at this notion. Each of us is a weak, fragile hairless monkey. There is no such thing as “civilisation”. It is just other monkeys just like you and me caring about fellow monkeys so much that we go to extremes to protect each other. Civilisation is the term one uses to describe these combined efforts. It is not something which makes you weak, it is the way we choose to cling together and protect each other. It is our way to face the survival challenges.
- Loughla 4y ago
  Sadly the paranoia in outdoors survival groups tends to be less about nature, and more about the government coming to take your guns and homes and what-not. Although, that is my experience in multiple mid-western states; so it may not translate to other parts of the country.

bombcar 4y ago

Honestly the three things you can do easily: 1. Only go deep into nature (out of cell range) with someone experienced. 2. Obtain a rescue device (Apple satellite cell, Garmin GPS emergency beacon, etc). 3. If stranded in a vehicle stay with the vehicle!

itsmemattchung 4y ago
> 1. Only go deep into nature (out of cell range) with someone experienced. I think the above is probably the most important. Having someone experienced within arms reach would be the best bet when/if shit hits the fan.
- krisoft 4y ago
  > Having someone experienced within arms reach would be the best bet when/if shit hits the fan. Not just that. One can learn a lot from the mere presence of someone more experienced. How do they prepare, what do they bring, how do they pace themselves, how do they make decisions. Basically it makes it more likely that you don’t even get near the bad situation.
whymauri 4y ago
Garmin GPS coordinates + downloaded topos got me out of a dicey situation slightly lost solohiking in the Grand Canyon. Similar situations when the trail flooded in Ouachita National Forest. It's a must have for solo hikers.
Swizec 4y ago
“out of cell range” is not a great measure for deep nature imo. On the California coast, for example, you can lose cell range without even leaving the road. And in the Alps, you have areas with so many tourists the path is affectionally called a highway, but it would take 2 hours of hiking to get into cell range because mountains block signals. I think it depends more on how many people you’re likely to meet per hour than cell range.
- bombcar 4y ago

blitz_skull 4y ago

Lots of local SAR communities will offer survival 101 classes. I know East TN has a REALLY good one that I’ve been to and will be back again.

jonfw 4y ago

Taking a class, hiring a guide, or going with an experienced friend would all be a great way to get started. If you wanted to bootstrap by yourself or with other inexperienced friends- I would start by getting a car accessible campsite, and then use that as a base camp. Go on small hikes that take you back to your site. Very few survival skills are needed for that sort of thing- you can get started with a cooler, a grill, and a bundle of firewood. If you enjoy that, then start using more primitive tools and trying larger hikes in future trips, and you can work your way up to backpacking or whatever your goals are

poulpy123 4y ago

There are millions of people practicing outdoor activities without problems, you would do fine if you don't do something stupid for getting views on youtube or tiktok. (and cooking a meal on a camping stove is just cooking, nothing magical)

TheCleric 4y ago

Start small. Buy a decent tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag (if you like REI, their people are usually very good at helping you find what you need in your budget). Find a local car camping campground (such as a state park) and just go car camping. For those unfamiliar, car camping is where you go to a campground that you drive up to your campsite (and you are rarely very far from some sort of civilization). Before you go think of all the things you'd want with you (food, water, entertainment, etc.) and pack it up in your car (cold food in cooler with ice, of course). If things go wrong (which they probably will at first, and that's fine), you can always choose to drive to the store if you forgot something or go home if something else happens. Most of these campgrounds have small hiking trails as well. Start small (<2 miles) and bring some water. When leaving, practice the principles of leave no trace and make sure the campsite looks how you found it when you leave. Do a few of these and try something new out every time. Maybe you want to work on building skills like fire making. Maybe you want to try out new equipment such as using a camping stove with dehydrated food instead of a fire. Or try out techniques like packing all of your stuff in a backpacking pack and take it on hikes to see how what you'd need (and possibly not need) go backpacking. Once you feel comfortable start expanding out. Maybe try a day hike where you cover more ground (but don't overdo it at first, stay within what you know for a fact you are capable of). Do an out and back one where you start at your car, and end back up at your car. Maybe try going for one night of backpacking to "wilderness" camp sites at a local park. These sites are usually a short hike from where you'll park with no amenities. Practice your skills. Enjoy the nature. From there figure out what you are enjoying and maximize that. Do you like the hiking? The camping? Just hanging out with friends around a campfire? Do that. It's not about how extreme you can make it, it's about what you like. If hiking makes you miserable and all you want to do is sleep outdoors for a few nights with a stable fire, then there is no shame in sticking to car camping. There will be purists who look down on it, but who cares? Try new things, find what you enjoy, and don't push yourself more than you know you are capable of.

unregistereddev 4y ago

A lot is just experience, and others have given great advice on getting started. I want to add a few rules, in no particular order, that I find valuable. Some of the rules are slightly overkill for basic drive-in camping, but they're worth following anyway. - If you go hiking, take a small backpack. It should have an extra layer of clothing, some snacks, and water, at minimum. - Never eat anything unless you are 100% certain you know what it is and it is non-toxic. Only drink from a lake or stream in an emergency, and then purify or boil the water if possible. - Always bring a hat. Like the girl in the article, I've found myself in unexpected relentless sun. - Wear sensible shoes. The definition of 'sensible' depends on what you're doing, but when in doubt go slightly overkill. - Never go into nature alone. Ideally, go with a group of at least 3 people. Then if 1 person is seriously hurt, 1 person can stay with them and the last person can go for help. - Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. When you get back, tell them you're safe. For a simple weekend campout, that means telling a friend or family member. For a strenuous full-day hike, that means stopping at a ranger station before and after the hike. - Never go off trail (both because it's easy to get lost, and because it's bad to trample mother nature). - Always have maps - ideally paper ones. Even for a simple trail, pull out a cell phone and take a picture of the map at the trailhead. - Bring more supplies (including food and water) than you think you need. With each trip you'll learn more about what you wish you had and what you brought but didn't use. - Bring backups of critical things. Two flashlights, two ways to start fires, and two knives of some description (they don't have to be fancy). - Have a realistic view of your limits (and your gear's limits). Seeing a nifty rock face doesn't mean you know how to climb it. Even if you know how, you probably don't have climbing equipment with you. - Animals are not your friends. Research in advance what animals to expect wherever you're going, and what precautions to take. Camping in bear country is different than camping in raccoon country, for example. - Research where you're going and pack accordingly. Is there running water? If not, plan how you will get and purify water. Are fires allowed? If not, plan how you will cook your food. If this whole list is intimidating, just start simply and enjoy figuring things out - it can be a lot of fun as long as you come prepared (and try to over plan and over-pack at first while you learn).

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dragonsky67 4y ago

Rule #1... Tell somebody reliable where you are going and when to expect you back and who to call if you don't come back. (Could be local police, park ranger etc depending on where you are going). Then make sure you let them know you are back. Far too many people get lost and nobody knows where they have gone.

muffinman26 4y ago

My own personal list: 1. Look up the 10 Essentials and learn what they are/how to use them. 2. Search for Wilderness First Aid (2 day) or Wilderness First Responder (10 day) courses in your area. The focus is on how to assess and treat problems after they've occurred, but in the process you'll learn what the potential dangers are and how to avoid them or notice them early. For example, you can get hypothermia at surprisingly high temperatures (50 degrees F) in the right conditions, and some of the symptoms are paradoxical. 3. This one might be a bit controversial, but look up the Boy Scouts of America requirements for tenderfoot, second class, and first class scout. Before kids can start earning badges, the Boy Scouts require them to learn a fairly rigorous and comprehensive set of skills in order to not die in the process (first aid, camping, starting a fire and camp cooking, navigation, knot tying, swimming, etc., as well as some ideological requirements that you can skip). Some of these, like what to do when you're lost, you can learn from books or YouTube videos targeted to scouts. For others, you'll at least know what you don't know and the right words to look up to find classes. For example, searching for 'map skills' might not find what you're looking for, but there may be an 'orienteering' club in your area.

csharpminor 4y ago
Yeah I second the scout handbook. You can also volunteer with your local Troop as a leader if you want. All of the classes offered by my local REI are in the $600-$1200 per weekend range. Scouts got me outdoors 12 weekends a year for about $250 in dues annually (plus a bunch of hours fundraising).

snowwrestler 4y ago

Something I haven’t seen mentioned in the replies are outdoors clubs, of which there are hundreds in the U.S. Most have a little website and/or Facebook page. Try searching “hiking club” or “outing club” along with your general area or perhaps a major park or natural feature nearby. There are some big ones like the Sierra Club in CA, Appalachian Mountain Club in the northeast, the Mountaineers and Mazamas in the northwest, etc. They might have classes or trips that interest you, or be able to point you to smaller clubs in your area. Clubs are usually lower-key than classes, and they go out regularly. So you can get a lot of experience and advice for free, or a small membership fee. (And maybe make some new friends.) There are also activity-specific organizations and clubs out there. The American Alpine Club has local chapters of climbers. American Whitewater has a network of affiliate river running clubs. Etc.

theshrike79 4y ago

This is how we started as a family: 1) Just go out to a forest/whatever and eat a packed lunch. See what you're missing. Maybe an insulated container for food/drinks? Camp-compatible cutlery? Something to sit on? Better shoes? Windproof clothes? When you feel comfortable enough, graduate to step 2 2) Make a meal in the wild, maybe have a nap or read a book. Get a Trangia or Primus gas cooker and some ingredients you can cook a meal with. A ready-made camping meal is just fine or you can get fancy and cook everything from scratch. Again see if you're missing something. Maybe something to wash the dishes? If you're cooking something, you either need to carry more water or have a way of purifying an existing source. Maybe a small solar panel + powerbank for your device(s). A better backpack that can fit all the gear without weighing you down? For napping, nothing beats a Ticket To The Moon hammock. They're light but durable and you're not laying on the ground. They do need trees though, so for deserts they're not really optimal :) The pro-models with the integrated mosquito net are amazingly simple to set up. Again, repeat steps 1 & 2 until you feel comfortable enough to move to the next step: 3) Sleeping outdoors This is the costliest bit. The two main routes to take are either hammock or tent. For both you need a sleeping bag. Good tents are expensive, so maybe look into borrowing or renting. For hammock camping you'll want an underquilt and a tarp on top so you don't get cold or wet. I recommend being brave about this and doing the first night(s) on your backyard or a friend's. If there are any issues you can just abort and walk inside. After you're comfortable and equipped for all three steps, you can start planning longer multi-day trips along popular paths. I heavily recommend getting/renting a Garmin inReach if you're going solo or outside of cell range.