Anyone ever travel gearless and fearless?
- Thread starter JackSioux
- Start date
TheUndeadPhoenix
The Necromancer King
I mean technically, I've traveled with minimum gear before. Just a sleeping bag, pack and clothes. Anything less is gonna be a whole lot of bullshit.
Beegod Santana
New member
I've lost all my shit before but I don't think that's what you're talking about. I met some kids from TX in san Diego one time who claimed they all rode there with just water jugs and the clothes on their backs. Seemed crazy but possible.
Drengor
New member
I was waiting on the ocean highway in Oregon with my partner and our two backpacks, thumbing for a ride after camping in the trees outside town. Along comes walking our way a sandy-haired, sports-jacket-toting guy who introduces himself as Mr. Sidewalk. He'd gotten the name by having a hobo wedding with Sidewalk in Portland, where he'd just left. Conversation quickly turned to our bags and his lack of one, and he showed us all what he had: a toothbrush, a pair of socks, and a pipe. He said he'd spent the last night burrito'd up in a blue tarp on some cardboard, both of which he'd found earlier that evening, tucked behind a building, and in the morning he had left them there for the next hobo to find. Why carry it when there will be a tarp for him in the next town? That's just the way he rolls, scoring food and shelter wherever he walks.
He kept walking, seeing as he wasn't weighed down, and we kept waiting, seeing as our bags made it impractical to do anything but wait for a ride. Thirty minutes later I asked our ride to pull over as we overtook him and let him join us. It was a shiny rental car from someone who flew into state sharing grapes and pistachios for breakfast. We hit the California Redwoods, got let out, put our weed and his pipe together, whipped up some PBJ, and he walked off as we bedded down in our tents.
The one thing he said he misses most is a water bottle, but every time he gets his hands on one he inevitably loses it, since he doesn't have the knack for keeping his things.
He kept walking, seeing as he wasn't weighed down, and we kept waiting, seeing as our bags made it impractical to do anything but wait for a ride. Thirty minutes later I asked our ride to pull over as we overtook him and let him join us. It was a shiny rental car from someone who flew into state sharing grapes and pistachios for breakfast. We hit the California Redwoods, got let out, put our weed and his pipe together, whipped up some PBJ, and he walked off as we bedded down in our tents.
The one thing he said he misses most is a water bottle, but every time he gets his hands on one he inevitably loses it, since he doesn't have the knack for keeping his things.
Odin
ANTISOLIPSIST
Everyone is different. Seems to me if you can put up with discomfort at many levels... tough it out and if your able to find/produce what you need on the fly then it is possible to travel with next to nothing. I don't believe that applies to anywhere in the world though, like crossing long stretch of harsh desert exct...
I think the challenge of going gearless at least for a while is interesting just need to get over any fear and have the courage.
I think the challenge of going gearless at least for a while is interesting just need to get over any fear and have the courage.
Maki40
New member
Matt Graham from dual survival carrys just a small blanket, knife, and chia seeds, and survived for 6 months.
I personally have hoboed with just a sleeping bag and small bug net and phone and was plenty comfortable. Just have to make a pillow every night and find shelter like under a bridge if rain is coming. Also, I'd keep an eye out for a change of clothes or get to a thrift store and buy a cheap clean set. Instead of carrying food and water, I would just fill up at a store at least once a day.
I personally have hoboed with just a sleeping bag and small bug net and phone and was plenty comfortable. Just have to make a pillow every night and find shelter like under a bridge if rain is coming. Also, I'd keep an eye out for a change of clothes or get to a thrift store and buy a cheap clean set. Instead of carrying food and water, I would just fill up at a store at least once a day.
Tony Pro
New member
I did this for a week as a kind of experiment. It's fairly easy in the UK where it's not too cold and there are unlimited places to squat. All I had was a light jacket and what I could fit in the pockets: a space blanket, water bottle, phone, plastic poncho and notebook. Spent the week sleeping in garden sheds etc. and eating wild apples.
In a way I found it liberating, as I usually travel with way too much stuff. Don't think I'd try it in America, though; conditions can be too unreliable if you're on the move.
In a way I found it liberating, as I usually travel with way too much stuff. Don't think I'd try it in America, though; conditions can be too unreliable if you're on the move.
Anagor
New member
Yes, I did the same, basically. Just the raggedy clothes I wore and a backpack containing two sleeping bags and a few other things (small torch, spare glasses, small first aid kit, phone charger, sewing needle, dental floss, a bit of tape). Plus a few things I carried in my vest (phone, small paper notebook and pens/sharpies, harmonica to make money "busking").
I was fine with that, but only cause I traveled in a relatively mild climate (mostly England) and stayed mostly in big cities. I had no reason to "blend in" with members of the general public and when I needed something it was always quite easy to get it cheap or for free.
Obviously if you travel in the countryside / wilderness etc. you need to carry around much more to stay safe and comfortable.
And I would never travel without my sleeping bags. A sleeping bag is (except clothing) the most essential item you need!
Tony G
Well-known member
I build guitars as my side hustle and yes I've got a Swiss goose double liner sleeping bag
Anagor
New member
Cool! I use two sleeping bags. One is a summer sleeping bag, I use it mostly for insulation instead of cardboard. The other one is thicker. Not suitable really for -10°C or alike, but 0°C comfortable.
anticivdaddy161
New member
I've hitchhiked from Las Vegas to Reno, and then on to Wendover, Utah by foot. It was right after my Aunt Doll got murdered back east in Indiana. I drove a guy and his son to Las Vegas from Salt Lake City and blew what he gave me on food and drugs. Anyways, then I started heading out of Las Vegas by foot. Took me something like 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. All I had was what I wore. I would check every bottle on the side of the highway to see if it was filled with piss by sniffing it after twisting off the cap. If not, I drank it. People would hand me money when I would reach gas stations and the like, where I eagerly bought food. Some chick working in Wendover even put a couple hundred on the till for me to gamble on. Too bad I lost it all, but it was hers anyways. I got a ride just out of Wendover back to Salt Lake City.
So, if you read the description of this forum section, it's for introducing yourself to the community. This question is more appropriate for the travel gear section, so I am moving it there.
CouchPunx
New member
this usually happens when you get robbed or lose your shit, I’ve rarely met anyone who does it on purpose. But I mean the only gear you truly need is your sleeping bag. Met more than a few kids who just bought a blanket at goodwill and jumped on a train hoping for t best. The road eventually provides.
Tony G
Well-known member
True I started out with an alice pack a d sleeping bag everything else I got for free or bartered for
Stoopkidd24
New member
I wouldn’t try that in the winter lol seems more bearable in the warmer seasons and welcome, stay safe.
that would be awesome but i neeed food!