time to shot web

[naive]

I'm a month away from leaving the place I've lived my whole life and I'm getting pretty excited! I'm new to literally everything here though I have been lurking around for a few months. I don't even really diy and I've found most of the gear section to be a little confusing. Am I going to freeze to death if I just throw some clothes in a pack along with some oral hygiene and baby wipes, grab a sleeping bag, and go? I dunno, I might end up deciding I need other things before I go. But it doesn't seem like you need much in a city.

I'm not really running to or away from anything, I just think my life is vaguely depressing. The dead end job doesn't bother me much, but being anchored because I have to be at the same place at the same time 6 days a week sort of sucks. I live paycheck to paycheck, maybe save enough to buy something other than food and utilities every 3 or 4 months. I guess "meh" is a pretty good word for my life.

Of course, then I found this place, said "oh shit really?" And started feeling pretty positive about something for the first time in a while, so thanks for that. Uhhh... Yeah. Hi?

 

[psychofoamer]

You could freeze to death if your unprepared for freezing weather

 

[Bedheadred]

You could freeze to death if your unprepared for freezing weather

What he said. It depends where you plan on going or staying for the winter. If you're far south, you probably won't freeze to death. It's never a bad idea to have warm clothes (thermals, wool socks, warm coat) just in case though.

 

[Bedheadred]

Also I would suggest getting a tarp if you plan on sleeping outside

 

[spectacular]

There's really nothing you can't find when you need it. I have found there is often more than enough when the need strikes when it comes to food, water, clothes, sleeping gear, other kinds of gear.

I say just pack what you feel and when you start getting cold just look around a little bit and you're bound to either find someone who will buy you a sleeping bag, a sleeping bag just sitting around that is clean (happens all the time), or a sleeping bag at the local shelter or day center (they often give them out at the start of and through winter).

Also cardboard makes a fab sleeping pad.

 

[psychofoamer]

Cardboard is king!

 

[EphemeralStick]

First of all, welcome to the site! Glad you decided to stop lurking and start joining in on the conversations. Sounds like you've got a decent head on your shoulders so I'm sure you'll be fine once you decide to head out.

I don't even really diy and I've found most of the gear section to be a little confusing.

Yeah, going through that sub-forum can be a bit daunting, especially if you aren't used to backpacking yet and are unsure of what certain things are. i.e. the difference between an internal or external pack, tarp or bivy, etc. What parts are confusing to you? Perhaps I, or any of the other folk on here, can assist in explaining things?

 

[naive]

I can usually figure out what something is once I've seen it come up in enough posts, and gotten enough context. If not, there's always google.

Nah, I think most of the confusion is just a matter of inexperience, because I see a lot of things that I can't really imagine situations they'd be useful for, or sometimes there just so many options I'm left feeling like there's no way to pick the "best" one. I figure I can either over think it and probably buy too much shit and make loads of mistakes and figure out what actually works for me as I go, or I can just take a few basic precautions like warm toasty clothes and make loads of mistakes and figure out what works for me as I go. I like the latter option more.

Thanks though! I probably will be asking questions now that I've kicked myself into actually posting (provided I don't find answers with the search first).