There are various TV programs that did this. Expedition Robinson, originated in Sweden and licensed in the US as a show named Survivor (among 39 other licensees, according to Wikipedia). My parents used to watch a variant produced for Dutch television. From what I could pick up, the crew provided varying degrees of resouces and support. There was a "punishment" were one would be sent into isolation for a certain period. I suppose contestants were at least monitored for safety to some degree.
> The boys divided up the labour, teaming up in pairs to work garden, kitchen, and guard duty. The two eldest served as leaders: one spiritual, the other practical; Stephen (who would go on to become an engineer) managed to use two sticks to start a fire, which the boys kept burning continuously for more than a year while marooned. At night, they sang and played a makeshift guitar to keep their spirits up, composing five songs during their exile.
Popularizing travel to Indonesia is about as far as you can go from the US, and has similar carbon footprint to driving across north America five or six times solo.
The burden of proof is in the one making a claim. It's not a personal attack to question whether a quip if this sort was just an idle thought especially when their claim accompanied no evidence. Please be more factually accurate next time and not so quick to slander with false rule violation claims.
>Unsubstantiated personal attacks are not welcome here.
If I'm going to burn my account with that kind of rule violations it will be a seething insult to get my money worth to the point whatever indiscretion you perceive seems utterly tame. Please.
>Reddit
Reddit style false rules violation smear campaigns (often designed as way to censor an unliked opinion) are exactly the 'contribution' your comment brings. Congrats for this message presenting what you purported to avoid!
Cool, so this is basically reddit. Calling someone asshole is fine so long as as you feel your argument or superiority (or at least popular opinion) is sound.
I've gone into the back country for days at a time, usually in places without cell service. I love the "just being bored". It's such a good mental reset.
But last year I took a trip to a remote island. The ferry dropped us off and said "we'll be back in 3 days". The island had no services or cell phone signal. There were other people, but other than at night in the campground, we didn't see anybody.
As the ferry sailed off after saying "we'll be back in 3 days"... there's a feeling of isolation that sets in that you don't get, even in the remote backcountry.
Reminds me of a time I was hiking the Appalachian trail in winter. I stopped on the trail deep in the forest and took in for a moment just how incredibly alone I was. I went in winter for the lack of people but it was a slight unsettling that I could fall to the side and never be found.
> “You actually realize just how much time you have in a day when you remove all distractions,” Saul-Garner told The Hustle. “There’s something about just being in nature and going back to basics that I love.”
He needed to take plane across the globe just to remove all distractions. He could just bike tiny fraction of that distance and bivouac.
Or they could drop him in random town without money.
If you are someone with some kind of 24/7 responsibility you can't truly know you'll be free of distractions any longer than it takes that someone to get to you. This goes for executives and those with young children or elderly dependent. The most realistic real out is to arrange alternative care and then book it far enough away you won't be hassled and the company or dependents are forced to rely on the stand in. Other side of globe buys maximum time and expense for them to extract you.
If others don't rely on you enough to desperately search for you nearby then yeah your approach works.
Yeah this is as much the business of creating an illusion as it is ferrying you to a good location. A few iterations and I could see it being not much different from a trip booked from a resort (minus the actual survival part).
I mean, if the locals feel disrespected they can simply say 'No' right? I'm sure they're more than happy to earn the money. I always find it funny how some folks try to shame and guilt others for literally anything.
In the US, you can just go camping on islands if you want to get away.
Where I live, there's islands which are not owned by anyone in the rivers. (Check your county's GIS map for which ones) You can just go camp on those, no problem.
In the Great lakes, there's islands which offer ferries to go camping backcountry-style. I highly recommend visiting North Manitou Island, which is an abandoned farming/logging/vacation community where you can see the ruins of old houses and homesteads. There's also a south island which I haven't visited, which is a little less wild. Ferry runs from Leland, MI. Probably one of the best camping trips I've ever taken, beautiful.
My advice: Download Google Earth Pro (now free!) and just scroll around until you find something. Then search for info about said island, and see if anyone owns it (if not, you can probably just find a way to get there and camp).
As always: Leave the place cleaner than you found it!
> Where I live, there's islands which are not owned by anyone in the rivers. (Check your county's GIS map for which ones) You can just go camp on those, no problem.
Oh, you have to care about who owns the land in order to camp in the wilderness? Bummer.
Now listen. You can try camping on land which is owned by someone, and which is otherwise completely uninhabited. People do that all the time for various reasons without any issue.
But that is technically trespassing, and could get you shot or arrested. So you know, if you're going to do that, make sure you assess that risk carefully.
That depends on the state, many states are default open to travel in open land and require posting / signage to block free access. Pretty much all trespassing laws require notice first (of which adequate signage counts as notice) and you are not trespassing until you have been told to leave and don't.
Having been homeless and stealth camped extensively I can assure anyone reading that with no car and greater than .25 mi from a road or home you are invisible to 99.99% of population and 100% of local cops. The only guy that ever found me out was a forest ranger who wildly I randomly met on foot several miles away from nearest road in rugged terrain (and that was way too far for him to mess with hauling me to jail).
In my long career of first hitchhiking the world and then bicycle-touring/bikepacking it, I have spent hundreds of nights outside stealth camping, but I have been caught more often than you suggest happens. Farmers in some places do daily rides around their land to check for squatters or illegal tree-felling. Male friends so often like to walk into the woods and drink (and fire off weapons, which can be unnerving to one sleeping). And I’ve been told by forest rangers that they are increasingly using drones to surveil forests instead of having to go down every trail themselves.
Interesting. Your experience is wildly different than mine, although i admit I always restricted stealth camping to at night with a bivy the same color as the terrain and I have a pretty good sixth sense of good cover. I would have definitely avoided areas worn enough to suggest daily ride around or worn enough to be the no-thought default path of a drunk, which probably shielded me largely from your noted encounters.
> Oh, you have to care about who owns the land in order to camp in the wilderness? Bummer.
Downvoted because of the obnoxious tone of your comment. You could have made the same point in a more-engaging way.
I've lived and camped in countries with freedom to roam, and I've lived and camped in the US. I think that freedom to roam is a really cool notion, and also I think it's great that so much of the United States is owned by federal and state governments, rather than by individuals -- 40% according to one source [1].
In the UK, for example, only 8% of land is publicly-owned [2].
Within the overlanding and bicycle-touring community, there are frequent complaints that so much of the federal-owned land in the United States (BLM land) is out west. If your travels are towards the east of the country, it can become very challenging to camp. In the Nordic countries that have freedom to roam, that freedom to roam is everywhere, even right outside the major metropolitan areas.
With family roots in ranching, one of the concerns with freedom to roam in the US for landowners (in particular for land used for livestock and agriculture) is a lack of respect for others/natural resources. Existing public use areas in the US already regularly get trashed in some parts of the country by those who fail to practice leave-no-trace. And my family has had existing issues with poachers and trespassers cutting fences, leaving gates open (which becomes a liability when livestock enter roads), and even shooting livestock. I personally like the idea of FTR, but putting on my ranching hat to see from that perspective, we might need additional legal protections to protect landowners from damages and liability.
Yet the BLM land is mainly distributed precisely in those western regions where also ranching is done. Campers don’t feel such a need to roam on ranching land, because they could plan a trip around the BLM land. Out east where there isn’t much BLM land, there isn’t much ranching either.
I definitely understand the harm that inconsiderate travelers can do. Throughout Latin America ranchers are quite accepting of cyclists crossing their land, but the one thing you hear them complaining about is those cyclists not closing gates behind them.
>Within the overlanding and bicycle-touring community, there are frequent complaints that so much of the federal-owned land in the United States (BLM land) is out west.
Not only that, but much of that land is basically uninhabitable; there's a reason it's all managed by the BLM. It's not really a good place for hanging out in nature unless you can haul a LOT of water with you. It's far from civilization, much of it is arid, there isn't much cover if any. Even the roads aren't really fit for riding a bicycle (or even driving a car); you could use a full-suspension mountain bike I suppose, but that's not what bicycle touring is about.
> you could use a full-suspension mountain bike I suppose, but that's not what bicycle touring is about.
But it is what “bikepacking”[0] is about, a term that over the last decade has started to crowd out “bicycle touring” among younger generations. People are intentionally searching for rough roads, even singletrack and hiking trails, and especially in North America! (But you overestimate the need for suspension.)
Water is indeed something one has to plan around. I have cycled several hundred km of rough roads in the American West and met quite a lot of people living in vehicles on BLM land, just moving every two weeks. They of course were able to haul in all the water they needed for days on end, while a cyclist on rough roads can carry no more than about 15 liters at a time.
I like how you take offense to my banter tone (obnoxious) and then bring up a national park squarage comparison out of nowhere. Just embrace the pissing contest.
Beware traveling to Northern Michigan to camp! It's very crowded, noisy, and generally unpleasant. ;)
All seriousness though, as a local I've found it impossible to get into many campgrounds during the summer because of the tourism. Sleeping Bear gets booked months in advance. North Manitou is dispersed camping though, so you can just kind of show up. I'm not sure the ferry was running this summer though, because when we showed up on my buddy's boat they were saying something about the water being too low. South Manitou is very much a regular campground.
I grew up in Michigan (lower peninsula) and was delighted to learn that the term for people like myself living beneath the Mackinaw Bridge (lower peninsula) are referred to as trolls.
Check out Kiribati on google maps satellite. I think there is a flight there once a week. It is so so far away. But I’m fascinated.
Fun fact: my family had a claim on Howland island due to the Guano Island act. But wow… not much you can do with an island like that! It is the most isolated place on earth and there are no resources. Not even shade!
I see the appeal. I've been fortunate to spend long stretches in the wilderness – once spending 10 weeks walking through Utah deserts – another time walking deep into a permitted (ie: zero other people) region of the Himalaya. The boredom yet majesty – which at first appears to be a contraction – of being immersed in nature is deeply invigorating and fulfilling.
I find it takes about 5-8 days before the contentment and clarity kicks in.
You get the same feeling as some of those alone in the high seas. Fear isn't being isolated, it is returning to people.
Unfortunately even once you take on a family and the responsibility of children it's a memory you can't ever shake, and you live with the jarring reality that it's become a far away forbidden dream.
Enjoy the sweet drug of isolation
while you still can, and know you'll always be a recovering addict.
61 comments
[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 116 ms ] threadIn real life, the opposite seems to happen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongan_castaways
> The boys divided up the labour, teaming up in pairs to work garden, kitchen, and guard duty. The two eldest served as leaders: one spiritual, the other practical; Stephen (who would go on to become an engineer) managed to use two sticks to start a fire, which the boys kept burning continuously for more than a year while marooned. At night, they sang and played a makeshift guitar to keep their spirits up, composing five songs during their exile.
The book reflects more about the author (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/aug/16/william-goldin...) than a scientific concept.
But I guess it is a bit ironic for the ones who are trying to “connect with nature” by traveling from Boston to Java.
https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
A more constructive comment would be: “Actually, it’s not that expensive, here is evidence to back up my claim or experience…”
>Unsubstantiated personal attacks are not welcome here.
If I'm going to burn my account with that kind of rule violations it will be a seething insult to get my money worth to the point whatever indiscretion you perceive seems utterly tame. Please.
>Reddit
Reddit style false rules violation smear campaigns (often designed as way to censor an unliked opinion) are exactly the 'contribution' your comment brings. Congrats for this message presenting what you purported to avoid!
But last year I took a trip to a remote island. The ferry dropped us off and said "we'll be back in 3 days". The island had no services or cell phone signal. There were other people, but other than at night in the campground, we didn't see anybody.
As the ferry sailed off after saying "we'll be back in 3 days"... there's a feeling of isolation that sets in that you don't get, even in the remote backcountry.
This is a shame. Will every beautiful thing eventually end up in the hands of the rich with a concrete and glass building slapped on it?
He needed to take plane across the globe just to remove all distractions. He could just bike tiny fraction of that distance and bivouac. Or they could drop him in random town without money.
If others don't rely on you enough to desperately search for you nearby then yeah your approach works.
Where I live, there's islands which are not owned by anyone in the rivers. (Check your county's GIS map for which ones) You can just go camp on those, no problem.
In the Great lakes, there's islands which offer ferries to go camping backcountry-style. I highly recommend visiting North Manitou Island, which is an abandoned farming/logging/vacation community where you can see the ruins of old houses and homesteads. There's also a south island which I haven't visited, which is a little less wild. Ferry runs from Leland, MI. Probably one of the best camping trips I've ever taken, beautiful.
My advice: Download Google Earth Pro (now free!) and just scroll around until you find something. Then search for info about said island, and see if anyone owns it (if not, you can probably just find a way to get there and camp).
As always: Leave the place cleaner than you found it!
Oh, you have to care about who owns the land in order to camp in the wilderness? Bummer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam
But that is technically trespassing, and could get you shot or arrested. So you know, if you're going to do that, make sure you assess that risk carefully.
Downvoted because of the obnoxious tone of your comment. You could have made the same point in a more-engaging way.
I've lived and camped in countries with freedom to roam, and I've lived and camped in the US. I think that freedom to roam is a really cool notion, and also I think it's great that so much of the United States is owned by federal and state governments, rather than by individuals -- 40% according to one source [1].
In the UK, for example, only 8% of land is publicly-owned [2].
[1] https://www.summitpost.org/public-and-private-land-percentag...
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/apr/17/who-owns-engla...
I definitely understand the harm that inconsiderate travelers can do. Throughout Latin America ranchers are quite accepting of cyclists crossing their land, but the one thing you hear them complaining about is those cyclists not closing gates behind them.
Not only that, but much of that land is basically uninhabitable; there's a reason it's all managed by the BLM. It's not really a good place for hanging out in nature unless you can haul a LOT of water with you. It's far from civilization, much of it is arid, there isn't much cover if any. Even the roads aren't really fit for riding a bicycle (or even driving a car); you could use a full-suspension mountain bike I suppose, but that's not what bicycle touring is about.
But it is what “bikepacking”[0] is about, a term that over the last decade has started to crowd out “bicycle touring” among younger generations. People are intentionally searching for rough roads, even singletrack and hiking trails, and especially in North America! (But you overestimate the need for suspension.)
Water is indeed something one has to plan around. I have cycled several hundred km of rough roads in the American West and met quite a lot of people living in vehicles on BLM land, just moving every two weeks. They of course were able to haul in all the water they needed for days on end, while a cyclist on rough roads can carry no more than about 15 liters at a time.
[0] http://bikepacking.com
You’re an American national?
I like how you take offense to my banter tone (obnoxious) and then bring up a national park squarage comparison out of nowhere. Just embrace the pissing contest.
All seriousness though, as a local I've found it impossible to get into many campgrounds during the summer because of the tourism. Sleeping Bear gets booked months in advance. North Manitou is dispersed camping though, so you can just kind of show up. I'm not sure the ferry was running this summer though, because when we showed up on my buddy's boat they were saying something about the water being too low. South Manitou is very much a regular campground.
And filled with yoopers, eh?
> as a local I've found it impossible to get into many campgrounds during the summer because of the tourism.
COVID revenge has made this problem much worse in recent years. Maybe next summer will be better.
It’s a nice bit of local color.
Fun fact: my family had a claim on Howland island due to the Guano Island act. But wow… not much you can do with an island like that! It is the most isolated place on earth and there are no resources. Not even shade!
https://www.travelsvenue.com/2018/05/Kiribati-Tarawa.html
And thus people go out & seek such places. Result: even fewer of them.
Reminds me of how a blockbuster movie showing beautiful locations can turn those into to tourist hotspots. Often destroying such places' beauty.
I find it takes about 5-8 days before the contentment and clarity kicks in.
Unfortunately even once you take on a family and the responsibility of children it's a memory you can't ever shake, and you live with the jarring reality that it's become a far away forbidden dream.
Enjoy the sweet drug of isolation while you still can, and know you'll always be a recovering addict.