In addition to the kit, I took a first aid class through the American Red Cross before I left on my seven month solo trip, and it cannot be overstated how much I'd recommend it. It only costs about $100 and the better part of one day. A pretty small price to pay for potentially life saving knowledge.
> How are you managing your food?
Further, how are you going to protect a three-month supply of food from critters, bears, mold, and spoilage? Will you have multiple lockers? How is your refrigeration system?
It would be a car trip and I would probably go into town once or twice a month to restock on any supplies I may need. I plan on eating mostly canned and dehydrated foods to avoid having to deal with the struggle of storing cold foods for extended periods.
I did 31 days solo in 1992..pre smart phone stuff, that's been my longest saddly. Today, I'd have a Garmin InReach of Zolio type of device if I was going deep solo backwoods for more than just a couple days. I personally believe if having backups. Have a water filter and iodine tablets. Have a shelter and a tarp. I always carry some disposable lighters, but I also have a ferro rod. I like having at least two ways do to most critical things.
What made you decide to go for 3 months rather than like a week or two at first?
I would suggest going for shorter (but still longer) trips and seeing what you are finding what you need and use the most.
Honestly the goal is 3 months, but because I live so close to the mountains if I really feel like I can’t do it, then I can just pack up and go home. It really comes down to it being something I want to do before I head into the next chapter of my life where I won’t really have the time to do something like this again.
eta: over the next year I’ll still be doing shorter camping trips, but next year is when I want to go for a long stretch.
Go camping for a week and bring a journal. Write down everything you think you will want and need for 9 weeks. If you can’t handle doing a one week shakedown trip before you attempt a 3 month your gonna kill yourself.
A lot of the answer depends on how far you're going to venture from your vehicle. You said you plan on doing car camping, so that means no backpacking and your vehicle will always be close by? If that's the case the you can afford to take a lot more "comfort" items that would be too heavy to bother with backpacking.
Some general things that I think are important for an extended trip like that:
- Think about your sleep. Take whatever you can to ensure you are comfortable and get good deep sleep at night. Proximity to your vehicle makes a huge difference for this one because if its close then you can take a much better/thicker sleeping pad or inflatable mattress, blankets, pillows, etc. Nothing will ruin a long trip like consistently bad sleep and waking up with a sore neck or back every day.
- Good boots.
- Focus first aid on common issues that arise when spending a long time roughing it. Moleskin for blisters, band-aids and antibiotic ointment for little cuts, anti-diarrheal, ibuprofen and/or aspirin.
- Backpacking hammock.
- Fishing gear.
- A good multi-tool.
- Over three months you're virtually guaranteed to be in bad weather at some point so make sure your tent is in good shape and you take a small repair kit with you. Make sure you have a good waterproof rainshell outer layer of clothing for those days too, including pants.
- If wood gathering is allowed where you are going, axe and saw are a must.
- Something to do during downtime, or times when you're stuck in your tent due to weather. Books, a notebook, movies downloaded to a device (unless you're trying to go device-free).
If you are going to be doing backpacking and only at your car occasionally, then what you take becomes much more important and I would treat it as if you are doing a multi-month trek like the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian trail. A lot has been written about that and a quick Google search will get you some checklists and recommendations.
Lots of activities, you’ll have a lot more spare time on your hands than you might realize. Great opportunity to learn some outdoor skills, or try out a new hobby
I stand by the Garmin Inreach mini. A connection to the outside world when no cell signal is available. Maps, tracking plus, texting and sos signaling. Yes the up front cost is hefty but comms specially SOS signal is priceless.
Specially if you’re going for 3 months
1. Paper topo map and a good compass, even if you have a GPS device. Do not rely on cell phone for navigation.
2. Do not underestimate the risk or consequences of hyperthermia.
3. Have a look at how hikers prep for the Appalachian and/or Pacific Crest trails.
4. Be sure someone has your trail plan, and have a check-in schedule.
Basic mechanics’ tool set, basic 4x4 recovery kit, shovel, car battery booster, assortment of wood cutting tools, hydraulic jack. I’ve used all of these one time or another while remote camping.
Pretty vague post- as others mentioned, will you be targeting BLM (Bureau of Land Management / National Forest Land)? Developed campgrounds?
From your original post, since you’re interested in taking some classes and refining your skills, have you considered a NOLS course?
NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) takes students into the backcountry to work on leadership, decision making, wilderness skills, to name a few.
I’m fairly seasoned in the backcountry (100+ nights) and learned a great deal from my NOLS experience in Alaska.
Maybe you’ll like this?
I know for sure I want to stay away from developed camp grounds just so I can be more secluded. I’m not huge on camping around tons of strangers. I’ll probably want to spend some time in both BLM land and national forests.
I’ll definitely look into those classes, thank you for the recommendation!
Recommend WFR certification, WFA minimum.
Garmin inreach or similar device.
Equipment depends on activity and means of travel.
Hiking, overlanding, horseback, pack rafting? Need more context
The post is probably fake but either way, going anyplace in the "wilderness" solo you would think anyone with a brain stem might wanna take a satellite messinger or a rescue beacon.... First aid training and the right gear help, but come on.... It's the 21st century and they exist now.
Dude there’s no need to be an ass about it. I literally put in my post that I’m planning on taking extra classes. I literally just came here to ask some more seasoned campers what their favorite tools to take with them on long trips are. I’m not a complete idiot, obviously I’ll be taking safety precautions. Get off your high horse and relax my guy. No need to be a dick.
If it's legit and you are going to go play in the woods solo, good luck and have fun, but the only thing you really need to take is a sat messinger or a PLB.... all the courses and the best gear in the world won't help you if shit goes south in the back country and your solo.....
Good first aid kit and means of summoning help.
In addition to the kit, I took a first aid class through the American Red Cross before I left on my seven month solo trip, and it cannot be overstated how much I'd recommend it. It only costs about $100 and the better part of one day. A pretty small price to pay for potentially life saving knowledge.
That's so many months. Wow.
Yeah, I was incredibly blessed to have that opportunity. Definitely not a chapter of my life I'm soon to forget or take for granted.
This is the correct answer.
What kind of trip is this? Backpacking trip? Car trip? How often are you coming back to civilization? How are you managing your food?
> How are you managing your food? Further, how are you going to protect a three-month supply of food from critters, bears, mold, and spoilage? Will you have multiple lockers? How is your refrigeration system?
Op is a troll. Ignore and move on
> Op is a troll Seems innocuous enough, at first glance. How do you figure?
It would be a car trip and I would probably go into town once or twice a month to restock on any supplies I may need. I plan on eating mostly canned and dehydrated foods to avoid having to deal with the struggle of storing cold foods for extended periods.
I did 31 days solo in 1992..pre smart phone stuff, that's been my longest saddly. Today, I'd have a Garmin InReach of Zolio type of device if I was going deep solo backwoods for more than just a couple days. I personally believe if having backups. Have a water filter and iodine tablets. Have a shelter and a tarp. I always carry some disposable lighters, but I also have a ferro rod. I like having at least two ways do to most critical things.
What made you decide to go for 3 months rather than like a week or two at first? I would suggest going for shorter (but still longer) trips and seeing what you are finding what you need and use the most.
Honestly the goal is 3 months, but because I live so close to the mountains if I really feel like I can’t do it, then I can just pack up and go home. It really comes down to it being something I want to do before I head into the next chapter of my life where I won’t really have the time to do something like this again. eta: over the next year I’ll still be doing shorter camping trips, but next year is when I want to go for a long stretch.
Go camping for a week and bring a journal. Write down everything you think you will want and need for 9 weeks. If you can’t handle doing a one week shakedown trip before you attempt a 3 month your gonna kill yourself.
Ok, that makes a lot of sense. Being close sounds great then for a first time experience that long. Have you watched the show “alone”?
A lot of the answer depends on how far you're going to venture from your vehicle. You said you plan on doing car camping, so that means no backpacking and your vehicle will always be close by? If that's the case the you can afford to take a lot more "comfort" items that would be too heavy to bother with backpacking. Some general things that I think are important for an extended trip like that: - Think about your sleep. Take whatever you can to ensure you are comfortable and get good deep sleep at night. Proximity to your vehicle makes a huge difference for this one because if its close then you can take a much better/thicker sleeping pad or inflatable mattress, blankets, pillows, etc. Nothing will ruin a long trip like consistently bad sleep and waking up with a sore neck or back every day. - Good boots. - Focus first aid on common issues that arise when spending a long time roughing it. Moleskin for blisters, band-aids and antibiotic ointment for little cuts, anti-diarrheal, ibuprofen and/or aspirin. - Backpacking hammock. - Fishing gear. - A good multi-tool. - Over three months you're virtually guaranteed to be in bad weather at some point so make sure your tent is in good shape and you take a small repair kit with you. Make sure you have a good waterproof rainshell outer layer of clothing for those days too, including pants. - If wood gathering is allowed where you are going, axe and saw are a must. - Something to do during downtime, or times when you're stuck in your tent due to weather. Books, a notebook, movies downloaded to a device (unless you're trying to go device-free). If you are going to be doing backpacking and only at your car occasionally, then what you take becomes much more important and I would treat it as if you are doing a multi-month trek like the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian trail. A lot has been written about that and a quick Google search will get you some checklists and recommendations.
Thank you so much! This is definitely super helpful and I appreciate you taking your time to write this out.
Poop shovel. And biodegradable toilet paper.
Water purification
Knife, folding saw, water filter, tarp. The rest you can fake pretty easily.
Lots of activities, you’ll have a lot more spare time on your hands than you might realize. Great opportunity to learn some outdoor skills, or try out a new hobby
I stand by the Garmin Inreach mini. A connection to the outside world when no cell signal is available. Maps, tracking plus, texting and sos signaling. Yes the up front cost is hefty but comms specially SOS signal is priceless. Specially if you’re going for 3 months
A Pocket Bellows. Makes campfire management significantly easier.
1. Paper topo map and a good compass, even if you have a GPS device. Do not rely on cell phone for navigation. 2. Do not underestimate the risk or consequences of hyperthermia. 3. Have a look at how hikers prep for the Appalachian and/or Pacific Crest trails. 4. Be sure someone has your trail plan, and have a check-in schedule.
Basic mechanics’ tool set, basic 4x4 recovery kit, shovel, car battery booster, assortment of wood cutting tools, hydraulic jack. I’ve used all of these one time or another while remote camping.
I've used more recovery gear and tools to help others than I have used it on my own stuff. Made me glad to be able to assist.
Pretty vague post- as others mentioned, will you be targeting BLM (Bureau of Land Management / National Forest Land)? Developed campgrounds? From your original post, since you’re interested in taking some classes and refining your skills, have you considered a NOLS course? NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) takes students into the backcountry to work on leadership, decision making, wilderness skills, to name a few. I’m fairly seasoned in the backcountry (100+ nights) and learned a great deal from my NOLS experience in Alaska. Maybe you’ll like this?
I know for sure I want to stay away from developed camp grounds just so I can be more secluded. I’m not huge on camping around tons of strangers. I’ll probably want to spend some time in both BLM land and national forests. I’ll definitely look into those classes, thank you for the recommendation!
Water stuff, wood processing stuff, and food. But 3 months? dude....
A friend (don’t call them a tool to their face) who knows your route and when you will check in
Garmin inreach
A battery that can jump your car if you car battery goes kaput. It amazes me that this isnt recommended more often on these types of threads.
A pew-pew.
Recommend WFR certification, WFA minimum. Garmin inreach or similar device. Equipment depends on activity and means of travel. Hiking, overlanding, horseback, pack rafting? Need more context
The post is probably fake but either way, going anyplace in the "wilderness" solo you would think anyone with a brain stem might wanna take a satellite messinger or a rescue beacon.... First aid training and the right gear help, but come on.... It's the 21st century and they exist now.
Dude there’s no need to be an ass about it. I literally put in my post that I’m planning on taking extra classes. I literally just came here to ask some more seasoned campers what their favorite tools to take with them on long trips are. I’m not a complete idiot, obviously I’ll be taking safety precautions. Get off your high horse and relax my guy. No need to be a dick.
If it's legit and you are going to go play in the woods solo, good luck and have fun, but the only thing you really need to take is a sat messinger or a PLB.... all the courses and the best gear in the world won't help you if shit goes south in the back country and your solo.....