Buying land off grid

[rickschoppers]

Yes, lots of land in WA . I lived on the Olympic peninsula and many times I would be driving up to Sekiu to do some salmon fishing and see someone emerge from the woods on foot. I never really knew if they were homeless or just living off the grid. A bit wet for me, but different strokes.

[hick]

Olympic peninsula
driving up to Sekiu
see someone emerge from the woods on foot.

If it was around 94 - 95, it could've been me.

[rickschoppers]

I lived there 90-95, so possibly so.

It's a small, small world after all.

[hick]

Isn't that sumthin?

Can't find any Olympic pix at the mo-mo, but these were before & after that time:

Fairly near to Redwoods National/State Park


Backcountry, Redwoods, CA


Chignik Bay, Alaska










What a dream it all was.

My comrade and I went camping for 3 months up and down the coastline (starting at the Redwoods and ending at Olympic).

And that was just ONE stint (based out of Eugene, OR).

I returned to Olympic several times and once spent nearly 3 weeks on the coastline (and slight interior) alone.

[hick]

Then the kimchi called:





Then Thighland:



Finally Al Saud:


And the desert trekking began


And still going on. I'm geared up and heading out tomorrow for around 18 hours in the desert about 25 clicks south of Mecca.

[UrbanMan]

My main objective remains to have my own space to take a break from the teeming hordes of humanity, yes.

Since solitude is what you are after, the movie "The Shining" comes to mind (you personally posted Jack's pic earlier in this thread).

Wouldn't being the winter caretaker of a remote seasonal hotel, provide plenty of solitude? And all you have to do is show up and do a bit of maintenance here and there.

Also, rich types from the coasts have ranches in places like Montana and Wyoming. Most aren't there in winter, they must need people to take care of the properties. Maybe figure out a way to get into that.

A plus is you don't have to spend money, and might even be paid some.

Should be easy to skip the Jack-style going crazy part - just make sure no one was murdered in the past at whatever site you land at.

[hick]

Not that kind of solitude at all, Urby.

Thanks for the ideas, but...watching over other people's properties is just not in the cards for me.

Wilderness or bust.

[bsnub]

I lived on the Olympic peninsula and many times I would be driving up to Sekiu to do some salmon fishing and see someone emerge from the woods on foot.

I grew up camping out there. I had my spot up north of lake Wynoochee just up from the mouth of the river. It was fifty miles from the highway twenty five miles of logging roads. Also hiked all through the rain forest.

[UrbanMan]

Wilderness or bust.

Your life, your goals.

Just last night, I happened to end up talking to a guy who is all about the outdoors, and also a bit of pessimist in terms of where the world is heading (funny how often these two things go hand in hand).

He mentioned he's attended a few "survival expos" and they tend to attract off-the-grid enthusiasts. Sounds like something that would be interesting to you, as they address how to function in primitive conditions.

[Slick]

Fun pics though

[hick]

Wilderness or bust.

Sounds like something that would be interesting to you, as they address how to function in primitive conditions.

Yeah Urby,

I'm into survival courses, but not really big whoopdeedos.

Crowds of nature lovers (really, crowds - period) put me off a bit, so 'expo' = count me out, tbh.


Last year I was searching endlessly for a survival course that fit my needs and (more of a challenge) my schedule.

The only reputable option I could come up with was run by "Cody" of the TV series 'Dual Survival.' He runs a course into the Arizona backcountry out of his home.

It's intriguing to me but at the same time, why train in the desert if you want to live in sloppy weather? I just did a short stint in the desert (as mentioned) and it was pretty awesome, but there's something about that bleakness that doesn't draw me as a mainstay.
(Of course, AZ has more temperate climes in some portions of the state, but it's still quite arid compared to the PNW. Up there, if you can't build and maintain a fire in the wind and rain, you might as well dig a grave.)

Anyways, Cody is so hardcore primitive that he goes barefoot in all terrain.
Frig that! If I got boots, I'll be wearing them.

But yeah, my hands are pretty versed with primitive fire-making, emergency shelters, a little bit of trapping (need more of that and tool making) and some other goodies that are only (to me anyway) useful in an all out emergency. But, hey...if I'm in a "puddle jumper" piloting or as a passenger, all out emergencies are a distinct possibility.

Did you ever see the movie: "The Edge?" Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin get lost in the AK wilderness. It all starts by their small aircraft flying through a migration of birds. I looked into it already, and bird migration patterns play a large role in most AK bush pilots' flight plans, as of course they should.

Meanwhile, still looking for that right course (program) and trainer as I need a refresher and my wife wants to go through 101, eventually. I suppose an expo could indeed reveal that to one such as I, so there's that.

[hick]

Fun pics though

Thanks man. I put my entire adult life up there,...I guess I should leave the forum now.

[bsnub]

Meanwhile, still looking for that right course

Some of the best bush pilot training actually happens in Seattle especially float planes.

[hick]

Meanwhile, still looking for that right course

Some of the best bush pilot training actually happens in Seattle especially float planes.

Right bsnub and thanks for that. I was talking more about wilderness survival courses in the interim.

For the pilot training, I might as well go right to the source and choose a school in or near Anchorage, I reckon. Even further down the line, I'll buy my plane there as well.

But who knows? The training itself would suffice in your region and I do love it there.

[rickschoppers]

Hick, one thing you have not touched on is your age. I would not push things out too far before you start living your dream. If you hit 50 before spending some reasonable time out in the bush, you may be too late. During your 50s, you will notice a slowdown and reduction in energy. By the 60s, you will be on the way down which could severely interfere with your off grid skills and packing out a deer or any other large game will become extremely difficult compared to your 30s and 40s.

I guess what I am trying to say is, do it sooner than later to get the satisfaction you are looking for.

[hick]

^ With you rick! tick-tock

[UrbanMan]

Did you ever see the movie: "The Edge?" Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin get lost in the AK wilderness. It all starts by their small aircraft flying through a migration of birds. I looked into it already, and bird migration patterns play a large role in most AK bush pilots' flight plans, as of course they should.

I've watched it several times. Baldwin was his best playing a sociopath. Miami Blues was another Baldwin movie where he played that type of guy really well, I highly recommend seeing it if you have not already done so. GlenGarry Glen Ross obviously on the list, too.

[UrbanMan]

I put my entire adult life up there

Brave of you. Too many disturbed types here for me to consider doing anything even remotely similar.

[hick]

Meh. What are they gonna' do?

Get in my photobucket!!?? Oh noooo....they'll see more pictures and stuff.

[UrbanMan]

What are they gonna' do?

Risk is very low, agreed. Though crazy types can sometimes be creative.

I put my entire adult life up there,

I thought you were chubby at one point?

[hick]

I put my entire adult life up there,

I thought you were chubby at one point?

"Entire" was kind of a flat joke.

But thank you for bringing the conversation around to my girth.

I was fairly flabbed out for 2 years (my 3rd stint in Korea). Two wives and all, ya know...I was...too well taken care of.

And then there's....right now. I'm pretty tubby, but, I've got my excuses.

Finishing up an MA and 1/3 of the way through another = I'm logging some major sitting time. Should be balancing it more, I know. Also, taking piano really seriously and the wifey "Wow" cooks like nobody's business.

Getting back in shape and building strength is also on the list of 'things to do,' for this off-grid and/or wilderness stuff.

I've still got 5 + years before I start really getting "in it" and will start with the fitness + survival aspects as soon as I finish this MA.

And will have to pass a medical to take on a private piloting license if I stay with that route.

[hick]

AK trip looking very feasible for July/August this year.

May loop in NW Yukon Terr. as well.

Ride a few bush planes, talk to some pilot schools, see some land for sale.

Was 50/50 chance for this year, now about 70/30...

[stfranalum]

i had a close friend (he died a few years back) who did a survival course in alaska. he told a story about how the weather was so bad, they couldnt air drop supplies in. the whole group had to lie down in their shelters and be still as to not spend an ounce of energy. good times!!

[UrbanMan]

^ Gimme the grid!

[rickschoppers]

I'd rather not tempt fate more than it is tempted already, thank you.