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Ego Death
Justadropofwaterinanendlesssea



Registered: 04/27/03
Posts: 10,447
Loc: The War Machine
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Backpacking
#8612716 - 07/09/08 11:37 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Who here has been backpacking?
How much money did you go with?
Did you find jobs on the way?
Did you get attacked/raped/sued when pitching the tent somewhere dodgy?
I'm thinking about backpacking around Europe. Advice please!
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Maverick
Lover of Earwigs!




Registered: 12/18/05
Posts: 13,438
Loc: Valleys of Willamette
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Ego Death]
#8612797 - 07/09/08 11:50 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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I don't really go with any money when I backpack. What do you mean by backpacking? Usually I hike up trails where civilization no longer exists, you won't ever find a shop or anything out there backpacking.
If you're talking about being a 'drifter', then no I haven't done that. D:
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Galvie_Flu



Registered: 06/30/02
Posts: 6,632
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Ego Death]
#8612819 - 07/09/08 11:54 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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u.
Edited by shaos (04/10/11 02:35 PM)
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fung_us_among_us


Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 6,906
Loc: Central Oregon
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i think he might be talking about the popular dream of "backpacking around europe", or something of that sort.
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Ego Death
Justadropofwaterinanendlesssea



Registered: 04/27/03
Posts: 10,447
Loc: The War Machine
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Yeah, I mean for a long time. Taking some money and a tent and moving from country to country.
Sleeping where ever, stopping at places and doing jobs to make food money and then moving to a new place/country exploring.
People go backpacking around the whole world. I thought I'd start just exploring europe and see if I end up back home or in Australia
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Maverick
Lover of Earwigs!




Registered: 12/18/05
Posts: 13,438
Loc: Valleys of Willamette
Last seen: 2 hours, 27 minutes
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Ego Death]
#8613836 - 07/09/08 04:41 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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That would be fun to do... I am clueless on how to do it though, as I travel around and sleep in my car.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Ego Death]
#8613865 - 07/09/08 04:46 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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It depends where you're going and how long you plan to be gone.
If you have all your gear already, and you are just hiking along established trails.. you should expect to spend about $1-2 per mile - that is factoring in food, potential gear repairs, etc. If you plan to stop in towns, eat at restaurants, sleep at the occasional hotel.. that price can go up in a hurry.
Finding jobs along the way depends entirely where you are. Most places, you can find someone that needs a helping hand for a day or two if you look. Some might pay you in cash, some might offer to pay you with food and provisions and a place to sleep.
I've never been attacked while camping, and I've been to a lot of places.. and some I guess you could call dodgy places. But I've never been to Europe so I have no idea what backpacking may be like there. Around here, 99% of backpackers you meet on the trail are very friendly and helpful people. I imagine it's not much different on that side of the pond. However, when you begin to venture into cities and towns, you meet the usuals. Out in the wilderness, it's pretty much only wilderness people.
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Ego Death
Justadropofwaterinanendlesssea



Registered: 04/27/03
Posts: 10,447
Loc: The War Machine
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Shroomism]
#8613883 - 07/09/08 04:53 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Did you follow established routes? I spose there must be a guide I can buy.
Did you just camp wherever you felt like it looked OK?
I think one problem is keeping clean. Stopping at hotels occasionally would be good to het a shower and a bed. Really I'd rather not spend that money though. Theres solar showers, thats a possibility but I don't want to get arrested for exposure! Maybe going to a leisure center and paying to use the showers as well.
Washing clothes would be difficult too.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Ego Death]
#8613938 - 07/09/08 05:11 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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My long-term backpacking experience is limited to about 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail - http://www.fred.net/kathy/at.html
It's a 2,160 mile trail stretching from Georgia to Maine.. a few thousand backpackers make the trek every year.. so it's a well established trail with many amenities along the way suited for backpackers. ~90% of the trail is through mountains and forest, and it passes through small towns here and there.. so you can pretty much just plop down and set up camp wherever.
Again, I'm not sure how it works in Europe. But I've heard many backpacking stories from there, so I'm sure there's probably some established routes that people take. I'd definitely look into it and do some research first. There are many backpacking sites and maps, info, etc.. tailored to traveling trails in the US.. so there's gotta be something for Europe as well.
Keeping clean is really one of the least of your concerns. All backpackers are gonna smell like BO. You're not gonna be taking a shower every day, maybe once a week if you are lucky. Washing your clothes, same deal. Most people only bring a few changes of clothes. More important then clean clothes is... DRY clothes. You don't want to bring any cotton. Cotton gets wet and takes FOREVER to dry, which can lead to hypothermia.. doesn't really matter the temperature outside. Synthetic fibers, such as polypro - are your friend. Wool is also good.
Your biggest concerns are going to be making sure you are carrying a light enough load with everything you need.. and making sure you get a proper diet on the trail and plenty of water. Multivitamins aren't a replacement for an actual diet - although they can help.. some backpackers don't believe in them. Most of your food is going to be lightweight, easy to make stuff.. so it can be somewhat of a challenge to prepare a well balanced diet out of your backpack.. but with a little preparation it can be done quite easily. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables - superfoods.. and things such as pasta and tuna, nuts, chocolate, etc.. will be your lifeblood.
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andrewss
precariously aggrandized


Registered: 08/17/07
Posts: 8,725
Loc: ohio
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Shroomism]
#8613949 - 07/09/08 05:14 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Backpacking is awesome, never done a international type thing like you are thinking about. I know there are plenty of guides you can find about doing a cheap european trip. Just search around google. Wilderness backpacking and camping is sweet, there are plenty of places to check out around the USA, and plenty of resources to figuring out what would work for you.
-------------------- Jesus loves you.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Shroomism]
#8613954 - 07/09/08 05:15 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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This is a very good site for backpackers - http://www.whiteblaze.net/
It is focused on the Apallachian trail... but there is tons of info and resources for backpackers no matter where you are going. Such as packlists, how to prepare, etc, etc.
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Middleman

Registered: 07/11/99
Posts: 8,399
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Re: Backpacking [Re: Ego Death]
#8614017 - 07/09/08 05:32 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Europe is actually more friendly to hikers than in the US.
My roommate hiked around France, he said you really need to learn the language.
Rules about camping are different in every country. Jobs are hard to find, best save your $.
I'm planning to do the Pacific Crest Trail top to bottom in 2010-2011.
Shroomism's right, about a buck fitty per mile for the whole trip.
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impgl
CrimethINCspecial agent


Registered: 02/07/06
Posts: 2,462
Loc: california!
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Re: Backpacking [Re: andrewss]
#8614067 - 07/09/08 05:45 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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i travel all over. sometimes ill hitch hike, i ll hop a freight train, i'll hit up an awesome country. as late, i've been doing it all crusty style, so i just eat trash and spange for money.
-------------------- omg really?
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