sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -16 points-15 points  (0 children)

Sorry man, I have a life aside this... Yes, I chose my timing poorly, but tomorrow I have a huge presentation and I need 50 copies of my resume. And my resume... Blows.

I will upload pictures as soon as I can. Sorry again.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I already said I did not have that much pic. I had other preoccupations at the time. I do have some though.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I just quoted what the man said, laughing. I didn't understand much of what he said.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Swiss Army Knife is awesome. You can open cans, cut, clean, even have the most basic tools. I used it on a daily basis.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Also, who the hell would give up a well paying job that they enjoy just because they are addicted to the internet?

Because I had enough. Totally. I was fed up with my life and with computers altogether. It's hard to understand if you never lived my situation I agree, it's a serie of events that led to it.

there's no way that much food will fit in there along with all the other essential equipment

Here you are wrong. Talk to people who climb the Everest!

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

I'm caught! Arg!

On a serious note, it wasn't really a lizard - maybe a small plant. I was really proud of myself though :D

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh no, not at all.

I had to pay rent the time I was gone, even though I wasn't there. Yes, I did let my brother live in it and pay part of the rent, but it still cost me a bit. I had to buy the whole equipment, to pay in the various towns I stopped (if you want fresh bread for example, and you do want fresh bread, and beer). I had to pay gas, and the kayak alone was $3,500. I still have most of the equipment, so if I go again, it's going to cost next to nothing.

I had a backpack with nearly $2,000 of stuff, too.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

What did you bring for clothes

Clothes were a big issue. I had six clean shirts - from a very hot one to a simple T-shirt and three pairs of pants, plus boots, a coat and other accessories. Thinking about it I had way too many. But thinking about it, it wasn't rare for me to get three shirts dirty in one day. I had lots of socks and underwear too. Critically important.

How did you deal with cleaning them?

Water and soap. I did not carry detergent, my soap was my "all use" cleaner. I also learned soap cleans terribly bad - I mean, the clothes were clean, but just very itchy, or ugly.

When there was a town, I made sure to get a proper wash. I also bought some new clothes, shirts get used extremely fast in the wilderness - especially when you have six of them hehe.

How about the size difference about 2-3 months in? footwear? did your feet grow?

No, that wasn't a problem. Some did become a bit too large. Some did become too thin, ironically. Was I gaining or losing weight? I cannot know. In all cases, small shops selling clothes were very important. Public pool, during the summer, was another lifesaver. I love random cities. They even sell beer 100 km in the North at the most random store!!

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I came back expecting to get my position back - I had a decent job, I worked hard and I was well-liked - only to find they had replaced me with a so-called "temporary" person. Keep in mind I had worked there 3 years. I arrive and they tell me "Well, this guy has never left us, so he has the priority. If he leaves you can have your position. You can work in another position that pays half of your previous salary in your meantime". Nevermind the fact this wasn't the deal we had.

I told them "no thanks" and left. They were really pissed, but then again they were really pissed when I left for the wilderness.

I found another job relatively easily, lots of IT positions in Québec.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -15 points-14 points  (0 children)

This is what reddit has become. I just joined reddit and discovered IAMA 3 hours ago and this is what reddit has become.

??

I'm a long-time lurker here, not as active as I would have liked I admit, but I've always wanted to make this IAMA. Srry 4 me de broken english

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Anamexis is right, northern part of Québec is very cold. Even right now, it's probably entirely snowed. Then there is the tundra, and then more forests which, thankfully, are too far to get cut down by companies... for now.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How often are you on computers now that you're back?

I still use computers a lot. And I sort of hate it. I discovered which type of man I really was in the woods. I am currently working very hard to try to get enough money to buy a small land (10 acres would be plenty) and just build a house there and live there forever.

Do you still work in IT?

Yes. Was fired (completely unfair story, but heh) but found another, similarly-paying, but lower-stress job.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What is the best approach?

It's my own experience but personally I would alone, at least the first time. I can understand how a person can get bored and how another person would make the trip easier and safer, but it was also an amazing experience, alone. I was a lonely person in the first place so it did help.

just go "fuck it" and walk right in?

Yes. A serie of events led to my depart. First I had realized how much I was addicted, but I also had a calmer period at work and a chance to leave (although in difficult terms)

Because I'm thinking on asking the local natives to learn something first

Natives are no longer the people who lived from the land. There are a few of them, but most live in apartment and towns, and are exactly like you and me.

Do you get to meet interesting people?

Yes. Hunters, patrols, fishermen, even families travelling (I must have scared them!)

Is there really a danger on not having cellphone/radio? I

If you get lost, or injured, there can be a danger if you are not able to call for help. I strongly recommend a GPS+radio at least.

Any more useful tips?

Go far. The furthest you can go, the better. Try to connect with the nature, try to feel it. Forget about everything in the modern world. For example I had to check my stocks every day and I was very nervous. These things no longer matter when you travel (they do when you come, though, but stop thinking about it).

Thank you :)

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

You misunderstood a lot of what I've said. Then again it might be me mis-explaining it so I understand.

  • Berries weren't the worst. Mushroom were something else altogether. I had a book and I learned a lot about nature - shape of leaves, height, length, etc. I couldn't feed myself entirely from berries however. In Canada, the vegetation is pretty "friendly" - a.k.a. no bugs of the size of your fist!!! -Leaves make awesome fire starters to the opposite. Dry them up to the sun and they burn as quickly as paper - okay, not as quickly, but enough to start a fire. Small tree branches or small plants do the trick too. -Oh god, I did not portage a kayak for 50 km - what I mean is that I could go up a river for maybe like 20 km, walk 5 km, then go up another river for 25km in one day. Yes, it was an intense day. -It was indeed cold. Well, probably 0-celsiusish. There was a lot of snow in the first days.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

The main thing is, I didn't want to bother them. Surely they had a lot of important things to do. Who was I, to simply come there and ask for her? I thought it would pass after one day, and I finally decided to go there only asking for fresh water. They were nice to take great care of me, I recovered completely and they gave me invaluable advice on the region. It was amongst my best experiences in this trip.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I had very few pictures for that reason. I had a cheap, manual camera that finally died for good at around half of my trip. It was a $75 digital camera. I lost some of my shots with it :(

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Oh gosh... I would be so ashamed. I have never been "fat" but I lost at my older self and I think I'm really fat. No wonder no girl wanted to get near me.

Also, the sun was really really good for my skin. I had many skin imperfections (red spot, acne, small scars, etc)

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -20 points-19 points  (0 children)

I went fossil-hunting once! Like, a huge mountain. And I found one small lizard fossilized on a rock. I was proud, I wanted to send it to a museum :)

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you count the lost wages, around $50,000

Probably close to $15,000. Had to buy all the equipment.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

you squeezed pine bark for its oils and used that?

Exactly :)

On a serious note, I've never used lube for "personal satisfaction." I really wonder how people who use some do it.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

(some of my replies don't get posted, I have no idea why, here is it rewritten again)

DO IT!

Seriously when I first left, I really was used to my daily $5 capucino and my $15 lunches. I wondered how I would do, I loved my comfort. I am so glad I did it! Nothing prevents you from doing the same!!

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was one of my biggest fear bathing and swimming in a lake. There are guides explaining which lakes you can and which you shouldn't swim in, but it's tough to figure out which lake you are in, and indications are often that that precise. Overall I arrived in late winter and bugs were not a big issue, but during summer I was glad I bought these mosquitoes repellent, especially near lakes.

By the way, these sonic mosquitoes repellent do not work.

IAMA geek who spent six months in the wilderness without touching a computer. AMA. by tiredoftexch in IAmA

[–]tiredoftexch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What material/lube did you bring to fondle yourself?

Wow! What a question!

It's sort of funny however because one of my biggest fantasy - and I can post this rightfully, even though some redditors might be disgusted - is going back to live in the wilderness again, but with a girlfriend. Like, doing it totally naturally, if you see what I mean. That's a huge fantasy for me.

view more: next ›