I spend more than 6 months of my year living in the outdoors with my work. I work all year round. Ease yourself into this, don't just take the plunge. Although food is a worry health and hygiene can be a bigger problem.
Keeping yourself clean when the temperature is below zero and you either have to have a strip wash or a shower isn't a pleasant experience and leaves you open to a number of elements. It's also keeping your clothing and equipment clean as they don't work as well when they are wet and dirty. How many changes of clothing will you have, how much clothing do you actually require when it comes to the layers system and seasonal requirement? How are you going to dry clothing in winter?
Human waste, where will you dispose of it?
If you have a shelter how are you going to heat it in late autumn, winter, early spring and what will be the cost? How are you going to cook? What pans and cooking equipment do you have and is it easily manpackable? Where are you getting your firewood and will you be able to get it in large enough quantities? You can only do so much on an open fire.
How good is your first aid? As you are going to be alone there is a chance that you may have to deal with not just minor but some quite serious issues. Would you be prepared to push a hyperdermic needle through your cheek into your jaw to draw the puss out of an abscess before flushing it out with a sterilising solution?
Where are you getting your water from? It's of far higher priority than food. If you can get enough water how will you clarify and then sterilise it?
How good are you with your own company? What equipment will you take to keep you occupied, especially when it's winter?
Do you intend on taking technology and if so how do you intend on powering it?
These are just some of the factors that will effect you. Have you got legal and viable solutions to them?
Hi Leon ,
Very good points you have listed, and I will answer the best I can.
Cleanliness in winter- wet wipes are a wonderful invention, and use smoke from the fire to cleanse the body( living outdoors will leave you susceptible to parasites)
Clothing, 3 of everything, two extra shirts, thermal underwear,wool jumper, wool smock and waterproofs. Use a 20 litre dry sack to wash clothes, as for drying them, hadn't thought of that
First aid is quite good, Saint John for 3 years, two courses basic and intermediate through an old job in past. The tooth bit, I will cross that bridge should it arrive.
Water is coming from drinking water certified Spring on site, 30 yds from camp
Spent first 30 years of my life on my own, having to amuse and live with myself. I may be ok on that one, but again time tested situ
Technology will be torch phone, camera and radio. Have solar panels, a dynamo charger on my bike,
And several power banks.