[pct-l] Thru-Hike, Explorer Style

[eric at ericwichman.com]

Hi all, Thanks for all the variety of responses I am getting. As I  
thought there are varying opinions as to whether it is possible and  
opinions on the legalities as well.

One thing that keeps coming up is the legal issue of hunting for food.  
One can forage for certain fruits, veggies, berries, etc, but when it  
comes to hunting, it seems some people are misunderstanding or  
forgetting the law.

The PCT runs through 22+ National Forests and Wilderness areas. It is  
LEGAL to hunt in these areas with proper licensing from the state.  
Certain animals (wild feral pigs) are legal to take year round. While  
the wild pigs are good food, and one could probably survive on pork  
for 4-6 months, it would make for a pretty boring menu.

Hunting seasons vary from area to area and the logistics of planning  
an unsupplied "survival" type thruhike like this would be daunting to  
say the least. Not to mention, how does one hunt without a firearm?  
(since firearms are illegal in the National Parks)

There are a few options. Not sure if a spear is legal. One could use a  
bow (seasonal), a sling-shot, a sling, or even a large  
hunting/survival knife. Not sure about trapping.

I'm still researching the laws and the hunting seasons, and which  
animals are legal to take, but it does seem possible legally IF one  
can map out which game animals can be taken, where, and in which  
sections of the trail. Again, logistically, this is very complicated.

Sure! It's easier to mail yourself food, and a lot less hassle, but  
who knows, maybe this Explorer style hunt is possible after all.

~Eric



Quoting Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>:

>
>
> JPL wrote:
> There is some talk about folks who have attempted that on the AT.  My
> limited understanding is that they didn't last a week.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:eric at ericwichman.com    
> <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>
> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 9:42 PM
>
> Has anyone ever done the whole trail "Pioneer" or "Explorer" style? In
> other words, no resupply points, no postal service, no shipping food,
> basically completely off the grid, living off the land the whole way.
> What I'm talking about is a cross country survival trip.
>
> My question is. Has anyone ever attempted a thru-hike completely off
> grid, if not why not, if so, WHO, and were they successful?
>
> ~Eric
>
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