Short-term vagabonding...

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
1,864
Been thinking recently how great it would be to get away for a day or two every now and then, the only problem I run into is any decent backpacking destination is quite a drive away. So I was thinking maybe just pack up the daypack with a couple things and roll out for a night or two through the suburban jungle. Now being south east Michigan, suburban means patches of the city about 5 miles of neighorhoods away from some decent outcroppings of forest (in other words, any amount of thinking ahead will provide some time of location to set up a shelter, fire and spend a night)...

I'm curious what you guys thing would be a good idea to bring along, with an ultralight metallity. Obvious thinks like a Spyderco and a lighter (as well as a toolkit for the bike) go without saying, but I guess I'm not 100% on the best solution for an ultralight bed roll and shelt setup. Just to be clear, I'm a bigger type and can handle weight but volume can be an issue as my daypack is not going to be upgraded in the near future. Further, I don't find winter discouraging (except the past year or so, but thats a time issue with school) so this time of year the trick will be warmth.

Since we are talking short term, food/water shouldn't be a huge issue and I think shelter could be covered decent by a small tarp. Back to the bedroll. Compact is key- so thats bag/blanket setup as well as ground insulation. I figure the best bet is a good shelter reflecting a small fire coupled with some extra layers packed in. How about ground insulation? A rolled up foam pad simply will not do as it won't fit. Pine bows may work well, but the foliage is too spoty to count on it. Cabin fever is creepin' and time isn't going to allow for much get-away time in the next few years, so I'm trying to make do!
 
My little daypack always has two little foam sit mats in it so it is just a matter of adding a third. Taped together and with my head on the daypack as a pillow they do what is most important to me - getting thickness under the shoulders and hips.

EDIT: add image

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Wrong context and with a big bag, so just for illustration. Those are cut down from a pressure blown foam Karrimat. Another good feature of pressure blown over chemically blown closed cell foam is it is a lot more compliant. I can actually get one of those in each front parka pocket.
 
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cheap space blanket on the ground, as long as you clear it well first, should prove a decent barrier. plus they are cheap enough to toss when your done.
 
Looking at the homeless here, I see them use a lot of newspaper and/or broken down cardboard boxes for ground cover. Some will even use a larges cardboard box for a shelter in an abandoned lot or under the freeway.
 
Sounds like you're getting there on bike. You might check out this video I did in the fall for a few ideas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KWtg2rTYZA

Your best bet is a high-quality sleeping bag for warmth that will pack down small. I also just got a SeatoSummit silk liner that is supposed to add 10 degrees (F). So far, sleeping with it in my bed for the last few weeks, it seems quite warm for the weight and packed size.
 
When I was stationed in Europe I travelled all over for every 3 and 4 day weekend to check out as much of Europe as possible. To save money I often crashed at sleazy motels and youth hostels, but when I was strapped for cash I would sleep in parks all the time.

I usually used a military poncho and poncho liner. They're fairly lightweight, relatively warm and camoflauged to help me hide in the bushes and not draw as much attention from the police, thieves and curious onlookers. You can get lighter weight versions of these and if it's really cold out you can switch over to a good quality down sleeping bag (check out Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Marmot and others).

For a lightweight pad that doesn't take up too much room or draw attention to the fact that you're sleeping outside in a city check out Gossamer Gear for their Thinlight and Nightlight pads.

Alcohol stoves are lightweight, efficient, quiet and don't produce giant fireballs that draw attention.

Beware of knife laws as you may draw the attention of police looking to stir things up with a bum.

Good luck and have fun!
 
aww I was hoping you were hitchhiking!
 
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