What do I need for living off the grid for 5 days?

I will be living off the grid for five days, in the mountains with no electricity. I will have a bed, a roof, dishes, utensils, and a propane-fueled stove. There is also an outhouse. I will be by myself.

It's 5000 feet up in California so I figure it may be 40 degrees at night, 55-60 during daytime.

Kinda scary being out there in the wilderness all alone without cell phone reception, but it's also kinda fun. Hopefully I don't get bitten by a snake.

What do I need to bring? I have not done too much camping since I was 12 so I forgot what goes into the checklist.

Basics
- Extra propane
- 2 flashlights / extra batteries
- 1 gallon of water per day
- Phone / external battery charger in case of emergency
- Pocket knife
- Axe?
- Bug spray
- Sleeping bag / Blanket
- Pillow
- Garbage bags
- Compass
- Lighters
- Lantern
- Binoculars
- Tape
- Sanitary wipes / hand sanitizer
- First aid

Food
- Canned goods (lots)
- Cereal/oatmeal
- Fruit
- Veggies

Now, I have no idea how long a cooler/ice can last out there. Do I bring meat, and if so, how can I keep it from spoiling and for how long using a cooler? Otherwise I'm thinking of bringing a protein shake to get protein if there is no meat/dairy for 5 days.

Clothes
- Usual stuff
- Warmer jacket
- Hiking shoes
- Hat
- Poncho

Random
- Camera
- Notebook
- Books

Anything obvious I'm missing? Thanks.

Water.

sniper rifle

Fox40 Whistle
Signal mirror
Map if you're using a compass and/or GPS
Bear spray (if it's bear country)
Rope

I'd rather have a machete or bushknife rather than just a pocket knife too.

Will you be travelling over the 5 days, or camped out in one spot, or will you have access to a permanent shelter (cabin)?

In any case it sounds like fun.

I know nothing about camping or wilderness but I'd say something to ward off the occasional wild animal would be good. There are mountain lion's in the Cali mountains aren't there? Something to do with yourself might be nice. What do you plan on doing for 5 days?

Just out of curiosity, why the need to get off the grid?

Some camping & emergency training would be one of my first priorities.

Originally Posted by bbaquiran

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Fox40 Whistle Signal mirror Map if you're using a compass and/or GPS Bear spray (if it's bear country) Rope I'd rather have a machete or bushknife rather than just a pocket knife too. Will you be travelling over the 5 days, or camped out in one spot, or will you have access to a permanent shelter (cabin)? In any case it sounds like fun.
I will be in a cabin/lookout that used to be utilized by rangers for spotting forest fires. I don't know which one yet, but this is the one I am leaning towards: What is bear spray?

Originally Posted by Rambo

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I know nothing about camping or wilderness but I'd say something to ward off the occasional wild animal would be good. There are mountain lion's in the Cali mountains aren't there? Something to do with yourself might be nice. What do you plan on doing for 5 days? Just out of curiosity, why the need to get off the grid?
For a long time now I've wanted a vacation to just get away from the city. My trips tend to be solo adventure trips (last minute, no plan, just a plane ticket and some wanderlust). But they are usually in places full of people...cities, random third world countries, etc. I've wanted to just be somewhere quiet for a while. Get away from the online dating, the work, my phone, SF, etc. Once I was hiking up on Mt. Aso, a volcano in Japan, and I drifted away from the tourists and maybe a half mile down a ravine. All I could hear was wind, and the landscape was clear of anything but rocks and shrubbery. I knelt down to the ground, below the wind, and I tried to listen for something. There was nothing but true, pure silence. And it was beautiful. I want silence for more than a moment, so I am doing this trip. I've also wanted to pick up meditation again - I haven't done it consistently for a couple of years. At first I considered a meditation retreat, but I decided the last thing I needed was being surrounded by 50 new-age vegetarian **** and soccer moms doing the trendy thing. I know how to meditate, I just need somewhere to do it. I also want to regain some of my focus/perspective. It will just be me, my mind, nature, a book, and a notepad. Just reading, writing, hiking, and meditating for five days. To some this sounds like the worst vacation ever, to me it is heaven.

You are such a wuss.

might want to pack your marital aid too

Are you renting from someone? You might want to ask them what you'll likely need.

If the tower has no phone, there's no cell coverage, and you're far from any neighbors, you might want a radio or some other method of contacting someone in case of a medical emergency or whatever.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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I will be in a cabin/lookout that used to be utilized by rangers for spotting forest fires. I don't know which one yet, but this is the one I am leaning towards:

This looks ******* awesome.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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For a long time now I've wanted a vacation to just get away from the city. My trips tend to be solo adventure trips (last minute, no plan, just a plane ticket and some wanderlust). But they are usually in places full of people...cities, random third world countries, etc. I've wanted to just be somewhere quiet for a while. Get away from the online dating, the work, my phone, SF, etc. Once I was hiking up on Mt. Aso, a volcano in Japan, and I drifted away from the tourists and maybe a half mile down a ravine. All I could hear was wind, and the landscape was clear of anything but rocks and shrubbery. I knelt down to the ground, below the wind, and I tried to listen for something. There was nothing but true, pure silence. And it was beautiful. I want silence for more than a moment, so I am doing this trip. I've also wanted to pick up meditation again - I haven't done it consistently for a couple of years. At first I considered a meditation retreat, but I decided the last thing I needed was being surrounded by 50 new-age vegetarian **** and soccer moms doing the trendy thing. I know how to meditate, I just need somewhere to do it. I also want to regain some of my focus/perspective. It will just be me, my mind, nature, a book, and a notepad. Just reading, writing, hiking, and meditating for five days. To some this sounds like the worst vacation ever, to me it is heaven.
Sounds awesome. Might get boring up there in your Smokey The Bear Watchtower. Can't meditate for 24hrs a day. Even David Lynch couldn't pull that **** off.

Wow I am so jealous.

Don't forget a big bag of these:

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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Anything obvious I'm missing? Thanks.
Obviously..

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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You are such a wuss.
He's going to get raped by Big Foot.

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

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What is bear spray?

Mace/pepper spray formulated for protection against bear attacks. http://www.centerforwildlifeinformat...bearspray.html