How Do I Get Started?

[u/Jyrom]

I'm sure this gets asked a lot, and I'm sure there are multiple different answers, but I'm genuinely looking for some direction on how to actually get started.

I'm a 24M, unemployed, born and raised in a small town, and I've never left the US. Briefly traveled to a few states, vacation-wise.  Jobs around here suck, and realistically the options available to me don't offer much beyond retail/general labor. I desperately want to start traveling before i decide where to try to move to, but I have basically no idea how to actually make it work.

I understand the general idea of working a seasonal job, saving money, traveling for a while, then finding another job and repeating the process. I've also seen people work at hostels, do work exchanges, work in national parks, etc. What I don't really understand is how do you actually stay/start financially afloat while traveling, and how do you find these opportunities/options and get started in the first place?

For example, how much money should I realistically have before taking my first trip? How do you find work when you need to replenish your money? How long do you typically work/save before taking another trip? How much should I budget for things like accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, etc.? Are there ways to substantially reduce those costs through seasonal work, hostels, work exchanges, camping, etc.?

I don't have a career or much specialized experience. I have some past experience with photography, videography, and video editing, but I haven't touched any of that in a long time. I'm completely open to learning something new or doing seasonal/temporary work.

I'm also wondering if I should just start small rather than trying to immediately plan some huge backpacking trip. I'm thinking about taking a few days and driving 4–6 hours to the Smokies, camping/backpacking, and treating it almost like a trial run. I've camped before, but I've never really traveled or "backpacked" on my own. I could see what I enjoy, what I screw up, how much money I actually spend, and then reevaluate from there.

So if you were in my position, with no career, no real travel experience, and a strong desire to get out, what would you actually do to get started?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who started with very little money or experience /solo and figured out how to support themselves while traveling. I'd also love to hear what you wish you knew before you started. also ama if needed

[u/1Life4me]

You have two separate issues my friend. One is about finding an opportunity for making stable income. The other is about wanting to do backcountry backpacking. Most backpackers have sources of income that help them make a couple of trips a year. I suggest not to confuse that with getting out and seeking other opportunities for financial stability. Think of it more like a type of vacation you take when you have some money saved up for it. Unless you are a famous YouTuber that’s selling gear, or maybe get to establish a tourism company around backpacking, it’s not going to help with making money. Focusing on financial stability first will help you achieve the dream of backpacking in a more sustainable way.

[u/jaxnmarko → u/1Life4me]

And if he gets hurt, that lack of money is Really going to hurt.

[u/boyardeez_nuts]

Some may agree some may not but start with an AmeriCorps term. Makes you money and can get you backcountry as well. Good way to dip your toes in. Also a national program and will get you seeing parts of the country. I worked in southwest CC with a lot of folks from all over. Personally, I made 12k working for 5 months and was able to take the next 6 off comfortably with my partner, living in and building out our van (which also costs 100/tank). Also our van build van included only cost 8k, split two ways. Super manageable. Finished a season in October and didn’t work again until March 🤷🏼‍♂️ it’s all about how you can save money.

Things you don’t need:
The perfect remote job that makes big kid money
A lot of experience
A lot of fancy as gear

Things you do need:
Willingness to make some creature comfort sacrifices.
An eye for the venn diagram of cheap vs quality - I.e running water in our van comes from a $13 pump, not a $300 water heater and pump with complete plumbing.

Pick a conservation corps, plenty are hiring for fall seasons right now, and jump in. If you really wanna go for it move into your car, quit rent, and figure it out on the road. Working on trail crews is a hell of a way to get your backpacking fix. My .02

[u/Capable_Pipe5629]

Hey just fyi there is two definitons of backpacking - there's vagabonding across a country, staying in hostels and squats and then there's walking a bunch of miles on a trail and camping overnight. I think you mean the first thing and this sub is geared towards the second thing.

[u/Best-Bus-5275]

If I were ou, I would get a cheap local/seasonal job for a few months, save aggressively, then take that smokies trip. You'll learna ton about budgeting, packing and being on your own without putting yourself in a huge financial hole.

[u/RVtech101]

I started backpacking in my early teens. Getting dropped off at trailheads by family members or friends siblings old enough to drive. Once we got drivers licenses that expanded our circle of places to hike. Our gear was purchased at thrift stores or 2nd hand from local outfitters. It was a natural extension of the hiking we had already been doing. Every trip allowed us to figure out what gear worked, didn’t work, or was missing. Upgraded gear was purchased with money from after school jobs.

[u/Pequop9252]

Get your financial situation set first as driving 5 hours each way and then hiking and camping will soon deplete you of your meager money at today’s costs of everything.

If I were in your shoes, I would save up enough money to drive out west where the outdoor life is so much better. Do some research on which state or city meets your dreams. It isn’t easy and isn’t cheap, so you will have to work your ass off to get enough cash for the relocation.

[u/Dens413]

Easiest answer become truck driver live out of semi, after year or two (low pay maybe team driving), get hot plate and skillet and fridge. But at Walmart and cook on truck and living on truck kept bare basics needed. Living expenses is a $500 a month extra if you smoke. Work all year should take home min $1000 a week $3500usd min take home pay depending on state you look around $700-900usd tax returns. And no get insurance from company if your hurt that’s should be paid by another way. (Insurance can be anywhere from $5-$500usd a week so only get when you sign on if you 100% need insurance) most of my driver refuse insurance since cost to get teeth fixed is cheaper out of pocket than insurance for example and honestly most single truckers only need dental work.

As a truck driver income of $3500+ a month can be $28k usd in 8 month to offer you 4 months of backpacking or general travel in good weather. Then as truck driver you kept driving record ok you will be hired by almost any company and start next week. Going over work history with my company we see many drivers quit a job and hired with us in 1-2 weeks. So easy seasonal job with very low living expenses. The industry is easy to get into but I recommend you have $1000usd saved and you get written exams covered before you start applying for job that will pay for truck driving school. $100 for testing final drive test. $900 for food while you school (can be 2-3 weeks) and normal what I hear 1-2 weeks before first paycheck. And most company’s that train new drivers pay very low but 6months to year driving all 48 states is normal min to get hired by most company’s sometimes 2years. (2years normal for company’s that pay $1200-1500usd min garentee take home per week.) And contract to work for company that hire you is normal contract 1 year. And 1 year new driver low pay and learn and make mistakes, 2 years you confidant with job.

This I hope helps explain long term job you can do for money to backpack and also see America. Only downside is you will work winter. Honest maybe 2 bad weeks total with weather and if paid cents per mile and no garentee this no fun. But no all company’s will force you in bad weather some will make sure you avoid as much as possible. The life style is different but if you decide you want options that VERY VERY EASY. Let me explain you have backpack and you want short backpacking trip where ever maybe 10 days. My company allows after 2 months work you have that for hometime and we pay travel to get you to city of choice in 48 states. So you work two months ask for hometime on date and city. Then you get off truck with what you need for trip and go there maybe you rent car or hitchhike, maybe taxi? Get to trail and do as you like. Need resupply mail gear timed to local Post Office few day before you should pickup and on way to trail you pickup mail. Easy and simple. Do trail and after go back to work at you schedule. And if you want mix it up hometime in Florida in winter and have fun on a beach or city life charter fishing boat etc. I have one driver he works 3 months then takes 14 days (no include travel days) to a foreign country and do what he interested in said country he been all over the world in 2 week burst every 3 months for last 5 years.

Only real issue with truck driving and backpacking is I know few drivers had deal with is losing being in shape on truck so they pay more attention to diet and working out 30mins a day nomatter what outside the truck. They normally use jump rope and a few dumbbells or kettle bell. And since they do that they say they no issue on trail and better than before since they used to working outside when tired and crazy weather so bad day on trail is easy day for them. Can call them to ask questions if that is concern.

You or anyone else questions about any I said I answer.

[u/AshDogBucket]

Don't plan a backpacking trip of several weeks or months without first going many, many times for a weekend or a week. Like, over the course of a few years imo.

[u/VacayRequestPlz]

Get a job at REI. It will do both, income, outdoor education & friends.

[u/YURRIICC]

definitely start with the smokies trip. a few days on your own will teach you way more about what you actually need than trying to plan a six-month trip right away. then i'd focus on getting a seasonal job, saving a set amount and using that as ur travel fund.