>>2798783
Start out camping close to your car in case something goes wrong. Otherwise in NJ I would try something off the AT in north jersey or southern NY to get used to carrying a pack and shit

>>2798785
That’s what I was thinking. I wanted to go somewhere with a cheap tent site and running water and have my car not too far away

delaware water gap

>>2798783
outdoor boys is a boyscout larper but i like that he is getting people into the outdoors. he purposely makes things more difficult from the few video's i have seen when the rest of the state is just into having fun. there are very few bushcrafters in alaska because the rest of the state just likes to enjoy the things around us without making up challenges for ourselves.
>t. remote alaskan who has camped in many of the places he has
also i have an irrational hatred of new jersey due to the people from there i've met in my state. they are by far the worst people i have ever met.

>>2798786
that being said, this is a good idea. chilling in the woods is fun and if you don't like doing it near your car in a tent you won't like doing it anymore without a tent or car. i think you will like it.

in addition to the obvious, bring
>car repair items if you are handy with them. at least be able to start it
>sleeping bag 10f warmer than needed, or additional blankets
>thick sleeping pad if car camping
>gun if you have one
>some sort of battery charging system. don't go a whole night without flashlight or phone when you don't have to
>download some movies on your phone. sitting there bored doesn't make you more hardcore, it makes you bored if you have nothing else to do when it is dark all day

be aware of the fact bears don't sleep for eight months. it is just a long period of lazyness. it isn't impossible to see them in the winter, just far less likely.

no one is meant to live alone for extended periods. it destroys your mind. don't think you have to be a bushcrafter, just chill out with a beer by the fire and listen to the birds. car camping is great, so enjoy it.

>>2798783
>Hey, i’m from NJ
Sorry to hear, me too. Anyway. Bass River State Forrest. Its pretty cheap. There's cabins and shit. Look it up

>>2798878
just fucking drive to pennsylvania, the endless mountains are but a few hours away and have tons of shorter and longer trails to vistas and waterfalls

>>2798783
icefishing on wawayanda lake is pretty good this time of year. you can always pair for a guide instead of purchasing the equipment yourself if you're inclined to do so.

>>2798783
bump

>>2798783
i might also add, don't buy a ton of shit before you know your own preferences and needs. Unfortunately, the winter is not ideal to figure some of that baseline out

>>2798783
if you're deadset on starting this winter, maybe rent a small cabin with a wood stove to get your foot in the door. honestly depends on how much you're willing to spend. might be better of waitIng till early spring for your first tent camping as a complete novice

>>2798847
Thank you for the advice experienced bushcrafter.

>>2798974
I’ve already purchased a bunch of stuff but I managed to keep it around $100

>>2799074
This would be awesome if I could get a buddy onboard

Also why aren’t we allowed to carry practically any bear spray in NJ?? I wanted to buy some to camp as soon as it came in but it’s illegal to carry and cannot be shipped to my house. What the fuck am I supposed to do? I hear the bear population is growing tremendously in NJ and there have been more reports of aggressive behaviors, maybe it’s not fruitless irrational fear.

>>2799946
Eh you can scare away black bears. Don't store food in your tent, don't run away from them

>>2798783
>New Jersey
RIP.

>>2798783
just practice in your backyard Mike.