how to dirtbag

Don't forget to post photos of your trips to South Africa, Mallorca, Nepal, Font, Bishop, Joe's, and some other obscure place that only a "dirtbag" can go to. You know, putting up FA's in some remote part of Russia, Afghanistan, Whereverthefuckistan.

And of course, make sure you are wearing your $80 Patagonia pants, your $35 Patagonia t shirt, and $250 Patagonia down jacket. You know, because that is critical. And I mean CRITICAL!

^ this. make sure your wardrobe costs more than the rest of your belongings.

You actually climb more when you have a job. No job = injury. More motivation to crank. Oh, and the dirtbag is dead. Get over it.

its odd to me that when people want to dirtbag and limit there needs and expenses they always keep booze and bud. I am not trying to look down on people for the recreational substance of choice. I am forcible removed from drinking and pot, (both make me feel awful instantly, some kind of allergy to alcohol and pot just gives me a migraine). So I dont have many positive experience to contextualize the benefits. All I know is that compared to my imbibing friends I have far more disposable and discretionary income for trips and gear, which might explain the size of my rack. some people I climb with could have up to a third more total income than me and yet always seem to be broke.

ask someone who actually is a dirtbag and does not have internet, computer, or MP account (i.e. don't ask anyone on here unless you want that neo-classical-weak-pussy shit dirtbagging experience)

but for realz......if you drink anything that is not free you fail

From my experience trips of one week up to two months are the ideal setup. Enough time to get into the swing of things, motivation remains high, and you actually get things done. Sure you can adapt the "dirtbag" lifestyle if you want, but wait, oh yeah, you still have a job and a life to go back to afterwards.

so a diet of smugness, fart sniffing and urine...

First, make a commitment. Planning is very important especially on the beginning, but stay spontaneous also. People will judge you but stay strong. Second, sell everything you own , except for the gear of course. Leave only the essentials. Third, get a good low key rig, no vans, they attract too much attention. Fourth, get a lifetime membership to a chain of gyms. Fifth, get a cell phone with good navigation app. You can sleep on Wallmarts parking lots anywhere in the country. Stay clean, low key and well organized. Hit up temp agencies for jobs. Get a po box and a travel insurance for gear. Done deal!

Suqui wrote:First, make a commitment. Planning is very important especially on the beginning, but stay spontaneous also. People will judge you but stay strong. Second, sell everything you own , except for the gear of course. Leave only the essentials. Third, get a good low key rig, no vans, they attract too much attention. Fourth, get a lifetime membership to a chain of gyms. Fifth, get a cell phone with good navigation app. You can sleep on Wallmarts parking lots anywhere in the country. Stay clean, low key and well organized. Hit up temp agencies for jobs. Get a po box and a travel insurance for gear. Done deal!

craigslist help wanted ads can be pretty good too. spend a couple days/week picking up odd jobs for grocery cash. beware the creeps though.

Dirtbagging is easy, you just avoid spending money at all costs. It's funny to hear people give advice on how to behave in a campground. Dirtbags don't pay for camping! Camping should be free anyway. Get friendly and ready to spend some time in Camp 4 1/2. There is always an option to stay for free, and in most places it's perfectly legal too. If you can do without your phone, get rid of it. I just buy a pay as you go when I am running out of money and need to look for work or something.

Having a car is a huge expense, probably the biggest challenge to living cheap. If you are truly committed you can sell your car, strip all your possessions down to climbing gear and hitchhik/catch rides from climbers to get around.

Dumpster diving and such tricks to get food are okay, but food isn't really that expensive. If ALL you are paying for is food, it's probably just going to be 100 dollars or so a month. I've lived on less than 2000 dollars a year for quite a while. It doesn't take much savings to go on long awesome climbing trips.

Although I agree with people that you can get just as much climbing done living indoors as dirtbagging. But being a dirtbag is more than just climbing 200 days a year, it's the shared experience, the joy of travel, etc.

If one must ask HOW to dirtbag, one is not fully prepared to be a dirtbag.

The joy of travel says it all! Climbing is only a part of it. Travel in style if you can! Experience what different areas have to offer but be commited to moving on.

I do a ton of things other than climbing, but from living on the road as a dirtbag for the past 14 years, a friendly smile and that vibe in your eyes saying you've been doing rad things... the connections you make with the fellow wanderers... that to me is so much more meaningful than how hard or crazy a thing you climbed.

If you're thinking of being a climbing bum, have a shit-ton of fun.

Oh, and if you're going to be a dirtbag, make sure you come from a middle class or higher background. That way, you'll always have mom and dad's house to go back to when things fall apart. Parents' health insurance is a good thing, too.

Sell your computer. Get off MP and go climb.

This is a pretty funny post. I agree with most of you but in the end I think one of the most important parts of a life of climbing is the one of gaining respect and keeping the respect of your peers. We all know that its fun to dirtbag it while your young and such and all your buddies with you will thank its cool and funny and such for a while. Eventually most of them get some form of a job and stop mooching off of someone. I and Im hoping you dont want to be that last dirtbag who still thinks its cool to bum anything and everything just for the sake of fitting into those scenes we all know are there….and then have all your working friends loose the respect they once had for you. In other words gain the respect and keep it. If you can afford it climb a bunch and dont talk %^&*. If you cant dont worry about it and try to enjoy some good honest work and climb in your free time like a ton of peeps.

My only advice for dirtbaggers...have a plan for "after."

You can't be a dirtbag forever. At some point, you're no longer a dirtbag. You're just a homeless person.

you don't need to be a dirt bag to climb a lot. get a flexible part time job that allows for time off. take 1-2 months and climb with some $$$ in your pocket.

you'll like it better.

Dirt bagging seems pretty overrated, but, to each his/her own. Do whatever you like but I would just say to pay your own way in the world. Don't steal and scam or use entitlement programs that are designed for the truly needy and underprivileged members of our population. I've talked to dirt bag climbers who are actually proud of the fact that they get food stamps and welfare and are, therefore, able to continue their climbing spree. All at the expense of those that really need those programs.
It's good for your soul to work and be a productive member of a society.

Jeff G. wrote:Dirt bagging seems pretty overrated, but, to each his/her own. Do whatever you like but I would just say to pay your own way in the world. Don't steal and scam or use entitlement programs that are designed for the truly needy and underprivileged members of our population. I've talked to dirt bag climbers who are actually proud of the fact that they get food stamps and welfare and are, therefore, able to continue their climbing spree. All at the expense of those that really need those programs. It's good for your soul to work and be a productive member of a society.

Dirtbag climbers aren't the only group who abuse the system. That kind of entitlement alone gives the naysayers ammo to cut public assistance programs. If only there was so kind of way to give help to those really in need.

For the record, I think anything that gets people out on their own is a good thing. Whether you own three houses or you live in a cave at JT you're supporting yourself... Plus growing up and gaining responsibility along the way.