What Does "Dirtbag" & "Dirtbagging" Mean to YOU?

Fortunately the AMGA is developing a Dirtbag Certification Exam.

Mark E Dixon wrote:Fortunately the AMGA is developing a Dirtbag Certification Exam.

That's a long overdue cert. Unfortunately, they can only pass if they can't afford the class! A real catch-22.

Mark E Dixon wrote:Dirtbag Certification....

I think I smell a t-shirt design.

Happiegrrrl wrote: I think I smell a t-shirt design.

That's not the design you smell..

Real dirtbags:

-Don't have camper vans, RVs, cars with under 100K miles etc
-don't have trust funds
-don't have insurance
-scrounge for everything: climbing gear, clothes (beg for discounts at thrift stores), food, beer, places to stay, rides between destinations, money etc...
-there is a connotation between dirtbag and lowlife scum sucking bum.

I find "dirtbag" terminology tiresome, overused and misused. In most cases doesn't even apply to those who use it or claim dirtbag pride. Camping does not mean dirtbagging. Living on the road does not mean dirtbagging. Not showering does not mean dirtbagging, etc...

I enjoy living frugally on the road, but don't personally relate to being a dirtbag or "dirtbagging"

When I hear the word Dirtbag I think of the lifestyle of the people selling nitrous balloons in a parking lot to fund their ticket to the next Dead show. So any climber living similarly would be a dirtbag.

Greg Petliski wrote: Wow, and humble too! I guess $1.25 is ok, as long as I have a good book to read or a good person to chat with.

I was just saying that taking a day off work would cost me more than $50. Would I rather spend my day reading a book, than working - sure! But that doesn't pay the bills.

I've met plenty of dirtbags w camper vans. In fact most of the dirtbags I've met work hard for their $$ just for the least amount of time possible.

I met a canadian dirtbag named Jodi who drives his van in a climbing/surfing circuit from Canada to Mexico and back every year. He works planting trees then goes at it again. How is that not dirtbagging?

That's not it Greg. People on here are tired of reading about someone selling their 65k$ sprinter can calling it the perfect dirtbag mobile. While the Canadian Jodi may or may not be a dirt bag, the term is over used. Period. And just remember that freedom to one person may not be freedom to another.

The way I see dirtbagging is if you're willing to be in nonideal conditions just to keep doing what you're doing then you're dirtbagging. If you aren't willing to take a nap in the driver's seat every now and then because its not a great place to pitch a tent, and you would rather just buy the van so you can lay down, then you might not be a dirtbag. Vandwellers can be dirtbags but the same concepts apply.

It's hard to quantify dirtbagging easily because all of the examples I've seen are different shades of green in how much money is spent. But I think the overall tone is that as long as you've got what you need (even if you drop a wad of cash on your van interior) and you commit yourself to doing whatever it takes to keep going as long as possible, then you're doing it right. But if your average meal is a bit more expensive than a pack of ramen, than you might already have a date in your mind when you're going back to work, and in that case its basically an extended vacation.

Having drinkable beer on the other hand is always a necessity.

M. Lynn Larsen wrote: Locks the Forest Service road access gate during a NOLS sponsored training for their students

This sounds like a good story, deets on this?

Instant, self-gratification.

Putting off medical insurance, saving for retirement, etc, so you can "live in the now". Sounds fun and romanticized, and if you make it to 65 you can get medicare. Good luck trying to claim social security without paying in, but maybe you'll get away with an SSI/disability claim.

Yes, the freedom now would be awesome. I'm looking out for our future selves and stick to weekend warrior status for now - 4 weeks of vacation a year, plus every other Friday off, isn't a bad exchange for me, personally.

True dirtbags can't afford smart phones or internet access, right? So this thread is another catch-22.

Matt N wrote: True dirtbags can't afford smart phones or internet access, right? So this thread is another catch-22.

You can score an old laptop for the price of a few cases of beer if you know where to shop. and the internet is free. Just gotta be willing to be caught in a coffee shop sometimes...

My dose of dirt bagging was about 8months

Sam Keller wrote:I've met plenty of dirtbags w camper vans. In fact most of the dirtbags I've met work hard for their $$ just for the least amount of time possible. I met a canadian dirtbag named Jodi who drives his van in a climbing/surfing circuit from Canada to Mexico and back every year. He works planting trees then goes at it again. How is that not dirtbagging?

Did Jodi tell you that everytime they get laid off, they collect unemployment? For the same extent, you can call a laid-off lawyer or banker living out of their sprinter/sportsmobile for a few months a "dirtbag"...

Greg Petliski wrote: Some folks do that, but not all of us. I dont do stamps, unemployment, welfare, or asking for money either. I just work for it, but only for as long as I need to, cuz working sucks.

I don't mind people collecting unemployment - all of us who work for the man, pay in into the insurance program anyway. I just have issues with overuse and misuse of the term "dirtbag". True dirtbags don't have vehicles, detest word "j.o.b." and hardly ever are on mountain proj...

Way to build up a straw man and knock it down doligo. Who gives a fuck about whether or not he collects unemployment. He is doing his thing and maximising the things he loves in life.

And for the record when I asked him if he was on mountain project he had no idea what mountain project is.

Eating the cheapest food, drinking the cheapest beer, not paying rent, skiing/climbing/nameyouractivity everyday.

When a 'good day' is when that rest of your big toe nail finally falls off.

Fu$! The money and the girl, just climb.

Someone politely asked me to correct my typo on the thread title, so I did. Some get quirked at seeing questions about how to "dirtbag" (that would be me) and others at incorrectly spelled words on threads that are bumped to the top of list for a few days.

I try to accommodate, when I can.

I don't know that I can define a "dirtbag." But definitely fall into the camp of feeling the term is glamorized and overused.