Seeking wilderness gear and considering doing a long distance hike as a method of healing

Hi,

I am recovering from MCS and Lyme disease.. I have experience with on and off grid living. I have run a bit of a hump in my life with chronic illness- I am working and making myself sick trying to stay afloat.
I have lived in the wilderness before. I started a gofundme to help get some quality gear. I really need a sabbatical. I am a often of a "lone wolf" in the world and always have been sort of seeking my tribe. I don't have a lot of resources to ask or any family to ask. So I thought I would post here. I have been an avid reader for a couple of years and thought maybe it would be an appropriate place to post. Love the permaculture playing cards... I just wanted to let people know I'm not just posting this here to post it. I'm trying to reach out to like minded individuals. I have learned so much from this site and have shared much information about not only permies but what I have learned about rocket mass heaters to other tips for off grid living. I lived on in the high desert of new Mexico for years in an old school bus hauling wood and water with a group of very financially poor but very resilient folks. The rocket mass heater info was quite helpful knowledge.
If anyone can help towards my goal I can guarantee one day it will certainly be paid for foward in more ways than you know. I have a giving spirit and always share when I am able- my Father instilled that in me as a child..
https://www.gofundme.com/deepwellphoto

Thanks for taking the time to check this out... I may document my journey of healing as time goes on.. I am so much better! Lots of integrative health- from mainstream to herbalism- shamanism. I have come along way... anything helps. Even if it does not get fully funded I can receive whatever amount is funded- if it goes over my goal anything extra will go towards healthy food,herbs, healing modalities and supporting my livihood while I get this crazy situation together! I am too I ll right now to work as I would like to without getting more ill.. I do not get any government assistance and try to stay out of government as much as possible. If anyone has the means to help it is going towards a much needed cause.

In the future if anyone is in Colorado and would open to me working for them also- I am exploring those options as well. Right now I need some breathing room. If you think you have a good fit for a job or an an herbal apprenticeship please be in contact with me.. I am trying to create a sustainable future, a job or purpose that I love that I am not making myself sick doing, and build a life already. I have extensive knowledge self taught in natural healing, herbs, on and off grid living, and a grew up on two separate farms in the southeast. Everyone I am close to in my family that would be able to help has passed on now.. so basically its just me and the world right now and I am truly trying to make the best of a situation while I make bigger plans. Thanks again for the read!
https://www.gofundme.com/deepwellphoto

You might find that that the best gear is gear that you have made yourself. One thing to super consider for a long term hike is the weight that you are carrying. Everything-from the shoes you wear to the extra weight that you lift every time you lift your 'necessary' walking poles-adds up with every motion of your feet or hands. Each extra strap, or layer in a tent adds up. This is the reason I recommend This Book Beyond Backpacking, By Ray Jardine. Jardine was a Nasa scientist turned rock climber and long distance hiker. In this book he tells how to build a lot of your own gear, or what to choose when buying it, and why, with a focus on extreme lightness. The lightness goes a long way to enjoying the experience, but it does take a leap of faith/or at least into the unorthodox. Suggestions that might be considered controversial like wearing light weight running shoes instead of sturdy heavy hiking boots, are explained, as well as where to purchase lightweight tarp materials and blueprints on cutting and sewing the tarp for your needs. This is a really great How To? guide but just as most important it is a Why To? It's a great read and worth considering all of his suggestions.