What Would You Take If You Decided to Be a Hermit?

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On Tuesday, Christopher Knight – AKA the North Pond Hermit – was arrested for theft after triggering a surveillance sensor while trying to steal food from a camp for kids with special needs. That's obviously almost laughably atrocious, but then so are are the other 1,000 burglaries he's been accused of during his 27 years as a hermit living in some woods in Maine.

I've never really thought about the hermit life before, but Knight's story got me thinking about where I'd go and what I'd bring if I did ever decide to leave all my friends, civilisation and comfort behind. I needed some inspiration, so I went to ask some people a question: If you became a hermit, where would you and what five things would you bring?

Wanja, 32, web developer: I'd take some matches, obviously. But I think that’s it.

Just matches? You have four other things you could bring with you.
I was going to say my tablet, but that doesn’t make much sense. I would probably buy a solar charger and bring my electronics and my phone.

Where would you go?
Somewhere where it’s warm, so nowhere in this country. The Caribbean or South America, probably. Actually, I think I'd go to Colombia because my wife is Colombian.

Could you be a hermit?
Yeah, I think I could do that.

Do you not like people?
I do like people.

Would you have any problems with the ruggedness of it all? Shitting in the woods and that kind of thing.
I mean, if you have to experience it, it’s probably a different thing. What kind of question is that anyway? What do you expect people to answer?

I have no expectations.

Brenda, 65, warehouse worker: I'd go somewhere in the South Pacific, probably.

What would you bring?
Soap, shampoo, sun cream, swimsuits.

That sounds more like a holiday than a hermit life.
Well, yeah, it would be for me.

Do you think you could actually do it?
No, I come from a big family. I like people too much.

What do you make of hermits? Is there any explanation for their behavior?
If they want to be on their own, good luck to them.

Jale, 23, student: I don’t understand what you’re talking about. What are you asking me? What do you mean by hermit?

A hermit is someone who lives in seclusion for an extended period of time.
Oh. In that case, I'd bring my boyfriend, my mum, my dad, my brother and my phone.

Bringing all those people kind of defeats the purpose of being a hermit, though.
Well, that’s what I’d want: my family. Actually, forget my brother. I’ll bring money instead of my brother.

Where would you go?
I don’t know. I don't even know if I could do it, to be honest – it sounds too hard.

Okay then.

Sebastian, 34, bicycle mechanic: I'd bring a knife, a fire stone, some rope, good shoes and a bottle.

You seem pretty well prepared compared to other people I've spoken to.
Well, it’s just about surviving, you know? You need the basics to eat, drink and cook, otherwise how are you going to get by?

Where would you go if you were to live away from society for a little while?
The Alps. I reckon I could last out there by myself for a pretty long time.

What about the reality of it, though? 
Nah, it would be fine. There are techniques for the hermit life. You know; make a hole, shit in the hole. You can do it.

Darren, 40, homeless: I'd bring a lighter, a knife, a steel bowl and thread.

Where would you go?
Into the bush. South Africa, man.

Why South Africa?
Because I’ve done that exact thing before in South Africa. I spent eight months in the bush with nothing, just those things I listed. And a hammer.

Why did you do that?
Because of the millennium. You know, when all the computers were going to mess up. I trained myself for if anything bad happened so I could actually survive. I studied the plants you can eat, medicine, all sorts of stuff.

What was the draw?
It was the experience of seeing if I can do it.

Didn’t you miss people?
Yeah, yeah. That’s the one thing you miss is the interaction with people. It's very lonely, but nature’s a good friend. I was actually given land by a chief for 100 years because I lived near the water and wasn’t scared of the water spirits.

You're sorted, then.

Previously - What's More Important: Heating and Water or the Internet?