The Dirtbag's Guide to Life: Eternal Truth for Hiker Trash, Ski Bums, and Vagabonds

"I see the "how on Earth do you make this happen?" question in various groups all the time. I'd love to just get this guide out there in response " - Heather "Anish" Anderson. 2019 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and author of Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home

"Have you read Rolf Potts' Vagabonding? It feels a bit like the American Vagabonding." - Six2 - Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trail Alum.

"Gosh I love your book I'm trying to read it, but for some reason I can't stop crying It resonates so much and I feel so emotional about it." - Kathy Vaughan, Team UltraPedestrian and co-author of 98 Days of Wind: The Greatest Fail of Our Life

"You're going to have to change the name if you want anyone to pick up your book who doesn't consider themselves a "dirtbag," "trash," or a "bum."" - Random stranger on Facebook who is not impressed with the title.

Screw picket fences. Live your best life. Sleep in the dirt.

While a life of adventure has traditionally been reserved for the rich and the sponsored, to the dirtbag, it's a birthright for the masses. Partly a celebration of an under-appreciated subculture of hiker trash, ski bums, and vagabonds, and partly a "how to" guide for adventure on the cheap, The Dirtbag's Guide to Life is the first solid attempt to define an outdoor community that has taken root in backpacker hostels, long trails, and climbing crags around the world.

Distilling personal wisdom and practical lessons from dozens of the world's most dedicated dirtbags, this book is for anyone who dreams of hitchhiking trips through Patagonia and summers spent trail running in Montana, but who can't be bothered by mainstream frivolities like expensive clothes and basic hygiene.

The book answers important logistical questions about the major barriers to a life centered on adventure, and covers practical topics like financial planning and career strategies. But if you want to dig deeper in to the big philosophical questions that long-term dirtbags all eventually wrestle with, then this book is also for you - how to manage your most important relationships, how to live as a responsible human being, and how to find meaning when you develop a life centered on playing outside.

So gird your loins. Ditch the idea that adventure isn't for people like you, and tap into the wisdom of the dirtbags who've spent decades showing how the things that you dream of can be done.

Review
"I learned a lot from this guide. I wish I had it when I first started traveling and before Darwin and I hiked the Appalachian Trail. There are so many aspects of the dirtbag life that Mathis touches on that would otherwise be something you kinda just have to learn on your own. I highlighted so much of this book for its awesome quotes, topics and for subjects I wanted to look further into, it's basically yellow and I've lived this dirtbag style life In a perfect world when someone sends an email or in person slams me with questions about my lifestyle, questions about money, or even pops in some criticism, I'll hand over or send over a copy of The Dirtbag's Guide to Life, smile and walk away." - Snuggles - Thru hiker and blogger at Darwin on the Trail and The Snuggle Diaries