What type of a life did Gary Paulsen live after leaving home?

After leaving home at age 14, Gary Paulsen lived a rugged and adventurous life. He worked various jobs, including commercial fishing in the Bering Sea, construction work in Alaska, and ranch work in Colorado. He also spent time as a trapper and guide in the wilderness, and even lived for a time in a cave in the desert. Paulsen's experiences during this period provided him with a wealth of material for his later writing.