Did Henry David Thoreau spend the entire two years at Walden Pond without every leaving?

Question

Did Henry David Thoreau spend the entire two years at Walden Pond without every leaving?

Answer 1

He would occasionally leave his cabin to try to borrow money. It did not work after a while. Not one of the locals would lend to him, he was a deadbeat. He wrote his lazy-boy spiritual memoirs only cuz the town cut him off. He did not fool any local, only people who didn't know him fell for his silliness. Yes, I am from Concord, I am familiar with his history.

Answer 2

Nope.

It two years, two months and two days. But he did leave. He wasn't a hermit. He headed into Concord regularly and visited friends.

If you want a real wilderness soloist, check out d**k Proenneke - he went into the woods, alone .. and stayed there for next 30 years (occassionally coming down to visit family).