Warning about bug out bags

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Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

An equally important thought is where are you bugging out to? Seems like a lot of people just want to "get out of dodge" and "head for the hills" without a specific destination or plan in mind.

Just keep in mind that when bugging out you are essentially electing to become a homeless refugee. You are now a stranger and a threat is someone else's community,

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TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit

This is probably the most important aspect. Planning to bug out is fine (with a destination in mind.) Not having a destination just makes you a well-supplied refugee.

And way, way too many people think "live off the land/woods/etc" IS their destination, when it very much shouldn't be.

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Good point. We're also homesteaders, so bugging out on foot means refugees, an absolutely last resort. I'd hopefully be leading my milk cow as well, she would slow us right down but she'd be a bargaining chip 😆

Plans to live off the land with zero experience is just a joke. We keep 7 days of dried food in BOB, giving us 86mile radius before running out of food (assuming the cow is not with us). Then a few days walking hungry, at which point we're totally screwed unless there's a refugee camp nearby...

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vba7@reddit

If you encounter a mine field, you can send the cow first too

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ShareMission@reddit

Cow can carry cargo

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Far-Respond-9283@reddit

Yes! They can also give you milk, meat and fur. Is too valuable, I don't if I would bargain it.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Oh my heart, not bargain her away! She's my darling! I meant as a bargaining chip to join a community. Someone with an in-milk pet cow, that can hand-milk 2 gallons out while squatting in the dirt and can make butter, yoghurt, cheeses and tallow soap the old fashioned ways etc is someone you might allow to join your community in a disaster scenario hopefully? My skills add a lot to the cow's value.

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uj7895@reddit

What’s the plan to retain possession of the cow absent rule of law?

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

So you'd just take my cow? Ok, then what? I assume from your question that you know how to hand milk a feisty house cow without getting kicked hard in the head. You also know how emotional cows are, they can hold back their milk if they don't like you vs letting it down while she loving licks at you with a sandpaper tongue like you're her calf. How to make butter and cheese without cultures from a shop. I'd imagine if you know all that you'd likely have your own cow to defend...

Assuming you know all that then I still think it would be pretty foolish to underestimate me and risk injury or death by assuming I don't have a plan to retain possession of my prized animal 🤣

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Federal_Refrigerator@reddit

I hope you can explain that before some one who has mastered the art of profound obliviousness gets a gun and shoots you because they think they’re smart. Or they are just merciless and sadistic. Just a thought there, might want to shorted the statement so you can be like “she won’t do much for you except meat. What’s it gonna last you? A few months? I could have you living in style for years.”

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Good script, thanks. Primary I don't live in a country where any clown can just run around with a gun, which buys some valuable time for a conversation. I fully respect the US right to bear arms and believe in it to some extent, but I'm also very glad I don't live there!

I'm trained in martial arts but don't look intimidating (as a small female), am a decent judge of character and negotiater. I do know how to use firearms, a machete, or a knife as a concealed weapon if absolutely necessary. I also have a pretty kickass husband who'd hopefully be beside me.

But before I fight I'd far prefer to cooperate with other people for everyone's benefit. I've slaughtered my own animals for meat. People on here are so cavalier about killing. It's pretty stupid and clear they don't know how hard it is to actually do for the average untrained person. Nevermind the toll taking a human life has on a person's soul, just take a close look at some veterans.

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Federal_Refrigerator@reddit

If they don’t have guns they’ll have knives or bow and arrow etc etc. a weapon is a weapon. Gun or not, the risk stands. Not much conversing gets done while trying to defend against a knife, an arrow, etc.

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uj7895@reddit

I didn’t mean to sound adversarial. I just asked how you plan on retaining possession of your cow. I do think your value as a dairy farmer would give you a better chance of being accepted into a community. But that doesn’t mean the community isn’t going to assume ownership of your cow and indenture you. And you don’t have any value as a dairy farmer if someone is planning on eating your cow. The reason I ask is I don’t really have a realistic theory on how to retain possession of my preparations other than goodwill, concealment, or violence. You would be in a unique position because you and the cow have more value as a pair to someone who wants dairy products, so that’s one step ahead of someone hoping to keep their provisions.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Goodwill, concealment and violence if necessary are plenty. Seriously, if by some epic disaster the world has gone back to nomadic cattle raiding most of us are dead anyway, including me. The Rambo lone wolf dudes on Reddit bragging about killing everyone and taking their stuff because they're special forces are just fantasists typing from their mum's basement who probably couldn't walk 10miles with a pack except in their COD game world. Hard truth is, if you live in a city you're dead anyway.

Real soldiers and hunters are not on here telling you all their plans. They will survive the first wave of Redditors stuggling to walk/drive out of the cities by going deeper into the wilderness than they could survive, waiting a week and then forming communities and tribes of the fittest (and picking off the lone wolf idiots like putting down rabid dogs), because thats how humanity operates, in social units.

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ShareMission@reddit

Most people turn evil pretty fast in far less serious circumstances

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Far-Respond-9283@reddit

Ohhh that make more sense 😭

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Ouakha@reddit

Fur? You're thinking of a bear, maybe? Though I'm not fancying my chances of milking a mother bear!

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Far-Respond-9283@reddit

Sorry, English is not my mother language, "cowhide" is what I means!

Well, you will not be able to milk a mother bear with that negative attitude!😂

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Dairy cow, I wouldn't put any additional load on her. It's too demanding on their body as well as milk production so just walking distances with only grass to eat would be hard to keep weight on her.

If she has a good natured male calf though you can definitely ring his balls and make him a bullock to train for pulling and carrying loads, if you didn't need him for meat. Domestic cattle are a gift to humanity.

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TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit

And yet that is some people's plans. Just...eternally camping and not thinking past that. Sounds like at least you guys have some experience with it and have mapped it out!

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Espumma@reddit

people posting to bugout subs just have a looting fantasy. They're always the dumbest packs with too many knives and too little socks. Any time anyone suggests looking into backpacking subs for bags you can live out of, you get shushed. Same with suggesting you need to be fit to be able to pull it off for more than 12 hours.

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No_Character_5315@reddit

Honestly if I had fitness issues I'd just get a bicycle.

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summonsays@reddit

People way over estimate their ability to forage for food. Or their ability to grow their own food afterwards.

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Muted-Mongoose1829@reddit

People should watch the show Alone to see what it’s like to live off the land.

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InPerilAskWackySam@reddit

THIS.
Many people just anticipate they'll be told where to go, which may not happen.

You may just get an alert that says "evacuate the [insert area]" and not have specifics on where you should be going.

- Know where your local shelters are.
- Having trusted places you can go within and outside of your city. Family, friends, hotels if you must.
- If your car becomes the safe place, having a few places you can park (drive up camp sites, dispersed camping, big parking lots) is a good thing too. Just know that the closest ones will be packed.
- If there's a chance that safety authorities will be releasing shelter locations soon, be ready to make temporary pit stops until you have a "final for now" destination.

Having options is the name of the game.

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fnord72@reddit

I look at it as a get-home bag. And then as a collect the rest of the family bag. Being in a suburban environment in a desert region means bugging out has all sorts of problems. Staying home and working with the neighbors is a better option for my family. But to each, their own.

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BalikbayanPrepper@reddit

From watching the plethora of prepping content on YouTube, my understanding is that the bug out bag is supposed to sustain a person until the bug out location, which is supposedly a remote one, hence the long walk. I don't have a bug out location, so I don't have a bug out bag.

My family and I have bags to get me to my siblings' houses, one of which we can walk to and the other we'll have to ride a plane to. I have supplies prepositioned in those houses so we can stay long if needed.

I also expect to camp outside for a week or two if a devastating earthquake happens. In that case, we don't plan to go on a long hike, we just need to bring the appropriate camping equipment and supplies to a place clear of structures that could fall on us. Those bags are camping/earthquake bags, not bug out bags.

An INCH bag, IMO, has a more solid use case. But where I am, never coming home does not mean surviving in the woods, because there are no woods for days (which tells you why I can't even have a remote bug out location). I could imagine having an INCH bag if I were in a suburban or rural area.

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Counterboudd@reddit

Yeah, I really don’t understand the end game where this makes sense. You’re forfeiting all your worldly possessions and safety to….go roam around in a forest? To what ends exactly? If you know your current residence would be toast in a shtf situation I would just move if it were me. Your home is your castle. I don’t know why you’d choose homelessness in possibly the most vulnerable situation you’ll ever be in.

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samtresler@reddit

99 t8mes out of 100 you need friends or relatives a couple hundred miles away and your car, or you need a local motel you've vetted before and a credit card and ID.

One if an evacuation order comes in, the other if your house burns down.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

I would never choose homelessness. What shtf scenario are you referring to? There's hundreds and unfortnately nowhere is immune to disaster. We all just take our chances and hope for the best. Bugging out on foot is absolute last resort on my list of options. But if we do have to, at least we won't be physically broken if we had to walk 50 miles to safety.

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totally_boring@reddit

Not only is this most peoples plans.

Most people don't come with any skills to help a prepper community or a homesteading community.

If your planning to become a refugee and you have a very unuseful skill set. You better start practicing some practical skills and make yourself valuable or practical.

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

You know, in almost 40 years of preparing and interacting with tens of thousands of like minded folks, I can't remember anyone that thought they would just wander in the woods as their #1 plan.

What was often mentioned on the DL or after a time, was things like "heading to the state park at such and such" where their was already some shelter, usually water and a remote location.

I've known of groups who's "plan" was to "take over" certain remote "springs" parks in Florida where clean water was prevalent, fishing was available, etc.

So at least some of the folks you think are BO'ing without a plan, do have a plan, just not a nice one....

Others I'm sure have bought into the lies of some of the fiction/fantasy stories and think they will "find a farm or community and HIRE ON as security..." Sure, you ain't from 'roun here, no one knows you, you just wafted in AFTER SHTF and we are going to "hire you" (whatever TF that means) to do the most sacred job in the apocalypse? Not likely.

Many others will count on former/current relationships to try to ease their way into safety. Going to "grandma's farm" or "Bill that I went to high school with has a place in the woods. Their plan is to lean on some social norms to try to get a foot in the door. If/when that breaks down violence will likely ensue. Standing there with your 3 kids and wife after a harrowing escape from the city and being told no or worse, many will resort to that.

Some will know others and having no planned BOL/retreat will resort to taking over a farm. For a lot of folks that's just bluster/hubris, but more than a few have the ability to pull that off. May not even be their #1 plan but may come about due to circumstances.

I remember in the long long ago driving several hours to go on weekend training outings and a bunch of us talking on the route noticing abandoned houses in rural areas. Hell we even stopped and looked at more than a few. That might have been an option. Could we as 19-20 years old gotten the full worth out of that? Likely not as skills in electrical, repair skills, etc. were definitely not up to snuff at that age, and we were still at the "living out of the pack" stage of growth. But they were remote places we could defend and had been training to do things like that.

It's easy to assume folks bugging out without a plan will just wander the wastelands, but that's not going to happen for most of them. If they don't have a backup plan, they will make one quickly out of desperation/necessity.

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Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

This sub is full of people asking for help with a bug out bag where they have directly or indirectly stated they have no plan and no destination. The thinking is "anywhere but here" which I guess could be correct under some circumstances.

Even those with a destination seem to think they can just hop in the car and drive a few hundred miles as if everyone around them isn't going to have the same idea. One guy's bug out destination was over 1,000 miles away in Arizona. In a serious emergency roads will be clogged or closed, fuel will be unavailable and danger will be everywhere.

And most of these people are not super organized or super lethal so they might try to take over a farm and that might even work for a while. But if things have gotten to that point then it's a deadly game of king of the hill and there is always a bigger kid on the block.

The instinct to flee cities in an emergency is valid but the idea of "living off the land" is not - whether that is foraging or looting. After something catastrophic desperate people will be literally everywhere competing for limited resources.

If you want real world examples of bugging out without a plan or destination just take a look at refugees from Syria and Central America. Families crossing the Darian Gap jungle on foot with some beans and a few water bottles in a Hello Kitty backpack.

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

I agree. We are kinda saying the same thing in different ways I think...

I've wrestled with people having these BS ideas for almost 40 years. Sometimes it's the hunters, thinking they will "always" be able to hunt. I ask them how they plan to hunt, they tell me. Then I say, here's what I would do as a BG, wait for you to get the deer field dressed, do a scan of the area with thermal (make sure you don't have friends around), then do something from a distance (you get the pic), then carry off my deer. And that's how a lot of conventional "hunting" will end if things are bad. "Bubba" is going to have to have a hunting party with him to be safe.

My point was the folks that say they are just going to "head somewhere" do probably have a plan. It's not exactly polite or kosher to say "I'm going to try to take over a farm" as you will get ostrachized (SP) over that in the survivalist community. But many do have that plan, or squatting on some random land in the country- cause as some city people think, country land is like a big "park"- no one owns it and you can do WTF you want with it! Seen that attitude more than a few times.

People will wander yeah, but not for long. Most of the logical conclusions to this I listed in the last post.

Will they make it out of the cities? Depends a lot on the situation. Look around and do some "people watching" next time your at the grocery store, out shopping. Not a helluva lot of truly in shape type people in Amerika any more. Next time people watching look for folks that appear to be in shape for a long walk, the numbers are low. And "adrenaline will get me through" (heard often from out of shape preppers as an excuse for not doing PT) isn't a plan.. Many won't be able to leave if: roads are blocked, EMP, car trouble, riots, military crackdown due to riots, contagion, etc.

Finally, a powerful drug, HOPEium will keep quite a few in the cities- hope that the situation is overblown, will end in a few days, gubmint will be here to help us, blah blah blah. Look at how many "preppers" now think they will make it ok in cities? People crave comfort and familiarity over Security and Safety.

Moving to your retreat and living there full time "is the way" if you can do that. It takes some sacrifices and lifestyle changes and that's why few do it.

I remember in Sept 1999 Hurricane Floyd was forecast to hit NE Florida. I had my business and home down there then, but was mostly through finishing a little house up here. We spent 6 hours on the road making what is normally a 3 hour trip- and we did good compared to many others that spent 9 hours on the same drive. But I distinctly remember sitting in a long traffic jam north of Folkston on US1 and thinking through the "bigger picture" and thinking "what if I saw 6 mushroom clouds coming from Jax behind me now?" It truly rammed home the bugging out folly to me and right there I decided we would move to our retreat full time not long after.

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tacticalawnchair@reddit

What covid opened my eyes to was how slow things move in the sense that... let's say covid was more deadly and you "headed for the hills" in march. You gonna camp til 2023? Are u even gonna make it through a week? State or country size events like people are envisioning take a long time. Longer than people can camp.

Not to mention there's just not that much forest. People have this romantic idea that the forest is just enless but its not. Try to go find a camping spot on a holiday weekend... now picture teotwawki

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bothtypesoffirefly@reddit

I’m in Appalachia and have access to 17,000 acres. There isn’t much forest in some places, but here we’re overrun with it. Although I will say if I have to camp out there, I’m going to have to get used to the whipporwills, those suckers keep me awake all night.

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PeachyBihh@reddit

Whippoorwills?

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bothtypesoffirefly@reddit

Loud birds that scream all night. They’re great until you try to sleep.

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echosrevenge@reddit

We live in rural Maine. Come late Spring 2020, there were some crazy looking Winnebagos headed north driven by some real wild-eyed sorts of dudes. All summer long the Warden service was rousting people out of (and rescuing people from) all kinds of ill-considered illegal backcountry campsites on both public and private lands, with extreme prejudice.

The fantasy that when one thing happens, the whole edifice collapses and we go straight to War Boys and cannibalism is just that - a fantasy. Especially in rural areas, local authorities will locally authoritate (if not locally authoritarian) because in many cases, thats what they & their family have been doing since long before the federal government was a daily presence in anyone's life.

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monty845@reddit

A number of states came pretty close to closing down interstate travel during COVID: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/27/us/rhode-island-tracking-down-new-yorkers

We get a small pox outbreak, its going to be a case of get where you are going before the politicians understand what is going on, or you are riding it out where ever you are when the lockdown comes.

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TerriblePabz@reddit

I have seen very few people consider that MOST land is someone else's, and they will see you as a threat in the situations you are bugging out for. Most people will bug in until they are forced out, which means you are an invader and likely a hostile one (foraging for food on their land means taking their food, possibly from their children) that needs to be met with swift and decisive force.

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paratethys@reddit

Agreed that most seem to have no plan. If you DO have a specific destination in mind, such as an invitation from international family members to stay with them if things get bad in your region, most of the stuff in a stereotypical bug-out bag would be illegal to fly with.

But regional disasters where you can solve the problem by relocating to an unaffected region don't make nearly as interesting of fantasy scenarios as global ones.

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sva8@reddit

We do have a plan, just re-enact season 1 of the walking dead!

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Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

Good show up until about season four. It does seem to support my belief that other people could be a bigger problem than the actual disaster.

I am VERY confident in our ability to survive any long term emergency if simply left alone. But when you add hungry neighbors, desperate refugees, immoral marauders and/or various government elements and we're probably screwed.

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ishootthedead@reddit

And also a source of new supplies

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squidwardTalks@reddit

It's especially dangerous if your administration has made being homeless a crime, because now you're a target.

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HappyWatermelon7@reddit

Good info

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AerolundGrayMane@reddit

You mentioned Osprey and good hiking packs; I strongly second that opinion. I see many people buying these tactical looking bags that look horrible to carry for an extended period of time. Too many people look for the tactical stuff instead of the practical stuff.

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Ramcrates@reddit

Totally agree. I think preppers making get-home bags or bug-out bags would benefit a ton with doing some backpacking. And also looking to pack like backpackers do, saving weight on non-essentials. Also carrying KT tape for blisters, and putting it on at the right time...

You made kind of a side point about rain covers for bags- something I learned when I bought a bag for backpacking that didn't have a rain covert, was just to take a trash-compactor (thick and durable) garbage bag into my hiking backpack, and then just tie it off. It's really cheap and not very heavy. I've seen people's rain covers get wet and soak through, cuz they're made of waterproofed nylon I think. But my garbage bag liner has always kept stuff dry!! For reference I did this backpacking on the Washington coast and it rained the better part of 3 days. I was wet but the stuff in my bag wasn't.

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ImDeepState@reddit

Why do that when all I want is cool gear?

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SebWilms2002@reddit

For the last two years I've been averaging 50 miles walked a week with a 40lb bag. Not everyone can realistically fit in 50 miles a week, but 8-10 miles a week is all that is needed to improve health. Then add on a ruck on the weekend, or every other weekend.

In my experience people simply don't realize what they aren't capable of. Walking is supposed to be easy, probably the easiest exercise. So everyone just assumes they can walk indefinitely without issue. My husband and I used to invite friends frequently for trails, and that lasted just a few months. We'd invited everyone once, and every time they were constantly stopping to catch their breath, cramping, complaining about foot/knee pain, blisters etc. We were incredibly patient and supportive obviously, and always invited them out again. But they always said no to the second invite.

Unfortunately there aren't really any shortcuts to building that kind of strength and stamina. The legs, core, back and shoulders are big muscles just need a ton of fatigue and input over time. Literally, you just have to put in the miles.

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Straight_Ace@reddit

50 miles a week is impressive! I wish I had the time to do more, but I work a lot. But I usually walk around 8 miles a week on average just from walking to and from work every day, and I carry a backpack with 10 pounds worth of crap in it. Even if it’s not a prep it’s a good workout

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RelativelyRidiculous@reddit

In my experience people simply don't realize what they aren't capable of.

Definitely. I am definitely your case in point. Went on some trips this year where 8-10 miles hiking per day was necessary. I do exercise and walk a lot with all the walking being outdoors even.

First trip terrain was just different. I wouldn't even necessarily say it was worse, just different. I had aches I wasn't expecting and issues I hadn't really planned for. Even with strength and stamina if you utilize muscles not used to it more you get a taste of what the uninitiated would face.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

My point exactly, well put! There's a lot of delusional preppers unfortunately. 50miles a week is awesome! But it also shouldn't put anyone off. You can start just with 1- 2hr pack walks once a week. I've found after 20 years of multi day hiking I now have good enough core and muscle memory so only need to maintain between hikes with a ruck once a week, but I train much more in the lead up to a big hike. Got a 5 day mountain pass in October so I'm out rucking a lot atm. The fitter you are the more fun the hike, but in a shtf scenario you aren't having fun lol so you just need the base pack fitness to know that, even with discomfort, you can actually make it to your location without crashing out.

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MistyMtn421@reddit

I'm finding as I get older, that added weight is huge. I noticed this helping a friend move recently. I was going going all day, slinging boxes, up and down stairs a lot and all of that is fine until I decided to carry a box of books upstairs. I thought I was going to die. It was crazy. Granted it was a heavy box, but I couldn't believe how short of breath I was. It was also towards the end of the day, and yeah I was tired and probably a little dehydrated. But I'm noticing it more and more and I've really got to figure out what to do about it.

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usedtobebrainy@reddit

Dehydration is huge and serious. I am disabled till knee replacements, but got seriously dehydrated during and after a tummy bug . After a week I finally admitted there was something wrong with my mother's advice ( which she got from her mom, who got it from her mom, etc ad infinitum), and headed for the emergency room. Several hours later after two IV infusions, I headed home, sadder but wiser. Take it seriously, anyone who doesn't already know!

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Get your butt out rucking, start small going around the block, and build up your fitness. Hikers also learn to pay attention to things like rest breaks, food, electrolyte and their hydration levels. Dehydration itself can start a chain of events that quickly lead to death in the wilderness.

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0tter_gaming88@reddit

I would 100% agree if you can't carry your shit then why have it

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optionaldaughters@reddit

Everyone should also have a bike and a small packable tent.

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Grigor50@reddit

Who seriously needs to "bug out" like that? I mean, sure if there's flooding or some forest fire or something like that... but other than that - what could possible make it meaningful to just... run out in the wilderness?

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

That's exactly the kind of localized scenarios I'm talking about: earthquake, volcano, wildfires, floods, where roads are inaccessible. And bug out is always last resort after bug in and then vehicle evacuation. Because it's good to have plans A,B & then a C up your sleeve.

If most people on this sub can't even comfortably fucking walk for a few hours carrying a load we've just come way too far from our human ancestry. If a truly global catastrophe happens the reality is most will die pretty quickly, and after reading half the comments here...I'm actually ok with that 😂

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Grigor50@reddit

... "outside the USA"...? You're kidding, right?

And a "truly global catastrophe"? Like what, zombie apocalypse?

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BalikbayanPrepper@reddit

Like I wrote in my other comment, I don't have a BOB because I don't have a bug out location. I have bags for staying at a relative's place (where I have supplies prepositioned) or camping outside for a week or two (which will not require a long walk). But, I do carry a substantial EDC. It's so substantial that it's no longer gray man, however I made sure it's perfectly civilian-looking. I pretty much go around the city looking like a traveling backpacker. It's a heavy load but I've learned to carry it because I always have it whenever I leave home. It was difficult in the beginning, but I believe this act of rucking with my EDC has made me stronger overall, which is why I now carry it with ease.

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Spiley_spile@reddit

It's fun to buy things. And having prep "stuff" is better than nothing. But yeah, I think some people are overinflating their sense of security by soley treating their anxiety with "shopping therapy".

As you say, if person's scenario includes covering ground on foot, they need skills + experience.

Ive been a wilderness backpacker for more than a decade. I made some dangerous mistakes early on. Those arent mistakes Id want to make when Im traveling out of desperation instead of just recreation. Recreation allows more room for mistakes.

Additionally, a lot of new backpackers make the critical mistake of assuming that backpacking is just camping with added walking. They assume they need chairs, a full kitchen loadout etc.

And some preppers confuse bushcraft tool as essential supplies for a 30 mile get home bag, because, again, their lack of backpacking experience. They bring hatchets, ferro rods, fishing kits etc.

The vast majority will be injuring themselves by the weight of it all. If they werent already injured by whatever disaster they're fleeing.

If they don't want to attract attention, then building a fire and chopping with a hatchet are out anyway. I live in the PNW and a bic has worked to start fires just fine. Not to mention, there are so many food options that most trips, I don't even bring a stove. I just eat my food directly from the package or just add cold water. If the goal is getting to the location fast, then the skill is how to pack light, and how to pick a safe path. Packing light is the art of knowing how to multiputpose items. How to problem solve with what you do have To distinguish luxury from necessity. To be able to tolerate discomfort. To properly assess one's skill level and match it to the gear one brings. The lower the skill, the heavier one has to pack. The heavier pack, the slower the journey and the greater the chance of injury.

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Far-Respond-9283@reddit

Now I'm curious of what's in your bug out bag....

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Spiley_spile@reddit

I have a policy of not publishing the contents of my own kit.

However, I have posted an example of a 1-person evacuation kit. It exists to illustrate a concept, and to help folks begin to generate ideas for themselves. It isnt intended to be a recommendation of "This is the kit people should build." Kits should be personalized to fit an individual's skill level, needs, and scenario.

With all that in mind, below is a link to a 3 day, PNW, summer go-kit that weighs 25lbs, fits into a 45L backpack, and includes a minimalist, summer camping shelter.

https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/s/7w85gHaHcX

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asspatsandsuperchats@reddit

why ever not?

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Spiley_spile@reddit

Medical privacy. My kit is built around managing my disabilities.

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asspatsandsuperchats@reddit

Can you share the stuff not related to your disability?

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FuyoBC@reddit

They did so in the linked post a couple of pictures up, with pictures, which is very helpful although well outside of what I will need given I am based in the UK home counties area :)

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Far-Respond-9283@reddit

I understand! Thank you!

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Dr_mombie@reddit

Dave Canterbury's books and shows are vastly underrated for the wealth of knowledge he offers.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

"Recreation allows more room for mistakes" Exactly. There's so many skills you can only learn BEFORE you need them.

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OneQt314@reddit

While studying abroad back in college and my friends and I would travel around Europe with ~20lbs on our back, just full of junk clothes, travel books and wine.

When you're a poor college student, your bag sticks with you around town, malls & trains. You learn very quickly about back pain and tired legs, lol. I had to leave behind all my travel books and some clothes to lighten the load.

Today, as an advent traveler & hiker, I do pack smarter with pack weight in mind & quality over trends. These are solid tips! Buy quality, it'll go the distance for you in times of need.

I mentioned my story because you don't need to go on a hike to learn what you can carry. Just load up your gear and go for an hour walk around the park or the tread mill with your pack on.

Thanks for the tips!

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BalikbayanPrepper@reddit

Gosh you reminded me of my friend who brought a number of books when she went hiking up a mountain 😂 Her companions had to carry some for her.

Today, I bring a lot of books around with me, and they're all stored in an old Android phone.

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Scared_Category6311@reddit

This is why I plan on dying in the first wave of whatever happens.

I'm not a survivor. I won't make it a mile with a pack.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

And that's ok. It's the sad reality many people cannot accept. If we're talking end of the world situation, just watch The Road film, so depressing people that choose s**cide. Im middle aged so I don't care too much if I die but I would really like to have the chance to pass on some traditional homesteading skills before I die, for the sake of the surviving generation.

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kuru_snacc@reddit

Summary: If you take elevators when there are stairs available, you're not bugging out anywhere.

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EbolaPrep@reddit

I love this post! It really is a good idea to backpack some with your BOB.

In fact, just backpacking with a group is great. You learn all sorts of tips and tricks from other backpackers. What works, what doesn’t, what brands are great and what brands suck. What is a time suck and what is effective. Like a platypus gravity filter vs a hand pump.

When you get home, pull out all the stuff and what you didn’t use, don’t repack it.

Men pack too much food. Women pack too many clothes.

If you question an item, in regards to weight. Hold it in your outstretched hand for two minutes. If it feels heavy at the end, leave it behind.

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InconspicuousWarlord@reddit

This guy has some good tips for anyone who hasn’t really thought through their plans. Keeping the mindset of “fear is a good motivator and I can muscle through anything if I’m scared for my life” or “I can run faster scared than they can angry” is a sure fire way to end up as a lump in a ditch. Absolutely train as you fight. Run drills. Give yourself false limitations, like, oh shit my water source has a leak or my filter got lost. Now what are you gonna do? My tent is wrecked. My fire stick is gone. My lights are dead. Compass broken. Etc.

When it’s only training, set yourself up for failure so you can learn to think, modify your plans, and hopefully outsmart the limitation you set for yourself. Make it suck. Make the entire exercise suck so bad you never forget it. After that, whatever comes won’t be as bad by comparison and you’ll be prepared.

10 miles though? That’s highly optimistic in my opinion. That’s doable on incredibly easy terrain (see: flat and paved) without much in the way of supplies on your back. Back country? That just isn’t happening. I’m pretty fit and have good endurance, and I have many many miles under my belt, Army and civilian. Most grueling trip I’ve done was when we hiked the Maroon Bells in Colorado. One weeks worth of food + tent and all that jazz and my pack came in at right around 65lbs. Luckily we didn’t have to carry water because there was a ton on the hike and we all had filters, otherwise holy hell that would have been awful because water isn’t light. Anyway, we barely made 6 miles a day from camp to camp and that was without the added mental strain of a collapse situation.

Some of y’all in this sub have to remember that you are not equipped with plot armor.

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DutchDasterd@reddit

Im a reasonably experienced (but not trained fit) hiker with a knee problem, and 10 miles is our preferred distance. Not too long, but nice enough to get a bit tired. 10 miles is the distance we can keep doing all day every day in the Ardennes on little trails. That's not 'flat and paved', but not hard mountains either. More like hills with an attitude problem. I thought you were handling some really harsh terrain until i read (and calculated) better.

I was shocked at your 65lbs....yes with that weight you're not going far without extensive training and fitness. I am by no means an ultralight hiker, but have found my 'comfort limit' to be around 45 lbs total weight. After that it really starts limiting my distance . I can easily fit a week of hiking in that weight (including some beers and whisky). I usually end up at around 33lbs for a 2-nighter and have done 10-nighters.

All im saying is that A: your experience sounds entirely reasonable B: it is possible to use way less weight without doing anything crazy (like cold soaking and cutting handles of toothbrushes) C: we could almost extrapolate and say that a reasonable average distance is 10 miles minus 1 mile for every 5lbs over 45lbs. C: IF you are bugging out to a destination (as opposed to the fantasy of living in the woods indefinitely), you're better off going light(er). You need just as much gear for one night as for 10, but you save on consumables.

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InconspicuousWarlord@reddit

Well, the four pass loop is pretty harsh. The shortest elevation gain is about 1400ft and the tallest is about 2000. We did the trail rider and buckskin passes in the rain, which was un-fun. Knocking out all four in a week was grueling but the packs get lighter towards the end.

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DutchDasterd@reddit

My dude, it took some digging because those numbers are definitely sporting but still nothing 'grueling'. What you forget to mention is that this loop starts at 8000ft (2400m) and goes all the way up to 12500 (3800m). Thát is your extreme factor....that with a 65lbs pack is damn impressive. What did you pack? Oxygen cylinders? Spare dalai lama?

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InconspicuousWarlord@reddit

The word you’re looking for is Sherpa. The dalai lama is a religious figure. Snark aside, since I can’t tell if you’re being a dick or just don’t know the trail, I’ll give some numbers.

From the Maroon Lake trailhead (9,580 ft) we hit Buckskin Pass first: base ~10,400 ft, summit 12,460 ft — ~2,000 ft gain. Dropped to ~10,400 ft, then climbed Trail Rider Pass (12,420–12,500 ft) — ~1,600 ft gain. From there we descended to ~10,800 ft and knocked out Frigid Air Pass (12,415 ft, +1,600 ft) and pushed straight into West Maroon Pass (12,500 ft, +2,300 ft) the same day, before descending back to the trailhead (9,580 ft).

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DutchDasterd@reddit

I'm honestly not trying to be a dick, and no, i don't know the trail. But what you describe would not be that bad if it all started near sea level and you'd have all the oxygen available. You seem to be focusing on the elevation gains that make it grueling, I'm looking at the altitude itself. Trust me, i fully understand that your trip was grueling...but not because of the climb.

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InconspicuousWarlord@reddit

I gotcha, my bad. The gains themselves were really only bad because of the short distance in which they were, like 1500ft up in the span of a quarter mile. Or the switchbacks on some of the peaks that break that 1/4 down even farther. The actual altitude did mess with us a bit because we didn’t acclimate ourselves before hitting the trail, drove in from central Texas, but even that wasn’t so bad until we got above the treeline.

Honestly though, the skree field with a 65lb pack was the worst part.

As for what you asked about my load, my pack itself is about 15lbs but it’s built for carrying a rifle and a lot of gear on extended deep backcountry trips where resupply isn’t an option. I didn’t have one of those nice ospreys. I had all the exact same stuff that the other guys had in their lightweight packs, my frame was just much heavier.

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DutchDasterd@reddit

Yeah, I understand that my words could seem flippant, i apologize. Im not here for a pissing contest, nor to troll.

For a (sub)sealevel boy like me those altitudes seem crazy, and a skree field sounds....sphincter tightening. But, to stay on topic, our conversation really does show the value of 'doing the thing for real' and that estimating how far you can go is not a simple matter at all. I bet that even with your heavy pack you'd laugh at 10 miles in my local surroundings (flat flat flat!)

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Yeah I liked plenty of his advice about testing yourself in training but I scratched my head about 10 miles being a reach too. That's my comfortable daily distance on a 4 day hike, with pack weight of 14kg, on good trails. I'm also a female, not a guy. But that said, if you're humping military loads doing off track land nav in mountain jungle then 10miles would definitely be a crazy reach.

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DutchDasterd@reddit

Yeah, completely agree. The whole this is that you have to know what is 'averagely doable' for you. I'm a 1.94, 110kg guy with a beer belly, while my GF is about 1.70 & 70kgs. She is fitter and has a high pain tolerance, i'm bigger and stronger, but also burn more calories and have a harder time up hill. We carry about the same, and we walk about the same. The lesson you are also teaching is that 'we know from experience that planning for a 10 mile day with our gear is usually very doable, and we know the limits of more miles/more weight'; the only way to know that is to do it, because as you say, we see very fit and capable people break down because they're doing something new, while I scoot by with a non-ideal body because of experience.

I also firmly believe that you don't need 'a lot' of experience to create this knowledge. 2 or 3 hiking trips will get you a decent idea of what it's like and how your body reacts.

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ferds41@reddit

Such a good reply, "plot armor" basically summarises what I said in the comment above, more often in emergencies it won't be what you planned (not to say you can't do scenario preparation) but rather what necessity dictates.

Often see people on the prepping community subrredits that have an arsenal fit for invading a small African country but questionable training (I know this because of some of their posts/comments). That nice Daniel Defence DDM 4 and 300 spare rounds without serious training = epic loot drop for guy with 22lr, 50 rounds and serious training.

The two categories most often overlooked in training and over stocked in gear are firearms and fitness. If you can't carry a 60lbs bag 20 miles in 10 hours drop the bag, complete a course of fire, maintaining accuracy and speed, pick the pack back up and navigate 5 miles in the dark over challenging terrain, you are fantasy role-playing survival.

There is a reason military units train a certain way, it's almost like someone went and figured this all out.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

There's a reason military operate in large units too. It's not just an elite squad out there making contact. There's medics, coms, intel, logistics, cooks, Q stores, drivers and pilots that support every operation. Humanity has survived many catastrophic events by pulling together and forming communities with a wide variety of skills.

Once you've survived all your firefights and night nav and outlived all the walking dead you might start thinking about recovering something closer to a comfortable life and how best to achieve that. You're going to need to cooperate and build trust with other people, mostly strangers, to improve your survival.

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ferds41@reddit

100% agree with that, however you would first need to get wherever there is.

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ferds41@reddit

100% agree with that, however you would first need to get wherever there is.

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Von_Bernkastel@reddit

One thing that always makes me giggle, is people think just a pack of gear and a few water filters and some food is somehow magically going to do everything for them, and we know the majority can't even walk a mile in summer heat with no gear. Majority or preppers I see as future loot drops. One thing many people lack is knowledge and skills. And when you live in a desert those are very critical because finding any water is the biggest challenge, and everyone here will be after water. Training and conditioning yourself to survive in the desert is on a whole another level. I say all the time, learn how to survive with no gear, after that any gear is a bonus. Heck most people think they will bug in, but I am sure they never tried to live in their homes with no AC and or heat, and will most likely either cook or freeze in their homes. Majority of people will be dead and or dying by one or two months if that, just from simple things. And even with the best gear, training, and experience, you may still end up dead from the dumbest things. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

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asspatsandsuperchats@reddit

PSA it’s better to tear unprepared in an emergency into the bush with a BOB instead of half a pack of cigarettes and a hangover. make of it what you will.

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LadyLamprey@reddit

I don't even have a bug out bag set up, but I've been rucking while walking my dogs just in case I ever need to carry a bunch of crap. It's free extra calories burned!

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GreenPwrRngr@reddit

From experience I’ll say the right ruck (framed pack) is worth its weight in gold. I’ve had welded metal frames snap from weight even packed appropriately. Carbon fiber frames are great. Mystery Ranch frames are my go-to.

The main pack itself is situation specific. I even go as far as having two main packs and I keep the smaller one rolled and strapped too the large or between the larger pack and frame. That way I can carry in more than a weeks worth of gear but be able to throw on the patrol bag on the frame to carry forward whatever I need for 2 to 3 days.

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DiezDedos@reddit

What do you mean? I have my brand new boots, a 70lb backpack, 9001 rounds of ammunition, and no toilet paper in my pack. Gonna head for the hills and live off the land /s

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CreasingUnicorn@reddit

Dont forget your single 12oz water bottle!

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innrwrld@reddit

Good advice. Years ago I used to pack out my 36L Deuter bag & do a 5.5 mile hike just to be used to that weight & the feel for how it differs against a normal hike. It's been a while though; time to get back to it.

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Solo_Camping_Girl@reddit

I just learned about that "nothing new on race day" quote today, I learned something new. Thanks! It's probably the negative version of the "train how you fight" motto. I agree with both ideas, be comfy and familiar with your gear. I would liken this premise to getting a new knife that you haven't own before. You need to get a feel for it first, how strong is that detent and lock before it opens and closes, how the handle feels, can you open it in unfavorable conditions, etc. Life is a special operation youtube channel made a video on this, IIRC it's called stress training.

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dblock36@reddit

I say this all the time…no one wants to prep their fitness

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Wheresthelambsauce07@reddit

I think the realistic bug out bag is a get home bag. Basically a bag to get you back home or a short destination on foot. Hiking with a heavy pack is no joke, if someone plans to go from regular every day life to hiking up mountains with 40lb of weight you are in for a rude surprise.

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srbistan@reddit

not belittling the post - quite the contrary, but when did we come to the point of needing to explain things like this, how to walk away in an attempt to save their own skin ?!

to be clear - there IS a need for this post, i saw it just a few days ago when my hiking buddy dropped out on second day out of seven planned, being completely unprepared in every possible manner (including not having spare socks) and bent out of shape.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Yes, I'm just shaking my head at some of the responses here. It's a pretty sad state of affairs alright. But hey I tried.

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srbistan@reddit

it is appreciated, my fellow footman.

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Aethelred_Simoom@reddit

I have one bag. It's a bug-out bag, a get home bag, an EDC bag. It's really a go bag, because it goes everywhere with me & will help me to get wherever I need to go. I walk barefoot with it on my back every day for at least six miles. I have hiked with it, barefoot, to the top of 10,000 foot peaks. So--we're on the same wavelength! Put in the miles.

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ShivanTom@reddit

an experienced person is going to fare FAR better with ozark trail gear vs inexperienced person with the best gear money can buy. grey man mentality also comes into play here as well. if you look too much the part you're going to become a target. if you show off your skills then you become an asset.

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Middle_Jaguar_5406@reddit

Single most important prep that a person can do is be an excellent physical shape.

When you are in great shape you’re literally way harder to kill.

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Cats_books_soups@reddit

Absolutely agree. Also that cost or how good the brand is means nothing if it doesn’t work for your body. I bought an expensive Osprey bag online and it was the most uncomfortable bag I’ve ever tried on, I had a bag for under $20 that was amazing.

I also always add to these that walking and navigating off trail is so much harder than on trail. I had a summer job that involved a lot of off trail hiking and some days you would go 6 miles in 8 hours. You can easily get stuck cutting though green briar, or find cliffs or deep streams not obvious on maps, or find some scary situations, or get so completely turned around that you can’t find any roads or people at all for hours. I learned a lot the first few weeks of that college job.

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HudyD@reddit

This is such a good point. People forget that carrying 25-30 pounds over mixed terrain feels completely different than jogging a few miles. Training with your actual bag really shows where your weak spots are

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IGnuGnat@reddit

I don't really understand why anyone would plan to walk anywhere

get an electric bike or at the very least a bicycle and learn to use it

I get that the roads might be blocked in some scenarios

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Because legs can cover uneven terrain that isn't possible with wheels. Bicycle is always a good transport option on flat roads and paths but if it's rugged you can't beat feet. Pack animals and feet are still used over wheels in mountainous places worldwide. You try mountain biking with a backpack containing a week of survival gear and let me know how it goes 😊

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GeneSpecialist3284@reddit

What about using a horse for a pack animal? They can help carry the load, survive on grass, and plant foraging for some time, and their instincts for danger can be helpful. I live in Belize and have done mountain trails on horseback and can cover a lot of unstable, muddy mountainous terrain with a sure footed quarter horse than I ever could on foot. Not that I feel I'd have to ever bug out here like in the States these days.

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IGnuGnat@reddit

I've gone mountain biking for long periods of time, i would carry any supplies in saddle bags, I haven't done it for a week long trip but I've gone for 20km rides in the bush trails and 100km rides on the road but again my bug out plan does not consist of climbing a mountain in the rain. I used to be fairly technical, i could bicycle up infinite stairs

I guess if your bug out plan is to go somewhere remote where there are no roads and no people, I just think that's a strange bug out plan.

My bug out plan is mostly to stay put but if I must leave my home I would plan to bug out to another community where there are people I know, not climb a remote mountain where there are so few people that there isn't even a path

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ferds41@reddit

What if forces dictates that the best survival strategy be remote in the mountains away from people. I.e. Very contagious disease with high mortality.

Saying my bug out plan is to... is already failing the spirit of preparedness which should embrace that sometimes the best laid plans are futile. I would much rather focus on developing a set of skills that would be useful in a variety of scenarios.

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newhappyrainbow@reddit

Where on earth do you live? Unless you own remote land within 20 miles of your home, that is fully stocked and secure, I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d be so remote that a bicycle can’t get there, but is worth trying to get to.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

20 miles on rugged terrain while carrying 50 pounds is not even a big deal for an experienced hiker, that's kinda my point 😆 I live in rural NZ. Dirt roads, almost entirely farms, small towns and temperate rainforest on volcanic hills. I'd also keep a low profile as a refugee, hiding off the roads and avoiding strangers who might steal our gear.

We're fully prepped homesteaders so bugging out is an absolute last resort: the sky is burning, end of the world type scenario.

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Unlikely-Ad3659@reddit

No I do not need to be an experienced hiker.

No I do not need dedicated and expensive hiking gear.

No I will not be living in the wild killing bears with my bare hands.

Anyone who thinks that is their bug out plan is a blithering idiot. The woods will be a good source of supplies though, if you can stand the stench of all the dead people who starved/froze/ got stabbed in their sleep.

You will be 100 times more likely to bug out by vehicle ( train, bus, car( and sleep in a repurposed building or on a floor somewhere.

If you need to bug out on foot throw your shit in a garden cart, or in the back of a bike.

Even Rambo was played by an actor who slept in a hotel, you are not Rambo.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Mmm I love the flavour 🧂 I live on a fully prepped off grid homestead in a great rural community. We have a vehicle evacuation plan and we also hike... so our Plan C is on foot evacuation/refugee. Plan D is sit and wait to die.

I'm not a larper who thinks I'm Rambo, I'm a small female and a bit prettier than Sylvester Stallone for starters. But I'm also not the person who is going to die before I've tried everything to avoid it, thanks.

I just hoped this post might be a reality check for the city dwelling couch potato who thinks they're going to bug out on foot if SHTF, not rage bait for you personally but I'm glad you got that off your chest.

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Unlikely-Ad3659@reddit

This sub Reddit is full of fantasists, we both know that. Lots of people who think prepping is synonymous with shopping for "the best" gear.

Half the posts are what is the "best " knife or "best" bug out bag.

But so what? That "best" hiking set up is still good for sleeping in your friends back yard. That 400$ rucksack can be carried on a train too. By inexperienced and unfit hikers.

Who elected you as gatekeeper of what is proper prepping?

If the shit ever does get familiar with the fan people will have time to learn what they need to, to get fitter, as things won't fall apart instantly.

You won't suddenly go from full shops to having to strangle a rabbit with your shoe laces to get a meal that night, buildings won't suddenly vanish. Society won't suddenly break down and you won't suddenly have to go from your comfy life watching Netflix with a glass of Chablis to living off the land in the woods.

Besides which, if that does happen there will be no food left in the woods in hours and it will be the least safe place around. It only works if you are the only one doing it.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

What if a shower of chunks from a breaking up comet coming from behind the sun hits the earth? I think everything would actually change damn near instantly. Possibly like it did for the dinosaurs.

But realistically, most shtf scenarios are more regional natural disasters of various kinds, that's why it's good to have the basic ability to walk your ass out of dodge to safety if at all possible. I wouldn't want to have to quickly learn about dehydration or hypothermia while on the road personally.

Who's gatekeeping anything? Sounds like you have a solid plan yourself, so don't worry about it.

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KendaleJ@reddit

Keep in mind that “forest” you are bugging to is privately owned by someone. Very likely they have plenty of guns & ammo to run you off. Have a specific plan for where to go.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

National parks here. If it's a situation severe enough that we have to bug out on foot instead of bugging in tight on our own homestead or with other local farmer friends or by vehicle to a refugee camp, then things are way beyond out of hand!

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Most_Art507@reddit

I thought about having a bug out bag, but I'm too unfit, overweight,had a heart attack, angina and I don't drive, I'm going nowhere.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Bugging in tight at home is always the best option if at all possible. And honestly, despite having the best skills and gear in the world, we all need to accept that any seemingly random event can take us out in a heartbeat anyway. Life is short my friend 😊

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LittleGreenPlants@reddit

Following

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BreakfastTequila@reddit

I might recommend clipping a water resistant compression bag onto your bug out bag and hang your sleeping bag on a hanger above wherever you’re storing the bug out bag. You don’t want to have your sleeping bag compressed for that long. That way you can shove it in really fast and go. Repack it later as you probably want it stuffed in the bottom of the bag

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Nathan-Stubblefield@reddit

Planning to “run” makes the most sense if a plausible run puts you at a location where the chances of survival are high, like your relative or friend with a well equipped, well armed community.

Don’t just run 3 days and come knocking on my door (a stranger).

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Or mine! We're homesteaders in a great rural community so Plan A is always bug in and protect. Plan B is vehicle evacuation, like in case of local natural disaster, Plan C is leave vehicle with packs on foot. Plan D is just die.

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Complex_Impressive@reddit

My plan is to bug in. My day-to-day pack is just the bare essentials to get me home where my real kit is. And thats where i'll barricade myself in and hunker down.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Bugging in is almost always the best plan! Bugging out on foot is my Plan C, right after Plan B vehicle evacuation is not possible.

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ExaminationKlutzy194@reddit

If you aren’t walking, daily, for fitness, and occasionally rucking, God help you. Because He will have to.

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Still-Consideration6@reddit

Never mind the bag most peoples feet won't get them far. Blisters are the enemy of anyone who walks long distance

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

100% I hope this post gets some people out there to try a drill with their bug out bag and make some adjustments to the plan.

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Mechbear2000@reddit

Yes, but they plan on it anyway. Can't blame them, some hope better than the alternative.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

There's a difference between hope and delusion though. If it makes someone who's out of shape and inexperienced feel cozy and secure having an unused backpack full of untested gear sitting in the cupboard, cool for them. But it's the mental equivalent of a baby's pacifier and blankie.

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Dr_mombie@reddit

Eh. Don't worry about what your neighbors spend their money on or the skills they learn. No one is getting out of this shit alive.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

I can't really argue with you there ☄️🤣

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Mechbear2000@reddit

Most people lie in some form of delusion. Cant be great at everything.

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06210311200805012006@reddit

Yep. You learn quickly what's no worth carrying, and you start to prefer certain hiking pack designs. The other thing is footwear.

People who don't exercise or hike at all trying to bug out will have wrecked shoulders and backs, and blisters all up in their toes.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Yup I've seen a noob, day one on a 4 day trail, after 5hrs walking, planning to turn around and go back which was the right call. Brand new boots and no training at all. He had burst blisters that covered almost the entire sole of his feet and back of heels. Donated some extra gauze and plasters and wished him luck for the painful hobble back out in the morning.

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newhappyrainbow@reddit

My job involves a lot of walking and required work boots. I cannot tell you how many noobs I’ve told to get merino wool socks, only to be ignored… then, years later I get told they wish they’d listened.

Truth be told, I was a noob once who also ignored this advice for too long. Now I have clean wool socks squirreled away everywhere. My work bag, my car, my locker, my camping gear. I also gift them all the time to people.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Once you know, you know 😁

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KublaiCan50@reddit

Yes I’ve been saying / preaching that to my friends for a while. I am also an experienced hiker/ backpacker most people can’t handle the weight of a backpack for long distances. Most people pack too much weight . If you can definitely hike as training for big out situations I definitely recommend it.

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newhappyrainbow@reddit

I can’t really imagine a situation where bugging out of my house is preferable to sheltering in place unless it’s on fire. My house “bug out bag” is just the important documents, a high limit credit card and $1000 in cash. One thing to grab and get out with.

My car bag is in case I get stranded in a remote location and have to hike to civilization/safety. It’s actually an empty backpack (relatively small capacity so I know I can’t overload myself) with a variety of things to take with me depending on the situation. There are shelf stable rations, a tarp, warm clothing, rain gear, bottled water, comprehensive first aid kit, fire making aids, a pair of safety toed hiking shoes, a hatchet, knife, life straw, a good compass, many many maps, crampons, and a shovel/pickaxe.

I walk a lot at work. I know I can walk a solid 10 miles in boots effortlessly with no backpack, so my expectation would be for half that with weight and variable terrain.

I’d have to be pretty hopeless of rescue to even leave my car. I have 5 days of food and water there, plus shelter and heat that I can’t take with me.

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Turbulent-Respond654@reddit

I agree with almost everything you said.

lining your big backpack with a trash compactor bag or 2, even a regular garbage bag goes a long way towards waterproofing.

putting individual items into ziploc or other quality brands helps too. cheap brands help but fail pretty quickly.

So does wearing a poncho over your pack, if the weather won't make you sweat like a pig.

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ilreppans@reddit

I’m in an urban coastline area and have done a 55mi overnighter (1.5day prep test/foliage tour) but am on an LDP longboard. Can do ~50% better with a folding bike touring rig, but that’s two-bag and 3x the size.

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AlphaDisconnect@reddit

Everyone needs a good land nav mistake to send them through sticky mud in the wrong direction. To chafe their hips. Run into a black snake in the fire pit. A rattle snake on the rail road walk.

Lastly followed by a good land nav rescue.

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Dr_mombie@reddit

Black snakes aren't interested in fighting or biting humans. They might go after an unsupervised shih tzu, tho.

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AlphaDisconnect@reddit

No they are not bitey. But like nice warm used human fire pits. I dont hate black snakes. They eat the mice other trash humans leave behind. I likes me a good blacky sleeping under me. But a shock when the ashes move.

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Nathan-Stubblefield@reddit

After 3 days a big rattler on the tracks would start looking tasty.

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AlphaDisconnect@reddit

Yeah, but I had MRE so spare. It is amazing how being in anything resembling an emergency sharpens ones sense. Ended up within 100 yards of the road. Dad picked me up. He was scared the entire time from my departure to pickup.

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Probably-hyprfx8ing@reddit

And if a good hiking bag is out of your price range, REI sometimes has second hand/refurbished ones cheaper than new. You can always haunt FB marketplace or eBay too. I think I got my last one from Poshmark, great condition, person just wanted a bigger one.

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Nothing wrong with quality second hand gear! I'd argue it's way better than a new cheap kit. But all the best gear still needs the body to carry it. I'd still rather be pack fit and carrying a Temu backpack than blow ass in 2hrs wearing my Osprey.

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Pando5280@reddit

Also a good idea to spend a few nights in the woods using only what you plan to use in a SHTF scenario. Amazing what one can learn testing theory with reality. (took me one night to redo half my bag and two nights to rethink my entire strategy)

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foot_down@reddit (OP)

Yes! Even learning where everything goes in your pack for accessibility. If it's pouring rain you don't want to have to pull out your sleeping bag to find your raincoat or a snack 🤣

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