new bug-out-bag thread

[Christian for Israel]

i also consider 10 miles a day to be optimal. too many people plan to travel 20-30 miles a day and that may be possible...for the first day or so. if they have farther to travel they may well find themselves too sore to move after that first day. slow and steady gets it done, especially if one isn't used to walking a lot.

[RyanMac]

I agree with the 10 miles. I have humped many more in the Marine Corps Infantry (been 3-4 years). But on a recent exercise we averaged 11 miles with full gear (minus weapon/ammo) for a few days. I like both kits. I think I will use a few things here/there.
Also, @ Matt. With that set up -maybe if you ever need to bug out to NE Oklahoma we should start getting to know each other. Seriously. I am always on the lookout for "friends". Especially since I just lost 2 key "friends" due to them being crazy.
Which brings up a question. What do you do when "friends" wig out and now know some (not all) of your plans/ideas/gear? I have read a few scenarios (Cow wars, JWR, when the lights go out, etc...). I don't like the options. But what can you do versus changing up locations of a few key things? Of course, I would hope that they get their act together before anything hits a fan. But human nature is SO unpredictable. The good news (maybe bad?) is that they were depending more on me than me on them.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

@RyanMac I left you a notification message awhile back -e-mail me brother
I have some answers on that "Freinds" thing too, I have had the same issues with one going over the deep end and one becoming a leech/zombie

[Christian for Israel]

the danger with letting too many people know what you have or plan is they may one day try to take it...and you'll have to shoot them. i agree that we'll need each other after the SHTF but keep information about your set up to a minimum (OPSEC) and always let them know you'll nev er give up without a fight.

[RyanMac]

Thanks for the input guys. After I logged off I thought that I had jacked your thread. I apologize. I was just rambling/typing. I didn't mean to take it off BOB's, which is what it was supposed to be.
@ Matt - got your message, sent one back. But I will email later.
@ Christian - I will definitely learn from this experience. And I agree with your first sentence. Reality sucks sometimes.

Now, back to the wonderful thread of bug out bags. I will be modifying mine this week (great idea for CHRISTmas week!). I will see if I can post pics when I do. Not sure if I've been on here long enough or not. But I will give it a try.

Peace.

[Christian for Israel]

host the pics on photobucket and link to them here. anybody can do it. i look forward to seeing your kit.

[Cimarron]

When you are building a GHB (get home bag) are you guys packing it around the miles you have to go?
It looks like your not putting a lot of cooking type gear in and are packing food that doesn't require heating up.

I need to build one for my wife from her work to home so weight is something to remember..although she is pretty stout :p

I could be wrong but I was thinking like Matt and building the get home rig a little lighter.
Any tips?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

The GMHB IMHO is a move fast and light to get to safety and not so much a full camping bag. Cooking attracts attention and slows movement to safety. High energy and even stuff that can be consumed while moving is critical. I built mine as much on days as miles 2-3 (20-25miles)which is what it would take PLUS an extra day for the "unexpected" AKA Murphy. My GMHB fits in my BOB to expand the capabilities. Again this just just my opinion.

[Cimarron]

The GMHB IMHO is a move fast and light to get to safety and not so much a full camping bag. Cooking attracts attention and slows movement to safety. High energy and even stuff that can be consumed while moving is critical. I built mine as much on days as miles 2-3 (20-25miles)which is what it would take PLUS an extra day for the "unexpected" AKA Murphy. My GMHB fits in my BOB to expand the capabilities. Again this just just my opinion.

That's how I am approaching this. Speed is important. Shortest drive time is 20 miles and maybe only shaving off 3-4 miles going cross country. Going to have to check on those high calorie bars to make movement stealthy and speedy.

On foot and possibly crossing private proterty I am also considering a chemical repellent, pepper spray or bear spray for those pesky critters. It would help keep your noise lever down instead of firing a firearm.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Going to have to check on those high calorie bars to make movement stealthy and speedy.

In the words of Crocodile Dundee "you can live on it but it taste like sh.." LOL seriously try them. Some are good some are similar to roadkill but none are great. The "power bars" are real tough when it's cold like a frozen taffy. Canned fruit, meat etc is good for the stops and it gives you cans for boiling water, trip line alarms etc if you have to stop and bed down. I carry an extra zip lock to put them in for the mess and smell containment.

[Cimarron]

Matt No big deal to me. She's the one that has to eat them. lol

Do you know if there is a way to get a geograhical map (that's probably the wrong terminology) what I'm trying to get is railroad tracks and pond, water shed, locations. You know we have quite a few water spots in OK. Knowing where they were before hand would be nice for stopping and resupply.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Do you know if there is a way to get a geograhical map (that's probably the wrong terminology) what I'm trying to get is railroad tracks and pond, water shed, locations. You know we have quite a few water spots in OK. Knowing where they were before hand would be nice for stopping and resupply.

http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/

http://libremap.org/data/

couple of free ones I use but you have to do a physical recon on the water holes as they dry out or someone moves in to the property and drains them etc. I mark good ones on my maps. Also if you know anyone in County Road Crews, ODOT or the National Guard sometimes they have resources to good maps sometimes.
http://www.okgeosurvey1.gov/pages/ea...arthquakes.php is something to look at as a big one can change water flow too.

http://topomaps.usgs.gov/ is a good one to get them from too but they are not free:(

[Klayton]

@cimarron: I think the word you was looking for was "topographic" map. :)

Matt gave you some awesome links, as usual. :)

[Cimarron]

@ Klayton: Yes, those were great links. Much appreciation to Matt for those.
I have copied off enough for the route my wife would/could take and am going to stow them in her GHB in some ziplock bags. I just gotta get the "old ball and chai"..er I mean "Honey dearest" :D to drive over the trail with me. So we can see some of these spots. The map size is a little hard to read so practicing before hand would be a smart thing to do.

[jloneill17]

I am guessing if you live in the desert it is pretty flat? I work out, play soccer, but I don't think I could hump your ruck, with the vest, and the belt. not to mention the garand. that thing weighs a ton. I live in north GA about 30 mins north of Atlanta. though here where I live it's not mountainous, it is the foothills of the appalachians, so very hilly, alot of rivers and streams to cross. Another 30 minute drive up the road from me and you would be in the mountians. most of your stuff in your pack, i have also. very good pack, i just couldn't hump that stuff in north GA. i'd pass out. i work only 3 miles from home. i do have a get home bag in the trunk of my car. but I also have 2 BOB's at home. one for me, and one for the wife. her's is lighter of course, but it does help to have an extra person help carrying some of the load. thanks for the post and the pics.