Survival Kits that are Unique to YOU and your Different Intended Purposes

Your Survival Kit Different From My Own

A survival kit, its purpose and contents will most certainly be different from one person to the next. The items that we each choose to put inside will vary. Sometimes quite a lot.

The survival kit that I put together will probably be different from yours. And vice versa.

We each have different needs, requirements , and various intended purposes for a given kit. In fact, many of us have multiple kits which we put together for specific functionality and situations.

When we put together our own kit from our own list, we are tailoring to our own needs and requirements.

What’s the Difference Between a Survival Kit, a 72-hour Kit, or Bug Out Bag?

It’s mostly just terminology. I sometimes refer to “it” as a 72-hour kit. Why? Well, it’s generally purposed to “survive” for 3 days. Generally.

Some people refer to their kit as a BOB, or bug out bag. Again, it’s a kit generally designed to survive on your own for a period of time until reaching a given destination. An interim kit of sorts. Assisting getting from point A to point B. Maybe even on foot.

In any event, it’s a survival kit. Whatever you make of it.

Survival Kits in Different Places

I consider my EDC kit (every-day-carry, the things I keep in my pockets) to be a very minimal survival kit. These items may include a pocket knife, a tiny flashlight, a small lighter, a Colt Pocketlite, and whatever else might be appropriate on a given day.

I also keep a backpack in my truck filled with various items comprising a 72-hour kit. There’s also food stashed in a compartment stashed under the back seat (along with a first aid kit and supplemental supplies).

I keep a tailored survival kit in my ATV. There’s another in my snowmobile.

I have two day pack survival kits which are integrated as part of a pair of Versipack’s (one for me, the other for Mrs.J). Great for a short hike or any other short term excursion.

Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack
(potential amzn fee earned at no extra cost to you)

When I used to work at an office (whereas now I work from home) I kept a unique survival kit in one of my desk drawers.

Perhaps you’re a hunter and keep a unique kit in your bag during the hunt.

Unique Personalized Items For Your Survival Kit

You may have your own unique needs or requirements. Maybe it’s health related. Medications. Other.

Some items may be unique due to our own abilities, skills, know-how, food tastes, geographical environment, the season, intended travel, and many other reasons.

Define the Purpose

When it comes to figuring out what you’ll keep in your kit:

First, define its purpose. Why are you building “this” particular kit…

Then, think about how it might be used. Where it might be used.

Think of the fundamentals which support the intended purpose of the specific kit you’re putting together (not all of them will apply in all cases).

For example, do you have the 5 C’s of survival covered? Do you need to?

Part of the fun is building your own kit, for YOU. There’s no particular right or wrong (although I suppose you could make basic mistakes – but that’s not the focus here…).

 What are some of the intended purposes for your kits?

Do you have more than one which are uniquely tailored for different requirements?

Continue reading: How To Make A Survival Kit

10 Essential Items in a Survival Kit

54 Comments

  1. “What are some of the intended purposes for your kits? Do you have more than one which are uniquely tailored for different requirements?”

    My main 72 hr go bag that I posted on the other day that is used for GMHB, hunting, work and general purpose and a larger bag that it adds into for a complete bugout.
    I also have an active shooters sling bag, in my truck, that has an armor plate, extra rifle and handgun mags along with a medical bleed kit.

    The bags are considered living in that they grow and shrink with weather and immediate threats or threat levels. I might throw in extra hand warmers if a blizzard is coming or a tyvex suit if the NBC threats rise.

    A lot of thought is required and like you said there aren’t really “wrong” answers but maybe some that could be better executed. I went through a buddies bag a few years ago that was strictly a GMHB bag based on him walking during an EMP event, bad weather or an attack on America in which roads were not safe. He was carrying deodorant. That’s not wrong but wasted weight/energy however if a guy was using that same bag and traveled with the job it might make better sense.

    I like things of camo or natural color because it’s easier to highlight them if I need to be found than it is to camo a bright colored large object like a pack or tarp. I see a lot of posts on “don’t be that guy’ but round here that guy is common and camo and molle are normal.

    Tailor it to your needs. I need food cause I’m big and high output. I need my meds especially in high pressure situations to stay healthy long term. I like larger blades because I’m well versed in them. I carry more water than someone on the other side of the state where water is everywhere. A guy in the desert doesn’t need a tree saw lol. I see folks get wound up bout stuff too often.

  2. Actually I Keep set of pants and long sleeve shit 2 pair wool hiking socks and jungle boots in my pack along with lots of bug spray, mosquito netting and hat.

    In south FL everyday wear is shorts and button down short sleeve shirt with sandals.

    If it goes to hell and I’ll be outside day and night and wearing shorts and short sleeve a big no… Might as well be like naked and afraid and the bugs would eat me alive.

    No thank you. Blood sucking Bugs would crawl up my legs and bite me on the man parts.
    Better to be dressed from head to toe in this environment.

    1. Long sleeve what?? Yuk! That’s one of the funniest typos ever.
      Unintentional of course.LOL!

      1. LOL! Thanks for catch I thought Ken had potty word filters on this forum.
        Nobody’s perfect especially me. :P

    2. Fellow Florida Cracker , Grew up in Broward, yup lots of bugs/critters in the Glades.

      1. Did a stint in good ol Broward County myself….was drivin back up to the NE by the heat and those palm sized “palmetto bugs” lol

        1. 3 years in Broward co. too. Fishing in the everglades sometimes. As soon as the sun went behind the trees you better be in the vehicle getting the hell out of there!!!!! Very hungry mosquitoes.

  3. White Cracker
    That’s a great point as many dress differently throughout the day in what would be needed for an emergency.

  4. Lights Out Weekends are GREAT for finding out what ya need and DON’T need.
    Do a weekend or longer sitting on your tush on the back porch, lounging in the Lounge Chair or taking a few 3-4 mile hikes with just you and your GMAHB.
    One will find out real quick the needs. AND no cheating steeling a beer or two from the Fridge.

  5. Here’s how my hunts go with my go bag.
    Day 1 I’ve got everything I could possibly need for the smallest thing to the blizzard zombie apocalypse and I am stoked about the hunt.
    Day 2 after miles, of hills and canyons, and 14hrs of hunting, in sleet, and dragging at least 1 out, a mile away from the truck, I start looking at what can be dropped.
    Day 3 the questions of “why in the world did I think that gadget was a great idea? and “when did I put that in there?”” come up and the bag gets a real serious look.
    Days 4-9 are usually good but I sure know when I add more water for a refill or extra cold weather clothing.
    I then have my bag solution all worked out. Then all year I steadily add things and “good ideas” to it LOL.
    Anyone else guilty of this?

    1. Heres how my hunts go with my bag
      I toss the bag with a knife and a bottle of water and a couple game bags in it into the UTV, drive 20 minutes then plug a doe eating grass, grab the bag and walk 4 minutes to where the hit went down, quarter and strap it then walk 4 minutes plus a hair back to the UTV and toss the bag with meat and such back in the UTV and drive 20 minutes back to the farm,,,,
      Can be sitting on the couch watching oprah and eating bon bons by noon

    2. Matt, when I would still set foot in the state of Colorado— we had it down to a science. We took a big enclosed trailer we took up there full of 4 wheelers and gear. Unload everything and make an outdoor kitchen, beds went in the enclosed trailer, and 4 wheelers parked outside. We have a little Honda generator and a bunch of catfish fillets. The Colorado game warden would seek us out each year because he knew he would get some awesome fried catfish and hushpuppies on the night before 2nd rifle season opened up. Our packs were pretty light with most water, snacks, and a change of socks. The 4 wheeler had a few more items attached. Folks said we cheated. I said you should pick a place to hunt that allows 4 wheelers.

  6. I have a primary bag that has a little of everything from clothes to food and a rocket stove to cook on. This bag goes in the truck any time we leave town. Each of our trucks have emergency kits to include first aid, tools, blankets and water. These are always in the trucks. We also have a overnight bag that has clothes, personal hygiene and change for vending machines. This one is ready in case we have to make an emergency trip to the hospital. And of course I have a pistol and 3 pocket knives any time I’m wearing pants.

    1. Car guy, like the change idea for vending machines. I’ve always got food and cash in mine, change is a nice touch though

  7. LOL I’m glad you can enjoy that.
    Man this is the one time of year I can put it all together. Using my training, comms, moving around armed to the hilt, learning others hand signals and body movements, setting up a camp, conveying with loads, foraging on and collecting natural resources, learning the terrain, map reading, tracking, trying to sustain myself, testing myself and my equipment and using all the cool stuff we think is gonna work. The kills and meat is a bonus and another chance to use or teach skills.
    I can’t waste it.

  8. I have to travel to the city – about 150 miles – a couple of times a month. I keep a GHB in the car suited for that. Also in the car is an emergency repair/survival kit. It has things in it for sheltering in place that I wouldn’t try to pack home. I just updated both for the transition from summer to winter and rotated the food.

    I have a BOB that has what I think I would need in case of an evacuation order, most likely due to wildfire.

    I have a pack that I use when I go for mountain bike rides, and a different one for day hikes. The bike pack includes bike tools, spare tube, and a first aid kit that has lots of supplies for large abrasions. The day hike pack is similarly suited for that activity.

    It may sound weird, but I really enjoy going through my various packs and packing for different situations.

  9. I have my bag. It lives in my truck. I do change a few items, as the seasons change. I don’t wear my “bag” when hunting. Through the years, I’ve adopted a strategy for carrying all my needs in numerous pockets or on my belt. Yea, I’m limited to small items and quantities. Just the way I do it.

    Having fun with granddaughter’s bag, I’m putting together. I find myself asking grandma on some of these items. Not the main stuff, but things important to a young woman. Trying to keep it light as possible. She won’t be walking hundreds of miles with this thing. Well, not without resupply. Anyway, keeping it light weight is a priority.

    Have to have the basics: Water, food, knife, fire-starting, headlamp, toiletry kit, first-aid, skills.
    This girl has grown up around deer hunting/fishing etc. She possesses some skills and they don’t weigh anything. The rest is negotiable and she is the decision maker.

    A Gerber multi-tool will get thrown into the mix. She can decide to keep it in the bag or not. When I think about it, a lot will depend on the situation. Even with my own bag, somethings will likely be left behind. If ya don’t need it or anticipate needing it, it’s just extra weight.

    If I had to walk 100 miles, I’d probably take it all. A ten mile trek to the house……? Even a 25lb backpack is heavy, if you’re not used to it.

  10. I keep my “emergency bag” in my car. It is a four season bag. Depending on the time of year I will unload some of it. It is presently way too heavy at 25 pounds.
    Each time I leave the house I automatically pick up my purse and my single sling pack which I can carry in front. It contains water and food which I don’t want to freeze or overheat.
    I shall be giving a talk on emergency bags for our senior’s wellness group. I shall begin by saying that they are all experienced even if they don’t realize it. They have all had babies and know what it is like to take
    A baby out for the day. What a load of stuff!
    I shall end it by assigning them homework. They are to prepare a “hospital bag”. None of them want someone going through their drawers and bathrooms trying to find personal items. Also, they are to tie a red ribbon around it so it is easy to identify.
    I get kidded a lot when travelling in someone else’s car because I always transfer my bags to their car. It isn’t any good if you don’t have it with you.
    Stay frosty.

  11. Well
    My various packs are different in themselves. So my main bag is point A to B, as 5 days a week to and from work. 20 mile trek on foot or by the always loaded bike and tire pump, so my pack is compact and light.
    An additional pair of tennis shoes. I wear steel toe boots most times. They are heavy and not the most comfortable to be walking in.
    Snacks, water, ball cap, a couple 30 gal trash bags….rain protection, a couple, four grocery plastic bags (remember the bread sacks ma would make u wear to keep your feet dry?)
    Knife and a couple lighters are always on my person
    Flashlight and at the least one bang bang. If two, 50 projectiles between the mags, which have carriers and holsters.
    Ibuprofen….muscles will tighten up.
    And my small need be med bag, with additional goodies.
    A whole different load when winter hits

  12. – My bag is overweight right at the moment because I basically combined two bags into one the other day when a bag became damaged (Got caught in the lock mechanism for the liftgate and tore). When I replace the damaged bag, I won’t have to search out the stuff. In the meantime, my bag weighs about 40 pounds instead of its normal 27. The annoying part is moving back and forth when I change vehicles, ’cause its still going with me.
    – Papa S.

    1. That’s the kicker,
      Transferring from one vehicle to the next…..
      Especially when in a rush.

  13. Do any of you carry rifles and loaded mags? They are heavy.

    I do, and they are heavy, plus a 30lb internal frame pack.

    I practice carrying these almost 4 times a week, on my walks inside of my ranch, out of view of the public.

    1. Yup a Ruger 9mm PC carbine is my truck gun. It breaks down into two pieces, takes Glock mags, and is NOT one of those scary ” Black Rifles” , even though it is black in color.

    2. Stand my Ground,

      Good question (“Do any of you carry rifles and loaded mags?”)

      Not being critical, but curious. I’m sure some do and some don’t. It would be interesting to hear who does…………and why/how they justify the added weight. I’m thinking of a getting home scenario, not over-watch of the homeplace.

      1. Dennis

        I go NO Where, unarmed.Period (except the Fed Courthouse). Concealed of course. I do practice, and am a very good shot, just like you.

        Better to have it, and not need it, than to need it, and NOT have it.

      2. Dennis and Stand and others. Yes I carry both. Can’t imagine not though the idea is to not use them. I’m not trying to do the Mog Mile either.
        Justify it. That’s easy I watched unarmed folks go through SHTF in the Balkans. It didn’t work well for them.
        I’m wayyy better with a carbine than a handgun and threats come in various forms. Would you rather have a handgun or long gun for 3 thugs, a bear, a rabid dog, someone in a vehicle….?
        I don’t go anywhere unarmed. We are supposed to be prepared so why would you not carry some?
        Of course there needs to be balance in all things. Still need to be able to run. The carbines and AR pistols fit the bill nicely. They go in the bags and can stay there if needed.
        The father I travel the more mags I carry too.

  14. Dennis/SmG
    When we camp with the horses, we’re 100 plus from home.
    I have (had) a 30-30 in the camper, a recently purchased scabbard and plenty a ammo.
    Hopefully the horse will do the hauling, of plenty of additional things, so weight is not an issue…….for me.

  15. Reason being….
    I’m not gonna push the horses, things can/could go wrong, I could loose our food bag. The 4-5 day trip back home may become 7 days, two weeks?
    Damn sure would be nice to be able to down a deer, in that for instance.

  16. Kinda reminds me of that joke,
    Cop pulls over granny.
    Do you have any weapons in your vehicle?
    Yes, I do, officer.
    I have a .40 Cal on my side, a nine in the glovebox, 870 in the backseat, ar in the trunk.
    What are you afraid of, ma’am?
    Absolutely, nothin’.

  17. Stand my Ground, Matt, Joe c, Seminole Wind,

    Great feedback. I too, sorta, carry a “rifle” when traveling away from home overnight. I say “sorta” because my “travel rifle/kit” is a Kel-Tec sub2000 and Glock 26 in a laptop case with 4x33rd mags, 4x15rd mags, and 2x10rd’ers, all but the 10rd’ers interchangeable between the weapons. The weapons together barely weigh 5lbs, but those mags, loaded, weigh probably another ten lbs. Not a lot of weight…….until added to/with a 20-30lb backpack for a trek home.

    At my age, with my worn out hips, once motorized transportation is lost and I’m trekking on foot, I don’t know whether I can justify that weight, but if vehicle transportation is still on the table, the little carbine plus ammo would be comforting. Like others, I always have my edc weapons on my body, so wouldn’t be a matter of going unarmed, just how well armed.

  18. – My GHB is set up around a 45-100 mile walk, depending on which way I end up going. At least for the first 15 miles, I would be looking at a medium-small city with a lot of police presence. Rather than attempt to E-&-E with a long arm, I hope I can just GOOD with my hand cannon. There is enough room in the bag for it and my holster, if I must. Fewer incidents with an explanation, equals faster time to get home. I do have the equipment in my bag to use it as a BOB, if push comes to shove.
    – Papa S.

    1. Papa Smurf,

      Your thinking is in line with my own. If I’m on foot, especially if folks are getting panicky, the last thing I want is drawing attention to myself. I would avoid looking “tactical (or as some call it “tacti-cool”). I would prefer to appear to be a “seasoned citizen” who is sure of himself, in control, seen neither as a threat, nor an easy target. I don’t want to stand out to that paranoid on a roof top looking for a target.

    2. – Dennis, actually I had a long discussion with myself per a walking staff. They are really handy for overly inquisitive dogs and so on. Finally decided that I can cut one if I feel I really need it, as I didn’t want to stick out in anyone’s memory while in town. Part of what is in my bag is a change of street clothes, since I work in scrubs and tennis shoes.
      – Papa

    3. – After I thought about it, I decided that I maybe should explain a little bit more in depth. On a previous posting, I explained to another poster who was complaining about her father taking her GHB (on the bright side, it gets gas mileage similar to my motorcycle, LOL), What I did with her little car was pack a deconstructed, small GHB in the wheelwell with the spare tire, jack and such.

      One of the items in that deconstructed bag is a little H&R revolver, an obsolescent Model 632. It is a six-shot little .32 S&W Long revolver specifically left to me by DFIL when he passed on, probably D/T me teasing him about a previous job as a New Orleans pimp. Of all his guns, it was the only one specifically left to anyone on his death. As it happened, his son and my DW were not interested in any of his guns, so all of them ended up in my safe.

      That little gun would go home with me, as well as the 50-round box of ammo from that bag. It will easily fit in my jeans pocket with keys and SWAK, although I do have a holster to fit it. If I had to put the larger gun in my bag, I would still be armed, just with a more concealable tool. So what if it’s a popgun! It’s small, accurate, and pretty well capable.

      – Papa

      1. – My computer appears to have removed part of my comment without me catching it. The other poster was complaining about her father taking her bag out of her trunk without telling her because it “took up too much room”. My DW had a similar complaint about my bag “taking up room she needed,” in her little car.
        And no, DFIL was a teacher and elementary school principal, and never had the other job I mentioned.
        – Papa

      2. Papa Smurf,

        First rule? Have a gun. Pop gun? Probably the greatest man-stopper is the mind.

        No one wants to get shot. The mere presence of a gun in the hand of the intended target, has probably stopped more predators in their tracks and sent them running, than those who have actually hit their attacker to find out if they had a big enough gun.

  19. I only have a GHB. Now that I’m a SAHM, my daily habits have changed. I’m rarely more than 10 miles from home. I’m always wearing comfortable pants and sneakers. But I always have a baby and a preschooler with me. My car is an extension of my GHB. I also have items that can serve multiple purposes.

    I always have my double jogging stroller in the car. There’s no possible way I’m getting the children to actually walk home. Plus there’s a huge basket underneath that can hold more stuff. I keep two buntings in the car. They’re like sleeping bags for strollers! I use them when I take the kids in walks in the winter. Or they will be sleeping bags if we have to spend the night in the car. I have a picnic blanket that I use for actual picnics, or since it’s waterproof, emergency ground cover or shelter tarp. I have bug repellent wipes (wipes are easier to apply to children, and lighter) that are always in a pocket in the stroller. The diaper bag always has wipes, diapers, extra kid clothes, and A LOT of snacks and foods the kids can eat.

    I have my backpack, which has a bivy, wool socks, extra winter hat/gloves, hiking boots, headlamp, hand/foot warmers, emergency shelter, protein bars and crackers, and fire starting supplies. I also have a case of water in the car. I’m adding a medical bag in addition to the small, basic one in the diaper bag.

    Obviously the bags will change as the kids get older.

    1. Amateur Prepper — golly, you seem well stocked/organised.

      can I suggest you add whistles?

      whistles/on your person/attached to stroller/in car

      can be used to scare some off/summon help.
      easy to teach the kids to use. (and why). If you were to suffer injury/some medical mishap, a child could easily use a whistle.

  20. we we being my girlfriend and i will in a fairly large city so i keep a fsair amount of stuff on me every day that being one folder knife a multi tool some paracord a 6 inch belt knife and anyone of a number of boot knives i have if im going more than 60 miles away from home i have a old fishing vest that goes under a jacket with one pocket loaded with 12 gauge deer slugs and 50 00buckshot in the car a cold steel chaos kukri a tomahawk and a bowie knife yeah i kinda go crazy on blades but is there such a thing as TO MANY blades not really in my mind another pocket is strictly for matches and fire starters another is for food alone another is for otc pain killers another is for one quart baggies and the main pocket in the back is left empty for carrying stuff that i MIGHT find if i have to walk for some time
    the car well i kinda went over board in there 400 rounds of shotgun ammo 3 diff kinds of survival books at least 500 feet of paracord matches fire starters stuff to read that aint survival related water bottles and a machete and thats just for starters

  21. Keep a get home bag in each of our two vehicles. My wife works from home and I’ve got a 25 mile commute (luckily through the country). Feel as if I keep mine fairly basic. Food, water, shelter and fire material, first aid and some cash. Also keep maps of the area in case I’m in an area I’m unfamiliar with. I need to add a good pair of walking shoes. My primary purpose. Primary purpose of my bag is to get me home. When we travel to see my wife’s family (about 125 miles) I usually grab the other bag and toss it in the truck as well. Tricky part about living in New England is you can drive 4 hours and cross 3 state lines which makes carrying a firearm just about impossible unfortunately. Luckily we don’t travel all that far from home too often.

  22. I keep a small bicycle in my car with the wheels off covered with a black blanket, very difficult to see. I work 35 miles from home. If I walk home it will take me a minimum of 11 hours, with the bike about 3 hours. A bike can go threw clogged roads and be carried over obstacles. I also use the gray man approach.

  23. Mine consists of: an M-fourgery; 8 magazines; 200 rounds loose; cleaning rod; jags, patches, and chemicals; knife; multitool; scope; ferro rod; and a stainless steel water bottle, with some cordage, firetabs, and water purification tablets inside.
    I don’t want to just survive, I want to survive, AND remain mission capable!

  24. I don’t have a get home bag. The vehicles are the get home bags. The average person strolls at 3.1mph. That means in 10 hours you can cover 30miles. Just about any able bodied person with decent shoes can walk 30 miles a day if they had to with no food and little to no water.

    Not coming home bag is an entirely different topic.

    1. Pinky,
      I have questions/comments.
      Because the average person strolls at about 3 mph does not mean someone is prepared to do that for 10 hrs straight. Many people I know could do that for a couple of hours, but could not sustain that pace all day or night, even running on adrenaline.

      And in that time, if you could not drive, how is your vehicle tha get-home bag? If you had to abandon the vehicle and walk would you have something to carry necessities in? After hours of walking would a person have enough energy to keep going with no food and little water? What if the main way home was blocked or too dangerous- and you had to go back and find another route?

      I guess I just don’t understand your comment… or am I taking you too literally?

      1. – So Cal Gal,

        Not saying anything about anybody in particular, but keyboard commandoes who have never had to put boots on the ground can take numbers and do all kinds of things. When they have to actually put up or shut up, it suddenly becomes a whole ‘nother story.

        Dennis,

        I am familiar with the concept. I have run off three individuals and detained three others for arrest who were a little bit more stupid than the first three. Definitely agree on any gun being 100% better than no gun.

        – Papa S.

      2. Most people are not prepared to walk to their mailbox after struggling to get their carcass off the couch. If you are desperate you will make things work.

        If you are carrying little more than a couple bottles of water and a few Clif bars the walk is very easy if you have good shoes. If you load yourself down that 30 miles becomes 3.

        An average person walks an 18 minute mile. I’m closer to 20. I am not a poster child for physical fitness. Closer to a poster child for “my 600lb life”. According to Google Fit I regularly hit 10 miles per day without trying just by working outside when not earning a paycheck. As an “information worker” I don’t usually get much more than a five miles per day.

        If you walk a marathon it takes about 8 hours. That is doing it for “fun”. Imagine what you can do when sufficiently motivated?

        The vehicle carries most of my “get home” stuff. Because if I’m not at home I am driving something. Unless I am traveling for leisure I make sure that at any given moment I can make it home without stopping for fuel. Even when traveling for leisure in my own vehicle I often carry a gas can. I carry enough tools and parts to cover most common problems and a laptop and software to reprogram the PCM if I have to tell it to ignore something or force it into open loop. I carry a pair of used but not worn hiking shoes, socks, a wet weather nylon jacket, several coastguard water pouches, several Clif bars, a map, a Leatherman, and a boot knife.

        If I choose to abandon a vehicle it is pretty bad. If I choose to abandon a vehicle I’m probably going to take a different route on foot. I’m going to travel as light as possible so I can make it home as fast as possible with as little fatigue as possible.

        If you can’t make it home on foot in 30 miles in one day without a bag you’re probably not going to make it anyway.

        Again, getting home is way different than never going home again.

  25. Response to Amateur Prepper:

    Thanks for keeping it real here on this blog. Good to hear from responsible parents dealing with real life issues that arise every day.

    Response to SoCal Gal and Pinkie: I would also have trouble covering 30 miles a 24 hour day. I would opt to stop at a location where I can get out of the weather and start a fire to warm myself. If I had something to eat on top of being beside a fire, I would be asleep pretty quickly.

    On flat ground, I consider it good to be covering 15 miles in a day with a 40 lb backpack. This does not take into account traveling companions. You can only go as far and as fast as the slowest member. My own personal pace is 2 miles per hour on foot wearing a 40 lb backpack. Any faster than that and I start getting blisters and or other sore spots or injuries.

    1. My focus for all of this is getting home. I had to carry my “not going home bag” life is different. That means I’m carrying a 25lb bag, a 25lb plate carrier, a 4lb sidearm, and a 10lb rifle. 30 miles of reasonable travel turns to 3 miles of agony that feels like 300 miles.

      If you don’t get home as fast as reasonably possible does that not pose risks to those items and creatures at home?

      The longer you are away from home are you not more vulnerable for a longer duration thereby increasing your surface area for risk?

      If you are consuming resources trying to start a fire on not your property further increasing your vulnerability and risk? Smoke, light, and smell is going to attract others and the property owner may not enjoy squatters.

      1. Pinky,
        I wouldn’t argue with your reasoning . That pretty much matches my own. Getting me and mine to the safety and security of the homestead as quickly as possible is a priority. So we all should have plans for getting home by vehicle and plans if we have to beat feet home.
        It also depends on far away from the homestead you happen to be when the bottom drops out. That’s why I have caches placed along the way . Just good insurance.
        Calirefugee mentioned it depends if you are solo or have others with you. That’s true . I can make better time alone than if my wife is with me. She has RA in her shoulders. Carrying a heavy pack any distance now would be painful .
        So I would be carrying most of the weight.
        A lot of factors go in to getting home especially if you find yourself far from home.(seems like thats when the truck decides to break down.)
        Folks talk about having their bags ready to go. The big question is are they ready to go? How many miles have they walked this year with the pack on their back?
        I carry a day backpack around the homestead practically every day.
        My wife bought me a wristband style step counter last Christmas.
        I checked my log before posting this.
        I average 8.7 miles a day.
        I have 17 days with 15 plus miles.11 days with 30 plus miles. That includes the days I was in the hospital on 2 different times.
        It’s hard for me to believe I’ve walked/hiked almost 2500 miles this year so far . Crazy!
        Point is ,if folks are serious about hoofing it home better start “training ” for it now.
        Reality has a way of getting in the way of the best of plans.
        Just my take on things…

        1. I agree. It is also amazing how if you are active how much ground you may cover.

          I never would have guessed how miserable it is walking around with a plate carrier, a backpack, and a rifle is. Five years ago or so I started doing it. Then add trying to do more than just be bipedal… Whew. Just tying your shoes is a treat. Usually the task I pick is digging a hole. This is when a tacticool bungee sling has use over the tried and true 2-point sling. Great respect to the military folks.

          I try to wear the gear once per season and walk until I’m beat. Usually am exhausted after 3 hours and have to stop. Sometimes I can’t convince myself to go again. I use the same model backpack when hauling camera gear. Can hike all day with the same weight backpack. But no plate carrier and no rifle.

        2. Pinky,
          Pounds are pain.
          Not sure if you were on this site a couple years back when I started my fitness/weight loss regimen. The security officer of my group told me straight up that I was detrimental to the group in the physical condition I was in at the time. Being the leader of the group that statement definitely stung. But he was right.
          So my(his) goal was I would be able to hump a 60 pound pack 10 miles in 3 hours.
          It took a long time to make that goal.
          I won’t bore folks with the details but I blew breakfast on the side of the trail more times than I want to think about working towards that goal. The cramps I got kicked my a** as well.
          Full respect to our military folks past and present who carried that and more.
          That’s why folks should be walking with their GHB now.
          My guess would be that many are optimistic in how far they can travel in an hour,/day with their 25 pound pack riding on their back. Add the additional stressors from the situation. Possibly having a touch of the flu ,a cold or maybe an injury. Bad weather as well.
          I walked daily and I have done it while being sick and hurt. It is not fun walking in the rain either.
          It’s better to know where your weaknesses are now and try to fix them then when you’re in a pass /fail situation. (Pass you live,fail you die.)
          Just my take on things…

Comments are closed.