Joined:
Jan 2025
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WY, USA
Posted: 6/9/2025 5:32:11 PM EDT
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Everyone of course has their FAL in their shower along with a cache of chocolate chip cookies, in case they suddenly get attacked by zombies… but what’s your typical EDC and car cache for an emergency walk home on foot contingency? A business trip to Jackson WY that took me over a mountain pass got me thinking about how far I’d need to walk to even find another human being should the car break down. In WY the roads are typically parallel with some seasonal creeks but there are stretches along bleak deserts or mountainous areas dozens of miles from any house or crossroads. Considering most thru hikers might make only about 15 miles a day… how much gear do you need to walk home from 120 miles away and why does it always boil down to “and then I’ll steal/borrow/buy a bike”????? |
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Sounds like you're problem is Wyoming.. Personally I don't have much If I break down halfway to work it's 2.5 miles home. All countryside and I know most of the neighbours. I do keep a little bag with the typical stuff. Winter gear, rain gear...etc |
Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
28
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WY, USA
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WY certainly is one of those unique states where you can literally be 60 miles away from the nearest human being. In a Mad Max world, no one would likely survive trying to get into WY… it’s just too much of nothing to justify raids or foraging parties. Miles and miles of open land without a single tree and precious little water… So the challenge of getting home TO some small town in WY almost makes learning to hot wire and fly light aircraft a necessity! |
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My car's always loaded up with hiking supplies, food and water. I carry a mix of my common calibers in the car, as my carry sidearm varies |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
29
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WY, USA
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I have a few wool blankets and life boat rations, as well as a pair of work gloves. I don't routinely carry water but do have a canteen and cup (WI tends to have adequate water). Firearm, usually a pistol in the car... yes it comes in to work, and I use my garage at night. Might toss in a rifle on a long drive. Max I'll have to walk home most days is 30 miles. |
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Originally Posted By Burncycle: It always boils down to buying a bike because that's an absurd distance to have to walk, especially when a folding e-bike and a couple of spare batteries will get you 120 miles easily. That depends on the scenario that's forcing you to traverse 120 miles to get home. |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Originally Posted By tc556guy: That depends on the scenario that's forcing you to traverse 120 miles to get home. Originally Posted By tc556guy: Originally Posted By Burncycle: It always boils down to buying a bike because that's an absurd distance to have to walk, especially when a folding e-bike and a couple of spare batteries will get you 120 miles easily. That depends on the scenario that's forcing you to traverse 120 miles to get home. Go on. If you're in a circumstance that doesn't permit you catching a bus or calling for a ride, why are you going home? |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By backbencher: Go on. If you're in a circumstance that doesn't permit you catching a bus or calling for a ride, why are you going home? If things are already that bad, beelining your way home on highways may not be a good idea. I understand that people want to get home as quick as possible. |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Originally Posted By tc556guy: If things are already that bad, beelining your way home on highways may not be a good idea. I understand that people want to get home as quick as possible. Originally Posted By tc556guy: Originally Posted By backbencher: Go on. If you're in a circumstance that doesn't permit you catching a bus or calling for a ride, why are you going home? If things are already that bad, beelining your way home on highways may not be a good idea. I understand that people want to get home as quick as possible. If you can't travel on highways, then leading the opposition to yer home might not be yer best bet either. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By backbencher: If you can't travel on highways, then leading the opposition to yer home might not be yer best bet either. Hopefully they'll find something more important than following an individual 100 miles to that persons home. |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Originally Posted By tc556guy: Hopefully they'll find something more important than following an individual 100 miles to that persons home. Originally Posted By tc556guy: Originally Posted By backbencher: If you can't travel on highways, then leading the opposition to yer home might not be yer best bet either. Hopefully they'll find something more important than following an individual 100 miles to that persons home. They don't have to follow you. If you've abandoned your VIC, your VIN & license plate will lead them to your home faster than you can walk. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By backbencher: They don't have to follow you. If you've abandoned your VIC, your VIN & license plate will lead them to your home faster than you can walk. Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By tc556guy: Originally Posted By backbencher: If you can't travel on highways, then leading the opposition to yer home might not be yer best bet either. Hopefully they'll find something more important than following an individual 100 miles to that persons home. They don't have to follow you. If you've abandoned your VIC, your VIN & license plate will lead them to your home faster than you can walk. If you have to abandon your veh and walk 100 miles and someone finds your car and looks up your VIN and plates and following you specifically 100 miles to your home out of what would likely be a ton of closer and easier targets, you have a lot more issues to be worried about. |
"Always consider the possibility that you may be wrong. Especially when you are absolutely certain you are right."
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Originally Posted By darkpaladin1: If you have to abandon your veh and walk 100 miles and someone finds your car and looks up your VIN and plates and following you specifically 100 miles to your home out of what would likely be a ton of closer and easier targets, you have a lot more issues to be worried about. Originally Posted By darkpaladin1: Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By tc556guy: Originally Posted By backbencher: If you can't travel on highways, then leading the opposition to yer home might not be yer best bet either. Hopefully they'll find something more important than following an individual 100 miles to that persons home. They don't have to follow you. If you've abandoned your VIC, your VIN & license plate will lead them to your home faster than you can walk. If you have to abandon your veh and walk 100 miles and someone finds your car and looks up your VIN and plates and following you specifically 100 miles to your home out of what would likely be a ton of closer and easier targets, you have a lot more issues to be worried about. Exactly. So why not take an Uber to the bus station? |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
Could get one of these and throw it in the back of the truck/SUV/car. 
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ND, USA
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Originally Posted By backbencher: They don't have to follow you. If you've abandoned your VIC, your VIN & license plate will lead them to your home faster than you can walk. I don't understand what you're trying to claim. Why would anyone target your specific vehicle out of all the abandoned vehicles they'll encounter and then plan to follow you a hundred miles to your HOR. I'm more concerned about obliviously running afoul of someone with bad intent along the way |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Originally Posted By backbencher: Exactly. So why not take an Uber to the bus station? I thought this discussion was about a societal breakdown thats causing you to walk home. If Uber is functional ( I don't have an Uber account) I wouldnt be walking 100 miles home. I'd call AAA to have the vehicle towed to a garage, get a room for the night and talk to the repair shop when they're open. If the vehicle is going to be there a while then I'd take a bus home and come back when the vehicle is repaired |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Originally Posted By tc556guy: I thought this discussion was about a societal breakdown thats causing you to walk home. If Uber is functional ( I don't have an Uber account) I wouldnt be walking 100 miles home. I'd call AAA to have the vehicle towed to a garage, get a room for the night and talk to the repair shop when they're open. If the vehicle is going to be there a while then I'd take a bus home and come back when the vehicle is repaired Originally Posted By tc556guy: Originally Posted By backbencher: Exactly. So why not take an Uber to the bus station? I thought this discussion was about a societal breakdown thats causing you to walk home. If Uber is functional ( I don't have an Uber account) I wouldnt be walking 100 miles home. I'd call AAA to have the vehicle towed to a garage, get a room for the night and talk to the repair shop when they're open. If the vehicle is going to be there a while then I'd take a bus home and come back when the vehicle is repaired Oh, this is a TEOTWAWKI fantasy? Carry on. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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120/15=8 So based on the assumption of covering 15 miles a day over 120 miles in your Op it will take 8 days. Assuming you have no injuries, good weather and you aren’t being pursued you are probably gonna burn 3k-5k calories per day hiking. If the goal is to avoid human contact during a trek like that caches are going to be necessary for re supply. Even with that you will probably be up in a calorie deficit. Failure to Maintain core body temp (cold or hot weather) will kill you faster than lack of food or water. I would focus on clothing I.e. a layering system and shelter in a bag, then water procurement/fire making, then food. |
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VA, USA
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(Respect for the bike idea, that would be very efficient) Not a lot of storage room in a Tacoma, but I keep some multi-purpose basics: - #1* should be one of those nice big jump-starter / battery bank / light combos. 9/10 there are 1-3 water bottles in the car - Consol(s): Leatherman, IFAC, flashlight, wet wipes (Probably some ammo/mags in there) collapsable water dish for the dogs - Behind/Under seats: 2 tall water bottles, gloves, tarp, stuff to make changing tires more realistic for a truck and some recovery gear (Winter time, I usually have a light bag back there with an extra jacket, boots, gloves and hat) - Astrick to #1 is of course:   Trailer Park Boys - Bubbles explains piss jugs |
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Originally Posted By DaGoose: Could get one of these and throw it in the back of the truck/SUV/car. www.amazon.com/dp/B09468N8XS While they’re a little more compact, those things are SLOW. Faster than walking, but still slow. That’s why I have THIS  Montague Paratrooper Elite It actually rides like a quality hardtail, and does well off-trail.  Paratrooper Elite - A Real Mountain Bike That Folds |
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I had 9.5 days with of food and did 106 miles in 7.5 days without resupply on the AT. I was 49 at the time, so I know my time and distance is likely less. Pack weight was about 35 pounds without water...close to 40-45 when carrying a few liters. Access to water is critical to keep weight down. Food weight might be a wash between lighter meals that require water and fuel to boil vs. ready to eat stuff. I typically do a balance between the two and average about 1.5 pounds per day. Shelf stability in a vehicle is hard, so I do keep most food or other expendables in a removable bag and only keep it in the truck during trips. I did the whole 550 mile trek home planning when working in northern VA. knowing my foot travel is limited to 100-150 miles, I expanded my mountain bike setup. I have a folding, Montague, mountain bike and added a single track trailer, enough to haul 75 pounds. I found 65 pounds about my limit to maintain on most roads. Off trail was really a challenge, but still easier walking the bike and trailer up steep inclines. The truck was my primary means, bike and trailer were secondary, and foot was last resort, feasible if within 150 miles or so. The mountain bike is my best choice for anything between 100-300 miles. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By bluemax_1: While they’re a little more compact, those things are SLOW. Faster than walking, but still slow. That’s why I have THIS Montague Paratrooper Elite It actually rides like a quality hardtail, and does well off-trail.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg9qvQK5B0AYeah, I have both the standard and Elite paratroopers, excellent bikes, perfect for stashing in your truck, just make sure to check regularly for maintenance and have a few key items on hand to keep in running. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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I live really remote but kinda close to a small town and I'm 18 miles from a Bigger town that takes about an hour to get to via car (no good roads). I carry in my truck an air compressor, tire repair kit, TP, and some tools. I always have a bottle or two of water but really close to rivers. I sliced a tire on some rocks and my plug kit would not work and then my spare had the valve stem damaged and was flat too  Now I'm thinking a spare for my spare  EDC I carry a flash light and a little s&w bodyguard 380 1.0 I drive cross country like once a month or so and keep revising my go bag. |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
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Originally Posted By dayphotog: I live really remote but kinda close to a small town and I'm 18 miles from a Bigger town that takes about an hour to get to via car (no good roads). I carry in my truck an air compressor, tire repair kit, TP, and some tools. I always have a bottle or two of water but really close to rivers. I sliced a tire on some rocks and my plug kit would not work and then my spare had the valve stem damaged and was flat too Now I'm thinking a spare for my spare EDC I carry a flash light and a little s&w bodyguard 380 1.0 I drive cross country like once a month or so and keep revising my go bag. When I was a kid my dad was very adamant about replacing the factory donut tire with a full sized spare. When cars started coming with e can of fixaflat in place of any spare tire at all he hated it. Anyway, one day we were driving somewhere and got a flat. No big deal, he threw the spare on and kept driving. Not a few miles down the road we developed a second flat, which he used the OEM spare donut tire on. I've never known that to happen again but I'm still particular about spare tires |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Thinking about this one of the most important things is really training. With good training you can do a lot with very little. Shelter, Fire, and Water are primary concerns. In the right environment, you can survive with a KNIFE ONLY. You can make your own shelter, start fire with a bow, purify water as best you can. But having a shelter, lighter, and water with you makes survival a lot easier. In my car I have a hammock, tarp shelter, lighter(s), ferro rod, water purification and filtration, as well as a case of bottled water. Those are all survival essentials. In drier locations you may not be able to find water. Even though it's heavy, in Texas it is often best to carry your water... because the heat and dehydration are primary dangers and sources of water can be scarce. Of course comms, navigation (compass&maps), security, utility blade, flashlight, cordage, containers, kindling are also very helpful. I have a backpack to keep it in. |
per aspera ad astra
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My daily commute drive? A change of clothes, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletry supplies, AR 15, Shotgun, Sig P226, body armor, MARCS radio, spare medications, IFAK, and a bunch of other stuff. Basically, I have what it takes to keep me at work for about 72 hours without much worry. The reality is that if SHTF I won't be going home any time soon unless we are talking end of the world and the Lord is returned. My wife would likely rally at my office, which is a police station. I don't have much at home worth dying for except for her and my sons, who are heavily armed and quite capable of dealing with life. |