Posted: 8/8/2009 7:02:04 AM EDT
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OK, here's the scoop, I am relatively new to all this survival stuff, but I am completely in now and my wife is right there with me (which is a blessing in itself).
Anyway, I work in the coalfields of WV most days, and on average I am 100 mi. away from home during work hrs. I definitely felt the need to setup a get home bag because of this. I am estimating something like 30mi/day of walking does that sound right? Keep in mind this is in the mountains and the terrain is anything but forgiving. If so, that's roughly 3 1/2 days to make it back to the house. I am looking for suggestions that might help me be better prepared for this situation, and maybe some advice on my GHB. Here's the contents as it stands: First aid kit with: various bandages, creams, tweezers, scissors, qtips, etc. Tums and Aleve Duct tape numerous plastics bags of various types and sizes pen, pencil & pad Fire starting sticks in waterproof package 2 bic lighters in waterproof package 2 changes of socks & underwear 2 underarmor shirts rain pants & jacket 8x10 tarp 2 space blankets 4 bungees TP 2 flashlights (3D maglite & 2AA LED light) set of backup batteries for each 2 mountain house entrees (2 servings per) Razor knife CRKT First Strike 5 3/8" fixed blade $100 cash .......................................... I am currently wating on my paracord to come in the mail & In 2 weeks I will be buying a new pistol .......................................... What I currenty EDC: Kershaw Leek Gerber Paraframe Leatherman Wave IDs & debit card ......................................... In the vehicle I always have: A FULL toolbox, changes of clothes, a Stanley FUBAR, ***Fishing Pole & Vest***, and 1-2 cases of water If anyone would like to add to what I should carry, your assistance would be appreciated. ETA: I also wear Waterproof boots (Chippewa 25492- 9" sheerling lined good to -50*), which are good for hiking, if just a tad heavy, in the terrain I would be traveling. Thank You, Stephen |
welcome, Stephen.  please give your wife a "thank you" from me. it's so good to see other women with a realistic mindset supporting their husbands.
I think you have a great start, but I'd definitely add at least one more pair of socks, since you'll be changing them more than once daily, and you don't want to put on wet socks. I'd also add more food, either Mountain House because of its light weight or more MREs because they don't need additional water. also - question: you drive 200 miles a day (round trip) in your vehicle, or you meet with folks somewhere, and y'all all drive out there together? also, for your vehicle, make sure you have a tire plug kit and means of reinflating a tire. I'm sure someone else will catch what I missed, but these are my initial thoughts... and, again - welcome. 
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I'm sure you have one but a full size spare tire sound like you have a truck so you might want to think of a gas can. Might want to think about this to fire matches and a bic lighter are good but they can brake or run out look at something like a blast match. To save some weight drop the underwear if the one you have get dirt go commando if you goo commando less chance of getting chaffed. Maybe a flashlight that fits on your head. Me I like baby wipes better then TP can do a lot more with them and can be used to clean wounds and your body if needed. As said socks also might want to look for something with more Cal count to go with the MH foods like mainsaty bars. For meds you want an anti diarrhea. I know you said you have a few cases of water but to carry a case of water is a pain might think about a camlbak and also a water filter.
I'm sure I missed a few things. |
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30 miles per day as an average, sounds optimistic, just being a realist about it. Consider things like: time of year, heat/cold, hills, taking breaks, off road terrain, stamina, etc. etc.
I normally plan a SHTF type of scenario from a 'worst-case' perspective. Example; On your trip, consider if a bridge is washed out, roads are blocked, it snows, or it's 90 degrees and high humidity. For constant travelling like this you will need a good amount of calories and H2O to keep you going. 100 miles back to home? well, this is quite the challenge. An old bicycle in the trunk would allow you to make much better time. How about any navigable waterways for a boat, raft or canoe? |
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Great start so far but consider this:
A stash/cache. Either a rented storage locker or a buried bucket you can easily find, but know one knows but you where it is. Keep the mre's, more water there, plus ammo, more first aid/meds, batteries if needed etc etc. That keeps your GHB lighter, and gives you a much needed resupply. ETA: If a storage locker is used, one could stash a bicycle or motorcycle and spare gas, or a bed to sleep on a get some real rest on. YMMV ETA: I suspect in WV it snows pretty good, so a change of clothes and a propane heater may be a good thing. Hope this helps. |
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Firearm & Ammo?
Also, what part of WV? We have family in and around Bluefield, WV., and my parents are looking at some property not too far from Wytheville, VA. Beautiful area of the country! Workin' in the coalfields is a tough job and we need coal for electric power, despite what Obammy says. Hitler didn't have Bluefield, WV on his bombing list for nothin'. |
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If you figure on an average of 3-4 miles an hour over decent flat ground you're talking 25-35 hours of walking. That of it self sounds like 3 days is doable. However when you add in time to cook and eat meals, set up camp, gather fire wood and water, purify water, patch up blisters and cuts and just rest, 3 days starts to sound pretty optomistic. Not to mention when you add in any time for detours or weather. It may not always be advisable to travel on the roads, in wich case you're going over rough ground, that you have likely never been on. 15 miles a day would be pretty good time in pretty good conditions.
I've got about the same distance to travel from work when I'm close to home. I figure a weeks worth of suplies to get home as well as fishing equipment in case my food dosen't hold out as long as I'd like or the trip takes over a week. |
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here is mine
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=594775 add food, subtract things you don't need. |
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OK, thanks all for your input, I have the firearm and ammo on the list to be completed by month's end. I have already considered more food, and some high calorie bars ARE on the list as well.
The cooking apparatus is something I didn't consider, thank you for that.... any suggestions for what type? Like a camp pot or something? Unfortunately, having a storage unit or such is near impossible as: 1- there aren't many in the areas I frequent, and 2- as a service rep I go to so many different locations, I don't really have a set area to have one. A fold up bike has been considered, and I will look more closely at that. @ donne: I travel alone usually, and drive from the house an AVERAGE of 200mi round trip, but sometimes more/less, it varies quite a bit. I have a full-size spare and a tire patch kit in the vehicle. More socks: check As well, I am already looking at camelbacks and water purification systems like katadyn, but I may go with a filter and pool shock to keep cost down for now (saw the thread on here)... I live near Tazewell, VA about 20min from Bluefield, and spend most of my time near Whitesville, WV. I am planning on adjusting my GHB for the season as well. ETA: no, no date rape drugs here 
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Quoted:
welcome, Stephen. please give your wife a "thank you" from me. it's so good to see other women with a realistic mindset supporting their husbands.
Thank You granted.... She is a very logical realistic person, and sees the need to be prepared the same way I do now. I am at this point (with the current state of the union) very frantically trying to get prepped. Luckily I don't have much debt, no credit cards, and only a school loan I'm still repaying. |
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Quoted:
here is mine http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=594775 add food, subtract things you don't need. ragnar's BOB/GHB thread is a must read!!! OP, 30 miles a day is overly optimistic for all but the most ideal conditions. you didn't mention whether you'd be passing through purely rural areas or large cities. if is purely rural, you should be able to stick to the main roads, to an extent, but if its cities, you may need to get off of the main roads and or even skirt the cities, depending on why your having to walk home in the first place. a realistic traveling distance would be 12 miles - 20 miles a day. lots of variables to be factored in depending on what the SHTF event was/is. throw in a water filter as well in case your water gets left, runs dry, etc. |