Lessons for the Bug out Bag

[livingston]

Everyone who's a prepper has some idea what the proper contents of a Bug out Bag are. The idea is to have the essentials for an emergency. The contents of a BOB vary considerably, partly due to the fact that individual needs vary.
Fortunately, there are people who've figured out what's essential to bring on a long trek: The Appalachian Trail hikers. People who think nothing of hiking 2000 miles have their gear sorted out. A lot of those people have Youtube channels where they share their experiences, demonstrate their gear, and show how and what they pack.

Most of the serious hikers now go with super light weight gear. One huge advantage is that they can travel a lot faster than someone with a massive pack. Going light also makes sense if you are not Special Forces fit. A super light pack is a lot less wear and tear on your body.

Their gear may be minimal and light, but it provides food, shelter, and water -the basics of life. They can also sustain hauling that gear around day in, day out. Some of it can be expensive, but remember, the gear is not only light weight, but built to last thousands of miles. There are some seriously low budget hikers out there and they are worth seeking out. A $400 lightweight tent is great, but a cheap tarp will keep the rain off you too.
Sixbears in the Woods: Lessons for the Bug out Bag


It would be a good idea to look at some of these you tube videos on what these folks use walking a few thousand mile trail . Perhaps they have found supplies that we have never heard of before . Perhaps ideas on what to throw away when packing a get home bag...

 

[nfernaays]

I think load balance is a consideration not thought of in advance as well. Even if you have nothing but ultralight gear if it is not a balanced load it can cause unneeded wear and tear on the body and can minimize distance traveled.

 

[Magnus]

On Friday I decided to walk home from work, we're down to one car and I grow impatient. I had my work bag on, work clothing and and EDC gear. 2 hour get home shituation, lots of hills and running across highways. My work bag is about 12 lbs or so, after 30 minutes it felt like 80lbs. It was causing aches and pains. Getting home with my bug out bag from work in a real emergency would be hell. I emptied out my bags and only have food and small tools in them right now. Anything else I would need I'll dig in the trash and use nature.

 

[camper4lyfe]

One thing about thru-hikers is that they have multiple drop boxes mailed to themselves at various locations along the trail. It's impossible to carry 6 months worth of food and gear (they typically go through 2-3 pairs of boots in the process) for 2000 miles.

 

[Marine Cpl]

On Friday I decided to walk home from work, we're down to one car and I grow impatient. I had my work bag on, work clothing and and EDC gear. 2 hour get home shituation, lots of hills and running across highways. My work bag is about 12 lbs or so, after 30 minutes it felt like 80lbs. It was causing aches and pains. Getting home with my bug out bag from work in a real emergency would be hell. I emptied out my bags and only have food and small tools in them right now. Anything else I would need I'll dig in the trash and use nature.

Many don't realize this. When you pack your bag and shoulder it at home, it may feel manageable.

Not so on mile 2. I learned my lesson a few summers ago when I took my BOB on a hike in hilly terrain. I had to turn back. I would have never made it and that was without my carbine and ammo.

My pack now has half the shit I had before. You have to pack only what you NEED to survive.

86 the non essential hygiene items and comfort items. You can rough it and improvise and or acquire on the move when you find a place to stay. 86 the endless amounts of ammo as if you are planning on being in a sustained firefight. Your plan should be avoidance rather than engagement just like a Recon Operator who stops, looks, listens, and bugs out at signs of trouble.

Your clothing should be lightweight and fast drying. No denim or cotton. Also, don't be the fool decked out in Multicam. It only paints you as a target. Solid regular looking Browns and tans blend in extremely well in the ground on dead foliage. Deer don't wear Multicam and blend right into the woods.

 

[freddy]

Also, don't be the fool decked out in Multicam. It only paints you as a target. Solid regular looking Browns and tans blend in extremely well in the ground on dead foliage. Deer don't wear Multicam and blend right into the woods.

Now that is funny!

 

[Automan21]

Been wanting to get a decent lightweight pack together. This might help.

 

[Cleck]

Yeah, it's a good thing to do every now and then, take your bob and at least walk around the neighborhood. I got a good dose of reality when packing for Colorado, as @NirvanaFan had his whole packing list weighed out individually, it made me think about the things I was packing a little more. I have applied that thought to my bag since then.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Yeah, it's a good thing to do every now and then, take your bob and at least walk around the neighborhood. I got a good dose of reality when packing for Colorado, as @NirvanaFan had his whole packing list weighed out individually, it made me think about the things I was packing a little more. I have applied that thought to my bag since then.

The idea of weighing everything definitely comes from the hiking background. We routinely cover 30+ miles in a weekend of hiking in the Adirondacks. Even hiking in 3 or 4 miles with gear can be tough. Then, you're hiking 6-10 miles a day with less gear. Any way you can shave off weight is helpful.

Most people think they can hike longer with heavier gear than they actually can. Dropping weight in the pack is a great way to go further and faster, but the best thing to do would be to lose weight off the body. Dropping 10 pounds would probably benefit more people than dropping 10 pounds off their pack weight.

 

[Cleck]

I lost a few pounds from our trip. If only we could go for that long every month, lol. I'd be at my ideal weight in no time.

 

[vanderblack]

Packing light is obviously a good idea however, consider doing this: I keep more than I need in my bag. I have warm weather cloths that I would not need in the summer, I have keep a couple different caliber boxes of ammo yet usually only have 1 handgun with me, mini fishing kit yet I may not be stranded where I need it. The list goes on. Bottom line, you really don't know where you will be if the situation arises in which you need your bag. I try to pack for most situations I can think of and plan on ditching things not needed for the situation I find myself in. Also, there is the potential that there could be another person with you in a situation who can carry some of the load. My pack has a large fanny pack integrated into it. The fanny pack can be detached and worn separately by a second person without effecting the main pack's ability to be worn.

I would rather have too much and ditch what is not needed then not have what IS needed to survive.

Last winter a friend and I headed off to the Adirondacks for a few nights with nothing other than the cloths on our back and our bugout bags. Basically, a backpacking trip. The first day was very hard with getting use to the weight and all. While we hurt the second day, we were able to travel further. The third day things were a lot easier, partly due to a decreasing pack weight as we ate and figured out a better distribution of weight. We made it and had a great time doing it.

 

[livingston]

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Planning
This page will be used to aid those who are planning a thru-hike or other long distance hike of the Appalachian Trail.

A bit interesting on how to plan for a long term walkabout .