Bug Out Bag: Test 1

[BAC]

Normally I'd build something smaller, and less elaborate; however, since I'll be returning to this site as a base-camp, I decided to build a proper, long-term structure.

Fair enough. I can understand that.


-B

[Gentoo]

I am not sure if it is a old wives tale but stream rocks or rock that are near a water source (that could have been submerged in water for an extened amount of time) are avioded for campfires. The worry is that a porous rock could be holding water and could explode when exposed to the heat of a fire...have not tried it myself.

I have heard the same thing as well.

No idea if it has any merit or not.

[LittleRedToyota]

I have heard the same thing as well.

No idea if it has any merit or not.

i have heard that as well...and it kinda makes sense if you think about it.

however, my guess is that the rock would just crack instead of actually exploding.

though, if you were sitting on it or something, you could maybe get burned.

anyway, great report landlord. i often do backpacking trips with my BOB. there is no better way to figure out what you need and don't need, to realistically understand how far you can hump your BOB in what amount of time over what type of terrain, and to improve that number.

you mention "if you had had a tent...". one suggestion i would make is to consider a bivy sack, rather than a tent, for your BOB. a bit less weight...a bit less room...easier and quicker to set up...can be set up in smaller spaces...can actually be warmer (as there is less air for your body to heat up), etc. imho, they offer a lot of advantages over a tent (of course, tents have their own advantages as well).

of course, you could also skip the tent/bivy sack entirely and just go with a poncho...

[LonghunterCO]

of course, you could also skip the tent/bivy sack entirely and just go with a poncho...

Or a section of water proof tarp. You could use the tarp to gather rain water, throw snow on an let it melt in the sun and drain (if the ground below it is preped to allow drainage) to into a pan/Nagleen bottle.

[SeriousStudent]

I have a piece of Tyvek building wrap that is 8 foot by 6foot in my BOB and GHB. It weighs very little, and is very tough.

[Outlander Systems]

The tent debate has me boogered up pretty bad.

I'm considering a hammock:

[LonghunterCO]

The tent debate has me boogered up pretty bad.

I'm considering a hammock:

Not knowing your area of operation, the problem out here with the hammock is the same problem that guys out here face with the plan of always tying their tarps to a tree: It always seems that all the trees are too big, too little, or too far apart.

[Outlander Systems]

I thought about that, Longhunter.

The idea is interesting, but what if you want to set up camp in a field?

[LonghunterCO]

My problem is hiking is often getting from point A to point B. Sometimes due to circumstances beyond my control I end up getting to the end of day later than I had planned. I often end up where I end up and although I am rarely walking into camp after dark, pickings are sometimes slim. I see this as simmular to a BO situation. You are trying to get away from point A as fast as possible and on to point B (although not always the case I recommend that you have a point B in mind). Point A could represent a major population center, so the faster you get away from there the fewer people you are likely in encounter.
Pick (and practice using) a tent/shelter that is quick and easy to setup. So easy that you can set it up in the dark with little or no light, and can be setup in as many types of areas you are likely to be seting up in. In my area of operation, if I am using a tent, I have made the decision to go with a free-standing tent (they typically weigh more than a non free-standing one). With the rocky ground that I usually find myself in I often could not drive a tent stake in the ground if I had too. If circumstances dictate, a free standing tent also alows me the opportunity to pick it up and move it without a full teardown (better site found, realize you are in the middle of a water run off area, etc.).

[Rider]

Nice report. It has me thinking though. What are you all preparing for? Nuclear war, riots, bio attack, avian flu, running from the law? All?
I like the idea of being prepared but it seems like in most of those instances (I guess running from the law would be the obvious exception) and in my typical southern suburban neighborhood it would be better to stay in the house and fortify rather then camp in a park. Hell, I love to camp but it seems like you would be likely to get your weapons confiscated and get run off. Maybe I am not preparing for the right scenario though, what is the prospective emergency?