miniMe,

No problem, such "disconnects" are inevitable in forums, in general. In return, it wasn't my intention to manufacture a cause for offense where none was intended... and I didn't think it was.

I, too, wish I could get out more often, and generally do... but just for day-long hikes and such, not often for anything that would be much of a test of survival gear... and even that has to compete with sailing, beach, car camping, vacations and travel.... there was a period of years in the past when with some friends I made a point of camping out four times a year, in all seasons... it was a great learning experience, and I miss it, but I don't think I ever did overnights (or longer) on anything like a monthly basis. I've done as much as two weeks on the trail, but not more than once a year or so.

>>using candles and lanterns and such<<

Indeed- more than a gross of candles (mostly to help out neighbors), candle lanterns, a dozen or so kerosene lanterns, three Aladdin lamps, one kerosene backpacking stove, one combination stove/small heater, two full-sized kerosene heaters (with battery powered smoke/CO2 detectors) about 60 gallons of kerosene, plus firewood, a wood stove and two fireplaces, hand-crank radios, Peltier-junction fans, not counting all the batteries and battery-powered radios and lights.... :-)

If I were into ham radio my decisions might have been different- but aside from maintenance and storage concerns, my decision was partly influenced by accounts of the big Canadian blackout, where generators were quickly stolen.

Happy to hear more of your thoughts about your approach any time, though. We're all just facing future with our best guesses, and our best guesses can, and should, change over time- or we're not learning anymore. :-)