Believe me, neither would I.



I'm in training as a runner. I'm no marathoner, and I'd expect to be sore and unhappy, but my dress shoes are good and as long as weather allowed me to keep my feet dry I think could do it.



I don't know any way to save Google Maps for offline use on my un-jailbroken iPhone. I do have an iPhone app for offline topo maps; it's possible that I'd be able to use that. I really do know the streets very well.

Carrying Goretex Socks Goretex socks might be the answer if your dress shoes aren't fully waterproof.

Some Silk Shopping bags silk shopping bags might prove to be useful if you find that you may need to carry some emergency survival shopping!!

A lightweight waterproof jacket might also be useful to carry.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/...ite_review.html

My most memorable commutes have been non-emergency events where I've been stuck somewhere for hours. You could pack backup reading material and a small headlamp to help alleviate the boredom of such events.

Sceeeeeeeeeeptical...

socks live a though life, and I would be surprised if the membrane would last long. At least that is my family's conclusion with goretex shoes, and I can't think that socks have an easier life than those shoes (where the membrane is protected by a layered construction). Even with high quality expensive shoes it is always a hit-and-miss factor as to how fast the membrane punctures = wet feet. When we get a new pair we usually trade them in on guarantee at least once until we hit the lucky lottery and get a pair that lasts the guaranteed life time of 2 years.

Life span issues aside, walking long distances with a perpetual wet foot may cause blisters pretty fast. A waterproof membrane may or may not help you, but of course the sock it self would have to fit, not being stiff and abrasive, condensation not causing you to get wet and probably a few more issues that could cause trouble.

Unless you have reliable reviews that this actually WORKS in real life, I'd stay away...


If you want extra protection for your feet, a pair of rubber overboots and spare wool socks is a much better idea. The socks won't keep you warm if you wade through icy waters with non-waterproof shoes, but you wring them half-dry and they will regain much of their dry insulation. Both wet and dry, the wool sock will typically be much more comfortable and better to your feet than your average cotton thingy. The overboots I have in mind (basically rubber "socks" that slips over your shoes, they pack reasonably small) are typically not made for long distance walking on hard surface, but may be very helpful in a downpour or for crossing wet areas.

EDIT: About the headlamp - a length of bungee cord with a cord lock or your favorite knot + AAA size light (fenix E01 or itp A3) = makeshift headlamp. Bungee cord is multi-use item.

I tend to agree. I have a feeling goretex socks would keep humidity out but that they wouldn't let perspiration out fast enough and would get clammy.

I keep light hiking boots in the truck for the walking home contingency. Two pairs of Smartwool socks and multiple pairs of sockliners in either coolmax (okay) or merino wool (great) and I'm good to go year round.

It's a 24 mile hike mostly paved but whose to say after a major earthquake.

Good advice. I always have reading material with me, and as long as my iPhone holds out I can read, play games, or even post to this forum. I've ordered a Prism to convert my Quark into a headlamp. The headband willl work with my AAA lights too. I'm thinking that a spare 123 cell is in order.

Take a screenshot and save as a .jpg ??

I still recommend the e+lite. It's compact, has long battery life, and is comfortable for long term use around camp. I think it is a better choice than the prism kit, and could be carried in your bag in place of one of the two different AAA lights in your four-light set.

"If I'm hoofing it 40 miles through "enemy territory" the whole way, I'm in big trouble... What can I do about it? I can't carry a rifle everywhere..."

A disguise as a homeless type of person might keep you below radar. A Brooks Brothers suit, leather shoes and a laptop case would probably be every bit as good as a target, front and back. In most cases, clothing probably wouldn't be the first thing troublemakers would be going after, so buying/trading/stealing low-key clothing and a backpack (to keep your hands free) might be something to get as soon as possible. All the guys around here look like street people in their hooded sweatshirts, esp if they have one of those scruffy beards (which I will bet money you don't have).

"... my car kit as being pretty comprehensive... but it's only good for three days of food and water for one person."

Yes, that's tricky. I can't carry a lot of stuff with me, because luggage space is usually taken up with my crews' bags and gear. I do normally carry 2-3 gallons of water in 8 oz bottles (provided by the RR), granola bars and some snack foods, but not nearly enough, and that isn't likely to change. Scrounging and rationing would probably be necessary. I can't see any other solution. And the newer the Suburbans, the less storage space they have.

If a quake hits, I hope I'm home. If I'm in Seattle... SOL is what comes to mind.

Sue

Search for the app 'OffMaps'. It isn't great, but it is the best one I've found so far for off-line street maps.

If you have a real iPhone, I suspect that at least some of the navigation apps like TomTom, Navigon and Magellan work without Internet connection, but look before you leap.

-john