Krista, the one thing I don't see is a clear statement of the critical situations that would leave you no option but to bug out. (Apologies if I've missed it.)

IMHO, these scenarios must be the basis of your bug-out plan and the gear you choose. You may also discover that making preparations for sheltering in place may be a much more practical approach.

My 2c.

I don't want to sound too negative, but it is time for a reality check. A 400 miles self contained foot march is about 2-3 times further than what you would expect from military Special Forces on good flat terrain in good ambient temperate weather conditions.

Individual MREs only have around 1200-1300 Kcal in total. Individual entrées when stripped from the MRE package may only contain 300-400 Kcal. Complete MREs are heavy weighing an average of 1.7 lbs each. They are only really useful for a mechanised military!

Even bicycling for someone who is unconditioned may struggle to get 30-40 LSD miles per day. 400 miles on a bicycle + Childrens trailer could become a 10-12 day trip requiring at least a minimum 20-25 MREs.

An Electric Bicycle retrofit conversion wheel/kit or Electric Bicycle and a Powerfilm F15-3600 60w Folding Solar Panel or two could help considerably with the effort in good sunny weather on flat roads but this would be quite an expensive solution.

I highly recommend reading this site about disaster planning and bugging out plans. This was written by a Katrina survivor. It was recommended by another member here a few weeks ago.

Listening to Katrina

What I found most valuable was the three plans: 60 second plan, 1 hour plan, and 12 hour plan. You will be interested in all the discussions about kids including the neat ID necklace idea.

The BOB section is here: BOB 1

The author has a unique perspective having been through a large disaster and not being properly prepared.

It is probably more than 30 pages, but you can skip some of the political discussion sections. And don't try to read it all at once.

There is a lot of great information on this site. I suggest bookmarking it as a reference. I find myself returning often.

So many great responses and so much great advice, I’ve had to spend the day trying to figure out where to start in my reply back!

First, I’ve learned a huge variety of things from each of you, so you have all helped me in your own ways and I appreciate that!

@AndrewDS: I have no idea what a micro jimmy bar and an LED wand are. Harry Potter-esque flashlight? ☺



Agreed 100% on the shovel. My husband seemed to think I would need it... me, not so much. I'll probably tell him to put it in his bag if he wants it so bad!

I also like the idea of a water filter, it's one of those purchases I have been putting off... and the cart idea is a great idea considering my distance challenge.

@Stephen: Thank you for your thorough post! I agree, I had not really considered that small game wouldn’t be as plentiful as I imagine. And yours (and everyone’s) concerns about the stamina and endurance needed for such a track is very much noted, and I will be hard at work on an alternative. Ideally, I’ll have my vehicle!

@Burncycle: Your entire post resonated with me, so I won’t quote it all here. I especially like the idea of a prepaid phone for my daughter, I think they even make them these days especially for the youngest children so that they can only make calls to certain numbers like mom or 911. That just moved up my priority list. I also appreciate your thoughts on tents with mosquito netting, that sounds like just the thing I need.



Thank you Chisel! I loved your post. I did check on the homemade MRE’s, and I am definitely gonna start doing these. My kid loves MREs, but I hate them, so this is actually ideal for me!
I also checked out the Vaseline cotton balls on youtube, and I was amazed at how quickly they ignite and are used for a building a fire. I mean, I guess it’s common sense, but I would have never thought of it. I’ll be ditching those firelighter things to fireplace duty. My daughter has a whistle, and I have been teaching her to hug a tree and blow the crap out of the whistle!


@All- A lot of you didn’t like the MREs, except Jac. My intention with these was to have enough to get us through the first few days, and then rely on hunting/foraging. They are definitely heavy, so I see the areas of complaints with them. For now, I have reduced to 4 of them (2 for each of us), and I will be working on making my own MRE’s.

@BackpackJac: Extra clothes are in the works, as we get the new school clothes for daughter we will be adding extras for the bobs. ☺ Gives me an excuse to shop for myself at the same time! My daughter loves being involved. She’s been helping me choose the comfort things for her bag, and she gets so excited when I let her blow her “I’m Lost” whistle as loud as she wanted INSIDE! Also, by your and chisel’s suggestion, I am already planning a one night camping trip at a local campsite so we can have lots of fun and work on skills at the same time. I love that kids never realize that they’re learning!



It's definitely not easy, but I really like this site because people seem to genuinely enjoy helping one another, not bashing or anything.
Thanks for your suggestions. My truck has a basic kit with the items you mentioned except the cb radio. I don't know what the air pump is for (tires?) but I'm pretty sure I don't have one of those. I'll check into it.

@chaosmagnet: The water purification tables are the chlorine dioxide. I had the iodine ones, but someone here told me they taste gross, so they got relegated to my husband’s kit.

The lights are not LED, I will however see about upgrading as I go. I’m keeping a running list after this thread.

@JBMAT- Toilet paper, yes!



Thank you! I think I will be trying out several different bags. I figure the only way to know for sure if it's the right back is to load it up and get out in it!

I'm a little nervous about the fixed blade knife... I'm afraid I'd do something stupid like fall on it! Not much ammo. The magazine that's in it and a spare. Like you said, surviving, not war.I've been looking online at the ultralight 2-man backpacker's tents. Any thoughts on those? I'm hoping to take some sort of first aid class as soon as they offer one in the area at a time that works for me, I figure I can improve my first aid kit then. Why have a bunch of stuff I don't know how to use?




You didn't miss the clear statement, I did not make one. I guess you could call this the "big stinky crud has really splattered all over the place bag". I have a get home bag in my car, and I have an overnight/weekend bag that I could live out of if I had too. This bag is meant to be sort of more all encompassing...



It's not negative, it's helpful! I do realize that the odds in that long distance type of bug out are crazy against me.

The flaws of MREs have been pointed out, and I can definitely work on a better solution! I wasn't really planning to try to carry enough food for the whole trip... just enough to get through the first "oh my god this sucks" few days.

Thank you for your very mechanical suggestions, I will research them, but they are at the bottom of my list! Bugging IN is my primary plan.

@treeseeker: Thank you for the Katrina link, it’s moved to my Reading List! ☺

LASTLY TO ALL: What is the proper etiquette here for responding to so many people? Is it try to put them all in one like I just did, or what it have been better for me to reply individually? Sorry if this was a strain on the eyes, I wanted to reply to each of you because you’ve been so incredibly helpful!

The etiquette is to respond in a way that makes sense to you. Mission accomplished. I hope we were helpful.

I second Chaosmagnet's opinion. You did a perfect job of replying to a LOT of posts at once.

IMO
Considering a 400mi. trip with your daughter and not your husband??
Will you be packing everything, can your daughter pack anything?

No way that you will make the trip without re-supply. I would suggest two
re-supply points at a minimum. Can you locate cache points now and stash
some water, food, fuel, socks etc. I am thinking this trip will take at least 3 weeks
but more like 4.

Don't pack more than 2 MRE's total. For a bug out IMO they are ideal, almost a survival
kit in there own right it sucks that they weigh so much. You need to switch to FD food.
FD is not as bad or expensive as you think, just be selective on purchases. I Like Chili Mac, it's not to spicy, a 2 person meal for $6.00. Most of the meals for my taste are a bit saucy so I also add extra instant rice to "help" and bulk them up. Instant oatmeal is another standby, so are oatmeal cookies, trail mix, nuts, etc. etc.
Trail menu's can take an entire thread.
Check Wal-Mart and REI Outlet for food deals.
Still for 400mi. no way will you be able to pack enough.

On the gear:
I would drop the folding shovel and use a garden or folding trowel, heck even a GI mess kit spoon makes a good shovel.
Forget the flashlight and switch to keyring lights and keep the headlamp or just use only the headlamps. Still nice to have one keychain light on a easy to find zipper tho.
Those firestarter matches are handy but do you need that many? Only use them in a real emergency, not just cuz you want a fire bcuz you need a fire!
Collins Gem is a nice survival guide about 1/4 the size of what you have . Is it as good,
only you can decide.
Forget the mess kit and switch to a small coffee can HD rubbermade containers 1 or 2 cup size storage bowls with snap on lids for use as cups, bowls or storage. Having a small
plastic measuring cup is handy and only weigh's an extra oz.
For a knife perhaps a SAK Rucksak or slightly smaller Camper, both have saws.
You need to add a sleeping pad (s). to your list.
A Tarp is more versatile than a tent, and I happen to like sq. cut sleeping bags bcuz they can be used as a bag or blanket.
A stove will be tough, you need fuel and lots of it for 400mi. If using a lp gas stove
I would guess a min. of 4 1lb cans, ie 1 per week. IF using a liquid fuel stove plan on a min. of 3/4 gal 1 gal more likely. Either type of fuel will be more than you want to carry. I personally can get by with a full Svea stove + 1.5 pts. for a week.
Perhaps a Emberlit stove could work for you, still it weights 11oz

And lastly don't forget that pack weights 6 pounds empty, perhaps consider a different
pack down the road. A HD pack can be had that is under 4pounds, save that 2 pounds for supplies.

And the list can go on and on.

Almost forgot, don't forget to pack a few HD trash bags, they have to many uses to list.
Shelter, rain cover, wind protection, storage are just a few of them. At least 1ea and one spare.

If you're in a situation where you have to walk 400 miles to find safety, I don't think pepper spray is going to do much for you in the way of defense. That stuff barely works (if at all) when you can quickly spray an attacker and then run for help and call the police. That's not going to be the case in the scenario described. I would take an extra loaded mag for the .40 over some pepper spray. The .40 should be in a holster on your hip too, not buried in the backpack.

Actually, I think the OP has done a lot of good thinking and researching on the BOB. Planning to walk 400 miles is maybe a bit over the top in terms of realistic expectations though. Especially with a 6 year old.

You gave me some great advice here!

First, I'd like to clarify: I do NOT plan on ditching my hubby!!! LOL> He is in the military and often away in other countries for months at a time. I'm working on my plan for if SHTF while he is not here. There is a different plan in place if something terrible occurred while he is home.

The caches are a great idea, I will definitely do my homework to see if this is something I can accomplish.



The .40's always on my hip!

I appreciate your comment, I really have put a lot of thought into the contents and the challenge, even if it might not seem that way at first glance. So thanks for noticing!

If you are including a lengthy hike in your possible scenarios, you should explore the techniques developed by thru hiker, the sort of folk who do the length of the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, or the pacific Crest Trail. Such walkers typically cover 20-30 miles a day, resupplying at intervals of about one week. Their gear is streamlined, multi-use, and extraordinarily light. They also are in very good physical condition,so keep hiking - that will be tremendously important.

Hopefully none of this will ever be necessary, but if it does come to pass, let's hope your daughter is closer to sixteen than to six, so she can say, "Gosh, Mom, you look tired - let me carry your pack for a while."