Originally Posted By: hikermor
The great thing about decent camping gear is the versatility and adaptability they engender. I have a fair amount of gear and I expect I would be using it right in my own back yard when my home collapses into rubble as a result of the Big One. If I need to leave, my gear is light and compact enough that I could take it with me, whatever mode I might adopt. I could then be comfortable in all kinds of situations. I would probably be passing through wilderness, not residing therein.

I have spent enough time in wilderness and isolated areas to realize that talk of "bugging out" for any prolonged time is romantic nonsense and fantasy, especially without support.



Agree 100%

I have a lot of camping gear (including a teardrop trailer in storage near the mountains) because I love camping. Twenty years ago, during a week-long series of power outages due to ice storms, I became thankful for the preparedness utility of camping gear.

Since 9/11, I've given a lot of thought to "bugging out." Yep, me and several million of my fellow residents in the DC metropolitan area.

Have concluded that the notion of evacuating this city (which I live in the middle of ) in an expeditious manner is hopeless. Living in the wilderness? Ha - what wilderness? Wilderness is an endangered species on this side of the Mississippi.

Those of us on ETS have varied situations and different calculations to make. For me, living in the mid-Atlantic region, it is ludicrous to think that bugging out to wilderness (which is rare in these parts) is any kind of solution to any scenario.

If I'm among the last standing after some mass destruction event, I'd just as soon camp out in a Costco and live out my days with ten tons of canned tuna and an endless supply of toilet paper.


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