Since I live and travel in The Columbia River Gorge, my wife and I have to be prepared for isolation or flight. Avalanches, snow, rock, and or mud, can and do occur because of floods, ice and snow storms, normal effects of freezing and thawing, or earth quakes. Currently I-84 is partially blocked by rock slides in two locations. One slide crushed two vehicles and slightly injured two people. There is also forest fires and volcanic activity. I spend considerable time tending my wood lot up on Mount Adams in Washington State and I do a little prospecting in three states. Therefore, my home and vehicles are stocked to spend considerable time in during all weather conditions.

However when on foot, I have kits for my wife, dogs, and I based on weather and how far we intend to be away from our home or vehicles. On normal day to day activities in towns, we both have extensive EDCs. I usually wear 5.11 class Bs which have larger cargo pockets then the standard 5.11 tactical pants and they look better in urban environments. On extensive walks in urban or suburban excursions, she carries a Maxpedition Proteus or Fatboy and I have a Jumbo. If I am out working in the boonies, I carry an old style Maxpedition Condor in summer or a Camelbak BFM in winter.

Since I was involved with disaster preparation and response for a major utility for many years, my wife has had to contend with caring for herself while I was gone. She is not reluctant as most people are in being prepared. We try to carry useful, rugged, compact, multiple use, lightweight, and lastly economical gear. Rather than switch items between kits for each activity, I have made complete individual kits for each activity. This would normally be a large undertaking but we have been at it for many years. Our only chore is keeping the kit supplies fresh. Having individual computerized packing lists with expiration dates is really helpful. We also keep copies with each kit.