Assuming I want to be prepared for emergencies -- what level of fitness should I shoot for? I'm never going to run a marathon, but I can walk five miles with a full pack -- Is this enough?

tro

A lot of it will depend on where you need to go and what you need to bring for any given emergency. If you're going to bug in, then not much is needed. If you're bugging to a place that's five miles away, or plan on traveling five miles a day, and you have everything you need in that pack, you're probably ok. Your daily caloric intake will affect your abilities as well. I guess what I'm getting at is that there are so many variables, there's really no way to say what the optimum level of fitness is. Try to be as healthy as you can.

I agree with Malpaso..be as healthy as you can be.

Five miles on cross country terrain with a backpack is quite a bit. Make sure you have exellent hiking shoes that you have worn and broken in.

Here's a link to what the USFS uses for their "Pack Test" for wildland firefighters:

USFS Pack Test (PDF File)