Over the last few weeks, there have been some very important questions and comments posted on the ETS Bulletin Board providing some excellent “Food for Thought”.

Because of these questions and comments (and a great deal of thought), I have come to the following conclusions irt my own situation in the event that Bugging Out became necessary:
A) TEOTWAWKI has arrived when all Electronics die and communications with my home/family and with my employer have been lost, along with all active and passive communications (T.V, commercial radio stations, Marine VHF-FM communications, GPS, AIS, SatCom, etc.) capabilities that are on my vessel.
B) I will not be leaving my vessel unless a TEOTWAWKI event occurred.
C) I am getting too old and broken down to attempt trying to march approximately 250 miles with 59 LBS of gear on anything but a good trail, roadway, or Railroad track.

Other factors to now be considered
A) I learned yesterday that I'm transferring to a line boat that runs from the Mississippi River to Corpus Christi, Tx. If TSHTF while I'm on the east end of our run, less distance to be covered but with major obstacles; but if TSHTF while I'm on the west end of the run, then I have a lot more miles, with many more, lesser obstacles in the way.
B) These obstacles could include: the largest swamp in the US, vast stretches of marshland, vast areas of flat plains, the largest river in the US, numerous smaller rivers, bayous, and coulees, hills, radiologically hot areas, and hostiles of several different kinds and flavors.

I have started thinking back to the days of the Civil War and what and how the average infantryman carried his equipment. I am primarily thinking of the Confederate Infantryman (lesser equipped) and he traveled lightly. He carried the following to the best of my incomplete knowledge:

A)A blanket(s) rolled up lengthwise over his left shoulder with the blanket ends tied together.
B)A “possibles bag” (if he possibly had it, it was possibly in there),(over his right shoulder) with weapons maintenance equipment, sewing kit, toiletries (not that they used as much as we do now), etc.
C)A 2 qt canteen.
D)A small rucksack with writing supplies, rations, Bible, messkit, spare set of clothes, poncho, etc.
E)A cartridge box
F)Hat and bandanna
G)Belt with bayonet, pistol (sometimes), perhaps a leather pouch tied to it, and gloves.

This has me thinking about reducing my load to the following:

A)Blanket rolled up lengthwise over my left shoulder with the blanket ends tied together and containing:
1) My pillow,
2) spare clothes
3) Baja jacket

B)My Israeli Parachute Messenger Bag (over my right shoulder) with my:
1) Log Book/Licenses,
2) 5 water bottles,
3) Signal mirror,
4) Medicine Bag,
5) FAK,
a) 1 pkg-Aleve pain reliever
b) 1 pkg-assorted Bandaids
c) 10 ea-moist towelettes
d) 18 doses-Amodium A-D
e) 6 doses-Tylenol Sinus
f) 2 pkg-Theraflu
g) 1 pkg-Q-Tips
h) 6 tablets-Bayer Aspirin
i) 24 tablets-Water Purification
j) 1 ea-Ace Bandage
k) 2 ea-OB pads
l) 1 bt-Tylenol & Tylenol PM (mixed)
m) 1 bt-Prescription-Augmentin (1,000mg)
6) Messkit
a) 6 ea-Triox tablets
b) 1 bt-strike anywhere matches
c) 3 ea-SOS pads
d) 1 ea-metal spoon
e) Combo-knife,corkscrew, bottle opener
7) Condiments:
a) 19 pks-Sugar
b) 9 pks-salt
c) 9 pks-pepper
8) Paracord/pigeon string,
9) Poncho,
10) 55gal garbage bag,
11) 3 bandannas,
12) Bic lighters,
13) 1 bt-Aleve
14) 1 pr-Eyeglasses
15) 1 pr-Sunglasses

C)My food Tube (4”x2’ PVC sealed)
1) 6 pkg-Swiss Miss Instant Chocolate
2) 1 pkg-Mixed Nuts
3) 7 pks-Instant Grits
4) 5 bx-Raisins
5) 8 ea-Slim Jims
6) ½ lb-Buffalo Jerky
7) 5 ea-Beef Bouillion cubes
8) 5 ea-Chicken Bouillion cubes
9) 20 ea-dark chocolate mini’s
10) 10 ea-Tea Bags
11) 3 ea-Granola Bars
12) 2 ea-Chocolate Brownies

D) A very small rucksack with”
1) 4 MRE’s,
2) 1 rl-duct tape
3) 2 ea-space blankets
4) 1 pkg-baby wipes
5) 1 rl-duct tape
6) 2 ea-space blankets
7) 1 pkg-baby wipes
8) Zip ties
9) 5 pk-Raman Noodles (assorted)
10) 1 cn-Mosquito repellant (spray)
11) 1 ea-Coughlin Survival Kit in a Can
12) 1 ea-Magnetic Compass
13) P-38 & handcuff key
14) Toilet Paper
15) Coins ($)
16) clip on hat brim light/laser
17) Written Bug Out Plan
18) BOB inventory
19) Maps

E) Hanging on shoulder sling:
1) Brown Shaving Kit
a) 1 bx-Tylenol Cold Medicine
b) 1 bx-Amodium A-D
c) 1 bt-Vitamin C
d) 1 pkg-Assorted Bandaids
e) 1 bt-Prescription Clarinex
f) 1 bt-Prescription Alegra
g) 1 bt-Multi Vitamins
h) 2 pkg-Ear Plugs
i) 1 bt-Desinex Foot Powder
j) 1 bt-Fish Oil Capsules (1000mg)
k) 1 bt-Glucosomine Chondroitin
l) 1 bt-Baby Aspirin
2) Black shaving kit
a) 2 ea-spare Halogen Bulbs
b) 2 spools-brown/white thread
c) 1 pk-sewing needles
d) 1 pk-eyeglass repair kit
e) 1 ea-spare button

F)Hat

G)Belt with:
1) Survival knife,
2) Buck 110 and Leatherman in 1 pouch,
3) Mini Mag flashlight,
4) Radio Pouch
a) Spare batteries,
b) 8” crescent wrench,
c) flashlight,
d) 1 ea-Magnesium Fire Starter
e) 1 ea-spare halogen bulb
5) 1 pr-Binoculars/camara w/belt pouch

I’ve been working on this posting for a couple of days and it is bordering on still being too heavy. I would appreciate any and all input from all of you ETS members who care to make any. I would also like comments on my mode of thinking as far as trying to go lightweight in order to conserve strength and increase my daily mileage. The rucksack is extremely small and I believe I will be forced to cull more stuff from it’s list. I think this will be a normal process as I start putting this altogether.

"...Blanket rolled up lengthwise over my left shoulder...
Messenger Bag (over my right shoulder)...A very small rucksack...
Hanging on shoulder sling...My food Tube"

I think you are going to need more shoulders than you have. I am trying to visualize carrying a rucksack and a rolled up blanket over one shoulder, let alone the other stuff, and can't. My guess would be that if you are going to carry all that stuff, you would be better off with a larger backpack to carry most, if not all, of it in...

Hi Wildman800,

The solution for your 250 mile TEOTWAWKI trek would be a good touring bicycle. With a little bit of effort you should be able to easily cover that distance in about 3 days (some good cyclists would be able to do it in about 18hrs if they attempt it in one cycle ride) averaging a reasonably easy 12 miles/hour with lots of breaks. There are lots of good flat roads from Corpus Christi to the Mississippi. Total BOB gear carried on panniers should exceed no more than 12Kg excluding food and water. Throw in a couple of Brit Ration packs will give you about 8000 calories. More than enough for the effort required. The heat shouldn't really be a problem either when cycling, 12mph is enough to keep you air cooled.

Small suggestion - skip the pillow. Use spare clothes in the torso of a shirt/fleece as a makeshift pillow. Not much weight saved as pillows are fairly light, but bulk for sure, and the more you can dual purpose the better.

Myself, I'd also skip the combined camera and binoculars and opt for a monocular or small single purpose (non-electronic) set of binoculars. I wouldn't care for taking photos, and insurance claim documentation stuff should be taken care of before the incident.

I'd also go LED flashlights...extra battery life, and no bulbs.

Duct tape is listed 2x

To one and all, one very small item that you all should include is a STICK OF HOT GLUE, with this you can temp fix your shoes, tent, raincoat, air matress and so on.

Wildman,

You've proven yourself to be a real asset to this group. With that in mind if the SHTF I open my house to you. It's on the north side of Houston but I'm optimistic it won't be a smoking ruin too quickly if things ever turn real bad.

I'll PM you later tonight with address and contact info.

-Blast

p.s. The offer also stands if you have a weekend free and beer and steaks.

I'll pass some info when I rcve your PM. Thanks

Maybe upgrade to a larger food tube? That would let you use it as the core of your blanket roll and allow you to carry some of your gear dry within it, along with the shoulder bag. Ever since you mentioned your food tube, I've been reminded of something that Eric Stoskopf has set up, I think he's tied in with the Woods somehow, either as a student or faculty. His set up is here:

http://www.woodsdrummer.com/trailtube.html

In any case, maybe rewrap your duct tape on your food tube, along with your cordage.

I would scrap the pillow. Maybe stuff spare clothes in a cloth bag to use as such?

That being said, I'm not sure how much you want to strip out. At the far end of that distance, you've got a long haul.

IMHO, you've got a LOT of redundancy. Not necessarily a bad thing, but if you've got to move that distance, perhaps it's best to skip some:
-Ditch the pillow. Attatch the blanket roll to the bottom of your bag. Might make for a more comfortable set-up.
- 5 water bottles? Might be lighter to buy bigger volume bottles (a 2-qt is probably lighter than 2 1-qt bottles)
- Aspirin, Tylenol, AND Aleve? They're all essentially the same thing. Slight chemical differences, similar indication for use. You also have more Aleve in your mess kit. Tylenol in your shave kit. Aspirin in your shave kit.
- Theraflu AND Tylenol Sinus? Ditto above.
- Q-tips? Nice, light, I'd ditch, but not big enough to argue if you like them.
- Just out of curiousity, how'd you come up with the numbers for condiments (19 sugar, 9 salt and pepper)?
- Moist towlettes in your messenger bag, and baby wipes in your ruck. You might be able to get away with one or the other.
- Rucksack, # 5,6,7 are repeats of #2,3,4.
- Your shaving kit is essentially a FAK. Do you need all of it again? Is shaving your first priority? Vitamin C, Chondroiton, multi-vitamins? Drop the baby Aspirin (unless you take daily!!!) and use regular aspirin. Or ditch the regular, and take 4 baby's to make the same dose.
- Clarinix and Alegra are both allergy pills. Why need both?
-How many spare batteries and bulbs do you need? You didn't mention size, which affects weight. If you go with an LED light, you can skip spare bulbs, and get away with minimal batteries.
- Ditto the monocular in place of binoculars. I'd probaby leave the camera too, unless it's really small.

So my suggestions probably don't cut much on weight, but maybe clear some space and lighten you a few pounds. Hope I'm not offending, but these are the first thoughts.

Wildman:
You and Blast meet me at Spring Creek rally point with beer and steaks, I'll bring moonshine and fire!!!
kmat

All of these items are slung from a shoulder, across the body; with the exception of the food tube, I carry it like a slung rifle, usually.

Think of those old Civil War photos of troops in the field. Their bedrolls were hung from the top of the left shoulder down towards the right hip. That allowed freedom of movement to hold a rifle to the shoulder, aim, and fire, without being hindered.

I am going to drop the shaving kits and find a way to stow the important gear elsewhere and leave the rest behind. I'm going to be as light as possible.

I am getting some great feedback already. I have plans to pick up some gear along the way as opportunities present themselves irt weapons, bicycle, etc; IF TSHTF and I have to Bug Out.

Wow. Any estimate on what that load would weigh? I'd be surprised if it came in under 100 lbs.

I guess I come from more of a backpacking background. Pack light and move fast are keywords. My personal preference would be a good internal frame pack vs. all the over the shoulder and belt gear. I'd also go with a bladder instead of multiple water bottles. From your food list, your mess kit is probably unecessary. I'd go with a small titanium pot, a plastic cup and a plastic bowl. I'd also go with a light sleeping bag vs. multiple blankets. As mentioned, spare clothes can sub for the pillow, though we seldom carry much in the way of spare clothes. Just fleece layers and wind/rain shell.

Binoculars and cameras are fun, but not essential. I'd also look really closely at the heavy tools on your list. There are lighter knives than the Buck 110, too, as nice as it is.

It's all a matter of what you're comfortable with. You might want to start putting each bit of your kit on a scale and asking yourself, "Do I really need to carry this?"

Kevin B.

Wildman,

You had too much redundancy to travel light. Wow, 5 water bottles.

Recently, I had got a MSR MIOX water purifier and that work great. What I would do is to take 2 water bottle, 1 filled for my immediate needs and 1 empty. Along the way, if I come across a water source, I would fill the empty bottle and purifiy the raw water and let it stand for the required waiting period. The treated water will be filtered into the bottle I am drinking from. If you can swing it, suggest you get this MIOX purifier.

First aid items can be consolidated into a single bag and reduce in number.

Remember you are trying to get out of harm way / disaster zone and you have to do it fast. Looking at your packing list, I would imagine you are going for multi weeks safari trip to Africa.

I second losing the blankets in favor of a light sleeping bag, chances are it will be lighter and pack smaller.

This just seems like way too much stuff to be packing. I suggest you rethink your list again and see if you can cut it at least in half. I've never seen a need to pack that much stuff, even deliberately.

My second observation regards your concern about where you have to go to should the bubble pop. I don't understand why folks think that they need to go home at all costs. Sure, that may be where all your long term survival stuff is, but I doubt there's anything you have at home that couldn't be replaced or done without if need be, and it would be a far better objective in my opinion to think of a suitable LZ nearer to where you might be. If in the west, seek shelter/fortification near that end of your sojourn. Yes, eventually you may want to get back to your home, but pushing to get there from such a long distance away seems to me counter-intuitive to your objective of surviving. Heck, a lot of what I would want with me in a crisis situation is still in Denver, and the stuff I had to have is still a good hour's drive from work here in NYC. If the nasty were to happen, I would not try to make it back to either location unless there was a good chance of success. Therefore so long as there is no immediate need to evacuate, I am not going to push my luck by hitting the road for a week trying to live out of whatever I can carry. If evacuation is a perogative, then it is an escape scenario, which brings other factors into play, and going home may still not be a good objective. The point is I wouldn't hit the road on a long haul trek unless there was a threat from staying in this general location, and then it isn't going to matter too much where home is, I will go wherever I have to to evade the threat.

Put the entire kit on your body this weekend and go for a long walk. I have found the best motivator for making my load lighter is to carry it around a while. Seriously, put the entire load on your body and see how well you can maneuver over a downed tree, a ditch, thick brush. I won't bore you with my background, but I have found that simple, practical application drives home a point far more effectively than theoretical pondering. I'll bet in your reading of Civil War events you will recall the tales of excess gear that was discarded by infantrymen while on a long march. Even ammunition was thrown away by the handful. No disrespect is intended. Just hoping to share a lesson learned the hard way.

Glock
Fishing hooks

I agree totally with your comments which to me, are a given, being a combat veteran in several different locations, which is why I am still alive.

Also keep in mind, my family is at home, so unnecessary dlay will be avoided, as will abject stupidity on my part.

I agree totally, but this hasn't been assembled yet. It will be assembled AND slimmed down before I come back out. The gear that I am accustomed to carrying is also going to be slimmed down to the bone, as well.

The fishing hooks are in my "survival kit in a can" and we aren't allowed firearms thanks to the DHS.

Towboaters are a rather anti-social personality trait. So no weps allowed!

Be sure to do some test runs with the blanket roll and shoulder bag.

Dave

1st My sincere thanks for everybody's feedback on this idea!!!

2nd I've adjusted my list of "necessities" thanks to y'alls feedback (suppressing my pack-rat instincts), for the better!!!

3rd Please look at this list and notice where I've made changes, thanks to y'all. Please find the weaknesses.
No, I'm not going to leave my Buck 110 or my Leatherman, or 8" Crescent Wrench behind.
I am going to stop carrying the redundant medical items (some I never realized were redundant) and I'm getting smaller bottles to meet my actual needs, to reduce weight and bulk.
IRT water bottles, the water tanks on a towboat are "supposed" to be good, but after many fast trips to the head (or the nearest trashcan), we only drink the bottled water. That's why I will carry the bottled water with me and refill them as I go.
1 safe water supply = drain the hot water heaters in those homes that are not currently occupied by their owners, as I might come across them.
The camera won't work (if I have to Bug Out) but it is part of the small binoculars and yes, I prefer binoculars.
The condiments just came out that way when I grabbed them, but I'll be adjusting the salt N pepper counts.

4th I made a very successful military career by being the "Unit Scrounger" (among other things). I also tend to think outside
of the box, finding new options to achieve my goals.

This has led me to reducing my load to the following:

A) Blanket, Towel, and Baja Jacket rolled up around the Food Tube (4”x2’ PVC sealed) with the following:
1) 6 pkg-Swiss Miss Instant Chocolate
2) 1 pkg-Mixed Nuts
3) 7 pks-Instant Grits
4) 5 bx-Raisins
5) 8 ea-Slim Jims
6) ½ lb-Buffalo Jerky
7) 5 ea-Beef Bouillion cubes
8) 5 ea-Chicken Bouillion cubes
9) 20 ea-dark chocolate mini’s
10) 10 ea-Tea Bags
11) 3 ea-Granola Bars
12) 2 ea-Chocolate Brownies

B) My Israeli Parachute Messenger Bag with my:
1) Log Book/Licenses,
2) 5 water bottles (16oz),
3) Signal mirror,
4) Medicine Bag,
5) Paracord/pigeon string,
6) Poncho,
7) 55gal garbage bag,
8) 3 bandannas,
9) Bic lighters,
10) 1 pr-Eyeglasses
11) 1 pr-Sunglasses

D) A very small rucksack with:
1) 4 MRE’s,
2) 1 rl-duct tape
3) 2 ea-space blankets
4) 1 pkg-baby wipes
5) Zip ties
6) 5 pk-Raman Noodles (assorted)
7) 1 ea-Coughlin Survival Kit in a Can
8) Toilet Paper
9) Messkit
a) 6 ea-Triox tablets
b) 1 bt-strike anywhere matches
c) 3 ea-SOS pads
d) 1 ea-metal spoon
e) Combo-knife, corkscrew, bottle opener
10) Condiments:
a) 19 pks-Sugar
b) 9 pks-salt
c) 9 pks-pepper
11) Coffee Filters

E) Hanging on shoulder sling:
1) Brown Bag (FAK):
a) 1 bx-Tylenol Cold Medicine
b) 1 bx-Amodium A-D
c) 1 bt-Vitamin C
d) 1 bt-Prescription Alegra
e) 1 bt-Multi Vitamins
f) 1 bt-Desinex Foot Powder
g) 1 bt-Fish Oil Capsules (1000mg)
h) 1 bt-Glucosomine Chondroitin
i) 1 bt-Baby Aspirin
j) 1 pkg-assorted Bandaids
k) 18 doses-Amodium A-D
l) 2 pkg-Theraflu
m) 1 pkg-Q-Tips
n) 24 tablets-Water Purification
o) 1 ea-Ace Bandage
p) 2 ea-OB pads
r) 1 bt-Tylenol PM
s) 1 bt-Prescription-Augmentin (1,000mg)
t) 1 bt-Aleve
2) Black Bag
a) 2 ea-spare Halogen Bulbs
b) 2 spools-brown/white thread
c) 1 pk-sewing needles
d) 1 ea-eyeglass repair kit
e) 1 ea-spare button
f) 2 pkg-Ear Plugs
g) 1 cn-Mosquito repellant (spray)
h) Coins ($)
i) clip on hat brim light/laser
j) Written Bug Out Plan
k) BOB inventory
l) Maps
3) Black Shaving Kit: Toiletries

F) Hat

G) Belt with:
1) Survival knife,
2) Buck 110 and Leatherman in 1 pouch,
3) Mini Mag flashlight,
4) Radio Pouch
a) Spare batteries (C, AA, AAA),
b) 8” crescent wrench,
c) flashlight w/spare bulb,
d) 1 ea-Magnesium Fire Starter
e) 1 ea-spare halogen bulb
5) 1 pr-Binoculars/camara w/belt pouch

H) Necklace:
1) 1 ea-Magnetic Compass
2) P-38 & handcuff key

There is a problem with bladders vs bottles. If you soft sided, flexible bladder bursts and you have no back up, you are out of luck. And I wouldn't trust duct tape.

The problem I've seen with coming from a backpacking background is tainted by my observations of backpackers, so please don't take this as anything but a generality. Their plan, if things go bad, is to get off the trail and get help or a place to hole up. If TSHTF, you frequently don't have that option. Most of them have no flexibility in their gear, they plan for X days and Y conditions, and they they have XY gear.

Now are the black and brown bags on the shoulder sling for the messenger bag? Your food tube?

It also looks like you've got layers here, the same why I look at it. Which bag goes off first?

No, those are on a separate shoulder sling. I'll have to put this together and go for a dayhike to see how it will all ride on my body. In fact,an overnighter would be better.

Some of these may ride better being higher with another being lower (if on the same sides).

The food tube would definitely be slung like a rifle, while I "think" the messenger bag would ride at hip level on one side.

The 3 other bags (on one sling) would ride on the other side. I "think" these bags would ride best if they would stay in a position running from the side and then to the rear, under the small rucksack.

The rucksack is a VERY small pack and will ride high. I will probably try putting the pack on first, followed by the messenger bag (crossways),and then the 3 bag sling (crossways), followed by the food tube (vertically). Weight of the crossover bags will be critical irt to chaffing (especially concerning the collar bones).

The final solution will be a result of trial and error, and I will probably have to drop some more items (weight) during the process.

Thanks for the food for thought. I will try it out and post my thoughts for all to review.

If by "5 water bottles" you mean 5 bottles of store bought water, I'd be careful. That's probably a decent amount of water to carry, but the bottles themselves tend to be very flimsy. They might leak if squashed. Their skinny mouth makes them difficult to refill. You might want to carry an empty 1 liter Nalgene bottle. You can always put "stuff" in it to save space.

You can survive for a long while without supplemental vitamins. I'd ditch the vitamin C and the multi vitamin. Probably the fish oil, too. I'd repackage the other meds in smaller containers than the bottles and boxes they come in.

In a survival situation you probably don't care what color thread you do repairs with. I'd pick one. Actually, I'd carry dental floss and a large needle. You can repair large things as well as small things, plus dental floss is all-around useful.

As little as it saves, I'd sub a heavy duty polycarbonate spoon for the metal one.

I like the bug repellant that comes in little squeeze bottles over the spray cans. Something with a fair amount of DEET. A little bit goes a long way, and it takes up a lot less room. Look at all those pics from Vietnam with the soldiers and their bug juice bottles in their helmet bands.

I'd sub a modern, lightweight LED flashlight for the Mini Mag. The flashlight itself is smaller, lighter, and probably brighter. The batteries will last much, much longer. And you don't have to carry spare bulbs.

I know you love them, but I'd put all your knives, multitools and wrenches on the scale and pick at least one to leave behind. A survival knife, Buck 110, combo knife (SAK?) and Leatherman weigh a lot and overlap a lot. You probably don't need to carry both a SAK and a P38. You probably don't need both a SAK and a Leatherman, either.

When I was serious about this I weighed everything and punched it into an Excel spreadsheet. It was eye-opening. I took the Sierra Club Mountaineering course, and they're big on being prepared. Well, that and navigation. But you also learn to make things do double duty, and you realize you can't travel very far if you're overloaded.

This is a fun exercise. It's made me go back over my own checklists with a critical eye.

Kevin B.

See of you can get the three small packs off thier own sling and onto either the messenger bag's or the food tube's. Right now I see a ruck, a mussette cross body, your food tube off one shoulder and the little bags like Chewbacca's bandoleer of whatever was in those little boxes. Getting complicated.

"...soldiers and their bug juice bottles in their helmet bands..."

Not to try to hijack this thread, but some of those bottles were not bug juice, they were gun oil, Dri-Slide if you were lucky..

I was thinking of how to reply to this for a day, and to look to see if Wildman did.

It seems you are operating on the assumption that when he's on the boat, he's got this thing we call "storage space". Every working boat I've ever seen was mighty short on that- could be worse, could be hotbunking but that probably wouldn't fly on civilian vessel. Odds are, what he's taking is his every day gear.

You might also want to reread his post where said he was not leaving his tools behind. A long range bug out is not like hiking the AT or PT. I wouldn't think of bugging out 50 miles without carrying a decent bit driver, real wire cutters, and maybe a pair of small channel locks along with my Leatherman, pocket bar and pocket knife, if for nothing other than scrounging. It isn't stealing if it's abandoned.

You are thinking about a hiking trip, that is planned and if the variables change, you have a way out. He's thinking of something where there is no way out but with what he has on him. I'd hate to see what you think of my gear.

I second what someone said about ditching the vitamins and nutritional supplements. Maybe you can run down to a pharmacy and talk to someone on which pain-killers you'd really need. You've got several types, all overlapping. Think about it... roughly 250 miles, figure 15 miles/day (conservatively). 17 days. 1 Aleve is supposedly good for a day, so you only need 17 of them. Or, if you prefer Tylenol, 2 500-gram doses, every 6 hours is 8 daily, so you only need to pack 136 pills. I'm willing to bet you've got close to 1000 pills packed!

I see at least 3 flashlights, with 3 spare bulbs. Can you drop one or 2, and maybe arrange things so you don't need to pack so many different types of batteries?

Wildman's cresent wrench was a "D'oh!" moment for me. In normal life I'm a big scrounger/jury-rigger. I even keep an extensive tool kit including fencing pliers in my car. But when I go hiking I only bring my LM Wave (plus 3-4 other knives ). In the past I figured if I was trying to walk 1000 miles home from a job site I'd have the Leatherman but didn't give much thought to other tools. These comments reminded me I can hack MAN-MADE products into useful stuff too. I don't have to go the cave-man route. Funny how a person can develop tunnel vision. I've spent so much time learning to live in the woods I forgot mankind has some usable stuff laying around. D'oh!

-Blast, who is going to the hardware store tomorrow.

Oh dear. What have I compelled you to add to your gear now? And how annoyed is your DW with me for it?

Thanks Ironraven, for putting my situation into words (which I just couldn't seem to get accomplshed); like Blast pointed out, "tunnel vision", is easy to acquire and difficult to recognize!!

Hey Blast, Lack of imagination is what limits you from using a piece of equipment to accomplish things that the inventor never dreamed of. Turning a lawnmower blade into a machete or a prybar, etc. Using a shovel to dig an animal trap pit.

Yes, personal space on a boat is "extremely limited" and has posed additional limitations on "available options". I am cutting down on both; what I can do without, but also not carrying those items that I can grab from the boat, prior to leaving, which reduces the weight and bulk that I carry from boat to boat and that which I have to store while on every boat.

In an earlier post, I had mentioned that I'm going to smaller containers for my supplements in order to reduce weight and bulk (stored air?). One poster felt that I should not carry all those supplementals. He should confirm that when he has reached 49 years of age with 80+ years of mileage on his body. These are benign means to keep me functioning as well as possible. Remember, "you're never the same after being shot in the head!"

I go home on the 30th for 4 days and will put this kit together and carry it in a separate (parachute) bag to my next boat. I go home again on the 19th of June and I "might" get the chance to get into the woods for a couple of days of hiking and camping to test this idea out under field conditions. I'll post my results on both stages of implementation.

Again, My sincere thanks to everyone for their valuable input. We should start referring to ourselves as "Tunnel Vision Busters"

DW and I have a deal, I can buy what I want and claim it's a birthday present from her. According to DW's records, I'm currently 104 years old...

So, I always have my LM Wave and a SAK "Tinker". What other tools? I'm thinking
1. cresent wrench
2. small pry bar (maybe 6" long)
3. metal hacksaw?
4. ?

-Blast

Do NOT follow the example of the Confederate Infantry, they were very poorly equipped (esp. toward the end), but rather follow the backpackers, get yourself a comfortable back of not less than 4000 cubic inch capacity(yes you will need "all that space").
As for food,I personally think that you shouldn't attempt to use modern (store bought) jerky as a FOOD source (far too much salt and spice for constant use, slim jims are about the same (if you mean the small snack sausages) and boullion cubes have no calories at all, therefore, I would suggest trying to find bulk marzipan (comes in 7.5 ounce plastic tubes and has a very long shelf life).

Why are you thinking about hiking that distance? it would be much easier to bike or row...

t

I plan on those assets and capabilities that I KNOW that I will have. All other possibilities are options that may or may not be available. You'd be surprised at what options (equipment) you may come across, but don't count on what isn't in your hand, right now.

By reducing excess bulk storage, duplicative items, and reduced excessive quantities, as well as "nice-to-have" stuff, my BoB weight is now down to 30LBS.

My thanks to all who have contributed suggestions and constructive criticism. As you can tell from the paragraph above, I am listening.

Good job! Much more manageable... and your legs will thank you after a long day's walk!

What is your final inventory, do you know yet?

Cool. 30 lbs is a walk in the park. I, too, would like to see your final list.

Kevin B.

I'll post my new inventory when I get back onto my notebook.

Here's my revised list:

Long Range Ultra-Light BoB

A) Blanket, Towel, and Baja Jacket rolled up around the Food Tube (4”x2’ PVC sealed) with the following:
1) 6 pkg-Swiss Miss Instant Chocolate
2) 1 pkg-Mixed Nuts
3) 7 pks-Instant Grits
4) 5 bx-Raisins
5) 8 ea-Slim Jims
6) ½ lb-Buffalo Jerky
7) 5 ea-Beef Bouillion cubes
8) 5 ea-Chicken Bouillion cubes
9) 20 ea-dark chocolate mini’s
10) 10 ea-Tea Bags
11) 3 ea-Granola Bars
12) 2 ea-Chocolate Brownies

B) My Israeli Parachute Messenger Bag (over my right shoulder) with my:
1) Log Book/Licenses,
2) 5 water bottles (16oz),
3) Signal mirror,
4) Medicine Bag,
5) Paracord/pigeon string,
6) Poncho,
7) 55gal garbage bag,
8) 3 bandannas,
9) Bic lighters,
10) 1 pr-Eyeglasses
11) 1 pr-Sunglasses

C) A very small rucksack with:
1) 4 MRE’s,
2) 1 rl-duct tape
3) 2 ea-space blankets
4) 1 pkg-baby wipes
5) Zip ties
6) 5 pk-Raman Noodles (assorted)
7) 1 ea-Coughlin Survival Kit in a Can
8) Toilet Paper
9) Messkit
a) 6 ea-Triox tablets
b) 1 bt-strike anywhere matches
c) 3 ea-SOS pads
d) 1 ea-metal spoon
e) Combo-knife, corkscrew, bottle opener
10) Condiments:
a) 20 pks-Sugar
b) 20 pks-salt
c) 20 pks-pepper
11) Coffee Filters

D) Hanging on shoulder sling:
1) Brown Bag (FAK):
a) 1 bx-Tylenol Cold Medicine
b) 1 bx-Amodium A-D
c) 1 bt-Vitamin C
e) 1 bt-Prescription Alegra
f) 1 bt-Multi Vitamins
g) 1 bt-Desinex Foot Powder
h) 1 bt-Fish Oil Capsules (1000mg)
j) 1 bt-Glucosomine Chondroitin
k) 1 bt-Baby Aspirin
l) 1 pkg-assorted Bandaids
m) 18 doses-Amodium A-D
n) 2 pkg-Theraflu
o) 1 pkg-Q-Tips
f) 24 tablets-Water Purification
g) 1 ea-Ace Bandage
h) 2 ea-OB pads
i) 1 bt-Tylenol PM
j) 1 bt-Prescription-Augmentin (1,000mg)
k) 1 bt-Aleve
2) Black Bag
a) 2 ea-spare Halogen Bulbs
b) 2 spools-brown/white thread
c) 1 pk-sewing needles
d) 1 ea-eyeglass repair kit
e) 1 ea-spare button
f) 2 pkg-Ear Plugs
g) 1 cn-Mosquito repellant (spray)
h) Coins ($)
i) clip on hat brim: light/laser
j) Written Bug Out Plan
k) BOB inventory
l) Maps
3) Black Shaving Kit: Toiletries

E) Hat

F) Belt with:
1) Survival knife,
2) Buck 110 and Leatherman in 1 pouch,
3) Mini Mag flashlight,
4) Radio Pouch
a) Spare batteries (C, AA)
b) 8” crescent wrench,
c) flashlight w/spare bulb,
d) 1 ea-Magnesium Fire Starter
e) 1 ea-spare halogen bulb
5) 1 pr-Binoculars/camara w/belt pouch

G) Necklace:
1) 1 ea-Magnetic Compass
2) P-38 & handcuff key

Looking lighter. BTW, in D, you've got Immodium listed twice. Um, is there a reason you're going with a shoulder bag, sling, and backpack, vs. just everything in 1 backpack? I don't recall seeing if you mentioned a reason (sorry if I missed it).

I'm not sure what's in the Coghlin survival can, but if it's all repetitive stuff, maybe ditch it? Admittedly, a can could be useful though, esp since I don't see any cooking pots or pans.

In your Israeli bag, you have listed "medicine bag." How's that different than what's hanging on your shoulder sling? Also, maybe add 20ft. or so of wire, for snares? Toss in a heavy-duty slingshot and some ammo, for taking small game?

Do you have any way to help keep your stuff? Figure if you're walking home several hundred miles, things must be at a point where you can't just jump Greyhound... so millions of other folks are going to be unprepared and looking to survive as well.

BTW, in D, you've got Immodium listed twice.
A: That is a typo error, thanks, I will correct that.

Um, is there a reason you're going with a shoulder bag, sling, and backpack, vs. just everything in 1 backpack?
A: Transporting and storing my BoB onboard boat makes a backpack less than ideal. I preferred the ALICE pack for a projected short Bug Out (10days) but this arrangement will facilitate both the onboard storage issue and allow greater flexibility for a much longer projected trip.

In your Israeli bag, you have listed "medicine bag." How's that different than what's hanging on your shoulder sling?
A: It is in the Native American tradition.

Do you have any way to help keep your stuff? Figure if you're walking home several hundred miles...
A: I have knives and my wits....it won't take me long to obtain a real weapon, and food, and water, a bicycle perhaps,,,,I have many unadvertised talents.

Looking better.

I might suggest migrating one of the MREs to your musette in exchange for two water bottles in your pack. That way there if you have to scoot with one and not the other you aren't totally up the creek.

I'd still wondering if it might not be possible to get the smaller pouches on someone else's sling. Just one less strap to get hung up on if you have to go cross country.

that sounds like a good idea,,,thanks