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#23629 - 01/27/04 03:59 AM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Susan Offline
Geezer

Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
In a BO situation, do you have a direction or destination in mind? What about stashing the heavy/bulky stuff somewhere near your destination? Relative? Friend? Storage compartment? Under the floor of an abandoned house? <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

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#23630 - 01/27/04 05:43 AM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
AyersTG Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/10/01
Posts: 1272
Loc: Upper Mississippi River Valley...
Aaaaaaaaaaaah! The pressure! ...the pressure of being out in the woods for ONE weekend and coming back to ALL these posts!

The "pure" BoB is, I suppose, reserved for that scenario alone. But - do we keep the BoB with us at all times, lugging it in and out of home and transportation and destinations as we come and go? If not, Murphy says that we will eventually need it when we are parted from it...

And there are many BO scenarios that are credible. A do-it-all is not very feasible in my experience. For me, BO has many stages and means and destinations - depending on what and why we are bugging out. Many of those BO scenarios realistically are to get HOME to bug-in or home as first step in a scenario (and maybe the only step - or not). As the head-of-household and chief worrier, I have my hands full. However, once underway, a group (family of 6 in my case) bug-out has many advantages over a solo bugout, like division of some equipment and tasks. That group responsability dominates and drives my planning and preparation.

While all of our kids have drivers licenses now, I trained all of them to drive as soon as they could reach the pedals and see over the dash, including driving large vehicles with stick shifts. We have plenty of vehicles. Stage one of a bug-out uses vehicles loaded with gear and supplies, of course - and also variable stage 2 transportation: all-terrain bikes, one ATV (also may be used to recon routes for stage 1), and two canoes. Stage 3 is on-foot with a couple of two-wheeled carts (that can be towed behind bikes / carried in canoes) and/or towed boat-like sleds (ahkio, pulk, komatik - pick your jargon). Stage 4 is backpacks only, with showshoes and skis if the conditions permit/require. Things are really in the crapper if a planned BO sees us losing our packs - I do not plan for that, but we are all experienced outdoors folks and I know we would improvise and get on with it.

Situations could occur that would mean jumping immediately to a latter stage, such as jumping to stage 3 or 4 immediately. But if even only one or two of us can pass thru home first, we won't be punted past stage 4 - our packs are fairly well ready to go all the time because we get out as often as possible. Sleeping bags are unstuffed, but that takes only a moment.

I look at the stage 4 stuff as the upper end of a continum of normal outdoors equipping, and that's where my desire to be modular drives me nuts. I believe both in layering and in not having tons of "extra" gear along - mutually incompatible goals, of course, so compromise/optimization is an eternal battleground.

I want to be able to wear a full-up pack etc. for a two week "trip" (upper limit for on-board food when rigged out for bad weather). Then if at a "basecamp" (normal outings) or if stripping down weight/gear is required, being able to shuck amenities with a tug on a couple of quick releases - down to say, a weekend pack, then down to a "day pack +" (what I consider to be the essentials), then down to a minimal kit, then down to my wits and what's scattered about my person and clothing. I'd be pretty stressed out beyond that - I'm not Tom Brown.

And I just haven't hit on anything that does it like I want. Some military gear combinations come closer than anything else, but still a ways to go and certainly in combinations not conceived by the developers. There are penalties with some of those combos (weight, comfort, and sometimes looking like a wannabe)

Another thing I value highly is knowing exactly where each little thing is so I can find it unerringly with only my hands to guide me. Switching stuff sacks of items from one pack to another is not good enough - I'm still having "withdrawal" from retiring a certain pack that I used for everything for many years. For me, a BoB should be just like what I normally carry afield.

I've got to cut this off for now, but I'd like to hear how others manage.

BTW, as of this evening I'm a double Eagle Dad - second son had his board of review tonight. Third one by this fall if he stays on track. I'm very proud of my son - he really earned this!

Best regards,

Tom


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#23631 - 01/27/04 06:26 AM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Anonymous
Unregistered


Congratulations "Father of Eagles."
I am sure they would not have made it without your support.

Sign me,
"Eagle from many years ago."

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#23632 - 01/27/04 06:29 AM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Anonymous
Unregistered


I goofed, that should read "Proud Father of Eagles."
Sounds like the name of a great indian.


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#23633 - 01/27/04 03:13 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
billvann Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 05/10/01
Posts: 780
Loc: NE Illinois, USA (42:19:08N 08...
Wahoo!!!

Congrats on the Eagles.

BTW, my second son crosses over to the troop next month. We're both excited.
_________________________
Willie Vannerson
McHenry, IL

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#23634 - 01/27/04 09:03 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Anonymous
Unregistered


I think I'll call or e-mail them with the question. It so happens I'm in the market for a (subdued, please) small hydration-system pack for day hikes starting this spring. Based on the weather these past few of days, there's plenty of time... but I'm starting to "champ at the bit"...

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#23635 - 01/27/04 09:21 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
Anonymous
Unregistered


I don't see a reason why a debris shelter cannot last more than 3 months. If you keep the upkeep up and continually add materials to it and improve it, I see how it will degrade. Unless I'm overlooking something? <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

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#23636 - 01/27/04 10:28 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
joblot Offline
enthusiast

Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
Nice post. I'll have to read and digest another couple of times to make sure I haven't missed any points...but what a huge selection of equipment you have...makes me green with envy <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Please could someone tell me what a "double eagle dad" is?
thanks
Martin

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#23637 - 01/27/04 10:41 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
joblot Offline
enthusiast

Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
Hmmm..kind of limited as to where I would go.
East goes along the coast and ultimately south.
West goes toward a major city, via miles of Highway
North leads to a large estuary with a "golden Gate" style bridge, which could easily be closed. Otherwise it a long drive around, going west first.
South lead to (at least in part) a range of hills, which I reckon is my best bet, or maybe east at a push.
No relatives or friends outside the city for around 200 miles.
So thats that. Obviously theres a fair bit of country side in most direction which would do - I'm working on it!!
Martin

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#23638 - 01/27/04 11:15 PM Re: A seasonal BOB problem
joblot Offline
enthusiast

Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
"A debris Hut"
I wish we could change the name...it sounds like a filthy place.
Imagine:
Q: "what city are you staying in?"
A: Litter city"
Q: "Street and house name?"
A: "no. 2 debris hut, garbage lane, junkville"!!

Not my idea of "home sweet home"
Martin

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