Part TwoThe PlanMy son and I did another leg on our Bug-Out route this weekend - the first part. We intended to do an overnighter at our family rally point a few miles from home. (This is where we'd all meet up if we were seperated when the SHTF and we couldn't meet at home.) We planned to take off on our bikes on Sunday morning, carrying just our dayhike packs, head to the trail, hike and camp on the beach.
Trip Report:As many an 8 year old's bike has done, my son's bike turned out the be broken (Apparently a big jump went wrong) so we drove the Jeep instead. We parked in a secluded spot a little way away from the trailhead. We grabbed our gear and hiked to the trail:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0162.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0160.jpg...then we made some last minute gear adjustments before we started the hike:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0163.jpgOur Gear: (Plus an extra water bottle each, bug juice, sun screen and food)
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_20120407_195309.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0165.jpghttp://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=92838http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=241098&page=1It was hot, sunny and windy:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0169.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0211.jpg.... so we took LOTS of hydration breaks. We had between 2L and 3Ls each!
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0171.jpgIt was a gorgeous hike - only a few kms but beautiful. The carp and salmon were just begging to be caught so we decided we'd do that after we set up camp and had lunch on the beach:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0173.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0167.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0204.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0210.jpgWe gathered tinder as we went along, from whatever standing deadwood we could find. There's usually lots of dry wood washed up on the beach but you just never know:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0213.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0165-1.jpgWhen we got to the beach, we weren't disappointed. There was LOTS of drift wood;
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0178.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0176.jpg...so we gathered wood and built a windbreak, that we intended to turn into a shelter after lunch, using more logs and a tarp:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0179.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0180.jpg...and got ready for a lunch of MH Chili Mac for me, Coleman Mac n Cheese for him, and bannock for both of us:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0188.jpgThen my son gave his ferro rod a go, with a cotton ball and some fatwood we found along the way:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0181.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0183.jpghttp://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0182.jpgFire!
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0184.jpgThe fire was too close to our windbreak so I showed him how to move it once it was sustainable and could handle the wind:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0185.jpgThen we added more fuel to the fire and got our hig-tech water boiling system going (water in spaghetti sauce can and covered with tin foil):
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0189.jpgThen we were ready to make Bannock so we put the pan and oil on to get hot:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0192.jpgThen we got out our bag of Bannock mix:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0190.jpg...added some water and mixed:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0191.jpg...took the pan off the fire:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0193.jpg...loaded it up...
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0194-1.jpg... and put it on the fire like this:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0198.jpgNOT like this:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0197.jpgIt was soon time to take the water off the fire:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0199.jpgWe opend his mac n cheese, put half my chili mac in a SS mug, added water to both and let them steam away:
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0200.jpgThe Bannock was ready just about the same time the rest of the meal was.
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0202.jpgThe Best Laid PlansMy son started having flu-like symptoms just before we were ready to eat. He was in rough shape so I decided to pack up after I quickly ate and head home so he could puke in private. The hour hike in took almost 2 on the way out because we had to stop to let him puke and drink more water.
That's when it happened - GEAR Failure! One of the shoulder straps on my backpack blew out. No biggie until I took the last step off the trail, lost my balance and wrenched my shoulder. Ouch!
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0201.jpgLessons Learned:-check your gear thoroughly before you hit the trail
-bring OTC meds even on short trips - for your kids too if they're coming along!
-don't be afraid to change your plan if it doesn't work out
-maintain your vehicles well
-if you're going to depend on a child's vehicle as part of your transportation plan, give yourself a day or two for any needed repairs
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