darxus: (Default)
darxus ([personal profile] darxus) wrote2008-12-17 12:06 pm
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Grand backpacking (camping) plans.

I got this urge to practice surviving in the woods with only what I could carry. Seems like a decent hobby.

I ordered a military Modular Sleep System (used, for $150) which includes a bivy sack so I don't need a tent, and the total system is rated down to -40F.

I plan to test it in my back yard as soon as it arrives, and then go backpacking in the White Mountains, in the direction of a designated Wilderness, the following weekend or so. Starting on a Saturday morning, walking away from civilization for a day, curling up in my bivy sack for the night, then walking back. My current plan for food is MREs because they're easy - hot food without the need to build a fire. Easy, right?

Then I hope to make a habit of this. Then start bringing a rifle with me, maybe do some target shooting. Or coyote hunting (always in season). Then get some other people to join me. I'm really out of shape, so this is going to be starting off slow.

If you're wondering how long a drive it would be, look up Conway, NH.

I found a website of people with very overlapping interests: http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/
The closest group is in NY. They're camping in the Adirondacks in February:
http://www.sheffspace.com/zs/nny09wct.html
http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=37166
But they're camping a short walking distance from a parking lot, with an outhouse. Wusses. From previous experiences they're recommending sleeping bags rated for -30F.

The still unformatted equipment list I've been working on is here: http://www.chaosreigns.com/shtf.html

It's funny that using a bivy sack now seems like cheating. Apparently camping with just a sleeping bag with a tarp wrapped around it is common.

I got info on MREs from http://www.mreinfo.com/ and based on that ended up buying Menu C civilian MREs. $102.42 per case of 12.

I recently ordered a gun for the first time in 6 years. It's a DSArms STG58STD FAL. They're back-ordered for 6 months due to everybody buying weapons they're afraid Obama will ban. The FAL was supposed to be selected as the standard US issue main battle rifle instead of the M14 (the one before the M16). Bigger bullets and longer range than the M16, with a 20 round detachable magazine.


Does this sound fun to you? (Happy to sell you several MREs for simplicity.)

Re: reviews of MREs

[identity profile] darxus.livejournal.com 2008-12-20 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
According to their website, those MREs contain 60.8% of the calories of military MREs. The stuff I ordered actually has more calories than the military (maybe the only one). Maybe at some point I'll check the cost per calorie, but I don't think these guys will come out well. Any reason you're recommending them?

I'm planning to do a lot of water purification, not hauling. 2qt canteen while moving, and a 2 gallon bag for camp.