From the Desk of John Rourke – December 12th, 2016

Chilly weekend!! Heading out to the hunting stand it was just over 20 degrees. We were pretty bundled up and had a few hand warmers. Ended up not being too bad. Unfortunately no deer seen.

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I had ceased contributing to my 401k plan a couple years ago. Obviously in retrospect this was not a good thing to do. It is what it is. I have just put in a request to start contributing again up to maximum company match.

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I can foresee a time when “cash” becomes obsolete and is no longer accepted by certain companies/stores.  Already I see stores saying they will not accept bills larger than $20. I realize this is largely due to having to make change but so what?  Even the Salvation Army has credit card machines at some of their collection stands outside stores.

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I place great importance on SPEED when it comes to a “get home bag”. That means light weight with minimal supplies. Although I have a backpack now I would even consider a minimalist approach using a Maxpedition Versipack or even a smaller pouch just to keep a few items. Short to medium distances do not demand a 100 pound pack.

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Something for you:

A friend of mine lost his mother this year at a cabin they have in Oregon.

I said “That’s sad, I’m sorry for your loss.”

He said “What’s really weird is that his Uncle died in that same cabin earlier this year.”

I said “That’s terrible, I’m sorry for your loss.”

He was quiet for a minute or two and finally I asked him..

“Would you mind if I took my wife to that cabin for a few days?”

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3 Comments

  1. Ernie says:

    Hey JR, on the subject of get home bags….I’m finally putting mine together. My first step was to research and scour the internet for packing lists. After doing this, I found most lists were about the same, problem is it’s turning into something more like a 72 hour pack than a GHB. So my question for you is, what do you consider the lightweight speedy essentials for a GHB? How long is this good for, mileage and time -wise? I’m ready to do this finally, got supplies and gear ready to assemble. I’m a former Army grunt, so it’s hard to go minimalist, but I would greatly appreciate your experience and wisdom on the subject. Thanks brother and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and all my fellow preppers out there.

  2. goingray58 says:

    Ernie.. Questions and thoughts.
    Ask yourself how far you have to go and how long it woudl take you to travel that distance off the hwy (hwy’s are for ambushes). Be minimalist on distance you can travel, unless you hike it regularly with that pack.When you get your first cut, take it walk about a couple times and test whether what you think is true.. then adjust. My first Bob Walk was less than 10 miles and damn near killed me .. it was too heavy and I overestimated my physical shape. It wasn’t bad just not hiking with a pack shape.

    Now how long will it take yo in rain, or cold .. whatever adverse conditions might occur for your area.. Murphy is a real jerk and pops up when you don’t need him at all.
    Carry winter all the time in the car maybe, or carry surplus and leave what you don’t need when it happens you need it to drop weight. If it is a regular route you can cache part way and go really lite and fast .. if not then you have it all on your back.

    so how far? and how many days?
    I personally carry surplus cuz I can eat lighter and drop surplus..
    You have water, shelter, meds, and defense covered I assume..
    so cover any special needs you have ( for me I carry more than one fuel) and tasters choice powdered coffee.. plus specific meds above and beyond IFAK.
    I also pack a little different seasonally. however other folks here have said they pack identically no matter what season.

    I’m curious what mix you come up with and you thinking whenever you get it worked out. JR as well.. Capt (both) or anyone really
    GG58

    1. Ernie says:

      GG58
      Thanks for the reply. Like you the first serious hiking I did with the wife about killed me, because I was carrying way too much stuff. I’ve gotten my hiking pack down to.the minimum and we can hike all day and I have no problems. I do tend to carry surplus, and I’m trying to keep myself from over packing a GHB and being a hindrance more than a survival tool. I’m hoping to have the last pieces of gear by Christmas (come on Santa) and finally put it all together, try it out and make any adjustments. I’ll finalize it and try to put the list and some pics somewhere others can check it out. I am still interested in what JR is going to put in his minimalist GHB.

      Thanks to all my fellow peppers for sharing their ideas knowledge and personal stories and pics with the community.
      Ernie

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