Well, I figured it was past time for me to test myself and my kit.
Like many, I’ve been adding to the buckets, barrels and piles. I got some shit. Y’all probably do too.
As far as weapons, optics and ammo, I can say I’ve done a decent amount of training for proficiency. As a result, I feel much more comfortable with my weapons, manipulation and potential malfunction. I suspect many of y’all work with your weapons. Good deal!
There’s more to surviving than rounds on target.
First trip was one overnight with two days walking the trails. Worried not so much about chub rub since I lost a lot of weight when I retired. Hello humidity. Boxers soaked. Chaffing ensued. Lesson learned. Wear compression shorts and use body glide.
Packed way too much. Bag was 40#+. That’s UNSAT.
A good crop of plantar fasciitis this past year proved humbling in the woods. Insoles on the menu for next trip. Get the good ones. Worth the cheddar. All. Day. Long.
Had been talked into an ENO chair to sleep in. Mistake. For me anyhow. Great chair. Perfect for sitting. Not bad for sleeping...in short bursts. UNSAT for all night.
Water will always be an issue. Make water when and where you find it. “Reliable water” ain’t. Good water filtration is money. Dehydration always key but increasingly important as you age. Water is life.
Even in the spring, it gets cold at night. A long sleeved wool zip turtleneck and fleece watch cap proved welcome. Puffy jacket also welcome.
Hitchhiker came home with me. Damned tick was pretty burrowed in when I found him. Just FYI. I grew up in the land of ticks n chiggers so I knew. It happens.
Second trip was longer by design. Five days, four nights. Btw, both trips were on the PINHOTI trail in northern AL (yep, I know the AT is less than a mile from the casa). This trip was about extending walks and days/nights in the woods. AL was because my hiking bro was coming from Mobile.
Warmer, more humid, more bugs and more vegetation (read poison ivy et al) than maiden voyage. We intended 5-7 miles/day. We also expected some rain this trip.
ENO chair took a break this trip. Took my ENO hammock instead with rain fly and bug net and pad and pillow (I am not a savage). Much better choice. It’s a double hammock...400# test. Plenty of room and comfy.
Used my water purifying kit and stove much more this trip. Sawyer mini and JetBoil. Both pretty good. Easy to use. Effective. Worth it.
Chow was Mountain House. Good chow. Easy to prep. Filling. Don’t be deceived by the servings. A bag is a dinner for one...not two. Tuna fish bags for lunch. Instant coffee like VIA and either a Mountain House or a couple bars for breakfast. Snacks while walking to include some gel and or electrolyte kickers. Water. Water. Water. Oh, and a sweat rag (dish towel) on my HillPeople chest bag.
Who goes in the woods without a gun? Not this guy. Stainless JFrame in 357. 15 rounds total. Never needed it. (Bears there ain’t like bears here in WNC....there 75#s max.)
Turns out the majority of flat spots in that neck of the woods are down low near the water. Turns out that FLASH FLOODING is a big deal there. Pick your poison.
Averaged about six miles a day. Note to y’all who count steps/distance. On a track/flat ground, I am exactly 2200 steps/mile. In the woods, on a trail with varying elevation and 45 pound pack, it’s somewhere between 2500-3000 steps/mile. Lesson relearned for the LAST TIME. Lighten your load. Thirty pounds max.
Turns out your balance degrades with age. JUST LIKE YOUR HEARING. Dint neglect to consider that. Why is that important? Well, a hiking staff or a pair of poles is key to safely navigation of roots, rocks and narrow slippery trails and tired walking. That extra weight of the pack is devastating when you’re tired and not used to it.
Learning? Yep. Water is king. Water is heavy. Pack needs to be no sh1t 25-30#s. Keep your sleeping bag dry. Don’t wear boxers. Use supplementary kit for balance. Ticks will ride along. Poison ivy grows best where you want to take a dump (brought home a spot on me arse...it’s now a nice crop.). You eat less than you think in the woods. You drink more than you estimate when working hard.
Most important learning: you are more capable than you may think BUT this fella ain’t never dragging a fifty pound SHTF BAG home from any extreme distance. Even on flat roads, railroads or the like. Less is more in your bag and on your back; Marine son likes to say “ounces are pounds and pounds are pain.” He’s right. Ammo, water and food are heavy.
Get out and use your kit. Test yourself under controlled circumstances ...while you can.
There’s no substitute for using your kit. Try it, you’ll like it.
Get thee into the woods. You’ll get a lot more from it than you might imagine.
Be well. Stay safe.
Like many, I’ve been adding to the buckets, barrels and piles. I got some shit. Y’all probably do too.
As far as weapons, optics and ammo, I can say I’ve done a decent amount of training for proficiency. As a result, I feel much more comfortable with my weapons, manipulation and potential malfunction. I suspect many of y’all work with your weapons. Good deal!
There’s more to surviving than rounds on target.
First trip was one overnight with two days walking the trails. Worried not so much about chub rub since I lost a lot of weight when I retired. Hello humidity. Boxers soaked. Chaffing ensued. Lesson learned. Wear compression shorts and use body glide.
Packed way too much. Bag was 40#+. That’s UNSAT.
A good crop of plantar fasciitis this past year proved humbling in the woods. Insoles on the menu for next trip. Get the good ones. Worth the cheddar. All. Day. Long.
Had been talked into an ENO chair to sleep in. Mistake. For me anyhow. Great chair. Perfect for sitting. Not bad for sleeping...in short bursts. UNSAT for all night.
Water will always be an issue. Make water when and where you find it. “Reliable water” ain’t. Good water filtration is money. Dehydration always key but increasingly important as you age. Water is life.
Even in the spring, it gets cold at night. A long sleeved wool zip turtleneck and fleece watch cap proved welcome. Puffy jacket also welcome.
Hitchhiker came home with me. Damned tick was pretty burrowed in when I found him. Just FYI. I grew up in the land of ticks n chiggers so I knew. It happens.
Second trip was longer by design. Five days, four nights. Btw, both trips were on the PINHOTI trail in northern AL (yep, I know the AT is less than a mile from the casa). This trip was about extending walks and days/nights in the woods. AL was because my hiking bro was coming from Mobile.
Warmer, more humid, more bugs and more vegetation (read poison ivy et al) than maiden voyage. We intended 5-7 miles/day. We also expected some rain this trip.
ENO chair took a break this trip. Took my ENO hammock instead with rain fly and bug net and pad and pillow (I am not a savage). Much better choice. It’s a double hammock...400# test. Plenty of room and comfy.
Used my water purifying kit and stove much more this trip. Sawyer mini and JetBoil. Both pretty good. Easy to use. Effective. Worth it.
Chow was Mountain House. Good chow. Easy to prep. Filling. Don’t be deceived by the servings. A bag is a dinner for one...not two. Tuna fish bags for lunch. Instant coffee like VIA and either a Mountain House or a couple bars for breakfast. Snacks while walking to include some gel and or electrolyte kickers. Water. Water. Water. Oh, and a sweat rag (dish towel) on my HillPeople chest bag.
Who goes in the woods without a gun? Not this guy. Stainless JFrame in 357. 15 rounds total. Never needed it. (Bears there ain’t like bears here in WNC....there 75#s max.)
Turns out the majority of flat spots in that neck of the woods are down low near the water. Turns out that FLASH FLOODING is a big deal there. Pick your poison.
Averaged about six miles a day. Note to y’all who count steps/distance. On a track/flat ground, I am exactly 2200 steps/mile. In the woods, on a trail with varying elevation and 45 pound pack, it’s somewhere between 2500-3000 steps/mile. Lesson relearned for the LAST TIME. Lighten your load. Thirty pounds max.
Turns out your balance degrades with age. JUST LIKE YOUR HEARING. Dint neglect to consider that. Why is that important? Well, a hiking staff or a pair of poles is key to safely navigation of roots, rocks and narrow slippery trails and tired walking. That extra weight of the pack is devastating when you’re tired and not used to it.
Learning? Yep. Water is king. Water is heavy. Pack needs to be no sh1t 25-30#s. Keep your sleeping bag dry. Don’t wear boxers. Use supplementary kit for balance. Ticks will ride along. Poison ivy grows best where you want to take a dump (brought home a spot on me arse...it’s now a nice crop.). You eat less than you think in the woods. You drink more than you estimate when working hard.
Most important learning: you are more capable than you may think BUT this fella ain’t never dragging a fifty pound SHTF BAG home from any extreme distance. Even on flat roads, railroads or the like. Less is more in your bag and on your back; Marine son likes to say “ounces are pounds and pounds are pain.” He’s right. Ammo, water and food are heavy.
Get out and use your kit. Test yourself under controlled circumstances ...while you can.
There’s no substitute for using your kit. Try it, you’ll like it.
Get thee into the woods. You’ll get a lot more from it than you might imagine.
Be well. Stay safe.