Simulated Bugout w/ walking?

[Phlatulance]

Has anyone recently simulated dropping it all and leaving on foot? I had a small painfull reminder on my recent trip. That reminder was in the shape of a pair of blisters on my feet. After 2 days of walking around Vegas, I had some blisters. On the 3rd day, it was almost untolerable. No bandaids would stick, no pain killers helped.

Anyways, although it wasn't a 'bugout' i carried about 15# of extra goodies and such, in the hot (dry) city. That simulates a small pack with limited supplies. Might have only put on about 20 miles or so (new shoes-slightly worn socks) but it was enough of down-to-earth kick to make me think.

I might do some more testing with my actual pack in the future to see how I hold up.

Thoughts?

 

[eXe]

Yeah one of the best things about living near Vegas is when you go in, you REALLY get a work out with all the walking you do. Heck, even if you don't go in to gamble, just walking around the stores, then to costco and then to the various other surplus places I go to really gives your feet a work out.

Thankfully I have yet to get blisters from it, but I do remember the ones I got waiting tables in NYC years ago.. OUCH.. and the worst part, having to work the next day with those blisters.

 

[idelphic]

Has anyone recently simulated dropping it all and leaving on foot? I had a small painfull reminder on my recent trip. That reminder was in the shape of a pair of blisters on my feet. After 2 days of walking around Vegas, I had some blisters. On the 3rd day, it was almost untolerable. No bandaids would stick, no pain killers helped.

Anyways, although it wasn't a 'bugout' i carried about 15# of extra goodies and such, in the hot (dry) city. That simulates a small pack with limited supplies. Might have only put on about 20 miles or so (new shoes-slightly worn socks) but it was enough of down-to-earth kick to make me think.

I might do some more testing with my actual pack in the future to see how I hold up.

Thoughts?

Sort of. I suppose my latest prep thought is to get moving. Using my Rino GPS,.. I walked and tracked myself on a 1.5 mile walk last week. Alarm is set to repeat tomorrow morning.

It's 'ideal' conditions, as I'm staying in my subdivision,.. but it is not just flat roads. Some down, and when you go down, you have to come back up. I did the walk in about 26 minutes. No bad,.. but not great either.

I plan to add a back, and have thought of also adding weights to my boots.

It's a good thing to think abou though. We also do Court Day here,.. it's a weekend 'mall' shopping experience.

 

[Coleslilwitch]

I try to do that. When I take the dogs for their nightly walk, I throw on my pack and take off. OUCH!

Another good part of carrying that pack around all the time, people are use to seeing me with it on, so they wouldn't think a thing of it if they see me take off wearing one. The kids have been taught to always have their packs with them, too whenever we go out.

Might give you a few extra minutes to get away from a bad situation if it's normal for the neighbors to see you carry that pack everywhere.

 

[theoutlands]

I do a lot of walking on the job every day. I wear Air Force-issue jump boots every day. Carrying the pack? Can't remember the last day I actually did THAT!

 

[A.T.Hagan]

Any time one puts together a bug out bag with the idea of carrying the thing they should as soon as possible actually carry it for the distance they've got in mind.

It is way, way easy to overload a pack. Especially if some one in your family or group other than you may have to carry it. This is why I favor minimalism where ever possible with these things. Way back when we were first settling this continent it was common to find all sorts of things along side the trail that had been throw away in an effort to lighten loads.

.....Alan.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

I should suggest this to my neighbor, who described her "bugout bag" to me when we were discussing this. It included all her religious books and containers of herbs, religious items, and that's it. She didn't seem to care about bringing water, first aid, clean clothes, hygeine or stuff like that.

Being of the larger build of women, I'd like to see her do it, since she is not accustomed to doing anything physically demanding. I may be big, but I pride myself on being able to do hard labor with little more than sweating. (yes, this would be same said neighbor who was making fun of me for being a prepper)

I am thankful that part of my bugout equipment is my daughter's stroller. I attach the backpack to the handlebar behind the seat, put my daughter in, and away we go. Not to mention the basket underneath for other things, my back for my smaller backpack, and anything my husband wants to carry. We have it all planned out, and soon, we intend on taking that stroll around town.

 

[Just Plain Mom]

Has anyone recently simulated dropping it all and leaving on foot? I had a small painfull reminder on my recent trip. That reminder was in the shape of a pair of blisters on my feet. After 2 days of walking around Vegas, I had some blisters. On the 3rd day, it was almost untolerable. No bandaids would stick, no pain killers helped.
Anyways, although it wasn't a 'bugout' i carried about 15# of extra goodies and such, in the hot (dry) city. That simulates a small pack with limited supplies. Might have only put on about 20 miles or so (new shoes-slightly worn socks) but it was enough of down-to-earth kick to make me think.

I might do some more testing with my actual pack in the future to see how I hold up.

Thoughts?

Phlatulance, you need the proper gear.

First of all, new shoes...ouch! You need shoes that are well broken in and socks that are made to walk for a while. You might search REI for walking socks--there are some that you wear with liners (so you can use the same socks each day of walking, dry them at night and change the liners in the morning) and some that don't--it's a personal preference, but the aim is to keep your feet dry and comfy. They also come in different lengths. Whichever you choose, keep them in your BOB, perferably in a plastic baggie in case it rains...they're light. You might consider packing some powder in a plastic baggie, too, to help keep your feet from sweating. Again, a personal preference, based upon how much you sweat.

Bandaids don't stick on, but usually duct tape does. Keep an almost-used-up roll in your BOB...in fact, if you can keep it on the outside of the pack, that's even better. Use it for hot spots BEFORE the blister develops. Also keep some mole skin in an outer pocket if you get a blister before you realize it.

Second, even the smallest amounts of extra weight add up. For example, if you've got a roll of toilet paper, take out the cardboard. If you have a toothbrush, break it in half. If something comes in a heavy carton, box, can, etc., see if it's feasible to repack it in a plastic baggie (but watch for overheating).

Third, pack it correctly. The weight should be on your hips and the heavier stuff should be packed on the side of the pack that will be closest to your body (so it's not pulling the pack away from you). Make sure the pack fits you, too--size from top-to-bottom, but also that the straps are adjusted for your body.

Hmmm...I can't think of anything else, but I'm sure there's more. Anyway, hope it helps.

JPM, who helps Boy Scouts pack for backpacking...and always has at least one who comes back after the very first time and says, "I should have listened to you!"