If you've got the balls, you'll be joining us this weekend for our Intermediate Bug-Out Hike & Camp-Out. As your commanding officer it's in my best interest to make sure you're properly prepared, and not weighing down the team like a sock full of door knobs. So in no particular order, here are your tips for a successful bug-out:
Bug-out Tip #1:
Ounces Make Pounds Only pack something if you are going to be very uncomfortable and miserable without it. Essentials only, down to the spoon. If I see a solar panel I'm going to slap it out of your hand. Bug-out Tip #2: Dress down in the morning When we step off at the start of the day, dress so that you feel quite cold. After twenty minutes of walking, you will heat up very fast, believe me. The last thing you want to do, is overheat when you walk. If you are cold when standing, and comfortable when moving, you're right. If you are warm when standing, you will be hot when moving. And wrong. Bug-Out Tip #3 You will get blisters. Manage them. When you feel your feet blister, it is best to stop right away and treat them. First, poke the blister open with a needle, then drain the fluid. Patch it with gauze and duct tape. Moleskin works as well, if you want to purchase it at the pharmacy. It is simply your padding and adhesive all in one. As long as you treat your blisters, you won't get into serious trouble. Any pain after that is just a result of general weakness.
Bug-Out Tip #4
Hydration Pack at least three litres of water. We will have water access along the whole way, but the water quality is heavily questionable. You may not feel the urge to drink water, but do it anyway.
Bug-Out Tip #5
Take your lunch to go Don't mess around with a lunch that needs to be cooked. Power bars throughout the day does the trick. You want to stay as mobile as possible throughout the day, until we set up camp for the night.
Bug-Out Tip #6
One stop, one fire. When you stop for the night after a day of hiking, making a covert fire is not a bad idea. The fire should be monitored all night in shifts or put out for the night. Either way, do not bother making a fire in the morning. It is a waste of time . The morning is for getting some food in your guts as quick as you can, then packing your s*** and hitting the road. If you need hot water to make your breakfast in the morning, add the hot water the night before and keep it sealed in your sleeping bag. Or the fire is kept going all night and the last person on fire watch can make sure water is boiled when people wake up. Point being, do not waste your time trying to get a fire started in the morning just to put it out again right away
Bug-Out Tip #7
Know your stride Appox. 60 steps (only counting the left step) = 100 meters (depending on your stride) Use that information to keep track of distance travelled over a period of time. Try marking off 100 meters and walk it a few times with your gear. That will give you your 100 meter stride count. Its good to have a couple designated pace counters, and then average out their conclusions whilst hiking. That way you can track your distance without relying on maps and GPS.
Bug-Out Tip #8
Chapstick The sun will ravage your lips. The army issues chapstick for that reason. I wouldn't go on any exercise unless I had chapstick in my pocket. It weighs nothing, and you will be glad you brought it.
Bug-Out Tip #9
Schedule breaks 18 kilometers is a long hike, so it is good to schedule breaks at regular intervals, just to take the weight off the shoulders for a bit, and to adjust your kit. I did a ten minute break, every 50 minutes, and found that to be pretty effective.
Bug-Out Tip #10
Mind over matter Your mind will break before your body does. Your mind decides when you shut down, not your body. Tell your body to shut up, and keep moving forward. I have walked many miles with sore back, aching shoulders, and bloody feet.
