my get home bag (work in progress)

[Angry Texan]

Howdy guys.
So I think I'm far enough along to go ahead and start sharing what I got. I work near Laredo TX 500 miles from home and I understand if something major goes down that I probably will never make it home, but I'm not staying near the US/Mexico border either. So my plan is to at least try to make it home.


so far I have:
Kelty external frame backpack
1 pair of pants
4 pairs of socks
1 shirt
2 pairs of underwear
3 bandanas
1 washcloth
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, soap)
lighters
fire starting kit
MSR whisperlite international stove and fuel bottle
pocketknife
mini-mag flashlight
4 pairs of handwarmers
mountain hardwear 1 man tent
mummy sleeping bag
mosquito/bug spray
hatchet
mini folding shovel
pliers
water purifying tablets
hydration bag 2 liter in pack
1 liter nalgene
2 liter USGI canteen
jerky, berries
baseball cap
357 revolver and 50 rounds of ammo


Things I still need:
paracord
fixed blade knife w/ skinning hook
multitool
small fish tackle kit
15-20 feet of bailing wire
another flashlight
sunscreen
blistex/carmex
leather work gloves
first aid kit
stainless steel canteen and at least another 1 liter water bottle
food (ordered some mountain house), salt
tarp
drybags
rain cover for pack
duct tape
pen, pencil, sharpie
notebook
Texas map and county maps I will be traveling through
$100 cash in fives, tens, and ones.
copies of ID, and medical info
tinder
more ammo

I know it looks like alot and it probably is too much. I will be cutting where i can. mummy will be gone when it warms up this pack i got very comfortable. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated. I am also trying to get a job closer to home but it's not busy enough here (oil field) yet.

[APX808]

Nice to see how you bug out bag starts to take shape 

Here are a few tips, about what I think, your mileage may vary

* You don't really need the tent nor the sleeping bag, or just carry the sleeping bag if is too cold.

* You are carrying the 2lt camelback, a nalgene and a 2lt canteen and you're planning on getting another canteen? Why don't you get a water purification device?

* I would change the baseball cap for a boonie hat that will cover better the back of the neck and ears.

* You can discard the axe and the shovel, too big and heavy, you could use a "pocket chainsaw" instead and fuck the shovel

* Get a headlamp, they are extremely handy.

* You'll hate me about this one... but why don't you change your revolver for a pistol? More bullets and quicker reloads are really handy, specially if you plan to go solo.

Also, and this one is very important, grab your bag and walk with it, walk a lot and you'll notice how you regret of each extra gram you put in it.

[Angry Texan]

APX,
Haha I don't hate you for your opinion on the revolver. I actually agree with you. I carry it for work because I see illegals walking past my truck sometimes 3 times a week. So It's the best option for me at the moment because I already have it 24/7 and I can't get a new gun until I get a new car.

yeah im ditching the sleeping bag when it warms up.

Yeah i think im good on water. It's just scarce down here and I forgot to put filtration system on my list.

good idea on the hat and headlamp.

the hatchet is light as hell. the only weight to it is the head and it doubles as a hammer. but I think you're right about the shovel.

And i plan on walkin with it when its a little more complete and full of water. Like you're saying i'll probably be lightening it up afterwards.

Thanks for the ideas and help.

[special-k]

A headlamp is a must.

You carry a stove but nothing to cook and/or boil water in?  And you said you need another canteen... You can knock out 2 birds with one stone:

A 40 oz. Klean Kanteen can be used to carry water AND can be used over a stove/fire (with out the plastic lid of course.)  You can also make a detachable handle for it (for use when over heat) from of a hose clamp & wire clothes hanger.  Another neat thing is that it will nestle perfectly into a GSI 18 oz. Cup/Pot (this same cup/pot will nestle on a standard Nalgene bottle.)

[Angry Texan]

A headlamp is a must.

You carry a stove but nothing to cook and/or boil water in?  And you said you need another canteen... You can knock out 2 birds with one stone:

A 40 oz. Klean Kanteen can be used to carry water AND can be used over a stove/fire (with out the plastic lid of course.)  You can also make a detachable handle for it (for use when over heat) from of a hose clamp & wire clothes hanger.  Another neat thing is that it will nestle perfectly into a GSI 18 oz. Cup/Pot (this same cup/pot will nestle on a standard Nalgene bottle.)

Damn forgot 1l pot w/lid and that gsi sounds like a good idea.

[Kentactic]

Id ditch the paracord for bank line. Both are good to have but bank line is more useful for its weight to footage ratio. I carry 50' of paracord and a roll of 90lb bank line.

[JohnyMac]

Great start Angry Texan!

How much does your current bag weigh?

In my youth I did quite a bit of back packing in the NE. My goal was to keep my gear (pack, clothes, accessories on my person) under 25 pounds. Pick a weight to shoot for and then add/eliminate items to that weight. Then practice by walking with your load and using it. Also figure out how many miles you can comfortably cover in a 8 - 10 hour trek in "full retard." This will give you an "idea" of how long it will take to cover the 500 miles you elude too. An interesting read is Going Home by A. American. Here is a review of the book.

IMO, I would lose the stove and fuel for MRE's. I didn't see a map on your list. Even a road map would be better than nothing.

Thx for starting the discussion. 
 

[Kentactic]

500 miles would be like a month long journey at least. If you have no family to get back to I'd just melt into nature in or near Laredo. Maybe move 50 miles north or something.

[Angry Texan]

500 miles would be like a month long journey at least. If you have no family to get back to I'd just melt into nature in or near Laredo. Maybe move 50 miles north or something.

thats kind of the idea. I know if anything like in the going home series (read all the ones that are out) im pretty much screwed as far as getting home. But I got to try and I damn sure ain't sticking around Laredo. I'm also preparing for if border patrol/the laws shut down they roads if the cartels decide to get cocky. Just something to get me out of that area/situation to a better one. and i'll look into the bank line.

Hey Johnny I got maps on there. I'm still tryin to figure it out haha. the pack is a kelty sierra crest and i dont have a scale at the moment.

I know im gonna have to cut quite a bit because I want to have my AR as well. but for know its the pack. baby steps haha.

Thanks for the advice and comments.

[Angry Texan]

I'm going to take a weekend and go out to a state park in the hill country and do the 5 mile hike to the campsite and back the next day with just this pack. I'm looking for a longer one next. Gotta start off easy and get back in shape. its been 3 months since I last smoked.

[JohnyMac]

Congrts on the not smoking for 3 months 

MrsMac gave up smoking August 5, 2013. She had smoked Larks for more than 40 years. It was tough and how she has done it is with E-Cigs. They are not for everyone but a cheaper (Much Cheaper) and healthier alternative.

I will say she found an old open pack of Larks the other day and lit one up - She almost passed out! She hasn't lit one since 

[thatGuy]

Angry Texan, seems to me like you're doing really good. The most important part of the whole venture is getting out and using your kit. It's incredible what you need vs want vs what's just dead weight!

In my own miles of hiking I've learned that tarps are way more useful than tents, especially at our latitude where shade is the shelter that is most useful. They can be rigged high for the shade, low in the cold and wet or at any wild pitch you desire. They can catch water, a crude poncho, camo to stash your pack or even as a litter if you've got help and sewn in webbing.

I would also look into a decent set of 'trekking poles,' our knees aren't getting any younger and 500 miles is a long way to go. Plus they can be used to rig a tarp where the choices of trees are few and far between.

These guys have given you lots a really good suggestions but like I said the proof is in the pudding.. That GSI cup won't sit nicely on your Whisperlite, ask me how I know but a head lamp is a must while saws, axes, shovels and hatchets are dead weight.. but it took me years to learn that and my hiking partner still carries a pack-able bow saw.

But like I've said go hiking, it's cheap and easy recreation. You'll learn while having fun and gain confidence in yourself as a walker and that is the most important thing to have in your kit!

[JohnyMac]

I was thinking (This gets MrsMac worrying) if you were to pre-plan 1-2 routes you might take going north from Laredo, you could pre-cache some supplies like MRE's, boots, socks, etc. along the route. It would be cheap $25- insurance, per cache, along one of your planned routes. Use 6" PVC pipe sealed at both ends.   

[Angry Texan]

I was thinking (This gets MrsMac worrying) if you were to pre-plan 1-2 routes you might take going north from Laredo, you could pre-cache some supplies like MRE's, boots, socks, etc. along the route. It would be cheap $25- insurance, per cache, along one of your planned routes. Use 6" PVC pipe sealed at both ends.

that sounds like a good idea. And on the smoking, I'm 22 years old been smoking since 12 been smoking daily since 14-15. I have to admit I'm dipping now because i cant get off the nicotine haha. I'm around smokers all shift at work and i dont want to be pissy around my girl when all we have is a week together out of the month. been cutting back though.

Angry Texan, seems to me like you're doing really good. The most important part of the whole venture is getting out and using your kit. It's incredible what you need vs want vs what's just dead weight!

In my own miles of hiking I've learned that tarps are way more useful than tents, especially at our latitude where shade is the shelter that is most useful. They can be rigged high for the shade, low in the cold and wet or at any wild pitch you desire. They can catch water, a crude poncho, camo to stash your pack or even as a litter if you've got help and sewn in webbing.

I would also look into a decent set of 'trekking poles,' our knees aren't getting any younger and 500 miles is a long way to go. Plus they can be used to rig a tarp where the choices of trees are few and far between.

These guys have given you lots a really good suggestions but like I said the proof is in the pudding.. That GSI cup won't sit nicely on your Whisperlite, ask me how I know but a head lamp is a must while saws, axes, shovels and hatchets are dead weight.. but it took me years to learn that and my hiking partner still carries a pack-able bow saw.

But like I've said go hiking, it's cheap and easy recreation. You'll learn while having fun and gain confidence in yourself as a walker and that is the most important thing to have in your kit!

the tarp is a good idea as are the poles because there are no freakin trees for miles down here. thats why i was packin the tent. i've got some trial and error to work out on all of this. thanks for sharing some of your ideas and experiences

[Reaver]

Angry Texan, seems to me like you're doing really good. The most important part of the whole venture is getting out and using your kit. It's incredible what you need vs want vs what's just dead weight!

In my own miles of hiking I've learned that tarps are way more useful than tents, especially at our latitude where shade is the shelter that is most useful. They can be rigged high for the shade, low in the cold and wet or at any wild pitch you desire. They can catch water, a crude poncho, camo to stash your pack or even as a litter if you've got help and sewn in webbing.

I would also look into a decent set of 'trekking poles,' our knees aren't getting any younger and 500 miles is a long way to go. Plus they can be used to rig a tarp where the choices of trees are few and far between.

These guys have given you lots a really good suggestions but like I said the proof is in the pudding.. That GSI cup won't sit nicely on your Whisperlite, ask me how I know but a head lamp is a must while saws, axes, shovels and hatchets are dead weight.. but it took me years to learn that and my hiking partner still carries a pack-able bow saw.

But like I've said go hiking, it's cheap and easy recreation. You'll learn while having fun and gain confidence in yourself as a walker and that is the most important thing to have in your kit!

THIS^^^^^

Use your kit on a three day training op... You'll find out what you won't need.