Hello, my friend and welcome back! There are a lot of Preppers who plan on bugging out on foot when the time comes. Maybe it’s to get to their bug out location unnoticed, but regardless of the reason striking out on foot is a bad idea. This is the subject of today’s post so grab a cup of coffee my friend and have a seat while we visit.
I realize that there are those who will have no other option when the time comes, but every effort should be made now to avoid it if at all possible. You should use a bike at the very least, and avoid traveling on foot altogether.
So right about now, you’re probably asking yourself why it’s such a bad idea, so let me explain. When you travel on foot, you expose yourself to a lot more danger. While it may seem very covert, the dangers far out weigh the benefits. You will be easy prey if you are caught on foot, and that is only the beginning of the dangers.
Humans are constantly overestimating their abilities and in a life and death situation, it could very well cost you you’re life. People who have never hiked long distances with a heavy load on their back have no idea what it takes to make yourself keep going when you’re tired. People, who have served in the military, know exactly what I’m talking about. It can come down to sheer will and determination.
Walking not only burns a lot of calories, but it leaves you in a weakened state, especially if you have been walking for several days. If you were forced to fight hand to hand after walking 10 miles, your chances of winning are slim to none. You just won’t have the energy needed to win.
If your bugging out on foot, I can only imagine that it’s because you have no other option, not because you think it will allow you to be more concealed. We have all seen the hikers on TV or people in movies take off with only a few items and survive. Trust me when I say it’s all fake, and the average person won’t last more than 2 days if they are lucky.
When traveling on foot, you can only carry so much weight and oddly enough, extra water is one of the first things untrained people will discard. They do this because they figure thy can find the water they need along the way. By the time they realize they were wrong, it’s too late.
Now I know that many of you like myself have water filters like “LifeStraw” that you can carry with you, but these are only designed to be used as a last choice, not to fill your canteen with. For that, you will need a much better water filter, like the Katadyn water filter that I carry, in addition to my LifeStraw.
The big thing is that there are not nearly as many water sources around as you may think, and many of these that are, are contaminated. Remember, those filters do NOT remove Chemicals from the water and they can make you just as sick if you drink contaminated water.
Something else many people don’t think of is if they are walking through heavily forested areas; there are also wildlife dangers, such as snakes and bears. These too can kill you and you will be just as dead as if you had been shot.
You will also be exposed to the elements while traveling and this can lead you to sickness or heat stroke in a weakened state. Heat, cold, even wind can take a terrible toll on the body and if your body is weakened from walking while carrying weight on your back, it could spell your demise.
No, my friend, bugging out on foot is never a good idea, but if you think there is a chance you may be forced to do it, like maybe you live in a big city, then you need to do some serious training my friend. Don’t just train, but seek advice from an experienced backpacker or hiker now and practice every chance you get. If you live in the city, then actually walk the path you intend to take and have a friend pick you up at your destination. Do this often!
Here is the bottom line, if there is any way that you can keep from bugging out on foot, then by all means, do it. Whether you choose a car, a bike, or a boat, please train now, to be sure that when the time comes and the SHTF, you will be ready.
Well, I guess that’s it for today and I hope today’s post has given you food for thought, until next time, stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared. God Bless America!
-Sarge-
If you’ve ever rode a bicycle more than 10 miles, you would know about “tunnel vision” and falling-off fatigue. Sure you can carry a lot with racks and bags, but it’s still not easy.
There is really no one best way. But like someone else said, if there’s a trail someone will find it.
That said. If you’re bol has no road, and the only way in is a foot trail, then a bike is the faster way. But once the shtf then walking slow and quietly is the safest.
bugging out in a vehicle will be more of a problem than walking out, abandoned vehicles will litter the highway, people will be lucky if they get out of the city by vehicle, roadblocks-both legal and illegal- will bar the way, and the unwary will be preyed upon by the criminal element. even if someone gets out in a vehicle they’ll probably have to abandon it long before they get to their BOL and have to go the rest of the way on foot.
That certainly applies to people who live in highly populated areas where traffic congestion is the norm – even when there isn’t an emergency. If you live in “Fly-Over” country you are already where you need to be. Personally, I wouldn’t wager $1 on the survival prospects of city dwellers.
that’s why I don’t live in a city anymore.
most people think I have bugged out already because I live in a remote rural area.
Smart Man!:-)
Sarge,
All of your points are spot on. I live in the High Desert in Arizona and have literally spent years learning where there are reliable sources of potable water, as well as locations where water can be available during sparse seasonal rains. I assure you, they are few and far between. Although I have primary and alternate bug out routes that accommodate both 4WD and foot travel, the distances involved vary from 50 to 75 miles and involves mountain ranges up to 8,000 ft. in elevation. That’s a LOT of steep ground to cover, regardless of the season. I know the terrain and what it takes to survive it, and the very last thing I would want to do is bug out.
For people who ‘think’ they can show up at Grandpa’s doorstep, they had better already have a cache of food and supplies stationed there, not to mention a prerequisite invitation. Otherwise, they are merely increasing the risk of starvation to family members other than themselves.
A hint to fellow desert rats like myself: Learn where there are reliable wind-powered wells on BLM and State Trust Land that ranchers use for their cattle. Also, know where there are perennial springs and abandoned mines that produce steady water.
Thanks for the good thoughts you pass on. I’m new and have a question for you. I live in a new 2 bedroom cabin about 90 miles north of Atlanta. It’s a mountainous area with the last two miles being a gravel road. I know WTSHTF, I’m going to be overrun by friends and relatives. How do I resolve this? I don’t want to hurt feelings, but potentially I have a problem in my future.
Jim, There are a lot of people that will find themselves in the same situation as you when the time comes. You need to start now by talking to anyone whom you think may show up and let them know that you are going to seal off the place and shoot anyone who comes around uninvited. With the last 2 miles being gravel roads, I would drop a few trees across the road to your cabin. This will help keep out unwanted guest and force them to walk the last little bit. If they still show up, fire a couple of shots in the air and start yelling like a mad man. Nobody wants to be around a crazy person in a crisis. 🙂 The truth is that there is no easy way to handle this type of situation and it’s better to deal with it now than then.
Great advice! All too often the unintended consequences of foot travel far outweigh the reality of “shelter in place”. Not only can you fall prey to all sorts of critters (slither, two legged and four legged), but most folks are just not prepared with adequate footwear, clothing and training to bug out to a reasonably safe location. And let’s be honest here… If you can walk there, chances are that lots of other folks will be walking there also, so what is gained?
While I do have multiple reasonably secure bug out locations prepared, I’ll take my chances on my reasonably well stocked and secure home base, at least until the initial flurry of folks “bugging out” subsides. I’ll let Darwin thin the crowd a bit.
I’m new to your readership and want to express my sincere appreciation for your insight, reality based comments, common sense (not much of that remains today) and good natured humanity. Keep up the good work.
Thanks David. Glad to have you and welcome!
Well said! Most people who think that bugging out is the solution are already candidates for the Darwin Award. And, Darwin will definitely thin out the crowd.