Pinnah, I agree with you. There is a need to pack by the season. That may mean a different rucksack for different seasons. I the military, there is always a packing list for any particular mission. I have developed my own list over the years (I started backpacking at age 10 in 1963. Enlisted in the Army Infantry in 1982 so I could get paid for backpacking. I probably have carried a pack by foot, canoe, parachute, skiis, or snowshoes for over 100,000 miles.) My system is that if I need it and it doesn't fit in the pack, I need a bigger pack. If I have it in the pack and I don't need it, I stop packing it. If I have not used an item that I have been carrying in my pack in 2-3 years, then I probably don't need it. If I have used an item repeatedly on earlier trips, it stays in the pack permanently. Here is one of my packing lists:
Here is my list of what is in my bug-out bag. This list will change over time as you make modifications and can afford additional items. Basic rule of thumb is Don't carry more than 25% to 35% of your body weight. Expect to be carrying this on your back if you are forced to abandon your vehicle. This list will only be limited by what you can (A) carry, (B) cache, and (C) afford.
1. The 10 Essentials are necessary items for any trip, whether you are bugging out or not.
a. ) Map – it is always necessary to know where you are and how you can get where you want to go. A highway map if you are on the highway. A topographic map if you are off of the highway.
b) Compass – a GPS is great, but it is electronic and requires batteries. A compass does not. Learn to use the map and compass together so you will always stay found (opposite of lost).
c) Sunglasses & sunscreen – these protect your eyes and skin from the sun's damaging rays. If you forget them, you will regret it. Ski goggles for winter use.
d) Extra food – BOB should contain at least 72 hours worth of food. More is better.
e) Rain-gear/extra clothes – dry clothes and clothes that will keep you dry can prevent hypothermia and death. Pack extra socks and underwear.
f) Headlamp/flashlight – if it gets dark when you are 2 miles from reaching your destination, walking in the dark is challenging and can be dangerous. A crank-up flashlight needs no replacement batteries.
g) First Aid kit – when you get a cut or a bee sting, it is a good thing to be able to fix it on the spot. If you have simple, rudimentary first aid skills, your FAK will be simple. If your skills are more advanced, your FAK should be more advanced, also.
h) Fire starter – candle, birch bark, waxed paper, powdered carbide (add to water to form acetylene gas), vaseline-coated cotton balls – anything that you can light that keeps burning easily to help get a campfire started.
i) Matches/lighter – wind proof/water proof matches will help light #8. Make sure your lighter is working before your trip begins – better yet, take matches and 2 lighters.
j) Knife – folding, fixed-blade, multi-tool – heck, take 1 of each.
k)Oh yeah! You need some kind of bag to put all this in so you can carry the other ten.
2. Firearm and ammunition – This can be a pistol, rifle, or shotgun. It could be a pistol and a long gun. You should have several loaded magazines and additional spare ammunition. You may be walking if your vehicle has failed you; so these guns should be concealable, but able to be put to use immediately.
3. Communications – Many people expect that cell phones will not work. (It happened on 9/11.) Portable radios will be more functional in establishing and maintaining contact with your family or group. FRS radios have a very short range and only work when you have line-of-sight with your contact. Hand-held CB radios are better. A hand held Ham radio or 2 should be part of your group's equipment.
4. Water – The only water you may get prior to reaching your bug-out site is what you carry with you when you leave home. You should also have a means of purifying water from whatever source you may find it along the way. Halazone tablets, a Life-Straw, or other water filters are a good investment. Carry a CamelBack or other water bottles and drink often. Do not ration your water.
5. Sleeping Gear – A good sleeping bag (one that will keep you warm to -20), a sleeping mat of some kind to keep you insulated from the cold ground, and a small pillow.
6. Cooking and eating gear – Granola bars and MRE's will keep something in your stomach, but being able to cook and eat a hot meal does great things for your mental outlook. Whether you have a propane stove, white gas stove, or one of the multi-fuel stoves, have one in your BOB and know how to use it. Take enough fuel for 3 or 4 days. Many people are making rocket stoves, which let you use whatever burnable fuel you may find along the way. You will at least need a small pot to boil water, but also having a small frying pan will let you cook a variety of foods. Utensils should include a large wooden spoon, a metal pancake flipper, fork and spoon (spork), a bowl for eating, and a metal cup (If you only have a cup for boiling water, it better not be plastic.)
7. Personal medications – If you have the need for a continuous source of prescription medications, like insulin or blood pressure medications, you need to store up as much as you can legally possess and make sure these are in your BOB.
8. Toilet paper/wet wipes – Backpackers call TP “mountain money” because it has more value than cash out in the bush. Pack 1 roll in your BOB and make additional caches of TP (among other items) near your bug-out site.
9. Feminine napkins/Tampons – Those of you who are of the female persuasion, be sure to pack a good supply. This is another item that should be cached. Men, take note! Feminine napkins make a great blood absorbing bandage for a large wound. Imagine that!
10. Emergency cash – As much cash as you can spare. ATM's will not be working in many SHTF scenarios. Silver or gold coins will be more valuable than paper, and nobody in their right mind would take plastic if it is TEOTWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it).
11. Fishing Gear – If your bug-out site is near a river, lake, or ocean, take a small assortment of the gear you have. Not a fisherman? You should learn more about any way that will provide you and your family more food.
12. Hunting Gear – Depending on the area where you will be bugging out, you will be able to hunt and kill animals for food. Elk, deer, birds, rabbits, or squirrels are all here in Idaho and will provide a good source of protein. Not a hunter? Just another way to feed yourself and your family. Vegetarian? Hope you are a good gardener.
13. Rope/Tape – Two items that are always needed in your BOB are at least 50 feet of parachute cord (550 cord) and duct tape. There are many tapes for sale (some even called “Duck” tape. Buy the heavy duty 3M or Scotch brands – the other is junk.
14. Hats/Gloves – Boonie hat and wool cap – wear one and carry the other. The weather will help you decide which to wear. Boonie hats protect your face, neck and ears from sunburn. A wool cap helps hold in the heat your head produces, keeping you warmer in a cold environment. If it is raining or snowing, put up the hood on your jacket. Gloves can make the difference between suffering and comfortable in bad weather.
15. Spare batteries for your headlamp/flashlight/radio/GPS. Or invest in rechargeable batteries and a small solar-powered recharger.
16. Watch – An analog wind up watch is better than a digital watch because it does not need batteries.
17. Small Axe – Use it for the obvious or as a weapon, if necessary. Also bring a small file and a stone to keep it sharp.
18. GI Folding Shovel – Use it for the obvious (digging cat-holes, etc). Some GI's and Marines kept their shovels sharp for use as weapons – very effectively.
19. Boots – Wear boots that are broken in so they won't give you blisters. Break in by wearing new boots in the shower to get them wet inside and out, then take them off, put on dry wool socks, and wear the boots until they are dry. They will be form-fitted to your feet and will not cause blisters.
20. Seasonal Clothes – If you bug out in the summer and stay bugged out through the winter, you will be glad if you have cached winter clothes near your bug out site. Parka, sweaters, insulated pants, winter boots, goggles, gloves or mittens, etc.
21. Protective Gear - If the Excrement has really Impacted the Ventilator (College-speak for SHTF), you may want to bug out wearing a Kevlar Helmet and a Bullet-Proof Vest.
22. Other stuff to cache – tent, snow shoes, x-country ski gear, more ammo, tools, more food, medications, more clothes, TP, dish soap, laundry detergent, or anything else that is (a) more than you can carry on your back when you bug out, (b) things that you can't afford to run out of.
23. Small Bible – to keep your focus on things Above when things below are going to Hell.
24. Tent – most tents are too heavy to pack with all this other stuff. You can make a tent with 2 Army ponchos and some parachute cord that will keep up to 4 people dry in a heavy rain or snow storm.
25. Toiletries – Bar soap in a plastic soap dish, wash cloth (in a ziplock bag) and hand towel, toothbrush and paste, razor (manual unless you planted current bushes at your bug out site), shaving crème (or do without – men - you may want to grow a beard), nail clippers, tweezers, comb, scissors, hand mirror, Q-tips, hair ties/barrettes, etc. Ladies, bring whatever make-up/shampoo/conditioner you think you need, but be advised (a) you will be carrying unnecessary weight and (b) you may not be able to resupply these items easily.
26. Books such as (a) a Field Guide to Edible Plants, (b) U.S. Army Ranger Handbook SH 21-76, (c) U.S. Army Special Forces Medical Handbook ST 31-91B, (d) U.S. Army Survival Manual FM 21-76, (e) Where There Is No Doctor by David Werner, (f) How to Live on Nothing by Joan Ranson Shortney, (g) Skills for Taming the Wild by Bradford Angier, (h) Morrow Guide to Knots (I) Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olsen (Choose 1 or 2.)
27. Other Weapons – Bow and arrows (either compound bow, recurve bow, or crossbow), Heavy walking stick (made of hardwood) that you can make into a spear by lashing a fixed-bladed knife in place, slingshot (Y-shaped with rubber bands), sling (like David used to kill Goliath, bolo, numchuks, throwing stars, pungi sticks, snares, booby traps of various kinds.
