Just wanted to tell everyone that we are having issues with hotmail on our end replying to all of the questions we are emailed.
Please visit www.survivalandpreparedness.com
there you will be able to contact both PAW productions staff and flasurvivals staff.
Sorry for the delay. We will try and answer all emails asap.
Delta69
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Come check us out....
Head on over to www.survivalandpreparedness.com for a visit.
There you will find a no nonsense, laid back forum dedicated to survival and preparedness. Hosted/owned by RH of survival report blog you will find movies from him and many other prep minded folks from across the US made specificaly for S and P.com.
Make sure you join up for a chance to win monthly prizes in the "best thread" contest and recive great discounts on products offered by the sites sponsors.
Folks this is a forum run by survivalist for survivalist!!!
See yall there-
delta69alpha-PAW productions.
There you will find a no nonsense, laid back forum dedicated to survival and preparedness. Hosted/owned by RH of survival report blog you will find movies from him and many other prep minded folks from across the US made specificaly for S and P.com.
Make sure you join up for a chance to win monthly prizes in the "best thread" contest and recive great discounts on products offered by the sites sponsors.
Folks this is a forum run by survivalist for survivalist!!!
See yall there-
delta69alpha-PAW productions.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Hurricanes- getting ready pt2
So far we have hit on the very basics a plan,water and food. There is much more to getting ready for a hurricane, even if you are leaving town.
Shelter.
I always say that there is 3 core basic items you need to stay alive no matter what. Food,water and shelter. You can only live 3 days with out water,3 weeks with out food and 3 hours exposed to the elements. During a hurricane you may run into all 3 of those. Shelter is basically what clothing you have on you or plan to wear during/after the storm, and of course your home . If you chose to leave your home a secondary shelter is a must. At minimum a cheap blue tarp!
Speaking of blue tarps.
If you decide to stay the storm through, it would be wise to not only have a secondary shelter in hand- aka a tent. But also a few large poly tarps. These will help protect not only your home but also yourself if they need to be improvised as a shelter. They have a hundred different uses. Outdoor cooking area? sheltered the from the sun/rain. If your using your tent you can help protect the tent with the tarp. Worse case you use the tarp to cover damaged areas in your home or cover furniture and valuables.
If you decide to leave, make sure you have your shelter means covered. While you may plan on staying at the La Quinta Inn off I-95 2 states away, you never know what will happen. It is better to have it with you than to not have it. Make sure you pack your clothing wisely. Not only for space reasons, but also for the changes in climate. You may take that 13 hour ride to the mountains,only to find those flip flops, cargo shorts and button up cotton shirt are not enough for the cool nights and early AM's. Think of it as a "camping" trip or mini vacation. Pack like you would for that. Making the right shelter choices will keep your "vacation" from turning into a wet,damp,cold nightmare that no one in your family or group of friends will forget!
Basic preperations to make.
While we have already gone over some very basic subjects on being ready for a hurricane there is so much more to keep track of and do.
With your plan you should have a check list. A hurricane checklist can be had from most stores/news papers in the southeast now that hurricane season is upon us. They will range from tracking maps with helpful hints to full blown supply check list.
Once you have your plan made up, sit down and make a list of all the items that you will need for those 3-14 days. If you are new to all of this and are buying these items for the first time. It will be helpful and keep you from forgetting what you need. In other words, you get side tracked by the 20 function am/fm weather band super radio and forget your 5 gallons of bottled water! Hey it happens...shiny stuff attracts us right !
A good basic list to start with is the one below-( remember tailor everything to your needs- this list is not complete and only an example of what one may look like)
__ Plan
__ Contact list and contact info and emergency contact numbers ( ems/local police,fire rescue)
__ important documents
__ water- 1 gallon per person per day.
__ food- 3 days
__ shelter
__ cooking source
__ fuel for cooking
__ light source
__ backup light source
__ radio
__ entertainment
__ tools
__ spare batteries for all electronics
__ spare gas for car
__ first aid kit
Again this is an example list. To show how you can make your own.
There are items on this list that we have not talked about yet.Most I feel are commonsense, but during a stressful event may be forgotten. Like grabbing the flash light but no spare batteries! It happens.
Important documents. This is an item that if you leave your home you will have to take with you. I would recommend all paper work be in a water proof bag and at the minimum be in double bagged zip locks. Make sure that it is kept in a safe spot during your travels! If you decide to stay , make sure you protect them as well. A cheap water proof/fireproof safe will do. I still recommend that the paper work be zip locked at least.
First aid kit. No matter what choice you make,if your staying or leaving. You should have a good first aid kit on hand. These can be purchased through stores or self made from self bought components. My advice, have someone in your family or your complete family take a basic CPR/FA course from local fire rescue or the Red cross. Training is key on first aid and even a basic course may be useful if someone gets injured.
Even your own home or car can hurt you. Hurricanes and damage they cause can be dangerous and lethal. So keep a watchful eye out for safety issues. Make sure your loved ones do as well. An example of what your basic first aid kit should have is ( this is not a complete list, please build/purchase a kit suited to your needs. This is not a complete list)
first aid guide
emergency phone numbers- ems.rescue,fire,leo
Assorted bandages- band aides, 2x2's, 4x4's
medical water proof tape
ACE wrap
4 yards of rolled or compressed gauze
triangle bandage
safety pins
medical shears
tweezers
4-6 sets of sterile exam gloves( check for latex allergies)
tongue depressors( useful as finger/toe splints)
assorted medications- pain meds,antihistamines, eye wash,electrolyte mixes,triple antibiotic
iodine/90% rubbing alcohol/peroxide one of the 3 at least.
Again this is just a basic list of items. Most kits you can buy from the store contain these and more.Kits you make yourself can be endless to what they contain and should be tailored to your skill level. Make sure you have a kit big enough for the time you have planed for ( 3 days,20 days) and the amount of people in your group.
stay tuned part 3
Shelter.
I always say that there is 3 core basic items you need to stay alive no matter what. Food,water and shelter. You can only live 3 days with out water,3 weeks with out food and 3 hours exposed to the elements. During a hurricane you may run into all 3 of those. Shelter is basically what clothing you have on you or plan to wear during/after the storm, and of course your home . If you chose to leave your home a secondary shelter is a must. At minimum a cheap blue tarp!
Speaking of blue tarps.
If you decide to stay the storm through, it would be wise to not only have a secondary shelter in hand- aka a tent. But also a few large poly tarps. These will help protect not only your home but also yourself if they need to be improvised as a shelter. They have a hundred different uses. Outdoor cooking area? sheltered the from the sun/rain. If your using your tent you can help protect the tent with the tarp. Worse case you use the tarp to cover damaged areas in your home or cover furniture and valuables.
If you decide to leave, make sure you have your shelter means covered. While you may plan on staying at the La Quinta Inn off I-95 2 states away, you never know what will happen. It is better to have it with you than to not have it. Make sure you pack your clothing wisely. Not only for space reasons, but also for the changes in climate. You may take that 13 hour ride to the mountains,only to find those flip flops, cargo shorts and button up cotton shirt are not enough for the cool nights and early AM's. Think of it as a "camping" trip or mini vacation. Pack like you would for that. Making the right shelter choices will keep your "vacation" from turning into a wet,damp,cold nightmare that no one in your family or group of friends will forget!
Basic preperations to make.
While we have already gone over some very basic subjects on being ready for a hurricane there is so much more to keep track of and do.
With your plan you should have a check list. A hurricane checklist can be had from most stores/news papers in the southeast now that hurricane season is upon us. They will range from tracking maps with helpful hints to full blown supply check list.
Once you have your plan made up, sit down and make a list of all the items that you will need for those 3-14 days. If you are new to all of this and are buying these items for the first time. It will be helpful and keep you from forgetting what you need. In other words, you get side tracked by the 20 function am/fm weather band super radio and forget your 5 gallons of bottled water! Hey it happens...shiny stuff attracts us right !
A good basic list to start with is the one below-( remember tailor everything to your needs- this list is not complete and only an example of what one may look like)
__ Plan
__ Contact list and contact info and emergency contact numbers ( ems/local police,fire rescue)
__ important documents
__ water- 1 gallon per person per day.
__ food- 3 days
__ shelter
__ cooking source
__ fuel for cooking
__ light source
__ backup light source
__ radio
__ entertainment
__ tools
__ spare batteries for all electronics
__ spare gas for car
__ first aid kit
Again this is an example list. To show how you can make your own.
There are items on this list that we have not talked about yet.Most I feel are commonsense, but during a stressful event may be forgotten. Like grabbing the flash light but no spare batteries! It happens.
Important documents. This is an item that if you leave your home you will have to take with you. I would recommend all paper work be in a water proof bag and at the minimum be in double bagged zip locks. Make sure that it is kept in a safe spot during your travels! If you decide to stay , make sure you protect them as well. A cheap water proof/fireproof safe will do. I still recommend that the paper work be zip locked at least.
First aid kit. No matter what choice you make,if your staying or leaving. You should have a good first aid kit on hand. These can be purchased through stores or self made from self bought components. My advice, have someone in your family or your complete family take a basic CPR/FA course from local fire rescue or the Red cross. Training is key on first aid and even a basic course may be useful if someone gets injured.
Even your own home or car can hurt you. Hurricanes and damage they cause can be dangerous and lethal. So keep a watchful eye out for safety issues. Make sure your loved ones do as well. An example of what your basic first aid kit should have is ( this is not a complete list, please build/purchase a kit suited to your needs. This is not a complete list)
first aid guide
emergency phone numbers- ems.rescue,fire,leo
Assorted bandages- band aides, 2x2's, 4x4's
medical water proof tape
ACE wrap
4 yards of rolled or compressed gauze
triangle bandage
safety pins
medical shears
tweezers
4-6 sets of sterile exam gloves( check for latex allergies)
tongue depressors( useful as finger/toe splints)
assorted medications- pain meds,antihistamines, eye wash,electrolyte mixes,triple antibiotic
iodine/90% rubbing alcohol/peroxide one of the 3 at least.
Again this is just a basic list of items. Most kits you can buy from the store contain these and more.Kits you make yourself can be endless to what they contain and should be tailored to your skill level. Make sure you have a kit big enough for the time you have planed for ( 3 days,20 days) and the amount of people in your group.
stay tuned part 3
Monday, June 7, 2010
Hurricanes- getting ready . pt.1
Being in the southeast means that we have a few little problems with mother nature from time to time. Hurricanes being a yearly event for most of us that live in that area of our country. Since there is ALWAYS plenty of warning there really is no excuse for a full time resident or a seasonal one to not be ready.To help those that have never been through a hurricane or for those wanting to finally be prepared for one I will go through some common issues,preps and ways to plan for one. that have worked for me over the years.
Plan.
This is the 1st thing you will need to get laid out. Having one made before your area gets a warning activated or a hurricane watch in place will save you time and frustration.Your plan will not be the same as mine. They should always be tailored to your needs. So the warnings are flashed across the TV and radio. What do you do.
I would advise sitting down with your loved ones/family, roommate etc. and decide what course of action should you take if a hurricane is heading your way. Should you stay or should you go? This is the most important one, as it may save your life.
While Cat. 1 hurricanes are not as strong as a Cat. 5, they will produce tornadoes,flooding, and power outages. Let alone the housing damages,road closures and damage to local infrastructure.You may be ordered by local authorities to evacuate as well. So you need a plan in place that involves vacating your home.
To be honest, the best plan is to vacate your area prior to the hurricanes landfall. Part of this plan is to make sure that you have "time" off from work to leave town. This may not be practical for everyone,considering today's economical climate, but try to have at least 2 days worth if you can. If not make sure you have a safe place for your family to go to.
Where are we going to go? Well that is up to you. I advise that you head north. That sounds funny, but the state of Florida is not that wide. We have all seen the sat images of our state completely engulfed in a hurricanes bands. I live near the coast and have family that lives up to 60 miles inland.They have experienced all of the same problems that those on the coast have. If you chose a location, do so ahead of time. Trying to get a hotel room when the hurricane is 100 miles off shore is going to be like finding a needle in a hay stack. You may not find an open hotel room outside of a 6 hour drive! During hurricane charlie i had friends that did not find a hotel room till they were on the west side of Atlanta!! That is over 7 hours away and took them 12 hours to get there!! This is why you need those few extra days off from work and a plan already in place.
Make sure you have your plan written down and your family knows about it. Make sure you have a list of contact's, and their contact information. Make sure a few friends or family know where and what your plans are. This way your mom in Idaho isn't sitting in front of the TV watching the news to find out why you haven't called in 5 days and pulling her hair out!
Be ready to adapt. These storms change direction and cause other issues like tornadoes ,flooding and traffic jams.Make sure you stay updated and ready to change your plan if need be to stay safe. This plan B,should be pre planned and in your main plan. Going seat of the pants ,will cause some issues if you've already passed the plan onto loved ones or friends. If you decide to stay and shelter in place there are some things you need to do.
Getting ready.
Getting ready for a hurricane is no different than any other preperations. You have a plan, your preps, and then you use them. You will want some basic supplies on hand. Again what works for me may not you.
Water. So far i have yet to see an interruption of water services during any of the hurricanes I have been through. This doesn't mean NOT to have a means of water on hand. Water is key to our survival. We can only live three days with out it. The general rule is 1 gallon per person per day. I aim for the 2 gallons of water per person per day. You have to remember that you have to bath,wash,clean dishes,etc as well. If your going to be doing a lot of outdoor work i suggest sticking with the 2-3 gallon a day per person mark.
Some may be asking how to store this water supply. The easiest is 1-2 gallon jugs from the supermarket. Now I'm sure there is some seasoned folks out there wondering why i said that. Well this blog entry isn't for guys like me or you. There is no reason to have to run out and buy 4 ,55 gallon water barrels to make if through a 3 day storm. I would suggest to get a 5-6 gallon "water can"/jerry can of sorts. This makes storing water easier than the 1-2 gallon jugs. Bottled water in flats( 24 to a case) also work well for the grab and go drinking you may be doing. Don't skimp on the water. If your becoming prepared for more than a hurricane then i would suggest a barrel and a main way to filter/treat your water along with redundant means of doing so. Personally I rely on portable backpacking filters,water treatment chemicals,and RO filters.I store my water in several 6 gallon "water cans" and 2 ,15 gallon water barrels.
Food. Yummy ,yummy in my tummy.
Food that is easy to prepare and doesn't require much power or fuel is best.For the most part a well stocked pantry will be enough food for those 2-3 days when the power may be out.But, you need to plan for longer outages. On avg. down here you will be with out power for 3 days, but plan for 14+. How does this affect your food plans? Ever try cooking soup on a stove with no power or gas? The easiest way to cure this issue is to purchase a propane stove/burner. They are easy to use,fuel is always in stock at stores( pre event)and can be very cheap to purchase. There are other methods and means but this options gives you a semi portable way of cooking and even boiling water if need be that is easy to use for the 1st time "outdoor" chef!
Foods that are best to have are shelf stable items. These can range from the numerous can goods in the local super mart, dry goods( rice/pastas for example) or MRE style meals.By far the can goods for the local store will be the cheapest and offer a good shelf life. Something that will help if you are building a "hurricane" specific kit or box. These food items can be stored till next season if they are not used. Remember two things with can goods.
A good can opener and to rotate the can goods into your pantry as the best by/exp. dates near their end.
One thing to do as well is to make sure you eat your food in the freezer /refrigerator 1st . I say this because , well , because i am cheap. I dont want my steaks,fresh veggies or what have you going to waste becuase of no power. Plus to be honest. When the power is out and you can make a nice grilled chicken breast, with grilled veggies with garlic toast in foil on your little propane grill. Then your better half and you may finally get that few minutes of " wow....we made it...." and relax before dealing with the next days powerless adventures!
No matter what fuel/cooking method you use, make sure you have your food preps in place well before the storm arrives. Like your plan, you should have all of what you need ,well before the storm makes landfall. From what I have witnessed over the years is, that once a landfall area is announced you may have 24 hours to find what you need. After that your fighting the masses for supplies. Tempers flare over bare shelfs, guards are let down because of fatigue and stress .There is no need to put your safety in jeopardy in order to get a flat of noodles in a cup or that last can of chili! Have the food items in place as well as your plan when hurricane season starts.
stay tuned for part 2
delta.
Plan.
This is the 1st thing you will need to get laid out. Having one made before your area gets a warning activated or a hurricane watch in place will save you time and frustration.Your plan will not be the same as mine. They should always be tailored to your needs. So the warnings are flashed across the TV and radio. What do you do.
I would advise sitting down with your loved ones/family, roommate etc. and decide what course of action should you take if a hurricane is heading your way. Should you stay or should you go? This is the most important one, as it may save your life.
While Cat. 1 hurricanes are not as strong as a Cat. 5, they will produce tornadoes,flooding, and power outages. Let alone the housing damages,road closures and damage to local infrastructure.You may be ordered by local authorities to evacuate as well. So you need a plan in place that involves vacating your home.
To be honest, the best plan is to vacate your area prior to the hurricanes landfall. Part of this plan is to make sure that you have "time" off from work to leave town. This may not be practical for everyone,considering today's economical climate, but try to have at least 2 days worth if you can. If not make sure you have a safe place for your family to go to.
Where are we going to go? Well that is up to you. I advise that you head north. That sounds funny, but the state of Florida is not that wide. We have all seen the sat images of our state completely engulfed in a hurricanes bands. I live near the coast and have family that lives up to 60 miles inland.They have experienced all of the same problems that those on the coast have. If you chose a location, do so ahead of time. Trying to get a hotel room when the hurricane is 100 miles off shore is going to be like finding a needle in a hay stack. You may not find an open hotel room outside of a 6 hour drive! During hurricane charlie i had friends that did not find a hotel room till they were on the west side of Atlanta!! That is over 7 hours away and took them 12 hours to get there!! This is why you need those few extra days off from work and a plan already in place.
Make sure you have your plan written down and your family knows about it. Make sure you have a list of contact's, and their contact information. Make sure a few friends or family know where and what your plans are. This way your mom in Idaho isn't sitting in front of the TV watching the news to find out why you haven't called in 5 days and pulling her hair out!
Be ready to adapt. These storms change direction and cause other issues like tornadoes ,flooding and traffic jams.Make sure you stay updated and ready to change your plan if need be to stay safe. This plan B,should be pre planned and in your main plan. Going seat of the pants ,will cause some issues if you've already passed the plan onto loved ones or friends. If you decide to stay and shelter in place there are some things you need to do.
Getting ready.
Getting ready for a hurricane is no different than any other preperations. You have a plan, your preps, and then you use them. You will want some basic supplies on hand. Again what works for me may not you.
Water. So far i have yet to see an interruption of water services during any of the hurricanes I have been through. This doesn't mean NOT to have a means of water on hand. Water is key to our survival. We can only live three days with out it. The general rule is 1 gallon per person per day. I aim for the 2 gallons of water per person per day. You have to remember that you have to bath,wash,clean dishes,etc as well. If your going to be doing a lot of outdoor work i suggest sticking with the 2-3 gallon a day per person mark.
Some may be asking how to store this water supply. The easiest is 1-2 gallon jugs from the supermarket. Now I'm sure there is some seasoned folks out there wondering why i said that. Well this blog entry isn't for guys like me or you. There is no reason to have to run out and buy 4 ,55 gallon water barrels to make if through a 3 day storm. I would suggest to get a 5-6 gallon "water can"/jerry can of sorts. This makes storing water easier than the 1-2 gallon jugs. Bottled water in flats( 24 to a case) also work well for the grab and go drinking you may be doing. Don't skimp on the water. If your becoming prepared for more than a hurricane then i would suggest a barrel and a main way to filter/treat your water along with redundant means of doing so. Personally I rely on portable backpacking filters,water treatment chemicals,and RO filters.I store my water in several 6 gallon "water cans" and 2 ,15 gallon water barrels.
Food. Yummy ,yummy in my tummy.
Food that is easy to prepare and doesn't require much power or fuel is best.For the most part a well stocked pantry will be enough food for those 2-3 days when the power may be out.But, you need to plan for longer outages. On avg. down here you will be with out power for 3 days, but plan for 14+. How does this affect your food plans? Ever try cooking soup on a stove with no power or gas? The easiest way to cure this issue is to purchase a propane stove/burner. They are easy to use,fuel is always in stock at stores( pre event)and can be very cheap to purchase. There are other methods and means but this options gives you a semi portable way of cooking and even boiling water if need be that is easy to use for the 1st time "outdoor" chef!
Foods that are best to have are shelf stable items. These can range from the numerous can goods in the local super mart, dry goods( rice/pastas for example) or MRE style meals.By far the can goods for the local store will be the cheapest and offer a good shelf life. Something that will help if you are building a "hurricane" specific kit or box. These food items can be stored till next season if they are not used. Remember two things with can goods.
A good can opener and to rotate the can goods into your pantry as the best by/exp. dates near their end.
One thing to do as well is to make sure you eat your food in the freezer /refrigerator 1st . I say this because , well , because i am cheap. I dont want my steaks,fresh veggies or what have you going to waste becuase of no power. Plus to be honest. When the power is out and you can make a nice grilled chicken breast, with grilled veggies with garlic toast in foil on your little propane grill. Then your better half and you may finally get that few minutes of " wow....we made it...." and relax before dealing with the next days powerless adventures!
No matter what fuel/cooking method you use, make sure you have your food preps in place well before the storm arrives. Like your plan, you should have all of what you need ,well before the storm makes landfall. From what I have witnessed over the years is, that once a landfall area is announced you may have 24 hours to find what you need. After that your fighting the masses for supplies. Tempers flare over bare shelfs, guards are let down because of fatigue and stress .There is no need to put your safety in jeopardy in order to get a flat of noodles in a cup or that last can of chili! Have the food items in place as well as your plan when hurricane season starts.
stay tuned for part 2
delta.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Hike AAR
Well i want to thank all that showed up to the hike and those that helped with the base camp. I'd like to say that it went perfect. But nothing ever does right? Over all it was a great trip, the down fall was Sundays weather. We had a wide mix of people show up from young adults,women, and old timers! Everyone did awesome and did a great job. I am 100% sure everyone walked away with a better outlook on their gear and their physical abilities.
Those that missed the camp out,hike or day hike really did miss an excellent opportunity to network and test their gear. Hope to see many new faces at the next event!
Delta
Those that missed the camp out,hike or day hike really did miss an excellent opportunity to network and test their gear. Hope to see many new faces at the next event!
Delta
Friday, January 22, 2010
Central Florida Camp out
Well, well,well.....
It is that time again fellas. I have decided to change things up a bit. No we arent gonna plan on a 150f in the summer hike this year.
We are however gonna do one during a time when the weather is all nice a perfect for those who are climate control challenged.
Here is the gory details and then some....
Dates- March 20-21st
Location-
Florida trail, Ocala north section , Ocala national forest,Florida. Start point Juniper springs 9am .
Distance- total distance will equal to about 20 miles over a two day period.
support- as always we will have some sort of "base" camp for those wanting to camp with the creature comforts and to be our safety net.This normally is on a half way point or our end point for sat nights camp. The base camp will be located in an area that allows people to just show up Sat. mid day and mingle with other base campers or hikers as they come off the trail. As well as let those not wanting to hike to just camp and network. Folks may also set up at base camp and hike towards the main hiking group,making for a short 2-4 mile day hike vs the 8-10 miles.There is a rather large number of "preparedness" types in central florida, This would be a great time to network with those who are active in this area.
Now about the hike for those that have never been or want more info.
I have been hosting and co-hosting hikes on and off the web in the ONF since early 2003. Over the years we have grown from 2-5 core hikers to over 20 at one point. We have a well established base camp/support structure in place to keep track of us,pick up those wanting to day hike and or to ferry us all back at trips end and worse case rescue us from zombies.
There is no requirements for these hikes. You dont need fancy gear, you dont need to go the whole distance. day hikers are welcome as always.
Our goal for this hike is a little different than our previous ones. Normally we would aim for only going 5-6 miles the 1st day, 3 the next to be ferried back to the springs.
To be honest,while that is a nice walk it hinders the majority while catering to the minority. Our goal is to reach a pre assigned point, hook up with base camp, stay the night and hike back to our starting point on Sunday.To do this we will need to walk at the minimum 8 miles the 1st day. The positive of this is our position to a trail head. This will allow day hikers that only wish to walk a few hundred yards to meet/greet and network the chance to do so with the hikers and the base camp. This will also allow those not willing to hike the chance to camp out with everyone as well. There is a well known educational loop trail near by that connects to the FT close to where base camp will be for those wanting to shake down gear on their own or to just kill time until hikers arrive.
This will be a skill based hike. Meaning you will be on your own for the most part, or with others that can hold your pace or vice versa. Those that have backpacked know we all have a different pace. In hikes past this has caused issues. So to curb that.
People will all be given a map of the trail. I do however feel that you should have your own anyway ( you know being prepared and all) directions on where base camp should be, the chosen radio freqs for this event ( we will have both a HAM and frs/grms radio net up). This will let those with faster paces or lighter packs to continue without feeling bogged down by "slower" hikers. This will also let the non runners the chance to learn their pace,walk at their own speed and in general not feel pushed to "go so fast" . So as i said, it will be up to you to get to the base camp.This means if you haven't hiked before or walked farther than a mile you need to start preparing for it, but working out,pre testing your gear etc.
Of course as always we take safety precautions and will have runners, the radio net up, and more than likely there will be others that know the area mixed in with each pace group to help guide the way.
The terrain/trail. The above makes it sound harsh. But in reality it is not. This section of trail is the most maintained and used. Due to its closeness to trail heads, spurr trails and natural springs. Water sources are everywhere, and with the weather during that time of year. Dehydration issues should be a NON issue if folks are staying hydrated. expect typical Florida sand scrub habitat, the ever so dreaded sugar sand we cry about, wide open clear cuts/burn outs, deep lush oak hammocks and open pine flats. This is a nice hike for experienced hikers as well as new folks wanting to network or shake down their kits.
To make it easier and help me plan with the support side of this event. Please email me at flasurvival@hotmail.com any questions you may have.
further details will be posted as time goes on. Start prepping now if you plan to make this your 1st BOB shake down.This is the trip to do it while netwokring some of the most active people in the south east.
NOTE-
day hikers/base campers.
Please email me to confirm( head count reasons) if you are going to show.
Due to the closeness of the base camp to a trail head ,the general location of the base camp/actual trail head will only be emailed to those that confirm with me via email!
If you do not email me i will not be able to give you the information you will need to locate camp.
While some may take offense to this it is for the security of the base camp and our privacy- we are all survivalist and should all recognize the need for this step!!
It is that time again fellas. I have decided to change things up a bit. No we arent gonna plan on a 150f in the summer hike this year.
We are however gonna do one during a time when the weather is all nice a perfect for those who are climate control challenged.
Here is the gory details and then some....
Dates- March 20-21st
Location-
Florida trail, Ocala north section , Ocala national forest,Florida. Start point Juniper springs 9am .
Distance- total distance will equal to about 20 miles over a two day period.
support- as always we will have some sort of "base" camp for those wanting to camp with the creature comforts and to be our safety net.This normally is on a half way point or our end point for sat nights camp. The base camp will be located in an area that allows people to just show up Sat. mid day and mingle with other base campers or hikers as they come off the trail. As well as let those not wanting to hike to just camp and network. Folks may also set up at base camp and hike towards the main hiking group,making for a short 2-4 mile day hike vs the 8-10 miles.There is a rather large number of "preparedness" types in central florida, This would be a great time to network with those who are active in this area.
Now about the hike for those that have never been or want more info.
I have been hosting and co-hosting hikes on and off the web in the ONF since early 2003. Over the years we have grown from 2-5 core hikers to over 20 at one point. We have a well established base camp/support structure in place to keep track of us,pick up those wanting to day hike and or to ferry us all back at trips end and worse case rescue us from zombies.
There is no requirements for these hikes. You dont need fancy gear, you dont need to go the whole distance. day hikers are welcome as always.
Our goal for this hike is a little different than our previous ones. Normally we would aim for only going 5-6 miles the 1st day, 3 the next to be ferried back to the springs.
To be honest,while that is a nice walk it hinders the majority while catering to the minority. Our goal is to reach a pre assigned point, hook up with base camp, stay the night and hike back to our starting point on Sunday.To do this we will need to walk at the minimum 8 miles the 1st day. The positive of this is our position to a trail head. This will allow day hikers that only wish to walk a few hundred yards to meet/greet and network the chance to do so with the hikers and the base camp. This will also allow those not willing to hike the chance to camp out with everyone as well. There is a well known educational loop trail near by that connects to the FT close to where base camp will be for those wanting to shake down gear on their own or to just kill time until hikers arrive.
This will be a skill based hike. Meaning you will be on your own for the most part, or with others that can hold your pace or vice versa. Those that have backpacked know we all have a different pace. In hikes past this has caused issues. So to curb that.
People will all be given a map of the trail. I do however feel that you should have your own anyway ( you know being prepared and all) directions on where base camp should be, the chosen radio freqs for this event ( we will have both a HAM and frs/grms radio net up). This will let those with faster paces or lighter packs to continue without feeling bogged down by "slower" hikers. This will also let the non runners the chance to learn their pace,walk at their own speed and in general not feel pushed to "go so fast" . So as i said, it will be up to you to get to the base camp.This means if you haven't hiked before or walked farther than a mile you need to start preparing for it, but working out,pre testing your gear etc.
Of course as always we take safety precautions and will have runners, the radio net up, and more than likely there will be others that know the area mixed in with each pace group to help guide the way.
The terrain/trail. The above makes it sound harsh. But in reality it is not. This section of trail is the most maintained and used. Due to its closeness to trail heads, spurr trails and natural springs. Water sources are everywhere, and with the weather during that time of year. Dehydration issues should be a NON issue if folks are staying hydrated. expect typical Florida sand scrub habitat, the ever so dreaded sugar sand we cry about, wide open clear cuts/burn outs, deep lush oak hammocks and open pine flats. This is a nice hike for experienced hikers as well as new folks wanting to network or shake down their kits.
To make it easier and help me plan with the support side of this event. Please email me at flasurvival@hotmail.com any questions you may have.
further details will be posted as time goes on. Start prepping now if you plan to make this your 1st BOB shake down.This is the trip to do it while netwokring some of the most active people in the south east.
NOTE-
day hikers/base campers.
Please email me to confirm( head count reasons) if you are going to show.
Due to the closeness of the base camp to a trail head ,the general location of the base camp/actual trail head will only be emailed to those that confirm with me via email!
If you do not email me i will not be able to give you the information you will need to locate camp.
While some may take offense to this it is for the security of the base camp and our privacy- we are all survivalist and should all recognize the need for this step!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Got the Chills
Well the coldest day in central Florida is upon us according to the local media. Gasp, we may hit the mid twenties and even snow flurries!So i figured it would be a good time to go over some cold weather tips that are relevant to our AO.
Right now would be a good time to put any gear and yourself to the test. Even if it is in a controlled environment , like your back yard. This way you are near the "warmth" and safety of home before running out to the woods to freeze to death!
Florida is not known for it's cold weather. However we do see temps well into the 20 and 30F range yearly. As of later for over a week now.This leads to a notion that it is "never" cold here by some. Since we are a state is plagued by the constant influx of "northern" folks, they seem to always be the ones who have the most issues adjusting to our ever changing climate.
Cold weather clothing.
Wet is dead. Some say cotton, I like to keep it simple. Wet is dead. Always remember this when setting up your gear( BOB,line 2 ,GHB or home kit) and your clothing choices for outdoor activities. Your 1st line of defense against the cold is the base layer. This is the wicking layer that you wear closest to your skin. In my opinion if your being active outdoors ( hunting,camping,backpacking etc) you should go with a silk weight synthetic or actual silk base layer. These can be purchased everywhere, even places like target,walmart and online.
Your next layer is your insulating layer. This layer will change per the weather. You dont want to wear a 300+ wt fleece if its only 55f out and your going trail running! Again wet is dead. You want to have either a synthetic,down or poly/fleece layer here.Last is your outer shell. This can be made of gore tex,nylon, or similar brand fabrics. This is the layer that keeps the wind,rain and snow off of you. The whole set up should look like this when set up as an example.
base layer - silk weight pants and LS shirt
insulating layer- 200/300 fleece jacket
outer shell- gore tex jacket
You can opt out now days and buy a complete 3-4 way system already made from most outdoor clothing vendors or military surplus.
Layering is key to this whole system. What is it I have said already? Wet is dead. As your activity level raises you will then peel away layers to maintain a level that keeps perspiration to a minimum.
Camping when it is cold
Besides building a fire that can heat Uranus, you can do quite a few things to stay warm once you settle in for the night when it is cold. First off, again do not underestimate mother nature. A night with temps into the 60's may very well be your coldest night if you haven't prepared for it. To have a nice "warm" nights rest you should have the following gear.
sleeping bag- This bag should be rated to at least the avg winter temp of your AO. For Florida a 20f to 30 f bag should work. I personally would lean more towards the 20f bag. The reason behind this is that a bags rating is the max comfort rating for that bag over a 4-6 hour time period while in a tent on a ground pad. That is how they obtain their "comfort" rating. My comfort is different than your comfort. Which is why i recommend going lower in the rating and to be quite honest manufacturers tend to rate lower than what their bag can handle.In other words that 30 f may only be a 40f! The bag can be of any design and weight, but chose one that fits you (yes some are sized to the user) and your outdoor applications best. I wouldn't suggest a 9 lb two person -20f bag to fit on your Bug Out Bag if you get the drift.
Ground pad/sleep pad- This is a must no matter where you will be camping. The ground will suck the warmth right out of you. This pad can be of closed cell. Which will be the cheapest and lightest or an air pad/self inflating pad. Now that i am not 18 anymore i like the thermarest brand of self inflating pads. They are well made, light weight and are pretty darn comfortable when compared to a closed cell. Both work well, but have one,either one. If not you'll freeze.
Large inflatable mattresses- You all know these ones. The king sized use an air pump to blow them up types. These will not insulate you from the ground. The cold air and ground temps will radiate up into the mattress and right into you. I suggest you use a foam pad between you and the mattress or some sort of thermal barrier under the mattress and the ground.
clothing- See it comes up again. Wet is Dead.
Before you crawl into your -65f bag to battle the 30f temps. Make sure you put on dry clothing. This doesn't have to be 2 layers of sweat pants and shorts. In reality a dry silk weight base layer,dry socks and a watch cap will help you stay alot warmer than putting on 20 layers then laying down to sleep. Doing so only traps in your body heat and doesn't allow it transfer to the bag. The bag itself is a layer of clothing. It is your "insulating" layer when you compare it to you clothing system we spoke of earlier. Make sure you change into dry clothes!
Outer shell- Yes,even your sleep system should have one. This pertains more to those camping outdoors,in small bivy tents or under a tarp. You will want a barrier between you and the elements. Just like your clothing layers this layer should keep rain,wind etc . off you and your insulating layer. These can be simple bivys made of treated nylons and similar fabrics to fully water proof gore tex ones.Make sure it is breathable either way. Trapping in moisture between this layer and your bag means a wet bag and a cold camper!
Liners/systems- some folks like to add second bags,liners or use a 3-4 part sleep system to match the season. This is a good way to match any type of weather year round. The only downfalls i see is the weight factor when using such systems for backpacking or a bug out bag. But you can tailor these systems. For example. My "cold" weather set up is. Zero F rated slumberjack bag,50+f ultra light bag and h20 proof bivy bag. In spring/early summer i run the 50f rated UL bag, the bivy. In summer i run a poncho liner and 1.5 oz ripstop nylon "blanket". The one item that doesn't change is my ground pad! Just like your clothing it is all in layers that you can shed if need be per the season.
So layer up, get out there and test yourself and your gear. Some of the best camping and outdoor activities our state has to offer can be had over the next few months. You know before its 100F out and the bugs carry you away!
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