And I learned how weak my preps were.
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Having read on another thread here of some of you guys staging unscheduled BO tests to check your gear, I decided to do the same.
Wednesday night, six PM, go time! Logged off the computer and grabbed my boots. Took me a half hour to assemble everything (except longarms - gotta make exceptions for legal safety - in case of encountering LEO) - gotta work on that! Too long!
Got the gear loaded on the BO vehicle, my KLR bike. Basic scenario is to get to a not-too-near "safe AO" for a rally point.
Motored down the road, turned down another road - in five minutes, I am in the woods. I motored about ten miles into the National Forest - far enough from town for immediate safety from the rioting masses (simulated).
I thought . . .
I managed to make my way into the trees, easing between them to a point well out of sight of the waterhole I decided to camp near. No visible game trails - don't want to meet Brer Bear or Wile E. Coyote in the dark of night.
I had thought this AO would be a good rally point for a team or Bug Out Group. Gotta rethink it, as you'll see.
Parked the bike, and made camp. Used my 2.5lb. SG bivy tent again, and a GI sleep pad and GI wool blanket. Too warm this night for a sleeping bag. Used my esbit stove to brew up a quick cup of instant Java.
Settled in to await the dark.
This was Full Moon Night - the moon came up very bright - could read a map by the light! I also kept hearing traffic, about a car an hour ALL night long, on the gravel part of the closest forest road - thought I was further than that! Driving on gravel is LOUD!!
Sleep came in fits and bits - I awoke every hour or so, often due to the vehicle traffic - dang it, I thought I was 'remote'! Note to self - gotta get way farther away from the bigger dirt roads!!
Mosquitoes were buzzing, mostly outside the mesh of the bivytent. Found a weak point - with my size, the top of the mesh rested on my body - the buggers got me thru the screen! Note two to self - wear a long sleeve shirt and pants to bed! And carry more bug juice.
Later that night, dew got heavy - so I slid the partially secured rainfly all the way down. Made it warmer inside too - I was using the GI blanket for a pillow. Another hour or so - I had to use the blanket - got cooler than I expected. Used clothing as a pillow. Had a stiff neck in the morning.
Note three - pack a travel pillow with the sleep roll.
Didn't hear any close critters this time, unlike last time I camped near here. Few bugs either, except the skeeters. I did watch a large web spider doing his web-crawling down from a pine tree - made me think of Robert the Bruce.
Had the CZ52 loaded and chambered in case of unannounced visitors - 2 or 4-legged.
Finally rolled out about 7AM, just as the sun is coming up. Stiff, not a good restful night - but learned some lessons! I loaded up and motored back home.
So, the forest is busier, Humanwise, at night than I had thought - must keep that in mind! Especially as we are fast approaching hunting season.

At least you learned how to improve on your bugout.

Thanks for the post.

That's the way you learn, besides it sounded like my idea of fun too.

I might suggest, motorcycle, add a small inflatable mattress. That will greatly improve your nights rest and they don't take up much room. By the cheapones unless you like patching alot. I use them then trash them.

On foot, I use a Thermorest Ridgerest foam. I sometime just strap it down on a bike too with a little paracord.

Tj

Noise tends to travel much farther at night, giving the observer the impression the person/object making the noise is much closer then it actually is.

Hills, valleys and uneven wooded or forested areas also play with noise.

In my occupation (non-military) I've sat up on areas at night and been totally convinced that I was within 50 yards of a noise only to learn later during daylight that I was more like 250 yards.

Sounds in all like you had a very good Bug Out Drill, learned a few things too.

makes me want to do it myself! good post!



Indy

Great post, interesting expirement with great results. If anything a BO test will take out some of the wondering and apprehension of the first night of the actual SHTF BO. Thanks for sharing.

I do this monthly.
You must constantly change your gear for the seasons.
I live in the northern part of CANADA and the seasons are always changing.
Caching is also a good idea, less time packing certain things.
(Don't put all your eggs in one basket!)

Have fun
tacdriver

Looksike a great idea. I'll work on this one too this week.

Testing your skills and your gear before you need them is absolutely the way to go. Good Job.

I chuckled reading the account. So you went camping on a whim and tossed and turned? It's funny how the names of things change to make them sound far more serious as we age.

I change my gear for the seasons but I have never completed a B.O. test. I need to complete one on the fly to see were I stand and need to improve!

Very nice idea. I think the Mrs. and I will need to give our system a bit of a try as well

Thanks for the post.