Two tools: a hex-shaft flathead screwdriver that will fit in an ignition lock, and a BMF set of Vise-Grips. Like the commercial says, vroom, vroom, vroom.
I walked 27 miles once. I was so sore that I couldn’t walk at all the next day, On a bicycle I can do 50 in a day on flat ground. I rode across the state of Florida on a horse in a week, about 20 miles or so a day, Walking , especially carrying something sucks. I have a railroad that runs though my property. I know where it goes and there are no really dangerous neighborhoods along it for 50 miles to the south and probably 100 to the north, at least I wouldn’t get lost.
25 miles a day is a good clip. If your going to walk make sure and take care of your feet. Are you going to be sore yes, after a couple of days your body will adjust.
Drink lots of water care for your feet and don’t let the chaffing and blister get you down.
I say a homeless guy walking outside of BendOregon last week. Two days later on my way home I saw the same guy. He had covered around 60 to 70 miles in that period.
To watch this guy walk you would think he was walking two miles an hour. Yet covered vastwq distances.
Lots to learn from guys like him. He carried a Pepsi bottle for water a nasty lite bed roll and a small bag .
DW
Wait this was in OR . . .
He didn’t happen to carry a big knife and answer to the name of John Rambo did he?
Serioulsy though, you are right. The average American would be sunk with out their wheels. We take for granted how much we depend on our faithful automobiles.
So you’re not interested in joining my heavy-class team for the 2013 Bataan Death March, then?
Think Rambo was over in Astoria on the Columbia river. This old guy seems to walk from my town to bBend, then turns around and walks back. I’ve seen him multiple times over the years.
I used to stop and give him food and water. Over the years he has gotten odder and odder. The interesting thing is he is always smiling and happy.
Regarding hiking/packing we used to do a lot of back packing. 20 miles a day is reasonable. That’s with swim breaks and other side adventures. Packs were generally in the 35/40 pound range.
You might walk for 12/14 hours but it’s a reasonable pace with lots of leisure time. Used to love stopping kicking my boots off and watching the clouds drift by.
DW
Slight hijack… I’ve been upping my miles and terrain lately, and considering making the trip to the Bataan memorial march. Is that as much fun as it looks?
“Fun” is such a subjective term.
I haven’t been yet. I do have some experience with long-ass forced marches. There are a few guys I know who are talking about doing a team in the Heavy Civilian class - it doesn’t look like anyone even did that last year.
I would like to be in a chase car that follows those crazy fuckers who finished first and second in Heavy Military this year. 26 miles in four fucking hours and change, under full LBE and ruck? I was a pretty tough kid in my 20s but I have to admit that’s harder than woodpecker lips. It’s not often I look at something and say, “There’s no fucking way I could do that,” but there’s no fucking way I could do that, even if you trained me for three years and then strapped a rocket to my ass. I couldn’t have done that when I was 18 and fresh out of the BSB.
ETA: Jesus…the dude who won Military Heavy individual is only two years younger than me. I think I should shut the fuck up now.
This is somethin I have been waiting to see for a VERY long time.
I walk daily since my license has been suspended…for the past 3 years. I love it.
My phone has a pedometer on it and the ONLY time it isn’t counting, is at work or at home. I average about 6-7 miles daily…Walking at work does NOT count!!! Your heart rate is not up!!!
Wen. I’m walking to and from work, I have my backpack which holds my computer, several changes of socks, chargers for my phone and computer. Camera. An extra shirt. My EDC light, a backup light. My two spare mags and pistol. And some other things. It’s roughly 20 pounds.
I have friends that own upwards of 12 pistols, revolvers and semi-autos. The ammo for them AND mags for 3+ calibers would make walking near impossible.
Add your primary rifle, mags, ammo, your sleeping gear and bags, food, water, etc…and you’re gonna make it a few miles MAYBE.
I have a few friends that call me unprepared due to the fact I keep it at BARE minimum or survival.
I own two G17s and my rifles. I have two separate calibers and ALL my mags are interchangeable.
When I see other peoples “bug out” bags, I’m. Thinking. NOT
Gotta love the DUI.
Hell no. I don’t have ANYTHING alcohol related. I barely drink.
It was for driving on suspension. For a letter that was mailed to an address I hadn’t lived at for years
Long distance walking with even a light pack needs to be trained for by anyone who is serious about being able to pack it out of a hot zone and make it to a area of safety more then 50 miles away.
The most important area that must be addressed is a proper pair of broken in walking shoes or boots and the right type of socks. These will help to prevent sores and blisters of the feet and will help the legs to be less fatigued.
My family goes for a power walk every day coving three miles by simply walking around a large playground several times. It helps to keep us in shape and our feet conditioned for distance walking.
Now once a month we go for a hike with a light pack (5lbs for kids and 10lbs for adults) thats 10 miles through Fairmount park walking off path up and down hills just to keep things real and to show the kids a bit of local nature.
Another thing we can do is to keep the kids active by building stamina with sports like soccer or joining a track team at school and adults can hit the tread mill or join a gym.
Many people think walking is the easiest thing and that they can cover long distance without issue. Many will be rudely awaken when the time comes to do so especially if you have children.
Plan and train now or hurt later.
I’ll tell you the answer, it depends. How bad is the emergency and does it inhibit your travel (flood, forest fires, zombie hordes)? How many displaced people are there along your route with the same idea? How involved are the authorities, local gangs, terrified and desperate citizens wanting to keep away said hordes?
A huge difference between say California or Alaska. Weather can be a killer as well.
An ambush is very possible along any road, RR track, waterway or makeshift camp for whatever you “might have” in that BOB you’re packin. Any visible weapon would also be a lure for somebody desperate enough.
Some areas will be safe with people working together and others may have Bandits or strict martial law. There are no guarantees and your street smarts/training and attitude is what you will need to depend on.
More food for thought: Consider ground composition. Walking X amount of miles on blacktop is different than walking the same distance on regular dirt or grass. I can walk farther, more comfortably on the latter than the former.
THat would work on old cars, but on newer models if the security module does not get the proper signal from the proper key, no vroom vroom.
Why does everybody think they are going to have to walk home?
Perhaps its more an exercise “in case they have to walk home”?
I know I like to plan/think about every possible scenario and this site helps me gain insight into situations I had not considered.
Here in SoCal, a very likely scenario is a large quake. Roads/freeways may become impassable. And considering the amount of time you spend at work, odds are fair an emergency will happen while away from home. Many worry about being stuck in traffic away from the house and consider rucking it a viable option.
"Hope for the best, plan for the worst . . . "
On 9/11 office workers on Manhattan had to walk home. No trains, taxis, buses, etc. were running.
Driving is a perk; we take for granted the conveyance of the miles covered on our daily commutes in automobiles.
This.
Walking on smooth hard surfaces is MUCH easier. The softer the surface the more difficult, like snow or sand or tall grass or mud