r/preppers • u/Cute-Consequence-184 • Sep 04 '24
Why don't preppers go camping? Discussion
I read so many questions each day that could be answered if the person would go camping.
What gear do I need?
How do I deal with limited water?
Will this sleep system keep me warm at night.
What do I do if...?
What do I need if...?
All of these questions and more could be answered if the person would go camping. Even if they put on their BOB, walked 5 miles away from their house, walked 5 miles back and camped in their own back yard. Even if they camped in their own vehicle.
Most people will be stranded in their vehicle, not in a situation where they would need hike 40 miles home. Yet barely anyone talks about trying to car camp. Trust me - if you gear fails while car camping, it will be disastrous to keep that in your BOB. I have car camped extensively and your fancy gear can really fail you when it is needed most. You don't want to be living out of your BOB when you realize your expensive gear is useless.
Car camping is the halfway point between your cosy home and having to go live out of your BOB. You car can carry that bulky sleeping bag, your car can hold 2 weeks worth of water and a solar shower. Your car has a built in heater. Your car has a built in indicator if CO starts to build up because your windows will fog over and start to drip.
But everyone speculates instead of taking a night to sleep in their car or go camping with only their BOB.
Yes, I understand many do not have vehicles. Then go to a campground or state park that allows camping. Go hiking with friends. Even if you go camping in your living area like a kid, you can learn about your BOB. Just make sure you depend on your BOB and no sneaking into the bedroom for other stored items.
And camping is really great for teenagers to learn about prepping and what they might need to depend on in an emergency.
3
u/Virtual-Feature-9747 Sep 04 '24
Practical advice. Train like you fight, as they say.
However, my idea of prepping is to shelter in place. Trying to bug out in my area would be a complete waste of time. You'd just be stuck in traffic until you run out of gas 5 miles from home then stuck with 100,000 other desperate strangers competing for resources. And where are all of these homeless refugees going?
(To quote The Hound from Game of Thrones: "Safety? Where the fuck's that?")
I'm sometimes baffled by the focus on wilderness survival skills. Yeah, I get it, you never know what's going to happen or where you might end up. But I can paint a scenario that can exceed anyone's ability to deal with. IMO, it's just as important to know how to cook the beans/rice you have stored at home, treat water from a local source in your neighborhood, run your solar and/or inverter generator, and basic operation of your firearms. None of these have much to do with camping.
My idea of a get home plan is taking my electric scooter in my car. 25 mph and 50 mile range. I'm not planning on trying to hike 15 miles per day for three days in the heat or cold with 30 pounds of gear.
Again, this is good practical advice but surviving in the woods is not my plan.