The other day, I was in Smith’s grocery store and the power went out. It stayed out for a few minutes and I could feel the tension building among the other customers. I had my light out and was going about my business, but others were wondering. After a few minutes, the lights came back on and all was good. But it got me thinking: What if today was the day?
Earlier today, news broke that Iran had successfully hacked and shut down a UK power plant. They’re not even at war with the UK, but it was a “proof of concept” attack that validated their ability to do it. This brought me back to: What if today was the day?
…then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.
Ezekiel 33:4
I know, we all like to pretend on the internet that we are all modern-day minute men and ready to go at a moment’s notice – ready to walk out the door and follow in the grand footsteps of Max Rockatansky (bonus points if you get that reference) and wander the wastelands righting wrongs as we go. The truth is that if I am not at home, I am not as ready as I would be if I was already at home.
Sure, I have my get home bag and my ‘bail-out” bag, but could I honestly expect to make the 60-mile journey home over the mountains into my little valley retreat? What if I was being pursued and needed to evade? If I’m being honest, probably not.
My Get Home Bag was set up when I was still in Michigan, and it is geared towards moving across an urban landscape. I have been remiss in changing it over to survive and evade in bear country. Not only are bears a serious risk here, so are mountain lions and wolves. The main compromise I made was swapping out a 5.56, which is great for urban use, for a 7.62×39 (heavier round for brush penetration and for shock power against large animals) as the truck gun (Montana is a Free State).
While there is plenty of water on my routes, I am changing up my water plan. I don’t so much need the sillcock key out here, and since water is so available, I can reduce the amount I need to be able to carry. I’m switching to carrying a pair of Grayl GeoPress bottles for rapid filling along the way. The GeoPress is great because I can drink right from the filtration bottle after filling on the go, without needing to stop for boiling or waiting 30 minutes.
Since we are talking elevation and colder nighttime temperatures, even in summer, my shelter needs an upgrade. I have already swapped this out to a Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll. It’s a combination poncho and poncho-liner that you can either wear like an insulated poncho or zip up into a sleeping bag. Mine is reversible from Pencott Wildwood to Pencott Arctic Zone.
Food generally won’t be an issue here, as there are berries and fish or game year round, very easily harvested. However, I’ve added some AquaGard tubes for my use to supplement sugar and electrolytes, as mountain movement will deplete my stores quickly. Extra snare wire and fishing line don’t cost any more weight.
I already upgraded my first aid kit, based on a fall I took at Glacier National Park last year. I’ve added SAM splints and extra bandaging material in case of strains or sprains. I know, I know, you’ve all taken Stop The Bleed and TCCC and think you’re good because you’ll only get gunshot wounds, but ask yourself this: How many times have you been in a gunfight and then how many times have you fallen down? Prepare for what is likely in your AO. Be ready for mundane yet debilitating injuries.
Take a Wilderness First Aid Course. We have one coming up here at Camp Ponderosa in Swan Lake, MT next month with our friends from Mobile Outdoor Skills Training. Register here: https://site.corsizio.com/event/6a6bdb816905bd52ffdd6a65
I also carry a pair of reusable flashbangs from Hoplitegear.com. These aren’t for people, but for bears. If I can discourage a bear, I’d rather do that than shoot him. Not because I have a soft spot for bears, but because a sure fire way to draw in a Grizzly bear is to kill a black bear and let the Grizzlies smell that fresh blood. Montana is rife with incidents of freshly shot deer and elk drawing in Grizzlies.
One that note, the first change I made when I moved here was ALWAYS carrying a red smoke grenade. Search and Rescue is a thing out here and the state patrols for fire awareness from helicopters and fixed wing assets. Having the ability to generate what is obviously man-made emergency signalling visibile from the air is VITAL.
After the last NC Scout RTO course here, I started keeping my GMRS/MURS Jungle Antenna by The Laser Ham in the Get Home Bag. NC Scout and I got over 22 miles on a Baofeng digital radio (DM-32UV) using one. Out here, radio comms are an everyday thing, as phone service is already very spotty. In an emergency it will be even more crucial.
By the way, NC Scout is holding his RTO, Advanced RTO and SIGINT courses here in just a few weeks. Get registered so that he knows you are coming and doesn’t cancel the class due to low numbers. It costs money to travel. Register here: https://brushbeater.store/product-category/training-courses/
Combat Studies Group is also holding a 3-Day CQB Level 2 couse and a one day Hard Target Traveler Course here while NC Scout is here. Register at: https://combatstudiesgroup.blogspot.com/
Evaluate your gear and get home plans. Make the necessary adjustments, as the world is edging closer and closer to a global cyber conflict that will impact your life in a hurry.
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