Arranging for bug-out camps is a complicated operation. It factors in a lot more than just throwing bug-out bags together and then starting your vehicle & taking off somewhere into the wild.
You have to create a comprehensive plan that includes where you plan to go, how you plan to go and get to a specific location even when the streets are thoroughly blocked.
You must consider how you are looking or planning to survive on your arrival at that location and accordingly collect all the things in advance, making your stay less inconvenient.
Ideally, we can all go out & purchase that cabin in the woods that we are looking to have. However, for many of us, that may not be possible.
The cost of such a retreat puts it in the category of something we may dream of instead of something we may aspire to endeavor.
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Why Should You Prepare One in Advance?
First, you require finding a location, according to which you can plan out your bug out camp. Your destination can be anything from public land to land owned by someone else who can permit you to explore.
Here is a list of items you must prepare or collect in advance to make your bug-out camp convenient.
Water Purifier
No matter where you go during a bug-out situation, you will require having a good and reliable water source, most probably a river or lake. Please do not plan whether the water is clean enough to be drinkable.
You require ensuring that you have some of the other means of purifying the water, which would make it safe for you and your family to drink.
Firewood
There are high chances that the weather will not be adequately cooperative when you plan on bugging out. Thus, you would have to create a better plan on how you plan on cutting wood and then burn it through winter.
Ideally, the place where you plan on camping should have numerous deadfalls lying around it, as you can put them into use.
Sewage
Many camping places fail to have an existing sewage system. Thus, you will require looking around to ensure whether it would be possible to dig a little hole into building an outhouse.
In case the ground is rocky, rugged, and challenging, you might have to face a hard time doing the digging.
Food Sources
No matter how much food you plan at stockpiling, you are sure to run out of it eventually. How is the fishing and hunting where you plan on going? Do they have edible plants growing in the region?
If not, then plan on going to a place with such resources present so that you can survive through it easily.
Tools
You will need tools to build things in a bug-out place. For example, you would require tools and equipment to dig holes. You should better ensure that you have something bigger than a tomahawk & wire saw and utilize them as necessary.
Stash in a few full-size tools along with the remaining of your cache. Think about whether you would require building a permanent shelter to protect yourself from external danger.
How to Choose Location?
The location of your getaway plays an important role during your camping. Here, we have listed the most necessary considerations for selecting a bug-out location when a disaster strikes.
Note that every item on your list considers what you require to keep yourself and your family completely safe.
Distance
Firstly, you would like to be far away from the town that you do not have to fret regarding dealing with a mass exodus that might come up eventually.
Yet, you would want it to remain close enough that you are not driving for days to get there. When the distance is concerned, you should factor in the transportation mode.
Their bug-out location should not be farther than sixty miles from the urban region for those on foot. Also, you would want a convenient and completely practical bug-out bag for the journey.
Those driving should ensure not to travel over the distance of one complete tank of their vehicle gas. If you require moving further, you should need adequate spare fuel along with you to get where you are willing to go.
Avoid counting on gas stations, which may not be very reliable in those regions.
Seclusion
Those planning for a bug-out site will not want their location to be easy to find. You require being off main roads & have excellent tree cover.
There must be adequate concealment so that if you are walking alongside any path, road, or railway track in the vicinity, you will be able to view your place at night or daytime. It means that light must not be visible.
The key is to get concealed from all senses. You require taking special and crucial care when it is about the fire. Smoke from the fire is visible from a long way off.
Thus, it is best to do so in the nighttime. As for cooking smells, they have the potential to travel for nearly a mile.
Hence, ensure to do your best to conceal such cooking smell in the nighttime when there is less chance for people to travel & use spices to a minimal extent.
Shelter
Precisely in what area are you going to stay?
Those who can purchase a remote property with a house or any cabin may be good. However, getting something in such remote areas would require you to buy land & build on it.
Those who find it unaffordable can consider living in tents. However, before you proceed, ensure to consider the climatic conditions even. Also, consider that you may take over a day to reach your bug-out location.
You need to be prepared for camping, irrespective of the season. Ensure warm clothes, shelter, and a sleeping bag if it is cold.
How You Can Get There
Here we are talking regarding the wheel. While we assume you already have considered your vehicle for bug out, the route to get there should even be clear in your mind. You require planning this way before.
Decide on at least 3 different routes to ensure your arrival and safe hideaway.
Major routes of yours may be roadways, which you can take when you can get out quickly. However, having backup routes other than the main roads can also be of great help.
In emergencies, main roads often are closed or patrolled by law enforcement.
As you want to avoid the occurrence of such events, ensure to turn your back on any route you think would get thoroughly clogged.
What Should Bug Out Camp Look Like?
Before we move towards the final wrap-up, let us quickly look at a few of the particular bug-out destinations that are ideal.
Such locations offer a remote, completely affordable property and cater to plentiful resources. Here are some considerations:
Appalachians
The Appalachian climate is comparatively temperate, and the land is completely cheap. There are numerous resources involving water and game, and hunting is one such way of living in such parts.
Also, there are several fertile grounds to grow crops. The key here is to know about the back roads before moving ahead with the SHTF event.
Various major highways are going through the Appalachians, which get clogged in a hurry. You will be required to get familiar with backways in your location.
Rocky Mountains
Like the Appalachians, the mountains are a little colder and snowy during wintertime. Montana, Colorado & Wyoming provide affordable land, various resources, hunting culture & simply obtainable building allowance.
Taking shelter in the mountains is a good choice for a bug-out camp.
Pacific Northwest
It is a bit costly to buy property in Oregon and Washington states, but it is worthwhile if you can.
Such states have completely fertile land, full of natural resources, less populated, have hunting culture, and even have anti-government sentiments.
However, before moving to this place, prepare for rain & potential earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
The Dakotas
South and North Dakota are good places for bug-out camps. These places are less densely populated than other states, with numerous unoccupied land and lesser major cities.
Also, they have solid hunting culture, several resources, and fertile land for growing food.
However, you must be prepared to deal with the winter climate & potential for tornadoes thoroughly. It is wise to opt for a less susceptible county to tornado activity.
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Such southern states do not have any concern about winters. They contain various secluded regions where bug-out travelers can set up their camp and live there until they find a safer place to live.
You can use the natural resources and make your stay comfortably manageable.
Wrapping Up
Planning out on your own to bug out for a destination along with family is a great choice. While opting for such decisions may seem challenging, planning for a proper bug-out camp can make things fall in the correct place.
Thus, follow the above-given suggestions to have a safe and happy bug-out camp alone or with family.
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