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Borrego
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 09:36am
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Quoting: beachman When SHTF there will be no access as all communications will be lost.
How am I gonna talk to my cabin forum buddies then? 
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 09:56am
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I'm doing research right now on "back in the day". 'bout 200 years BC. When you see that an army of 15,000 could comb a huge area and clean it right out. All the preppin' and ammo ain't gonna do it if 200 million smart, organized, hungry people come pouring out of the cities.
I would imagine we'll be awful busy teachin' folks how to farm, cut wood, build simple shelters etc to worry about much else.
And I'm way too lazy for that. Keep 'em penned up in the concrete corrals I say.
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Borrego
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 10:51am
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Quoting: creeky 200 million smart, organized, hungry people come pouring out of the cities.
Well that's just it.....if you look at any of the supposed scenarios, most of the well educated people will be wiped out by the predatory types that are not likely be either smart or organized. And they will not last long without food, not long enough to get to either of my places at least....
I believe this will be an accurate assessment.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 12:51pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: beachman How many have copied this forum and other details to a hard drive? When SHTF there will be no access as all communications will be lost.
I can not lose all communications, mine uses no infrastructure. If you are a ham radio operator with a general class license or higher, you have the ionosphere, you can always communicate. 
I have already communicated with several hams in here via the ham radio, ie bassjam, dillio to name a few.
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 02:18pm
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Just saw an interview with Ted Koppel on PBS about his new book " Lights Out". It's about the probability of a cyber attack on the power grid.
Very interesting.
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 03:24pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Even Ralphy from "Christmas Story" is a prepper now.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2015 05:09pm
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The only "national" threat I can think of is the Yellowstone Caldera. Everything else that could happen is localized and recoverable.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 4 Nov 2015 07:04am
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Guess I'm more of a 'what's fer dinner' guy, than a prepper.
Used to worry about certain things.
Called it long range planning.
Thing is, it took a large part of my time, my waking hours.
Missed a lot of the present.
A lot.
Sometime, around the time I joined this crowd of carousing cabiners (of which is over five years ago now...about 6% of an active life) I had some chats with myself.
It kinda spread into this forum.
Y'see, I'd found that living for the future turns into living in the future, and I'd missed a lot of good stuff.
Swore I wouldn't do that....anymore.
And if things like the Yellowstone Caldera, or hordes of harassing haranguers, or grid interruptions are the worries of today, so be it.
We just went to Costco.
We've got coffee....and a huge jar of peanut butter.
An excerpt from the beginning of what is now a very dormant thread;
Where ya Goin?
It seems the longer one hangs around, the more philosophical one becomes.
For (seemingly) ever I've been a self-driven drone, slogging to work, seizing the week-ends, and generally looking forward, letting the present get by without savor.
Of late, I've taken the time to look around a bit. Where is everyone going, and why the hurry?
Ever watch people's faces as they pass in front of you while at a stop light?
They look intent, serious about getting somewhere, mad at traffic, distracted to the environment around them with the exception of the cars within reach of their bumpers.
The oxymoronic term 'rush hour' is a prime example, but the better vantage point is from a bridge or office window, observing the thousands of cars that whoosh by every hour of every working day on every freeway.
Why the hurry?
Seems a form of intense, subconscious insanity, acceptable only because the numbers favor.
It's not as evident if you are in the stream of traffic.
You are them, jockeying for position, drafting, 'getting ahead', winning Indy or Daytona,
or singing blithely to the stereo, oblivious to Dale Jr in your rear view mirror,
or scared as hell, slowing down on on-ramps, signaling out of context, fervently thanking God for delivering you to work and home yet another day,
or you're the freeway zombie, staring ahead, glazed eyes, two knuckles deep in mid-procedure of a major boogerectomy.
One time, years ago now, I was stuck in downtown traffic.
It was hot.
I was in a hurry.
Lights were heedless.
Some idiot right behind me was laying on his horn.
BEEP BEEP BEEP-BAHBEEP BEEEEEEEEP
My mind exploded!
'I'm gonna crush his f---ing skull!'
I put it in neutral, set the hand brake, flung open the door.
Without focusing on the mouth breather behind me (not caring really), I flip him off, expecting (hoping for) some action.
It was the pastor.....and his family..... happy to see me smiles, fading.
An early lesson ignored....too young.
So here I am, on the off ramp.
Happier than I've been in a while.
Not so restless with myself.
Where are you?
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 4 Nov 2015 10:21am
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Good one GaryO!
Yes one can certainly get caught up in this stuff....a fine line between being prepared and being obsessed.......
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RichInTheUSA
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 07:19am
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Interesting thread... I'd call myself a prepper and don't have any shame about it. As for the term "prepper", it's unfortunate that a few shows on TV have set the tone of extremism. Somewhere in the middle is fine, but doing nothing is dangerous.
I think the biggest concern in the US is that the financial system will collapse, which will then cause the supply chain to halt, which will then cause civil unrest. I hope not, but it seems the most likely.
It's hard to tell if we will have inflation, de-flation, or bi-flation. Nobody really knows. Bi-flation is a term used when some items go way up in price (such as food), where others go way down.
I read that the average household has $7,500 in credit card debt? (source: federal reserve) And if you just consider people with balances (as many pay their cards off each month), then those folks have an average balance of $16K. Whoahh!!!! Talk about being unprepared! I'm sure this is some of you too, so I mean disrespect.
Anyhow, one concern I have is not being able to get out of the metropolitan area I live in to get to my cabin. As a result, I think I need preps in both locations to some degree.
As for my land... I'm learning about edible plants as well as forest farming. (I've been eating buffalo berries all summer!!). I'm planning a garden, as well as want to plant more fruit trees, and get into beekeeping.
I've also taken up hunting in the last few years, just so i know how to do it successfully, and also how to process the meat.
Get started, slowly increase... but don't do nothing!
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 09:42am
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Quoting: RichInTheUSA Anyhow, one concern I have is not being able to get out of the metropolitan area I live in to get to my cabin. As a result, I think I need preps in both locations to some degree.
Yes, I am doing this as well....
(I think you meant 'no disrespect' above 
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Purplerules
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 11:24am - Edited by: Purplerules
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I think most on this forum are prepared to some degree, most may not want to advertise per say. It just makes good sense to have a back up plan.
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beachman
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 02:12pm
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I am not really prepared as I do not have my solar system up completely the way I want it. I would be concerned (if I really gave it a lot of thought) that the road I use to get to my camp would be impassable or riddled with robbers - drop a tree down on the road and take everything you have. I do have many skills and I think if pressed, I could put them to good use. The only way society has every thrived or even survived is some sort of reliance on each other to some extent. I think that would be true when SHTF.
Gary O - there is a lot of truth to your post about the "rush". But - I guess I'd be a little perturbed if I was lying on a gurney bleeding to death and a doctor decided it was a nice day to stroll to work. Sometimes the "rush" is necessary but not at the expense of putting others in danger - including yourself for being too stressed. Good post - made me think about my own situation. Fun to think about as long as it doesn't really happen.
I too have coffee and peanut butter. I would stop feeding the birds and eat the seed. Fart shells at the intruders.
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LoonWhisperer
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 02:40pm
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As a "moderate prepper" myself I find this to be a very interesting thread. 
Living in Canada's largest city I tend to side more with the bug-in philosophy and stock accordingly. If things really went south it would be very difficult to navigate out of here. That said, if there was a viable option to get to my cabin I would definitely take advantage of it.
My focus now is on improving my food and water supply both at the house and on our acreage. We just purchased an Aerogarden to grow veggies indoors during the winter and so far so good.
Good thought Rich about forest farming. Going to look into that as well.
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RichInTheUSA
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 07:40pm
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whoops... I did mean "no disrespect".
As for Forest Farming... check out the book http://farmingthewoods.com/ by Mudge.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 08:58pm
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Quoting: beachman Gary O - there is a lot of truth to your post about the "rush". But - I guess I'd be a little perturbed if I was lying on a gurney bleeding to death and a doctor decided it was a nice day to stroll to work. Sometimes the "rush" is necessary but not at the expense of putting others in danger - including yourself for being too stressed. Good post - made me think about my own situation. Fun to think about as long as it doesn't really happen.
Heh, my musings are never meant for all occasions.
It's just that I found, in my later years, that it helps to ratchet down, step back, even 'stroll' when the time presents itself.
I've been a bit manic throughout my life.
Not so, anymore.
Compels me to share in my introspections, and findings.
Laughed at this, hard;
Quoting: beachman I too have coffee and peanut butter. I would stop feeding the birds and eat the seed. Fart shells at the intruders.
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Salty Craig
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 09:36pm
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Being prepared is a broad subject. Prepared for what?
Famine: we can and stock pile. Check
Zombie attack: I have hollow points. Check
Nuke: not ready. Will be toast
Collapse of economy: I have precious metals and barter items. Check
Snack attack: PB&J, there's a thread about that. Check
Ticked off wife: earplugs and cabin. Check
Caliphate: bacon. Check
EMP: I hate my phone. Don't care. Check
Death: when not if. I'm ready. Check
A goofy response from Gary O: can't wait. Check
Salty
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 10:15pm
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Quoting: Salty Craig A goofy response from Gary O: can't wait. Check
I do what I can...
(Oh sure, Salty, goad me on....been a cherub since my last deleted post
......pretty sure)
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Julie2Oregon
Member
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# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 12:01am
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I'm not a "prepper." I find the term to be rather nebulous and confusing because I wouldn't know for what I'm "prepping." To be sure, different disasters require different planning, yeah? If the disaster is nuclear or in any way radioactive, then you can kiss farming goodbye because the land and water would be contaminated, assuming, of course, that you yourself survive(d). If we're invaded/there's a major war on our homeland, then it's a matter of defending one's property from an army that wants your supplies and such. Good luck. If it's economic, then we're looking at a barter system. That's probably the best chance the most "preppers" would have because it would be the shortest-term disruption.
If there's one thing I've learned in my five decades, it's that I can decide what I want to do and make choices for myself, but I can't predict how the country will go or how people will act/react. My thing is to live purposefully, simply, authentically. I already do, to some degree, but I want to live even more true to my values and what I deem important.
I appreciate technological advances, of course, but I believe they should be kept in perspective and used well, for good. Not to make slaves or zombies of people, which I think is happening. I have WTH moments every time I see people camped out overnight to get the latest I-Phone and then being high-fived after spending big bucks as if they are heroes or accomplished something. I appreciate conveniences but not at the expense of using my mind and skills. I like people well enough but I prefer real community and real relationships -- not the superficial interactions that some call "friendships" now.
I love nature and hate what's being done to it.
So for whatever remains of my life, I want to live "real." I fear that people are losing touch with the skills, abilities, and expectations we once had. Growing food, being more self-sufficient for basic needs, making use of things and not being a "disposable" society, living less-complicated and more hands-on lives, realizing our interconnectedness as people and with nature. That's what motivates me. We've forgotten how to do too many things that need to be kept alive, in our human knowledge and memory.
I really love what you wrote, GaryO! It's so true and full of wisdom.
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AK Seabee
Member
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# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 12:27am
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An interesting read.
"Prepping" is common sense for most folks. The question is "what" are we preparring for? Some money in the bank to ride out hard times or health expenses? A cord or two of extra wood for a longer than normal winter? The list doesn't stop.
I would say all of the above and more. As far as natural disasters, earthquakes are a huge possibility in Alaska. A lot of folks here prep for earthquakes.
Some simple questions to ask. Are your preps going to ride out the quake and do you have an alternate plan?Personally I dont know the answer to the first question and although I have an alternate location to ride out an event; can I make it to that location (cabin)?
One mountain road in and seven bridges on that road. Will the road and bridges survive?
You can admit it or deny it but the truth is most all humans are "preppers" in one way or another.
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rockies
Member
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# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 07:26pm
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I always liked that "Alone in the Wilderness" show on PBS. The one thing he was always conscious of was the fact that all he had to do was slip and break a leg up on the mountain and he'd be long dead before anyone even knew.
What will you be doing about medical emergencies and dental? Eyesight? Infections?
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 12:18am
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OK, here's the deal;
Cabi is the prepper here in our two man outfit.
She, not so secretly, hopes for some sorta apocalyptic event.
She'd be quite content if we had to grub for grubs, and just had a pot hangin' over a camp fire to put 'em in.
She's stopped mentioning squirrels and their various edible parts, but I know, down deep inside, it could happen.
I worry about this from time to time.
I'm serious here.
The day could easily come where I'd sit to a bowl of 'stew meat', and she'd be wolfing down whatever it was, wiping up the remnant drippings with gruelified dinkelbrot, then intently watch me taking careful bites...'do you like it?'
'Yeah, sorta, what is it?'
'Stew meat'
'What kinda stew meat?'
'Oh, just this and that'
'Haaaaay, whatever happened to those skunk guts?'
I, on the other hand, have these inherent cravings for what I've come to cherish as normal.
Contrary to what we're currently doing out here, I have certain standards within my psyche.
And I'll work night and day to attain and keep those standards.
Due to the number of pages it would take to name all these areas, I'll just keep it at food.
'Meat' for me is cow, pig, fish or bird.
Of these, gizzards, hooves, hearts, brains, tongues, lips, noses, spleens, gall bladders, duodenums, intestines (large or small) and all those other goodies near the crotch area, do not exist in my dining world.
They are merely things to carefully remove and keep away from meat.
I've learned, however, thru cabi's diligence, that the odd vegetables taste quite good.
Not that I'd prefer them over a trip thru the drive up, but I could do it, and should do it, and would do it...if I had to.
I guess the even more basic question that goes thru my mind is......what if, what if there really was some event, some event that drove us to a remote retreat, to a mode of basic survival?
No matter how much we stocked up, how much stuff we stashed away, there would be a huge chasm of emptiness.
An enormous void.
A barrenness within.
Because
We are a social specie.
And, after the dust settled, I'd like to think, you...and I, would come down from that remote place, and start anew.
Y'all would be invited to my place.
Who knows what cabi would have brewed up in that cauldron....
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 06:24am
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LOL Gary, you always manage to make me grin...
Maybe time for you to build a Rabbit Hutch or two and a Chicken coup with a nice big run for them... Remove Gabi's temptations for Squirrel Stew or Gopher Fricassee.
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Mzmizery
Member
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2016 06:40pm
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Military survival manual has free download for offline access. Much info
Google it
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1tentman
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2016 01:26pm
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Gary O
You are missing out on some of the finer things in life.
Gizzards-chicken gizzards fried with a little horseradish and ketchup awesome
hearts and tongues- beef is really good after you boil them ,makes great sandwiches sliced.
brains - there is nothing better than a pork brain sandwich with mustard
intestines- you have to save those and clean them what are you going to stuff your sausage and brats in.
You mention crouch parts there is nothing better than a good old beef or pork nut fry.
You sure you or a real outdoorsman not wanting to eat any of this LOL.
Keep your wife around it sounds like she wont let you go hungry.
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Cowracer
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:03pm
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The following is just my opinion. Yours may vary. You will be unable to change mine as much as I will be able to change yours:
Society hasn't broken down yet. It aint gonna do it while in my, or my kids or grandkids lifetimes. Packing Bug-out bags everywhere you go? Building a Bug-out vehicle? Teaching your kids how to reload ammo? pshaw. I have better things to do with my life than any of that.
Remember how psycho some people got around y2k? People stockpiling food and gas and ammo for the collapse when all the computers shut down And how did that turn out? (other than me getting some SERIOUS deals on barely used chain saws and generators in spring of 2001)
Naw... 'prepping' is not worth my effort.
Tim
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:51pm
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Quoting: Cowracer Society hasn't broken down yet. It aint gonna do it while in my, or my kids or grandkids lifetimes.
generally I agree. Baring a natural or man made disaster, in which case few will survive anyway and a bug out bag won't make the difference one way or the other.
Its fun to think about in a strange way, but I agree, not worth the effort.
But why did this old thread come back to life?
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2016 07:49pm
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Quoting: LoonWhisperer We just purchased an Aerogarden to grow veggies indoors during the winter and so far so good.
I realize this is a very old post, but I'd love to hear what you think of the Aerogarden if you happen to read this. Thanks.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:49pm
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Quoting: 1tentman Gizzards-chicken gizzards fried with a little horseradish and ketchup awesome hearts and tongues- beef is really good after you boil them ,makes great sandwiches sliced. brains - there is nothing better than a pork brain sandwich with mustard intestines- you have to save those and clean them
Yer not gonna invite me over for dinner, are ya?
Quoting: 1tentman You sure you or a real outdoorsman
dunno, but...after reviewing yer menu, definitely not an insidesman
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Cowracer
Member
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# Posted: 14 Dec 2016 09:16am
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Quoting: Gary O dunno, but...after reviewing yer menu, definitely not an insidesman
10,000 internet points for GaryO  
Tim
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