How much can you carry?

[SwampFox320]

This is kinda a spin off from the 3 day thing that was posted. Now, who here plans on walking out of their homes into the AO? How much food do you plan on carrying and how long will that last? Considering how much other crap you need to take with you I'm just curious.

[Jonas Parker]

Since I'm retired, I'm home anyway. But were I to put on my BO gear (essentially 'Nam-era web gear) I'll carry at most 6 MREs and 2 canteens. With the MRE's calorie content, I should be able to streach them out to 10 days, more if I can hunt or fish. Fortunately, I only have to go about 20 miles. Figuring moving at night and holeing up during the day, and dodging other folks, I think I can make it into the deep boonies in about 4 days max. Water will be bigger problem than food.

Current plans are to hold in place if at all possible...

[witchdoctor]

I am now going to the gym again. So hopefully more than I use it carry. I am planning to drive as far as I can, but I will carry about 60lbs to start with.

[NineseveN]

For me, water comes first, you can go quite some time without food, but no water = no life. I have a mix of foods that need no water and no prep to foods that need boiling or very hot water (living in PA, water is pretty easy to find).

Food:

Tuna Fish in Sunflower Oil (foil pack) - 3 Packs @7.06oz = 21.18oz Total (420 Calories Per Package)
Tuna Fish in Sunflower Oil (foil pack) - 2 Packs @5oz Each = 10oz Total (180 Calories Per Package)
Tyson Chunk Chicken in Foil Package -1 Pack @7oz (245 Calories Per Package)
Granola Bars - 4 to 6 Bars (110 Calories Per Bar)
Fruit Snacks - 2-6 Packages (90 Calories Per Package)
Saltine Crackers - 1 Stack Housed in a Pringles Can (444 Calories Total)
Beef Jerky - 2 Packages @5oz. Each = 10oz Total (80 Calories Per Package)
Ramen Noodles - 2 Packages @ 3oz Each (190 Calories Per Package)
Knorr Veggie Mix and Rice -2 Bags w/1C Rice + 1/8C Veggies Each (218 Calories Per Bag)
Garlic Chicken Rice - 1 Bag w/1C Rice + Seasonings (200 Calories Per Bag)
Idahoan Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes - 1 Bag (220 Calories Per Bag)
Idahoan 4 Cheese Mashed Potatoes - 1 Bag (200 Calories Per Bag)
Hungry Jack Cheesy Homestyle Mashed Potatoes - 1 Bag (180 Calories Per Bag)
Mountain House Freeze Dried Neopolitan Ice Cream - 1 Package (110 Calories)


Water/Beverages:

Camelbak 3liter (100oz) Water Bladder - Pre-filled
Tea Bags - (10 Tea Bags and 4 Iced Tea Bags)
Kool-Aid Single-Serve Packs - 8 Packs (1 Package Per 8oz of Water)


That's all in my main pack, I have another 64 ounces of water in my belt rig and some extra granola bars/fruit snacks.

3 days of full meals can be stretched while out in the field pretty easily, you should have way more than that at home, but 3 days of food for a pack is a good start.

[SwampFox320]

Hehe, I'm going to need some sugar packets for my tea, I'm from GA, what do you expect? ;o)

[Jonas Parker]

By my count, you're packing 5395 calories, or about 3-4 days worth

You might want to pack honey too. Not only can it be used as a wound dressing, it can also be used for additional calories.

[NineseveN]

By my count, you're packing 5395 calories, or about 3-4 days worth

You might want to pack honey too. Not only can it be used as a wound dressing, it can also be used for additional calories.

Honey, for an inexplicable reason, makes me vomit...but the missus keeps some in the oatmeal she's packed in her bag. :)

[Mac's]

Personally, I don't plan on leaving my area at all but if I have to, I plan on driving "The Beast". However, like all good just-in-case plans, there is a plan B, a plan C, etc. etc. If my Family and I have to walk, we have our gear sorted into four sections. Our weapons are scattered throughout the four sections. The First section is stuff that we absolutely must have and is carried in our cargo pockets. The Second section is stuff that we really need and is carried in our vests and belts. The Third section is stuff that can make the difference between life and hard times and is carried in our packs. The Fourth section is stuff that may make hard times easier and is carried in our trailers. Yup. You read that right! Trailers. High wheel garden trailers like the little ones towed behind little garden tractors except modified with a T bar in the front for pulling and an upright T bar in the back for pushing. One trailer per every two persons adds up to a whole lot of extra supplies and is relatively easy for two people to handle even over moderately rough terrain. Really rough terrain may have to be handled like a canoe trip portage. They would also be good for supply runs back to your hide zone or carrying an injured Family/group member. Plus, they make good storage units for supplies and four of then will fit easy in the back of a full size pick up truck.
Keep yer powder dry, Mac.
Tuff-Gun Finishes. The Name Says It All
Mac's Shootin' Irons
http://www.shootiniron.com

[Dr. X]

I'm old and tired and fat and I ain't goin NOwhere. I ascribe to the DRT (Die Right There) point of view...

But seriously, folks, I don't have to bug out and if I do the National Forest is right across the road, and I'll be drivin' my Jeep...

Naw, for real this time! I have a cobbled SA hippo pouch that holds 8 mags of .308. Add two canteens and other essentials in the two butt packs and you've got a considerable load and if you ain't careful you'll fall over backwards. What offsets the seeming awkwardness of this setup is the rifle itself. I practice with it as much as chronic bone-idleness will allow, but my back hates me when I do...;)

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[bnutriaz]

I got alot of experience with this in the box. I have a Black Hawk Long Range Patrol Pack. On one SKT Mission I carried 6 MRE's, 12 2 liter botles of water 400 rounds of 7.62 link, not to mention i was in full battle rattle, with IVA intercepter mitch helmet, frags, and 12 loaded 30 rounder for the M4, also had thermal and 240B on sling. I did all of this on a 1200 meter movement in low light conditions to our hide. What i am trying to say here is that it was all in the pack, i wouldn't promote carring this much on a movement longer than 1500 meters but the pack had all the room i needed and more. standard large army ruck sack is good but the larger rucks from tactical tailor and black hawk are worth the money. just the 2 cents of a new guy

[NineseveN]

I got alot of experience with this in the box. I have a Black Hawk Long Range Patrol Pack. On one SKT Mission I carried 6 MRE's, 12 2 liter botles of water 400 rounds of 7.62 link, not to mention i was in full battle rattle, with IVA intercepter mitch helmet, frags, and 12 loaded 30 rounder for the M4, also had thermal and 240B on sling. I did all of this on a 1200 meter movement in low light conditions to our hide. What i am trying to say here is that it was all in the pack, i wouldn't promote carring this much on a movement longer than 1500 meters but the pack had all the room i needed and more. standard large army ruck sack is good but the larger rucks from tactical tailor and black hawk are worth the money. just the 2 cents of a new guy

I couldn't find any info on a "Black Hawk Long Range Patrol Pack", but there's got to be a typo in your post somewhere:

24 liters of water (12 -2liter bottles) weighs in at about 53 pounds in light-weight bottles.

400 rounds of linked 7.62 weighs in at about 20 pounds, maybe more depending on how it's packed.


That's just ammo and water, not including the MRE's and whatever else is carried and we're looking at an easy 73 pounds, was this in a frameless pack or was this a framed model?.

The largest packs from Blackhawk or Tactical Tailor that I can find come in at 2900 to 3300 cubic inches, how did you fit all of that in?


Aside from any of that, 73 pounds on water and ammo alone is likely way out of the capabilities of most people considering what else needs to be carried.


I'm amazed that you could carry all that, let alone fit it into one pack.

[SwampFox320]

Can you or someone link me to Black Hawk?

[NineseveN]

Can you or someone link me to Black Hawk?

http://www.blackhawk.com/

That might be it. Tacical Tailor and Eagle gear is better IMHO and 100% Made in USA as far as I know, can't say the same about Blackhawk. That might not matter to you though. YMMV.

[SwampFox320]

Yeah, I'm getting most of my gear from Tactical Tailor like my Ranger Bag, I do want the Israeli webset once I get my AR though, looks awesome and has good reviews.

[bnutriaz]

Its a huge pack, i bought it 7 years ago. I will try and find a pic for you guys, It's an awesome pack. And those numbers are correct. I wont send you guys any bull, when you know you are going to be going some where where it all is on the line you can carry more than you think, with everything in there i bet i was toting 150 pounds. it is a hell of a lot. but you do what you have to in those times. Granted i did have a very good idea of how long of a walk i had in front of me, anything longer than 1500 meters and it would have been a whole different plan on movement. Those were the things we needed, we were there 3 days and even had to be resupplied in the middle of the night, once with several more cases of water. it gits hot there, you need more water there than you do most places.

Coop

[bnutriaz]

http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=3424&d=

this is the exact pack i have, and it was worth it. granted the tactical tailor does have a pack very simular and if i had it to do over i would probably go with the tailor pack but the black hawk is great and it has the lifetime warranty. I has served me well and till it totally craps out and black hawk wont fix it, thats what i am sticking with. It has served as the foundation of my bob for years.

Coop

ps. any boddy hear a machinest? i want to have a custom mount made for an HK 21 to mount to the roll bar on my Jeep Wrangler?

[NineseveN]

5800+ci with all of the pouches and it's a frame pack....now that makes a little more sense.

[Mikeal]

If I need to Bug-out, then I will carry about enough food for four days, plus I can hunt an fish. But the inital food I bring can last for 9-10 days. Water is no problem, due to the fresh water near my area, but I always carry a filter for it. The whole bag is about 70 pounds, which is not bad for it's size, plus, I can carry it for about 5-6 miles without a break in about 5 hours over rought land. And by break I mean a small fire and a bite to eat :D

[SwampFox320]

Hey guys, keep it coming! Great tips on packs and stuff!

Jason

[GS Rider]

I feel like a puss compared to some of you guys. I use old LBG to hold my ammo and 2 canteens. My pack is small and fits pretty good over my load bearing gear. It only holds my 5 extra mres and 2.5 liter water bag as well as little stuff that don't weight much. Bug juice,fishing line,undie,socks ect. I hate to carry lots of stuff. Particularly if it don't get used.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I can't carry much but my 3/4 ton Suburban can carry alot:cool:

7.62

[mrrk1562]

im working on my system right now ..its a vest system ..my old 782 gear fell apart ..its mixed with old and new gear ..i wont be doing any long range stuff ..so its a 3 day pack heavy on ammo ...

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Try a Dana Design backpack. The older ones were better. Special forces uses / used 'em. I had one and sold it (mistake) and it kicked ass!

7.62