VA Bugout (Fall 2010) Survivors!

[Murph]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I present to you the VA Bugout (Fall 2010) Survivors!



With lows in the 30's we were all a little bit nipply. We met up Friday Nov. 12th, and packed up and left on Sunday Nov. 14th. It was a great weekend of skills building and story telling.

[Biggin]

A dashing crew

[the_alias]

Looking forward to more detailed break down of what worked/what didn't et cetera.

[Resolute]

Great meeting you guys at the range on Saturday! I had lots of fun, and can't wait to go back - hopefully next time for a full weekend. My gf said she didn't know what to expect on meeting you guys, but she said you were all a class act!

[Murph]

Looking forward to more detailed break down of what worked/what didn't et cetera.

Well, I did a review of a Heater Meal that Kaidensfire provided here:
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 0#p1579730" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I noticed a crack in my Space Saver Cup, but I have no idea how it got there:
http://www.amazon.com/Olicamp-Space-Sav ... B001ODH4O2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So it looks like I'm going to replace it with another one, or a different brand. Depends on how quick I can get my hands on something.

I noticed for me, the two most useful items were a knife and a lighter. Consequently, they were the two items that I kept putting back into my pack, instead of keeping them in my pocket.

I forgot/remembered a trick from the winter camp out where I tossed hand warmers into the bottom of my sleeping bag to keep my feet warm. Then in the morning if they're still hot, you can put them into your boots to warm them up right before you put your feet in.

I'm sure everyone will have their own insights as people recover from the weekend.

[stimpy321972]

Great meeting you guys at the range on Saturday! I had lots of fun, and can't wait to go back - hopefully next time for a full weekend. My gf said she didn't know what to expect on meeting you guys, but she said you were all a class act!

Glad you guys could come out and spend some time with us, we will be doing it again soon and will make sure you get the info and dates next time.

[Murph]

And because I said I would...

[mattdcknsn]

Just to let everybody know about the temps we had over the weekend.

Saturday morning at 7am was the coldest for that night at 25 degrees. It was usually hovering around 30 that night.

The coldest is got the second night was 29 degrees, it was warmer the second night. Average temps were in the lower thirties, around 34.

I had a great time, learned a lot about tarp shelters. I'll put more up in a little bit.

[Maeklos]

Yeah, absolutely fabulous time, all around. I'll post up my pics later and do a review for my TerraCorp Mark 17 Tactical Sex Rock.

[mattdcknsn]

And because I said I would...

Looks like we have our new flag.

[Maeklos]

You need to register the name "Murphshroom Stamp".

[Murph]

A few people were asking about different peices of gear I have, so here is some of them. If I missed anything, just let me know.

This is similar to the headlamp I have, but mine is 2x AAA
http://www.browning.com/products/catalo ... lashlights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I'll see if I can find a model number on it.

StripLULA:
http://www.butler-creek.com/products/st ... oader.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I forgot to show people, but you can use it to unload mags too.

My Cooking Utensils by Guyot Designs:
http://www.guyotdesigns.com/product.php?id_product=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's the technique I used for my tarp shelter (Three Posts):
http://www.itstactical.com/2010/05/06/k ... er-part-1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.itstactical.com/2010/05/11/k ... er-part-2/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.itstactical.com/2010/05/19/k ... er-part-3/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Murph]

You need to register the name "Murphshroom Stamp".

I know, right? Although that image/stamp would probably be NSFW.

[NYKh]

Ok I can see what you were doing with the loop. I'm going to give it a try and compare it to the twist/loop method of the truckers hitch i was using.
That quick pull half hitch looks cool, I'm going to practice that one.

[Murph]

whatgun: Can you post up some pictures or details about that solar charger you were using for your Blackberry? I'm trying to find it online, or something similar. It'd be great if I could figure out a way to charge AA and AAA too.

[stimpy321972]

Hey I found the zombie cove cat's cousin on liveleaks



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ea6_1289755150

[Maeklos]

I went ahead and got a thread set up for our next proposed gathering: http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 38&t=72359" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Early is good, right?

Also, will get the photos I took of everyone's camp site (may have missed stumpy's since he set up late) as well as our successful primitive survival campfire (heh) and down at the range.

[Redemption]

Just to let everybody know about the temps we had over the weekend.

Saturday morning at 7am was the coldest for that night at 25 degrees. It was usually hovering around 30 that night.

The coldest is got the second night was 29 degrees, it was warmer the second night. Average temps were in the lower thirties, around 34.

I had a great time, learned a lot about tarp shelters. I'll put more up in a little bit.

As for the low temps on Friday night and Saturday morning,
I froze my tukkus off! My U.S.G.I. Modular sleep system was probably
not to blame. I was wearing (cheap) polypro base layers and a watchcap.
I had a widemouth 32oz Nalgene half full with pisswarm water.

I sucked it up and tried the bivy again Saturday night,with much better results.
Thanks to Stimpy for the Nalgene trick that I executed properly this time.
It turns out if you fill the 32oz Nalgene with close to boiling water, it will last through the night.
Not only did it last, but it was steaming still, well after day break.
I credit this, as well as a better base layer to a sound sleep and warm second night.

Also I would like to hear more about Maeklos and his Terra review!

[stimpy321972]

I went ahead and got a thread set up for our next proposed gathering: http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopi ... 38&t=72359" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Early is good, right?

Not speaking for everyone else but I think it is a tad early. I know I have the attention span of a cinderblock in a snowstorm.


Also, someone asked about the condor soft-shell jacket and the review on it.



here is the thread: http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/view ... 14&t=69575


here is the review by nutfancy: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=nut ... f7JgVasyhY

[mattdcknsn]

So I think we found Murph's present for next trip:



With that you might win the prostate cancer fund raiser.

Seriously though. I learned a lot on this trip.

Camping setup:

Snugpack sleeper lite bag is good down to what it recommends (30 comfortable, 17 extreme).

http://www.amazon.com/Sleeper-Lite-Squa ... B0019MIDQG
(Not where I got it from, usually cheaper elsewhere).

For my sleeping setup I used a USGI foam pad, then a cheap inflatable sleeping mat. That did a good job insulating me from the ground. The boiling water in a nalgene works great. The first night my feet were cold, the next night I tried this and worked great.

I used a Sports Authority hiker tent. Worked fine. The one below is a newer model, Mine has a separate rain fly. I wasn't too cold but I do think that one with less ventilation would have been more comfortable for the colder weather. But for $20 it cant be beat.

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/ ... age=family
(newer model here)

Food
The MRE chocolate brownie with chocolate chips is actually pretty good. In all I didn't have a big problem with the MREs that were tried out. They are not my preferred choice but not bad.

I have to use the alternative to the mountain house meals. Way too much sodium in there.

The single serve coffee bags work great. Made by Folgers, they are quick and easy.

All I can think of at the moment. I'll try and add more later.

[stimpy321972]

The Va enclave, a great place


The fellas: Murph, Kaidensfire, Whatgun, Maeklos, NYKH, Maxrite



Our strategic ring of protection from Woodland Zombies, though it seems not to be able to stop stray forest cats from breaching the perimeter !


Maxrite(partially) Murph teaching Kaidensfire the complex intricacies of the AR-15, Mattdickson, looking on in AAAWWW of it all.


A very good weekend, but way to short time-wise, a great location, lots and lots of trigger time, just a short jaunt away.
It was great seeing old friends and having the opportunity to meet some new ones.
We didn't get all we wanted to accomplished but we did come up with a lot of good ideas for future events.
Can't wait to see you guys again, SOON.

[Luminary703]

I really wish I am able to go to these. I don't have any camping gear due to limited funds. One of these days I hope to be able to meet up with some of you dudes. Looks like a lot of fun.

[Murph]

Looks like we finished the lowers and uppers, and was about to move onto the BCGs after a shot of Captain's.

[stimpy321972]

I really wish I am able to go to these. I don't have any camping gear due to limited funds. One of these days I hope to be able to meet up with some of you dudes. Looks like a lot of fun.

Not having camping gear is not an issue, there are many of us that have more than one of a lot of things and would willing to loan you the basics of what you need. All you have to do is ask and we should be able to work out the logistics!!!!