Recoil Offgrid – August-September 2019

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ISSUE 32

ON THE GRID

M

any of us talk about bugging out in the

event of a disaster, but when was the last

time you actually tried it? If you expect

your bug-out plan to be successful, prac-

tice makes perfect. You should be familiar

with the typical road and traffic conditions on your chosen path,

communication strategies, seasonal hazards, food and water

sources, pit stop and overnight camping locations, and alternate

routes. You’ll also need to know how your vehicle can handle this

journey, so it doesn’t end up getting stuck in a ditch or leaving

you stranded in a post-SHTF world.

That said, practicing a bug-out scenario doesn’t have to be a

miserable ordeal. It can be turned into a fun road trip with family

and/or friends. Even if you’re not rushing to the destination and

simulating every aspect of the disaster you’re preparing for, there’s

still much you can learn from a bug-out dry run.

This was the concept behind our annual RECOIL OFFGRID

staff trip for 2019. Every year, members of our staff from across

the country set aside our normal workload for a few days and

meet up for something fun. This year, we planned a Bug-Out

Challenge where we’d pack all our gear into off-road vehicles

and spend two full days on the backroads and rocky trails be-

tween Phoenix, Arizona, and the mountain town of Prescott, Ari-

zona. Along the way, we camped, explored, shot guns, smoked

cigars, and snapped photos.

Many lessons were learned during this trip. Roads turned from

desert sand into snow and ice. Vehicles got stuck, were dug or

winched out, and quickly got stuck again. Spotty radio and cell

signal made comms inconsistent. We encountered — and later

cooked and ate — a rattlesnake. Fuel reserves ran low due to

difficult terrain and an absence of gas stations. But we overcame

these difficulties as a team, and can now say with confidence that

we’d be better prepared to make the journey again. We also got

to test the limits of some interesting loaner vehicles, play with

flamethrowers, and drink bourbon together by the campfire. So

although it was a learning experience, we still had a great time.

To see some of our photos and hear about the ups and downs

of our Bug-Out Challenge event, check out the link in the sidebar.

Have you gone on any adventures that were intended to test

the viability of your bug-out plans? If so, I’d like to hear your

stories and what you learned. You can contact me directly at

[email protected]. You can also follow my latest

projects on Instagram at @pmccarthy10.

Hit the Road

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By Patrick McCarthy

Web Exclusive: Bug-Out Challenge Recap

Read the full story now at

offgridweb.com/transportation/bug-out-challenge