Originally posted by Sideband
Originally posted by Patron Saint
10. MRE: pack with you enough food to keep you going for at least 2 weeks to get you started. You'll also have fish, berries, wild life, etc to choose from as well. But always remember; water first, shelter second, food third.
2 weeks of MREs? At just one a day thats 14, which is more than a case and it's going to cost you 21 lbs in pack weight. It's even worse if you are wanting to maintain body weight because you are going to have to spend a lot of time gathering nuts and berries or double up the MREs. Maybe your pack will, but my pack will not hold 14 MREs along with my other gear, let alone 28.
I am also going to disagree with water first, then shelter. There are too many situations where shelter is the primary consideration.
I got to thinking about the total weight here. I've not weighed it but 100 rounds of .308 has to come in close to 8 lbs. So at 300 to 500 rounds you are talking ~20 to 40 lbs in ammo. Add that to the MREs and we are at ~60 lbs of food and bullets. 60 lbs before you add anything else to the pack, like a 7 pound rifle to shoot that ammo. Your numbers just are't seeming realistic, but maybe you are exceptionally big and strongedit on 13-11-2010 by Sideband because: added ammo weight info
The above statements are rough estimates and a general idea, nothing set in stone for someone...
2 weeks of MRE's are an average I have in my pack. I have a CFP-90 Ranger pack (70.62.253.162...) this is it without the patrol pack on top. I'm a firm believer in that you can always make shelter, find food and a water source. That's why it's key to prepare, scout out a place, etc. You don't want to go into anything blind. This is situation X; you'll want to be able to sustain yourself for awhile. If you don't have water or a water source of some kind you won't make it, plain and simple. I can go out into the woods and make a shelter with no problem. I've had years of Military training on survival, so it comes naturally to me. It might not be the best living conditions, but it will serve it's purpose. Remember, this is about survival. If your pack won't hold that much weight it might be time to pick up something a big bigger. Your not going to want a small pack, this pack is going to be your everything. You can go light on the food as you can always scour for food, hunt, fish, etc. This is just a recommendation. I can promise water will be your first concern. I've lived 4 to 6 weeks at a time out in the wilderness with no shelter at all, just bits and pieces to keep myself hidden in training exercises. 2 things your body can live without for a while and that's food and shelter, but if you don't have water it's game over. Shelter is very easily made if you have the right equipment...even if you don't, you can make shelter out of almost anything. Remember, this is about survival not quality of living. On ammo weight...you don't have to have 300 to 500 rounds, that's just a rough estimate. I recommend at least 300 rounds "just in case". 100 rounds is roughly 8 to 9 lbs of weight. I have an LBV (load bearing vest, which I should have put in the post but assumed others would have one) that I carry 100 rounds total on, the rest goes in my pack. The rifle you carry on you, you don't put it in the pack. You'll want this out and ready for a "just in case" situation. That's 34 lbs in ammo and a rifle, add in the MRE's and your close to 50 lbs which is about right. Everything else you pack won't weigh a ton, so your looking at humping 65 lbs of gear on your back...something I've been use to since I was in the Service. Like I said, if your not in shape...get there, because if you're not it's going to be extremely hard for you to survive. I'm not exceptionally big and strong, I'm at 6'2 215 pounds but I'm use to rucking a pack and keep myself in top shape on a daily basis. It's important to remember that water is going to be a key to your survival, I think you discount that. Shelter is easily accessible in almost any situation. I hope this helps.


costs nothing. 
