What is in my SUV
by Old fart
(Alaska)
I live in a remote area of Alaska and frequently I travel small mountain roads and long distances. Slides and flooding can take out roads in a matter of minutes. I need to be prepared at all times to survive on my own.
I keep a small well packed back pack in case I need to leave my car. It contains the following:
Military poncho and poncho liner(shelter, warmth)
First aid kit
Hatchet and knife in belt sheath
folding knife
Change of clothes
Bug dope
2 large black trash bags
Cording
water purification tablets
pencil and paper
Ziplock bags
2 MRE's
Small camping cook set
Fishing kit
Flashlight and extra batteries
Pistol
I carry a five gallon bucket stuffed with food and cooking supplies...
Rice
Beans
Split peas
Salt
Sugar
Pepper
Oatmeal
Dried fruit
Dried minced garlic and onion
tea
Coffee(instant and ground)
Cocoa
Powdered milk
Baking mix
Shortening
Soup mix(with dried veggies)
tinned meat(ham, beef, tuna, chicken)
silverware
dish towel
dish scrubber
dish rag
I also have a small tent,sleeping bag,and mosquito netting, that are always in my car. And of course I have a coffee pot, no campfire is complete without one! I keep a small shovel and a couple empty 3 gallon buckets for hauling water, putting out my fire, etc. I have two folding camp chairs for comfort in case I am going to be stuck for a while...and in case someone comes along for a visit. I can be very comfortable while I wait out whatever the problem is. I keep an old, well cleaned, laundry soap bottle(the kind with a spigot)full of water in case I am not near any.
Bears are common here, both brown and black as well as moose so I always have at least the pistol in my pack and much of the time I will also have a long rifle, especially if I know I will be out in the mountains.
If I must leave the protection of my car in a hurry, I can carry a bucket in one hand, a gun in the other and strap my shovel to my backpack. If I don't have time to grab anything except my pack I should still be ok. I have multiple lighters and waterproof matches stuffed in everything and a fire starting kit in the backpack that will get a fire going in a blizzard if necessary.
I have used these things often, Most of the time for spur of the moment camping and feel secure in the knowledge that I can handle most situations.
