The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 11, Issue 24

Hey everyone, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week. It’s been sweltering here the last couple of days, with no relief in sight for at least the rest of the week. Heat index into the upper 90s and it’s only getting down to the 70s at night. I know that in other parts of the country that’s not a big deal, but I’m just not built for hot, muggy weather. As a meme I saw today says, I’ll take 32F over 102F any day. Honestly, my optimum working temperature is around 50F or so. Just cool enough for a hoodie.

We had our 20-month-old granddaughter all last week, so not a ton of work got done. But I did manage to finish the edited layouts for Prepper Survival Guide 24 (coming out in November) and the edited copy for Backwoods Survival Guide 31 (also coming out in November). This week, I’m working on the layouts for that issue of Backwoods.

Also this week, my wife and I will be vehicle shopping, something I truly detest. My father was a very successful car salesman, which means I know all too well how shady and sketchy that industry can be. I also despise negotiating. I know some folks thrive on it, but not me. Just give me a fair price up front, that’s all I want. We’ll see how it goes.

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Prepper Tip -- Many of us keep a range of supplies and equipment in the trunk of our vehicle, from emergency kits to small toolboxes and more. The problem is trying to keep it all organized and situated such that it doesn’t all slide around as we drive.

Years ago, I started using a laundry basket for this purpose. I bought it at the dollar store and it’s definitely been worth the price. It’s large enough to hold quite a bit of gear, but easy to slide around inside the trunk to find what I need. Plus, if I need to get at the spare tire that rests under the trunk, all I need to do is grab the laundry basket to pull out.

For just a buck or so, it’s really a cost-effective solution.

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There have been multiple evacuation orders in the area of Ruidoso, New Mexico due to wildfires. Monday evening, the Village of Ruidoso government posted on social media, “IMMEDIATE MANDATORY ‘GO’ EVACUATION FOR THE VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO - GO NOW!!”

While you might not live in an area that experiences wildfires, there are many reasons why an evacuation might be necessary. Be ready to beat feet and know where you can go.

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I think one of the most heart-rending scenes in modern cinema is in GREENLAND when Morena Baccarin’s character is dragged out of the vehicle by the guy who abducts her son and takes off. It’s one of my favorite “end of the world” films, but man it can really put you on edge throughout.

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I stumbled on this the other day, and I don’t quite know how I feel about it. The Crotch Pot is a new-to-me way of heating food when you’re hiking. The gist of it is that you grab your favorite dehydrated or freeze-dried meal and dump it into a pouch. Add the required amount of water. Seal the pouch and knead it all together for a minute. Then, you clip the bag to your belt and slip it into the front of your pants or shorts. After hiking for an hour or two, your body heat will have warmed the food and it’ll be ready to eat.

It doesn’t sound all that appetizing to me. But the food is protected from direct contact with your body by at least a couple of layers of material. You can read more about it here and here.

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Did you know you can make cookies with pine bark? I didn’t. Here’s how it’s done.

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Our hike this week was a little warm, but thankfully it was before the heat wave hit our area. We were picking up our son from college for the weekend, so we chose a park out in that direction. I’ve always liked the view from this spot, where you can see the trail sort of zig zag off into the distance.

Survival Tip – Gear Shakedowns

How often do you unpack each of your kits/packs? When was the last time you visually inspected each individual piece of gear?

It’s one thing if you’re doing some car camping and you find out that you’re missing something important. Odds are you can just drive to the nearest Walmart or other big box store and pick up a replacement, even if that item is just something to get you through the weekend. It’s another thing entirely if you’re several hours into a multi-day hike and you find out that you’ve somehow lost a vital piece of gear.

I recommend doing a full gear shakedown at least twice a year. This means completely unpacking each and every kit you have and inspecting every item. Top off any supplies that you’ve been using, such as band-aids, batteries, or food. Make sure nothing is leaking and that your pack isn’t developing worn spots where items are constantly rubbing against the fabric.

Anything that is packed disassembled should be put together to ensure all of the parts are there. This is also good practice, so that you’re familiar with how it all goes together.

Don’t get complacent and just assume everything will be there when you need it.

Prepper Survival Guide and Backwoods Survival Guide

For those new to my little corner of the Internet, I am the Editor in Chief for both Prepper Survival Guide and Backwoods Survival Guide magazines. Here are the covers for the current issues that are available in stores right now. 

You can find them just about anywhere magazines are sold, including:

• Walmart

• Sam's Club

• Costco

• Publix

• Walgreens

• Rite Aid

• CVS

• Tractor Supply

• Fleet Farm

• Barnes & Noble

Subscriptions to both titles are available here.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, Concerns?

I am always just an email away - jim@survivalweekly.com.