Interesting post, Blayne! Thanks for making it!

Sara :D

I'll buy that Greg'.

The first year we lived in the mountains, we had a "30 year storm" of snow. (Ironically, four years later,this year, we had a BIGGER one... but that's another story.)

We got such a kick out of it, because the roads were impassable, the phone lines were all crossed with one another, the schools were closed for a week, so everyone went into "take care of the basics" mode.

We watched literally dozens of people walk down the hill past our house toward the little store in town, and then hike back up with "the essentials".... the mail, the newspaper, a gallon of milk, and a 12 pack of beer! :lol:

You can imagine how popular I was at the "party" where the neighbors and I dug out our road by hand, when I realized I had a six-pack of Coronas in the fridge from a log-lifting party. :lol:

Sara

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance, etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets (Increasing in price every two months.)
4. Seasoned Firewood (About $250 per cord; wood takes 6 - 12 mos. to become dried, for home uses.)
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel (URGENT $2.69-$3.99/gal. Impossible to stockpile too much.)
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats and Slingshots
8. Hand-Can openers and hand egg beaters, whisks (Life savers!)
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugars
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat (White rice is now $12.95 - 50# bag. Sam's Club, stock depleted often.)
11. Vegetable oil (for cooking) (Without it food burns/must be boiled, etc.)
12. Charcoal and Lighter fluid (Will become scarce suddenly.)
13. Water containers (Urgent Item to obtain. Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY)
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders
17. Michael Hyatt's Y2K Survival Guide (BEST single y2k handbook for sound advice/tips.)
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/aspirin, etc
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cook stoves (Propane, Coleman and Kerosene)
22. Vitamins (Critical, due to Y2K-forced daily canned food diets.)
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item.)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products
25. Thermal underwear (Tops and bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets and Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum foil (Reg. and Heavy Duty) (Great Cooking and Barter item)
28. Gasoline containers (Plastic or Metal)
29. Garbage bags (Impossible to have too many.)
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towels
31. Milk - Powdered and Condensed (Shake liquid every 3 to 4 months.)
32. Garden seeds (Non-hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothespins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit: 1(800) 835-3278
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire extinguishers (or.. large box of Baking soda in every room...)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices and vinegar, baking supplies
40. BIG DOGS (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast and salt
42. Matches ("Strike Anywhere" preferred. Boxed, wooden matches will go first.)
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime)
45. Work boots, belts, Levis and durable shirts
46. Flashlights/Light Sticks and torches, "No.76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries and Scrapbooks (Jot down ideas, feelings, experiences: Historic times!)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams
53. Duct tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry detergent (Liquid)
57. Backpacks and Duffle bags
58. Garden tools and supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics and sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives and Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.
65. Sleeping bags and blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games Cards, Dice
68. D-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps and cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks...)
71. Baby Wipes, oils, waterless and Anti-bacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors and creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps and siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillons/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook – 12th Edition (also, Leader's Catalog)
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons and carts (for transport to and from open Flea markets)
87. Cots and Inflatable Mattresses (for extra guests)
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts and bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats and cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

Thanks for all you share on the forum! You've got a lot to offer, as I'm sure that many of the other members do too! I appreciate being able to view your pics of your home. I understand you're in WA. Is that correct? After the December class, can I stop by on my way home to Oregon that following Monday, Dec. 7th? It would be great to see your place first hand and see what we've learned being put to use. I'll wait until that weekend (when I'm an official member) before getting your address and such, so you don't have to put it out over this public forum. Anyway, just thought I'd ask. If you're not OK with that, no problem.

the scout handbook 12th edition isnt as good of a field guide as the older one are, its more about itegrating into society instead of integrating into the wilderness. I am a Scoutmaster of troop 549, an eagle scout and have been active in scouting for over 20 years now. oh, and the other thing i didnt see on the list of things that disappear after a disaster was trailer parks, maybe the disappear during the disaster?

My wife picked up an old Coleman liquid fuel stove at a garage sale. It still had the manual. The manual claims that the stove can run on regular gasoline or white gas. I don't that that I would choose to run it on gasoline if I have another alternative... but it's nice to know that I can run the stove on gasoline in a pinch.

I thought - great disaster aid. You can boil water or drive with the fuel.

Leigh

Way back in my younger years, around 1970 or so when unleaded gas came on the market I was told you could use unleaded gas in a regular Coleman lantern or stove in place of Coleman fuel or white gas. I am pretty sure we used the two interchangeably depending on availability. However as I age, my memory like my face is getting a bit fuzzy. Anybody else heard this or have I been dodging an explosion all these years? On a different note the mantles in a Coleman lantern are minutely radioactive. Whether you trust Mother Earth News or not, they said the mantle was treated with a radioactive isotope to glow white when used. I haven’t bought a mantle in a while to check the ingredients.

Rod;
I have considered exactly that. Several of our friends have one years worth of food and water stored. Generally they have a rolling system for their food. However, living in Hawaii where ambient temps sometimes reach 90 in a closed home, reduces shelf life to less than one year for high acid foods - ie tomato, pineapple, etc.. So I have been thinking about doing something in Washington because it has the right temps and I do have the room. We are making a pantry between the kitchen and the bathroom on the first floor. My wife likes to can stuff and we make our own sugar free jams that are just very difficult to buy. Note, the Blueberry Jam never lasts past October so no rotations there...
My own personal goal is to be able to eat local (100 miles) for the 6 months that we are in Washington. I also will be getting a fishing license (watch out for humpies). Next year we will have a salad garden and I will try to complete a small green house because I need more heat to grow tomatoes and peppers. I intend on buying a half Buffalo and hunting. We also have the opportunity to buy grass fed beef.
So, we have considered lots of stuff, but the freeze dried stuff in sealed pails is probably not what we will aim for. But some stuff makes sense like beans, oats, wheat and other long lasting staples.
Note; I have started to buy seeds for planing both here and in Washington. They are sealed in a container with humidity absorbing gel packs for long shelf life.
Note2; try Quinoa. Its like rice only tastes better - easier to cook and has much higher protein content.

Thanks for your service, Ronnie. My Son just became an Eagle Scout. You're right about the Scout Handbooks. The old ones are great for roughing it easier. My favorite has always been the Boy Scout Fieldbook. The one that I have carried for 40 years is a GREAT field living guide. The new Fieldbook is not bad... I suggest both and both are easily available used.

As for stocking up on food, we do two things.

1.... Have an active and full pantry for everyday use with a reserve for emergency.
2.... Keep $100 worth of 50 lb bags of different grains at all times. These are beans, rice, Lentils and split peas that get eaten and then replaced. $100 worth of good cheap food is a great insurance policy and this is food that will get eaten even if we have to compete with other protein sources (bugs).