Well I would have to disagree and agree in a way. I agree that you have to ask and answer certain questions like the ones you mention here.
I would add what level of training you have. I disagree with your thinking that the contents don't address most of the needs. I think without knowing my specific answers to your questions, no one can say definitively whether or not any pack will work for its owner. I understand this, which is why I was only hoping to gain general help and give general help about packs. Thank so much for your response! I love seeing everyone's opinion and gaining knowledge.
Well. . . that's why Endurance was asking the questions. If we knew a few more details, then we could make some educated suggestions.
For example:
Why camouflage? It's easy to replace those items with clothing that is just as, if not more, durable that still provides a modicum of ability to blend in under most circumstances. For example, an OD BDU top with a Brown or khaki BDU bottom will blend into 99% of the environments you need. Plus, won't stick out like a sore thumb if the authorities catch you in a spotlight. Do you really want to be the guy trying to get back into your neighborhood wearing a full set of cammies, toting a rifle and a backpack? Remember, they may see you before you see them. That first impression may make a BIG difference in how you're treated.
Second, you have Three knives, an "all-in-one" screwdriver and a crescent wrench. In most cases, you may be better served with a multifunction tool. You alluded to having a tool kit in the truck. Why not pare some of the weight down?
Third, I see nothing of a flashlight. You have 3 cyalume markers, but these tend not to work very well by themselves. There's no way to turn them on/off and when you use one, that's it. They're difficult to aim to get light on something at any distance. Personally, unless you're using them as a marker for others to find you, I'd do away with the cyalume and just go get an inexpensive AA-Battery-powered mini-Maglite. Find the accessory pack that has a red lens in it and you won't draw attention to yourself when you don't want to.
Fourth, there's no commo gear. This doesn't have to be a full-blown Ham set up. It can be something as simple as a $10 AM/FM battery-powered pocket radio. Add in a spare charger for your cell phone and, if the towers are still working, then you can at least try to get some calls or texts out. The radio is to try and get updates as the situation unfolds.
Fifth, I'd suggest that you consider tightening up your water plan. It looks like you're going to go around, find water holes or streams, etc., and dip your bottle into them and drink from the built-in Filter. Yes, you do have a sawyer filter to back it up. The problem is that these are, apparently, your only water filtration plans. Those little Sawyer filters generally aren't used by people who go either in harm's way or packers who spend a lot of time in the backwoods where a bout of Giardia or Crypto will hang with them for several months. . .after they get back and start taking pills. I'd recommend adding some chlorine tabs or iodine tabs as well as researching expedition-level filters.
Sixth, you've mentioned that you're considering swapping some of your MRE's for freeze-dried foods. One option that works rather well at extending your meal plan, would be to consider adding pasta stars, instant potatoes and freeze-dried parboiled rice to your kit in 1-qt lightweight plastic containers. With the flavoring packets you have, you can make some quick meals that add to your caloric intake with minimal prep time.
Seventh, your "Alarm Kit" sounds a bit like overkill and may end up with you in prison, if a child happens to wander by. There are other options, many of which can't be heard beyond a few hundred feet. I'd suggest getting rid of the rat-trap shotgun booby-trap and adding some small bells. If you're afraid of sleeping through someone sneaking in, spend $20 and buy some magnetic window alarms at Home Depot. Attach a string to the magnet and use a ziptie or 550 cord to tie the body to a tree, when someone trips the wire, a loud, piercing alarm will go off and you'll wake up.
I'll stop there with the equipment suggestions.
Additionally, while it sounds logical to some to say that you need to make yourself stronger so you can carry your gear, I might suggest that experience will show you that about half of it is all you need. Imagine if you can cut your kit's weight down to 40 lbs or even 35. It's pretty damned impressive that you ca do 20 minute miles with a 70-lb. pack on for 10 miles. Three miles per hour is a pretty respectable speed. But how many calories are you burning? How much wear and tear are you incurring? Worse yet, as you indicated, that's over fairly flat terrain. As others have pointed out, if you are forced off-road, then that 70-lb pack is going to prove to be a major burden. What happens if you find yourself having to go through back yards or over fences? Climbing or traversing culverts or ditches?
Even worse. . .what happens if/when you twist an ankle? Trying to hump that pack with a splinted ankle may prove not only inconvenient, but dangerous.
Absolutely should you make yourself stronger, but sheer strength alone may not overcome the problem. Learn the skills and spend some time in the backwoods carrying that pack around with you and I'd bet dollars to donuts that you find quite a few things you don't need.
HOWEVER, all this having been said means absolutely nothing if you can't give us some specifics. I could turn a lot of the things around if this were an INCH bag. I could turn all THAT around if you have a well-stocked bug-out location or were using this as a GHB. Then again, maybe it IS right for a GHB, if you expect to have to walk 3 days to your home.
But, I understand many of the motivations behind OPSEC and being all Secret-Squirrel. It does make it a bit more difficult to make recommendations and easier to rebuff them with a convenient "you don't know my situation."
The Professor
