The house is sold, the caravan is bought and I'm planning to become a nomad in a couple of weeks so I'm trying to do some planning.
I intend to go deep bush for lengthy periods, well away from shops and civilisation - I have considerable experience of doing this in a tent but only for a couple of weeks or so without visiting a town.
Although I travel alone the amount of consumables needed for four weeks plus is considerable. And even though I'll shoot and fish where possible I'll still get through a lot of food I reckon. An opportunity to lose weight perhaps? :)
So my question to those who travel remote is:
What do you run out of or run low on first?
Landfall said
12:55 PM Nov 24, 2018
Water and patience. Not necessary in that order.
Desert Dweller said
01:16 PM Nov 24, 2018
We take a good supply of powdered milk, bread mixes, instant potato, dried peas, canned vegetables, corned beef, spam, tuna, salmon & pasta sauces/pasta.
When the fresh meat, vegetables & fruit run out we fall back on our ''long time in the bush'' stash. We always use UHT semi skim milk until it runs out.
We carry fishing rods & yabby traps. Handed our guns in ages ago.
Water dictates how long we stay out in the bush by ourselves (about 2weeks max.) without coming into contact with anyone else.
Mike Harding said
01:17 PM Nov 24, 2018
I'd taken water as a given - and perhaps meditation would help with the anger?
Anyway, thank Goodness you didn't mention alcohol - I'm looking up "brew your own" sites :)
Possum3 said
02:26 PM Nov 24, 2018
Basic first aid trauma kit, Silver polyester blanket, Para cord, Mirror, Bic lighter, small charcoal filter flask or drinking straw, Good knife, nail clippers (usefull for lots of things other than trimming nails), whistle - Surplus store ration packs are always handy
As Keith said above - dry foods are the go, even powdered eggs. Canned sardines best bang for your buck in reducing weight of pure protein food. That's how we used to trek for weeks at a time, Fly sheet for hootchie, a backpack to put it in - ready for the apocalypse.
Landfall said
02:34 PM Nov 24, 2018
Mike Harding wrote:
I'd taken water as a given - and perhaps meditation would help with the anger?
Anyway, thank Goodness you didn't mention alcohol - I'm looking up "brew your own" sites :)
Who mentioned "anger?"
Easy to see why I mentioned patience though, when people make assumptions.
Make a lot of home brew, you sound like you're going to need it.
woolman said
02:35 PM Nov 24, 2018
Water is generally the limiting factor of time "gone bush".
Neil
LLD said
02:39 PM Nov 24, 2018
Toilet Paper.
Peter_n_Margaret said
02:43 PM Nov 24, 2018
We can (and do) stay bush for at least a month.
Shower water runs out first (or needs to be rationed) if there is none to "pick up" and treat.
Then food after about a month, if there is no fish. That does not count the emergency food supply that is good for another couple of weeks, if necessary. No guns any more.
Cheers,
Peter
travelinglew said
03:32 PM Nov 24, 2018
Sadly carrying a firearm interstate is fraught with all sorts of hazards and rules. One needs a valid reason for carrying such weapon and shooting food is not considered to be one of them. I would also consider taking along some form of emergency communications as situations can arise where one needs the help of others. Sat phone is a possibility although not always reliable (but improving). I would opt for a HF radio and joining one of the HF radio clubs that exist as this will give you instant access to emergency services as well as allow phone calls to any phone within Australia. The radio also allows others within hearing coming to your aid.
Mike Harding said
03:41 PM Nov 24, 2018
>Sadly carrying a firearm interstate is fraught with all sorts of >hazards and rules.
No it's not difficult if one understands the requirements.
And one is not always leaving one's home state.
>I would also consider taking along some form of emergency >communications
How does two HF, VHF and UHF radios plus a UHF CB plus a VHF/UHF radio plus three mobile phones plus a PLB grab you? Not to mention an assortment of antennas to rival NASA.
Plus a heliograph.
As I said; I've done this before... across much of the world.
I was just kind of hoping... people would tell me what they ran out of....
rockylizard said
03:44 PM Nov 24, 2018
travelinglew wrote:
Sadly carrying a firearm interstate is fraught with all sorts of hazards and rules. One needs a valid reason for carrying such weapon and shooting food is not considered to be one of them. ~~~SNIP
I was constructing a shopping/supplies list when I wrote this post and I was wondering what provisions people ran out of first:
Eggs?
Cornflakes?
Curry powder?
Biscuits?
Bleach?
Toilet paper?
Bread?
Cling film?
Etc.
rockylizard said
04:05 PM Nov 24, 2018
Gday...
Praps a bit of reverse thinking Mike.
What do you use the most of while at home and not on the road. How often do you come close to running out of those items.
I would think that whatever you are most likely to use the most of at home is very much like what you may run out of first on the road.
Obviously, it will be the perishables that last the less time and the processed/tinned/powdered foods that will be there the longest.
One can stock up on the processed/tinned/powdered foods whereas it is not as easy to stock up on perishables.
Jest sayin'
Cheers - John
villatranquilla said
04:26 PM Nov 24, 2018
bread - so we supplement this with wraps and dry biscuits
Plain Truth said
04:40 PM Nov 24, 2018
LLD wrote:
Toilet Paper.
Gum Leafs
Mike Harding said
04:50 PM Nov 24, 2018
>Gum Leafs
They make a passable soap too.
>bread
Yep. Got that one and thought I'd take packet bread mix and make them up in the camp oven - I've done this with success before.
>What do you use the most of while at home
Good approach John; trouble is... I don't really know. Having easy access to shops and a large house in which to store lots of stuff I've never really kept an eye on that. Perishables, as you say, will surely be first but frozen veg and meat mitigate much of that. Cheese maybe? But when vacuum wrapped that will keep for ages. Similarly butter/marg. Fruit perhaps but, then again, I don't eat anywhere near as much fruit as I should.
LLD said
05:04 PM Nov 24, 2018
We have instant mash potato, baked beans, flour, tins of peas/corn, sardines, tinned salmon, saladas, tinned fruit, instant noodles, cereal. Things that only require refrigeration after opening, a long use-by date, and will not get taken by quarantine or ants. I get milk when I can. Get bread for a treat and put it in the freezer.
Have cereal with tinned fruit salad for breakfast just about every day. I seem to eat better (read healthier) on the road than at home
Goldfinger said
05:23 PM Nov 24, 2018
in addition to above.....I take as many fruitcakes light and dark as I can fit in.....I eat them whilst driving/ travelling and when I'm camped...with cup of tea...keeps me ""regular"".....I make
sure they have long 'use by' dates and they keep well in Tupperware once opened....buy them when discounted and they have to be the best all rounder for the money.....that wont leave you
all bound up, and hunched up like my dog behind a gum tree for an eternity...doing skiddies.lol....I eat so many I could almost survive on them even if I may end up looking like a Lions
Xmas cake.....it was an old bushies tip years ago that put me on to them...".fruit cake and mug of tea will never upset your tummy"...
Good luck Mike, I got caught one day/night detecting, not allowing for daylight saving had just changed, and had to sleep by a Billabong...no food or light, just few little nuggies which weren't
the least appetizing/nourishingI could hear the frogs which also meant snakes........I reckon with your bush experience you can give us tips on survival.
....Hoo Roo.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:23 PM Nov 24, 2018
Fresh road kill . While blocking off lane . Putting out witches hats . The hats we run out of !!
LLD said
06:21 PM Nov 24, 2018
Forgot about the fruit cake. It's good value.
Road Kill. Was travelling west along. the Midland Hwy heading towards Greens when I was approaching a car that I realised was stopped. The driver was picking up a road-kill rabbit.
Dougwe said
06:28 PM Nov 24, 2018
Goldfinger wrote:
in addition to above.....I take as many fruitcakes light and dark as I can fit in.....I eat them whilst driving/ travelling and when I'm camped...with cup of tea...keeps me ""regular"".....I make
sure they have long 'use by' dates and they keep well in Tupperware once opened....buy them when discounted and they have to be the best all rounder for the money.....that wont leave you
all bound up, and hunched up like my dog behind a gum tree for an eternity...doing skiddies.lol....I eat so many I could almost survive on them even if I may end up looking like a Lions
Xmas cake.....it was an old bushies tip years ago that put me on to them...".fruit cake and mug of tea will never upset your tummy"...
Good luck Mike, I got caught one day/night detecting, not allowing for daylight saving had just changed, and had to sleep by a Billabong...no food or light, just few little nuggies which weren't
the least appetizing/nourishingI could hear the frogs which also meant snakes........I reckon with your bush experience you can give us tips on survival.
....Hoo Roo.
You only buy the ones with Brandy in them G. Ya told me that.
LLD said
06:34 PM Nov 24, 2018
Ya buys the ordinary fruit cake, pour Brandy over it, warm it up the the microwave, and put custard or icecream on it. Having Brandy handy is a given. The other items are questionable.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:51 PM Nov 24, 2018
Fuel and money . As always .,
Goldfinger said
09:58 PM Nov 24, 2018
Great idea Dougwe, would the Police Ossifer believe me that I had had one too many Brandy Fruit Cakes?..?....I've always been tempted to try Sticky Date Pudding whilst driving, but the name makes me real nervous...Lmao....Hoo Roo
Keith P said
10:37 PM Nov 24, 2018
For us it is nearly always water that runs out first. Power ...nup...food ...nup...all the rest of the stuff needed is either frozen, dried ,tinned or long life...and the washing even takes as little water as possible in a closed bucket inside truck...if n when we decide to use that too. but it nearly always comes down to lack of water that gets us to move. but being away from it all can be really soothing and calming ...if you don't fret about getting low on stuff...so a laid back attitude and a bit of planning...and the sky is the limit.
ENJOY !!
Cheers Keith
LLD said
11:09 PM Nov 24, 2018
Goldfinger wrote:
Great idea Dougwe, would the Police Ossifer believe me that I had had one too many Brandy Fruit Cakes?..?....I've always been tempted to try Sticky Date Pudding whilst driving, but the name makes me real nervous...Lmao....Hoo Roo
A sticky date whilst driving ! (couldnt help myself)
pomme said
11:52 AM Nov 25, 2018
bought myself a 250 ltr water bladder for when we go remote, fits in the back of the ute empty (less weight) until such as time it may be needed.
Wife thinks its the best thing we bought.
Pomme.
Mike Harding said
02:05 PM Nov 25, 2018
Thanks for your replies so far.
Goldfinger: I'll be prospecting too both with pan and GPX4500. And, yes, stay clear of the rivers/dams after dark.
Water, clearly, is always the number one issue but I'll usually be camping by a water source, river or dam, and will take my shower and dish washing water from that so the 200L of drinking water in the caravan tanks will keep me going for around 50 days when used for cooking and drinking only.
Maybe I'll turn the 60L fridge/freezer into a -12C freezer but that will require a lot of energy to keep it frozen.
I think I'll need a decent amount of petrol for the chainsaw and generator for when the sun doesn't shine (Victoria) and to cut firewood especially in winter - 25L+ I'm guessing. I don't like carrying petrol but needs must.
Food wise: people have mentioned pasta - I don't take pasta bush because it requires a lot of clean water to cook and that water is subsequently wasted, rice is better - especially Thai Jasmine, yum :) Now I have a microwave potatoes are viable too and, if stored in the dark and cool, will keep well.
Eggs are good for 30 days+, milk for 14 then it's pasteurised, bread, as mentioned, will need to be made.
The closer I look at it the more I think 30 days or so should not be a major issue for which to live totally off-grid.
What have I missed?
rockylizard said
02:35 PM Nov 25, 2018
Mike Harding wrote:
Thanks for your replies so far.
SNIP~~~I think I'll need a decent amount of petrol for the chainsaw and generator for when the sun doesn't shine (Victoria) and to cut firewood especially in winter - 25L+ I'm guessing. I don't like carrying petrol but needs must.~~~SNIP
Gday...
Understand your concern about 'when the sun doesn't shine(Victoria)' but it doesn't necessarily mean it will be as big a problem as you think.
I accept we are all different. However, it does depend on what your power usage is ... or how you use the available power when the 'sun doesn't shine'.
I started out my full-time journey with a gennie but after two years I lashed out and put on 2x80W solar panels into my 110Ahr battery. The gennie remained neatly packed in the rear of the Landy.
Two years ago I added a 200W solar panel to the other 2x80W (360W) into a 120Ahr battery. The gennie has continued to stay neatly packed in the rear of the Landy.
There have been times when I have carried six litres in my 10litre jerry "just in case" and have ended up giving it to someone with a petrol vehicle.
My experience is that the battery gets back to float around lunchtime of mid-arvo even on overcast days - or in very light drizzle. However, if it is actually raining then it struggles to get full charge back that day.
Regarding chainsaw. I have carried mine since hitting the road 10 years ago. It has only been started every couple of years just to make sure it does and to give it a bit of a 'tune up'. Other than that, it hasn't been near any wood.
I carry a bow saw and find that is more than enough to cut enough wood for a night or two's cooking fire and bit of heat. If I want a 'bigger fire' to sit around and be mesmerised by the lovely flickering flames then I just drag smallish logs to camp and when the fire is on its way, I just add them an end at a time and let then burn. No need to cut into lovely even lengths if they are just for an open fire.
If it is winter, then I hit the sack by 9pm and keep warm inside - usually in bed - bugger sitting outside in the cold at a fire - hot in the front and freezing in the butt.
For sure, when you head off, carry that little bit of petrol for gennie and chainsaw ... but I reckon after a bit of time, you, like me, will decide it is needed infrequently if at all.
The house is sold, the caravan is bought and I'm planning to become a nomad in a couple of weeks so I'm trying to do some planning.
I intend to go deep bush for lengthy periods, well away from shops and civilisation - I have considerable experience of doing this in a tent but only for a couple of weeks or so without visiting a town.
Although I travel alone the amount of consumables needed for four weeks plus is considerable. And even though I'll shoot and fish where possible I'll still get through a lot of food I reckon. An opportunity to lose weight perhaps? :)
So my question to those who travel remote is:
What do you run out of or run low on first?
Water and patience. Not necessary in that order.
When the fresh meat, vegetables & fruit run out we fall back on our ''long time in the bush'' stash. We always use UHT semi skim milk until it runs out.
We carry fishing rods & yabby traps. Handed our guns in ages ago.
Water dictates how long we stay out in the bush by ourselves (about 2weeks max.) without coming into contact with anyone else.
I'd taken water as a given - and perhaps meditation would help with the anger?
Anyway, thank Goodness you didn't mention alcohol - I'm looking up "brew your own" sites :)
As Keith said above - dry foods are the go, even powdered eggs. Canned sardines best bang for your buck in reducing weight of pure protein food. That's how we used to trek for weeks at a time, Fly sheet for hootchie, a backpack to put it in - ready for the apocalypse.
Who mentioned "anger?"
Easy to see why I mentioned patience though, when people make assumptions.
Make a lot of home brew, you sound like you're going to need it.
Shower water runs out first (or needs to be rationed) if there is none to "pick up" and treat.
Then food after about a month, if there is no fish. That does not count the emergency food supply that is good for another couple of weeks, if necessary. No guns any more.
Cheers,
Peter
>Sadly carrying a firearm interstate is fraught with all sorts of
>hazards and rules.
No it's not difficult if one understands the requirements.
And one is not always leaving one's home state.
>I would also consider taking along some form of emergency
>communications
How does two HF, VHF and UHF radios plus a UHF CB plus a VHF/UHF
radio plus three mobile phones plus a PLB grab you? Not to mention an
assortment of antennas to rival NASA.
Plus a heliograph.
As I said; I've done this before... across much of the world.
I was just kind of hoping... people would tell me what they ran out
of....
Gday...
https://www.campertraileraustralia.com.au/features/1606/travelling-with-firearms
https://ssaa.org.au/news-resources/firearms-industry/a-state-by-state-look-at-travelling-with-firearms
Cheers - John
My fault, I should have been more specific.
I was constructing a shopping/supplies list when I wrote this post and I was wondering what provisions people ran out of first:
Eggs?
Cornflakes?
Curry powder?
Biscuits?
Bleach?
Toilet paper?
Bread?
Cling film?
Etc.
Gday...
Praps a bit of reverse thinking Mike.
What do you use the most of while at home and not on the road. How often do you come close to running out of those items.
I would think that whatever you are most likely to use the most of at home is very much like what you may run out of first on the road.
Obviously, it will be the perishables that last the less time and the processed/tinned/powdered foods that will be there the longest.
One can stock up on the processed/tinned/powdered foods whereas it is not as easy to stock up on perishables.
Jest sayin'
Cheers - John
Gum Leafs
>Gum Leafs
They make a passable soap too.
>bread
Yep. Got that one and thought I'd take packet bread mix and make them up in the camp oven - I've done this with success before.
>What do you use the most of while at home
Good approach John; trouble is... I don't really know. Having easy access to shops and a large house in which to store lots of stuff I've never really kept an eye on that. Perishables, as you say, will surely be first but frozen veg and meat mitigate much of that. Cheese maybe? But when vacuum wrapped that will keep for ages. Similarly butter/marg. Fruit perhaps but, then again, I don't eat anywhere near as much fruit as I should.
Have cereal with tinned fruit salad for breakfast just about every day. I seem to eat better (read healthier) on the road than at home
sure they have long 'use by' dates and they keep well in Tupperware once opened....buy them when discounted and they have to be the best all rounder for the money.....that wont leave you
all bound up, and hunched up like my dog behind a gum tree for an eternity...doing skiddies.lol....I eat so many I could almost survive on them even if I may end up looking like a Lions
Xmas cake.....it was an old bushies tip years ago that put me on to them...".fruit cake and mug of tea will never upset your tummy"...
Good luck Mike, I got caught one day/night detecting, not allowing for daylight saving had just changed, and had to sleep by a Billabong...no food or light, just few little nuggies which weren't
the least appetizing/nourishingI could hear the frogs which also meant snakes........I reckon with your bush experience you can give us tips on survival.
....Hoo Roo.
Road Kill. Was travelling west along. the Midland Hwy heading towards Greens when I was approaching a car that I realised was stopped. The driver was picking up a road-kill rabbit.
You only buy the ones with Brandy in them G. Ya told me that.
For us it is nearly always water that runs out first. Power ...nup...food ...nup...all the rest of the stuff needed is either frozen, dried ,tinned or long life...and the washing even takes as little water as possible in a closed bucket inside truck...if n when we decide to use that too. but it nearly always comes down to lack of water that gets us to move. but being away from it all can be really soothing and calming ...if you don't fret about getting low on stuff...so a laid back attitude and a bit of planning...and the sky is the limit.
ENJOY !!
Cheers Keith
A sticky date whilst driving ! (couldnt help myself)
Wife thinks its the best thing we bought.
Pomme.
Thanks for your replies so far.
Goldfinger: I'll be prospecting too both with pan and GPX4500. And, yes, stay clear of the rivers/dams after dark.
Water, clearly, is always the number one issue but I'll usually be camping by a water source, river or dam, and will take my shower and dish washing water from that so the 200L of drinking water in the caravan tanks will keep me going for around 50 days when used for cooking and drinking only.
Maybe I'll turn the 60L fridge/freezer into a -12C freezer but that will require a lot of energy to keep it frozen.
I think I'll need a decent amount of petrol for the chainsaw and generator for when the sun doesn't shine (Victoria) and to cut firewood especially in winter - 25L+ I'm guessing. I don't like carrying petrol but needs must.
Food wise: people have mentioned pasta - I don't take pasta bush because it requires a lot of clean water to cook and that water is subsequently wasted, rice is better - especially Thai Jasmine, yum :) Now I have a microwave potatoes are viable too and, if stored in the dark and cool, will keep well.
Eggs are good for 30 days+, milk for 14 then it's pasteurised, bread, as mentioned, will need to be made.
The closer I look at it the more I think 30 days or so should not be a major issue for which to live totally off-grid.
What have I missed?
Gday...
Understand your concern about 'when the sun doesn't shine(Victoria)' but it doesn't necessarily mean it will be as big a problem as you think.
I accept we are all different. However, it does depend on what your power usage is ... or how you use the available power when the 'sun doesn't shine'.
I started out my full-time journey with a gennie but after two years I lashed out and put on 2x80W solar panels into my 110Ahr battery. The gennie remained neatly packed in the rear of the Landy.
Two years ago I added a 200W solar panel to the other 2x80W (360W) into a 120Ahr battery. The gennie has continued to stay neatly packed in the rear of the Landy.
There have been times when I have carried six litres in my 10litre jerry "just in case" and have ended up giving it to someone with a petrol vehicle.
My experience is that the battery gets back to float around lunchtime of mid-arvo even on overcast days - or in very light drizzle. However, if it is actually raining then it struggles to get full charge back that day.
Regarding chainsaw. I have carried mine since hitting the road 10 years ago. It has only been started every couple of years just to make sure it does and to give it a bit of a 'tune up'. Other than that, it hasn't been near any wood.
I carry a bow saw and find that is more than enough to cut enough wood for a night or two's cooking fire and bit of heat. If I want a 'bigger fire' to sit around and be mesmerised by the lovely flickering flames then I just drag smallish logs to camp and when the fire is on its way, I just add them an end at a time and let then burn. No need to cut into lovely even lengths if they are just for an open fire.
If it is winter, then I hit the sack by 9pm and keep warm inside - usually in bed - bugger sitting outside in the cold at a fire - hot in the front and freezing in the butt.
For sure, when you head off, carry that little bit of petrol for gennie and chainsaw ... but I reckon after a bit of time, you, like me, will decide it is needed infrequently if at all.
Cheers - John