Brett

What I Did To Prep This Week – Week 75: December 15th 2019 – December 21st 2019

Hello Pack. We are nearing the end of another year of prepping. I hope it has been a productive, satisfying, and educational experience for all of us. This week on our survival retreat we have been busy with holiday happenings and a birthday party, but have managed to work in some vital prepping, as well. We are back to that nasty time of year when it is impossible to keep poultry waterers from…

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2020 Hiking Resolutions

2020 Goals

Whether you call them resolutions, goals, or dreams, it’s good to occasionally plan what you would like to accomplish. Your plan can include short, mid, and long-term objectives – some big and some not so much.

In 2020, I hope to have a few adventures and produce something of value before the year is complete. I’ll share my plan with you and hopefully have them all checked off in 12 months.

  • Do 6 Hiking Adventures – I don’t have any very long treks this year, but will do these:
    • Florida Beaches – three days of hiking around Marco Island
    • Two Appalachian Trail Trips – in May and July, but not a thru-hike
    • Cloud Peak Wilderness – another week long backpacking trip in the mountains with some fishing and introducing newbies to backpacking
    • Kekekabic Trail – probably a yo-yo of this Minnesota wilderness trail, about 85 miles total
    • Border Route Trail – yo-yo hike of this other Minnesota wilderness trail, 120 miles
  • Walk 1500 Miles – I’ll do 25-30 miles a week on local trails, plus these other trips should reach the goal.
  • Write 2 Hiking Books – I’ve started a book about the Superior Hiking Trail that I will finish, and I’ve been asked by a publisher to write a book about the Appalachian Trail.
  • Do 2 Trail Work Trips – volunteer trail maintenance to keep the trails accessible to other hikers. Trail work is a great way to learn a trail, get exercise, meet fun people, and give back.
  • Do 2 Hiking Presentations – Passing on knowledge and experiences to others is a good thing. Midwest Mountaineering puts on an Expo each spring and fall. I presented to about 100 people this past fall and hope to do it again.

In the next few posts, I’ll tell you about a couple other exciting (to me anyway) things happening in my hiking world this year. It looks to be a fun, busy year ahead.

What about you? I’d love to hear about any hikes, treks, or adventures you plan to tackle this year…


Hike On!

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Eating the Backyard Harvest you Never Knew Existed

If you’ve been a reader of this blog for some time now you know that I’m a BIG proponent of learning to identify and use wild edible and medicinal plants found all around you. Here’s just a small listing of the articles I’ve written on the subject:

The team over at Fix.com have created a great infographic that I wanted to share with you guys that provides a nice introduction into some common plants you should know that are probably sitting just outside your home right now…

Eating Wild Plants in Your Yard - Edible Backyard Wild Greens
Source: Fix.com Blog

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Europe Diagonal: The idea

The idea of this hike is the result of a quick look at the map: I have already hiked across Europe from East to West and from North to North, which can be seen as a vertical and horizontal traverse of the continent. So what is next? A diagonal! Ireland to Greece!

I liked the idea immediately because the route crosses two countries I have not hiked in before but always wanted to: Irland and Greece. When I then did some prelimenary research about different route options I came across a trail in Belgium called GR 129 “Belgique en diagonal”. I decided to regard this as a hint of fate and was set on the idea thereafter.

As there are two obstacles in the way – the Alps and some private and professional obligations – I will hike the route in two summer seasons: This year I will start early July in Ireland and hope to get as far as the Alps before snow starts falling and my publishing house is calling me back to my computer.

This year’s route includes the following trails:

  • In Ireland I will follow the European long-distance trail E 8. I am really looking forward to this part as I have never been in Ireland before.
  • In Great Britain the E8 coincides with the Transpennine Way which is more of a biking and than hiking route. I therefore decided to cross the island a bit further North on Wainwright’s classic Coast-to-Coast. As I have already hiked the length of Britain from John O’Groats to Land’s End I thought that this time an East-West-traverse is enough …
  • In Belgium I will follow the GR 129 which is so aptly named “Belgique en diagonal” – another part I am really looking forward to as I have done shorter hikes in Belgium before and really liked this underestimated hiking destination.
  • Luxembourg poses a bit of a problem as there is no decent hiking trail in the Southern part of this tiny country but I guess I will somehow work my way across the tiny country on local trails.
  • In Germany I wanted to use trails I have not done before – a bit difficult because I have already traversed my home country several times on foot. But I discovered some totally unknown routes like Saar-Mosel-Weg and Saar-Rhein-Weg and a diagonal traverse of the Black Forest on the HW5. From Lake Constance I will either take the popular Maximiliansweg or use some pilgrim routes – depending on how far winter has advanced. 

This first half of the European Diagonal is only 2,500 kilometres, the second half next year will be longer. 

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The Law, and Governor Northam’s Planned Treason

We are working hard in Culpeper County, Virginia, to fight back lawfully against proposed treason from the Governor’s office. We have a Culpeper County 2A Facebook page which is doing really well. We succeeded, with the help of a sympathetic Board of Supervisors, to pass a ‘Constitutional County Resolution.’

Sheriff Jenkins, the consummate politician, is getting a lot of positive PR across social media. However, the jury remains out on his true commitment to the 2A. He spoke, and confirmed, at both BOS meetings, and explained that he could not make decisions on what laws may be unconstitutional until they were passed. There is nothing complicated about an infringement to VA and US Constitutional 2A rights. He appears to be hedging. He has said that there is no limit to the number of auxiliary Sheriffs deputies that he could create; a background check and 8 hours per month voluntary service is not your natural 2A right. It is indentured servitude in order to be allowed to carry / own a firearm. We have not written him off, but he needs to confirm his position and stop politicking.

Governor Northam proposes Treason and Violence against the peaceful citizens of Virginia:

It is vital that we are clear on this, and the true legal position. This is a Constitutional Republic and we do not have our natural rights taken from us by the mob. Any law that is repugnant to the Constitution is No Law. To threaten gun confiscation is treason, and an implicit threat of violence against Virginia Citizens.

“Asked whether he (Governor Northam) supports confiscating assault weapons from gun owners, Northam demurred. ‘That’s something I’m working [on] with our secretary of public safety,” he said. “I’ll work with the gun violence activists, and we’ll work [on] that. I don’t have a definitive plan today.’”

Code of Virginia

§ 18.2-46.5. Committing, conspiring and aiding and abetting acts of terrorism prohibited; penalty.

A. Any person who commits or conspires to commit, or aids and abets the commission of an act of terrorism, as defined in § 18.2-46.4, is guilty of a Class 2 felony if the base offense of such act of terrorism may be punished by life imprisonment, or a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years.

B. Any person who commits, conspires to commit, or aids and abets the commission of an act of terrorism, as defined in § 18.2-46.4, is guilty of a Class 3 felony if the maximum penalty for the base offense of such act of terrorism is a term of imprisonment or incarceration in jail of less than twenty years.

C. Any person who solicits, invites, recruits, encourages, or otherwise causes or attempts to cause another to participate in an act or acts of terrorism, as defined in § 18.2-46.4, is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

D. Any person who knowingly provides any material support (i) to an individual or organization whose primary objective is to commit an act of terrorism and (ii) does so with the intent to further such individual’s or organization’s objective is guilty of a Class 3 felony. If the death of any person results from providing any material support, then the person who provided such material support is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

§ 18.2-46.4. Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise or it is otherwise provided:

“Act of terrorism” means an act of violence as defined in clause (i) of subdivision A of § 19.2-297.1 or an act that would be an act of violence if committed within the Commonwealth committed within or outside the Commonwealth with the intent to (i) intimidate a civilian population at large or (ii) influence the conduct or activities of a government, including the government of the United States, a state, or a locality, through intimidation.

“Base offense” means an act of violence as defined in clause (i) of subdivision A of § 19.2-297.1 committed with the intent required to commit an act of terrorism.

§ 19.2-297.1. Sentence of person twice previously convicted of certain violent felonies.

A. Any person convicted of two or more separate acts of violence when such offenses were not part of a common act, transaction or scheme, and who has been at liberty as defined in § 53.1-

151 between each conviction, shall, upon conviction of a third or subsequent act of violence, be sentenced to life imprisonment and shall not have all or any portion of the sentence suspended, provided it is admitted, or found by the jury or judge before whom he is tried, that he has been previously convicted of two or more such acts of violence. For the purposes of this section, “act of violence” means (i) any one of the following violations of Chapter 4 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Title 18.2:

a. First and second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter under Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.);

b. Mob-related felonies under Article 2 (§ 18.2-38 et seq.);

c. Any kidnapping or abduction felony under Article 3 (§ 18.2-47 et seq.);

d. Any malicious felonious assault or malicious bodily wounding under Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.);

e. Robbery under § 18.2-58 and carjacking under § 18.2-58.1;

f. Except as otherwise provided in § 18.2-67.5:2 or § 18.2-67.5:3, criminal sexual assault punishable as a felony under Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.); or

g. Arson in violation of § 18.2-77 when the structure burned was occupied or a Class 3 felony violation of § 18.2-79.

(ii) conspiracy to commit any of the violations enumerated in clause (i) of this section; and (iii) violations as a principal in the second degree or accessory before the fact of the provisions enumerated in clause (i) of this section.

Washington Post Article

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These 5 Doomsday Bunkers That are Redefining Luxury

Where will you go when disaster strikes? For many wealthy preppers, the answer lies underground – in a ridiculously swanky bunker. Check out these luxurious doomsday bunkers that are changing the survival shelter game.

Doomsday Bunkers from Around the World

Many survivalists dream of owning the ultimate underground bunker – but for these super wealthy preppers, that dream is now a reality. Complete with swimming pools, movie theaters and more, these luxurious doomsday bunkers are the best of the best. Check out these 5 doomsday bunkers that are the ultimate in survival shelters.

1. The Missile Silo Bunker

Created by Larry Hall in Kansas, the Missile Silo stretches 174 feet underground and has walls that are nine feet thick. This bunker offers a luxurious safe haven for when things get out of hand. It includes a swimming pool, library, and even a movie theater. You can purchase a condo inside the Missile Silo for $2 million.

2. The “Europa One” Bunker

Vivos is currently working on a luxurious fallout bunker in Germany called the Europe One. The bunker will be able to withstand a nuclear blast, chemical agents, earthquakes and any other disasters. The bunker will be 250,000 square feet and will be able to house 6,000 people. The Europe One will come fully equipped with luxurious swimming pools, theaters, gyms and a self-contained water and power generation system.

3. The “Home Within A Home” Bunker

During the Cold War, the original owner of this home decided to build a bunker 26 feet under his home. The owner designed the bunker to be a “home within a home” for a long-term stay. He added an outdoor area and a swimming pool, plus many more unique features. The home is estimated to cost about $1.7 million. Click here to check out the home within a a home bunker.

4. The Seed Vault Bunker

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located 810 miles away from the North Pole. Various countries contributed towards the building of the bunker back in 2006. The facility stores seeds from a variety of plants in case a major catastrophe occurs. It was reported in 2015 that the bunker held about 420 million seeds.

5. The Atlas Bunker

Atlas, an American company, constructs affordable survival shelters priced between $36,000 to $86,000. For $85,000 you can buy a 10×51 shelter with an air filtration system, blast-proof doors, dinner table, kitchen, shower, entertainment center, bunk beds and under-floor storage.

Check out the video below to learn more about these doomsday bunkers:

These 5 Doomsday Bunkers are Redefining Luxury

For awesome survival gear you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Want to read more about doomsday bunkers? Check out the posts below!

Shelter in Place | How to Stay Safe in a Pandemic

Family-Friendly Storm Shelters

The Weakness Of Underground Bunkers

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Hike the Shoshone Point Trail

Hike the Shoshone Point Trail

Hidden just a mile off the South Rim road, this easy hike to Shoshone Point is worth your while. The Shoshone Point Trail is a beautiful walk through a Ponderosa Pine forest to a serene picnic spot, and then to a hidden rock formation and Shoshone Point. If you want to get away from the crowds of tourists stopping at the roadside attractions, this short hike is for you.

The post Hike the Shoshone Point Trail appeared first on HikingGuy.com.

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It’s time to speak up about Musculoskeletal Disorders

Many of my friends, family and work colleagues have had their lives affected by musculoskeletal disorders and after years of campaigning for change I am using my voice to help raise awareness of how easy it is to prevent MSDs and create the right conditions for people to live fulfilling lives at work and at home.

I want to help organisations understand the importance of putting people back at the heart of sustainability. Through-out my working life I have seen the impact which poor working conditions have on their workers.

I estimate that 90% of my network have suffered from back pain, upper limb disorders and repetitive strain injuries linked to what they do at work. How wasteful!

I’m fairly certain that the hazards and risks associated with MSDs are recognised across the world, and that there is a huge amount of information freely available like the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EUOSHA) conversation starters that can be used to reduce the risk.

So it can be difficult to start a conversation… a simple are you OK? Or how are you today? Sounds straightforward enough, but in my experience organisations don’t really understand the importance of sustainable working lives.

Tasks involving significant physical effort, repetitive movement and poor physical posture should be avoided. Where avoidance is not possible, risks must be assessed and control measures put in place that reduce the risk of MSDs. How easy does that sound? So if it’s that easy why are new workers across the world suffering?

The suffering is often not limited to muscle or joint pain. I have seen instances where both physical and mental wellbeing have been affected with a longstanding impact on individuals and their families. With an ageing and declining population in Europe and the wider world, there is a real need to ensure that work is ‘good’ for people and as a result, they have fulfilling lives.

Using your voice and having a conversation about MSDs brings company policy to life, an end to dusty folders, unopened reminder emails or unfinished on-line learning programmes.

There is also an opportunity to take what works in the office or factory home with you, the principles are the same wherever you are and getting manual handling right reduces the potential for a life changing injury.

I think it’s all about putting people back at the heart of sustainability, and recognising the value of human capital. It’s easy to explain that each of us has value, the skills, knowledge and experience we bring with us to work every day. Think about it, our wellbeing underpins organisational success… so having a conversation about MSDs can work for everyone.

That’s easy for me to say, but to make it easier for everyone there’s a range of EUOSHA/RoSPA free resources here to help…download them, use them, then share your experience with us…use your voice!

In closing, this year RoSPA’s annual October campaign (#OSHtober) will raise awareness of the dangers associated with moving and handling (specifically around MSDs) with a ‘back’ to basics overview covering best practice, legal compliance and improved health.

As part of this we’re giving away a free ‘Supporters pack’ which includes a wealth of free content. Not only that, when you sign-up to our ‘Supporters pack’ you’ll also be entered into our prize draw for either a free Manual Handling Trainers or Safer People Handling Trainers or Display Screen Equipment course worth up to £1000.* To enter this competition all you have to do is complete the online questionnaire here.

Dr Karen McDonnell, CFIOSH, Chartered FCIPD, MRSB, PIEMA, MSP
Head of RoSPA Scotland, RoSPA OHS Policy Adviser

*See website for terms and conditions.

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