Best Time to Scout Bug Out Location
Kevin Felts 07.17.17
There is a certain area way off in the wilderness you want to scout for a bug out location. This could be in a national forest, or maybe land owned by a timber company.
Timber companies may own tens of thousands of acres. For the most part, these are managed forest and have little old growth timber. Even with managed forest that might be mostly pine tree plantations, there are going to be some old growth near creeks and streams. The areas of old growth timber along creeks and streams could make a good bug out location in the event of a collapse.
While scouting we may “accidentally” venture onto property we do not have permission to cross. The best way to avoid confrontation is to avoid other people.
So, how do you find those bug out location areas without running into someone?
- Go scouting when nobody else is in the woods.
- When are fewer people be in the woods?
- During the middle of summer.
Here is the issue, hot weather hiking is very dangerous. You are in the woods by yourself. If you overheat and develop heat exhaustion or heat stroke, nobody is going to be able to help you.
Acclimatize
One of the most dangerous activities someone can do, is to go straight from an indoor environment to scorching summer heat. If someone is use to staying inside all day, they will face some serious problems scouting in 100 degree heat.
It will take around two weeks for someone to acclimatize from an indoor air conditioned environment to the summer heat.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a short web page that talks about acclimatization.
Heat Stroke and Exhaustion
Please do not dismiss these very serious topics. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be deadly.
If you experience either of those while hiking alone, you are in serious trouble.
Let’s put it this way: When rescue personnel are looking for your body, all they will have to do is look for circling buzzards. Heat related issues are serious and should never be downplayed.
During a 2016 summer hike, I developed heat exhaustion. However, I worked in welding shops for 15 years and knew the signs very well. As soon as I realized what was going on, I laid down under the shade of a tree and cooled off.
Final Thoughts
Scouting in hot weather is a double edged sword.
On one edge, there are few people in the woods because it is either too hot, or they have other stuff going on.
The other edge, heat stroke will kill you. There is no “may” when talking about heat related issues, heat stroke “will” kill you.
However, I enjoy the challenge of hot weather hiking. It lets me get into the woods without the worry or running into other people.
