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ANOTHER BL**PING BUG OUT WALK.

Camo • August 31, 2022

So, it I thought: I‘m going to walk home from here! 

So, it I thought: I‘m going to walk home from here! The time is 16:25 on an early winter’s afternoon in Johannesburg. Ahead lay a walk of close to 13 km and the sun would be setting in about an hour or so. It was already chilly, temperature dropping quickly as the sun approached the horizon.

So what’s the big deal?

In 2016 I did a bug out to test whether my Bug Out Bag/Get home Bag would actually help or hinder me in walking 27km. By my account it was successful. However; I had this nagging feeling that perhaps it was not as “real” as it should have been. You see my bag was packed I had pre-planned my route AND determined the time when I would walk it. A big factor in a bug out or get home scenario is Timing and Location. It is the unknown. You will not know when (Time) or where (Location) you will be when you are to make the decision to walk home. Bluntly put, you will be forced to make a decision based on you situation. This may be a civil disaster, traffic jam, flood, riot or simply running out of fuel.

 

Thus after my Bug out in 2016 I had been looking for an opportunity to do a “surprise” bug out. However only Schizophrenic sufferers are able to plan a surprise party for themselves and pull it off. I had the option of requesting friend to literally collect me from the office or home and then drop me off at a location in a time unknown.

 

However this never materialised until a few days ago when I went to drop off my vehicle for its service. To get home I would need a family member to collect me, and, as they were busy it would inconvenience them. Then the though came to mind: Well Camo, now is your opportunity to bug out.

Perfect I thought! Distance was about 12km and it would be primarily along tarred roads and pavements so it should be a piece of cake. I booked my vehicle in at the Rosettenville Dealership and then retrieved my Bug-Out-Bag. Immediately the first problem presented itself: I had my Bug out Bag as well as my Lap top bag to carry. There was no way the lap top would be abandoned. It simply was not an option.


I thus removed some rope from my Bug Out Bag. Similarly I left my axe, bolt cutters, spade and a host of other smaller items in the car. My Bugout bag weighed in at 9kg, the laptop at about 7kg. Before setting off I took a bunch of water sachets or “Boebies” and stuffed them into my pockets as well as a battery to charge my cell phone. I set off with the Bug out Bag slung on my back and the Laptop Bag carried on my chest. 9 kg on my back, 7kg on my Chest and stomach a total 16kg on my feet.


What was I wearing? Essentially office work clothes. Slip on ankle boots, jeans, shirt with collar and a sports jacket. Due to a cut that had inflicted on the palm of my right hand a week earlier I was wearing a buff on my wrist over my palm to protect the cut whilst it healed. Ironically the buff would prove to be gold on the walk home. Thus unsuitably attired I set of at about 16:25 on a late May afternoon. The sun was going to set and the rush hour traffic was in full swing.


I had a sneaked a peak at google maps to confirm my route was sensible. Google gave me 3 options all within about 1 or 2km of each other in terms of distance to be travelled. I chose what I thought was the safest, primarily alongside tarred roads. I turned off the main road in Rosettenville and zig zagged my way through less busy back roads towards my first waypoint. It was a nice walk. The bags sat comfortably on my back and front.
Walking really does slow one pace both physically and mentally allowing one to notice what is going on around oneself, Mother collecting their kids from afterschool, kids playing soccer in the street, folks walking home with shopping bags, the smell of suppers cooking; generally a very peaceful scene

For the first 30 minutes I was hyper vigilant as to the possibility of being mugged. The way I was carrying my bags meant that I was not going to be able to outrun anyone. Fact is even without the bags I would not be able to. However as the reality of what I was doing set in I became more focused on putting one foot in front of the other, every now and then I would stop and glance back to check that all was ok.


Shortly I joined a main road which I had to use. Essentially it was one of 3 choke points that I had to transit to get home on this particular route. Each route I chosen had one of these and whilst it had not concerned me, if the situation was dire these choke point could make it impassable if they had been blocked.
No more was I in quiet back roads, the traffic was hectic and there were a lot of pedestrians walking home mainly in a direction toward me. As I walked noticed the litter and debris from car accidents strewn alongside the pavements. Quite depressing.


Crossing an intersection with the bags I was carrying proved to be an exercise in patience. No way was I going to be able to show a disregard for a red light, and frankly Gauteng traffic treats traffic lights as yield anyway. So patience waiting for the correct signal and a break in traffic was necessary. Would have been hilarious sight to get knocked over wearing the gear I was.

Reading the newspaper headlines plastered to the street poles: I chuckled when I saw the one read “The burden of Big Boobs” little did I know that I would be sympathising with that headline shortly.


Traffic was as hectic when I reached the top of what is a very steep hill. I guestimate that vertically the drop is about 135m over the distance of about 2.5km. There was no pavement to speak of and I was forced to cross the road and also walk on the island separating the lanes of traffic. Walking on uneven ground really sucks. Pretty soon the lap top bag on my front was burdening me pretty much as would big boobs or a pregnancy I suppose. Additionally the bag straps would keep slipping off. In the beginning it was a nuisance, eventually it was a major irritation.


At about 17:30 I made my first stop. Dropped a pin on WhatsApp so my family would know where to find my body if I did not make it. I swopped the bags around: the 9Kg Bug out Bag on my front and the Laptop bag on my back. Due to the style and width of the shoulder straps the Bug out Bag were less prone to slipping off. I had not realised it but the light was pretty dim. Passing vehicles had their head light on, those street lights that were working had switched on. I stopped again and took our my NiteCore NU30 Headlamp and NU05Headlamp (Yes I carry two Headlamps in my bag)


I strapped both to my head. One facing rearward set to flashing red and the other to the front, set to medium output and focused downwards so I could actually see where I was putting my feet. Whist the state of our roads generally is not good, it is way worse for pavements. They are uneven, littered, overgrown and at times dug up. If it were not for the Nitecore I would have planted my face into the pavement on more than one occasion. No jokes. At one point I was taking a short cut across a section of veldt to save time when an inter-link truck almost rode over me. I have no idea whether he saw me or not, but he pulled off the road either to pick someone up or sleepover for the night. Either way I almost had an 18 wheeler impressed upon my face


I then switched my Nitecore onto a high output. I had been well aware that my clothing and bags were dark, I just could not believe that now one sees flashing lights. I felt like a persecuted cyclist! Remember the buff I mentioned earlier: Well it was a life saver. As it got colder so did my head and face and ears. I then wore the buff on my head covering mouth. I must have looked a site with two flashing headlamps and my head swathed in fabric. Nonetheless it really worked. My head and ears were protected and warm.


Finally after about 3 hours I got home at 19:30. I had drank about 4 x150 “boebies” (750ml) and was knackered. Compared to the bug out I had done in 2016 it was a lot tougher. Probably a combination of the extra weight and my less than ideal physical condition. So to sum up it was pretty uneventful although tougher than the 27km event I had done before: However I do believe that some important lessons were learnt.


Unless artillery, rioters, Gas, Fire or floodwaters are bearing down on you; one will not easily abandon ones vehicle or its contents. Yes it may be insured, but we capitalist’s do not like to throw away stuff we have worked hard for. You will have to decide what you can and cannot carry. This is going to depend entirely on your situation, physical condition and route.

Footwear: Hiking with the wrong footwear is a recipe for a disaster and will probably debilitate you for the next few days.  Abandoning your vehicle is usually not the best idea especially in a lost in the bundu situation. Your car can protect you against the elements, sleep in it and be much more comfortable than sleeping under a bush. Walking a long route home is not always sensible. Check your route, perhaps you have friend, family, church or work colleagues that could offer sanctuary. A small child or someone wearing heels is going to seriously disrupt your plans for hiking.

#44 Show Restraint

By Camo • May 17, 2024
On a list of skills for your average South African might need to learn, restraining a criminal might be on it. Physically restraining an individual is both physically and legally risky. Physically: Because it means you are in extremely close proximity to someone who wishes you no good will. Legally: Because if your restrain/arrest someone for the wrong reason or they are injured whilst they are restrained can lead to legal bills. But the sad fact is that the ordinary South African civvie might have to perform a citizen’s arrest and detain someone until the police arrive; eventually. TheQuarterMaster can assist by supplying the correct Handcuffs or Cuff Ties. Usually if you hand over a hand cuffed suspect to the SAPS you can expect your hand cuffs to go with the suspect to the holding cell and most likely you are not going to get it back. TheQuarterMaster has a Handcuffs ranging in Quality and Price: The Republic Arms Hand Cuffs are top of the range and have a reputation internationally for being robust and well made. Look after them and they will serve you for a lifetime. The Midrange Hand Cuffs work well to do the job at hand and if you lose them they will not break the bank either. The Flexi-Cuffs are ideal for when mass arrests are made and you have to quickly and safely restrain groups of individuals E.g. Gangs, syndicate members etc. No key is required and they are incredibly strong. They must be removed with the use of side cutters. Using a knife is going to result in injury. (Refer also to legal troubles above) At TheQuarterMaster Skills and knowledge are as important as having the right gear. To do things right TheQuarterMaster can help you with the gear and advice Regards  Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew

#43 Noise Blast

By Camo • April 26, 2024
Among the devices that TheQuarterMaster sells are those that make a noise. A very loud noise. And if you couple it with it being an unexpected loud noise then you have both and alarm and a deterrent to alert you to intruders and to scare them off. The BangAlert is a tripwire device that uses, well, a trip wire and a .27 Calibre Hilti Cap to make a loud noise (Similar to a Gunshot) and if it is in a confined space, passage or room believe me it is even louder! Use it to secure either perimeters or outbuildings and campsites. It is rugged, weather proof and requires no batteries and will not harm pets or children if set off accidentally. Obviously the closer you are the greater the fright. Even if you do not hear the “Bang” if you patrol the area you installed the Bang Alert you will notice if it has been set off. Set the trip wire just below knee height and you should be good to go. If you are sneaky you will alter the angle and length of the trip wire each time it is set off and keep the bad guys guessing. We also have hand held Compressed Air Noise Blaster in a range of sizes. It give a deafening sound to raise an alarm, scare off/frighten bad guys as well as Elephants and other critters. Seriously: One customer order a quite a few of the larger Air Horns that are used on a Game Reserve to scare off Elephants and it seems to work? As the saying goes: YMMV (Your Miles May Vary) so please be prudent. If you have unwelcome guests at night and you are secure it will be extremely effective giving off a loud piecing blast. If you use a series of short blasts it can signal a fire, intruders or a specific emergency event which if everyone is trained to react to can speed up the response and hopefully reduce the severity. With a smaller unit it can scare off a mugger or signal when you are lost. It does not require batteries and is simply to use with minimal training. This is what TheQuarterMaster does: Help you prepare for those events that can be life changing and hopefully reduce its severity. (A blast of noise might just do it) All the best Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew

#42 The Nut and the Pea and some butter

By Camo • April 17, 2024
Who ever thought of taking a Pea and mixing it with a nut and butter was genius. Seriously though Peanut butter is a real treat especially with Apricot Jam or even Mixed Berry. However in situation that are less than ideal, such as a crisis, of heightened physical and mental stress Peanut Butter is a life saver. Our Eezy Squeezy Peanut Butter is Packaged in a 30 gram pouch it is going to provide you with a mouthful of Peanut Buttery goodness as well as the energy boost that comes from consuming a protein. The Eezy Squeezy Peanut Butter Sachet has proven to be popular with some of our customers who are either hikers or athletes that need a quick boost whilst on the go. Or it can make for a nice tasty snack when you take a break whilst on an anti-poaching patrol or long Saturday Cycle in the country side. The sachet is easily compactible to be disposed of when you are back in civilisation. It will easily burn in a fire to. So keep a few Eezy Squeezy Peanut Butter Sachets in your hiking or EDC gear. It will make nice time nicer and crisis times a bit more manageable. Checkout our webstore: We also have Olive oil , Honey , Mixed Fruit and Apricot Jam Sachets Calmly: Be prepared  Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew

#41 Cooking on the Move

By Camo • April 3, 2024
Fire and especially a braai fire is a South African tradition. However there are time when out about in your favourite part of the South African outdoors that it is either not prudent nor possible or even illegal brew up a coffee or heat a meal on an open flame never mind a braai. The possibility of starting a veldt fires, alerting poachers (if on an anti-poaching patrol) or being stuck in a tent whilst it is raining and windy outside all get a vote as to exactly how you will make that “brew”. TheQuarterMaster has a range of stoves that can, literally, fit the pocket or at least a large pocket. One of the popular old favourites is the Coughlan’s Emergency Stove It is a copy of the venerable Esbit stove (No longer imported into ZAR). It will fit into a breast pocket and has space to contain Solid Fuel Tablets. It is relatively odourless and smokeless which is critical if you are indoors or simply trying to remain low key. You know those gas stoves that have a relatively high center of gravity: The usually indicate that the water has boiled by tipping over  who has not experienced that! That’s why the a low center of gravity is important Thus Coughlan’s folding stove is completely quiet, odourless, packs really flat. When set up is low and can take a small to large size kettle or pot. This is my favourite and I have used it many a time to make a brew and heat a meal. It uses a Wood Alcohol as fuel which is not messy or stinky. The MSR Dragon Fly Multi Fuel can use petrol, benzene, diesel or paraffin. Ideal for those trekking across strange continents not knowing what fuel will be avaliable. At full blast it really makes a noise, but brings water to a boil quick. The flame is easily regulated and can be set to simmer when needed.  TheQuarterMaster has a range of Stoves, solid fuel, gas and liquid fuel that can turn a miserable time out doors into a pleasant time. It will save you time foraging for wood or fuel too. If you need advice give us a Call or a WhatsApp and we will assist you. All the best Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew.

#40 There was a time called BC

By Camo • March 20, 2024
There was a time called BC. Before Coffee. It must have been a crazy world, getting up in the morning and maybe having a drink of hot water or milk or maybe some concoction of roasted grains. Thank fully those dark day are behind us. Here at TheQuarterMaster we take our coffee so seriously that we sell it GREEN. Yes, unroasted green coffee beans. We have Columbian , Guatemalan and Ethiopian green coffee beans in 500gr thru 5kg packs. Why you may ask? Green coffee beans if stored properly will last indefinitely and you can choose when and how dark/mild you want to roast them. How do you roast coffee at home? Easy, in a thick based potjie or pan. I prefer to use an electric popcorn maker. Two or three minutes in the popcorn maker and you can gauge the level of roast for yourself. If you are going to try this at home: Do it OUTSIDE as the smoke and the thin skin that peels off can create a real mess. Roast them till you here a crackle begin. This is called first crack. When a 2 nd bout of cracking starts then you are more or less ready. It’s not rocket science, but you get the satisfaction of roasting your own beans to your peculiar taste and the aroma is just wonderful. Last bit of advice: Allow the beans to cool off and only use a day or two later. So, get your green coffee beans from TheQuarterMaster and either put them away for long term storage or roast to you own spec. Regards Camo & TheQuarterMaster Crew

#39 The Chicken, the Pasta and the Vegetables.

By Camo • March 15, 2024
You know those cooking shows where they show you the freshly obtained ingredient’s, neatly arranged on a clean counter all ready to be prepared, diced and cooked up. That is not how it works at TheQuarterMaster. Ideally you will be in a remote and beautiful location sitting next to a camp stove with your Billy can or Dixie at a rolling boil. There is no chicken, pasta or vegetables in sight. Because TheQuarterMaster has crammed them all into a retort pouch. No fuss, no chasing chickens around or having to dig up vegetables. All you have to do is place the pouch in your boiling Dixie. Simple, tasty and easy to warm up. Keep camping, hiking or patrolling simple. TheQuarterMaster has a range of Single Meals which can be paired with rice , samp or lentils. Regards Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew

Yummy Tummy

By Camo • March 8, 2024
Possibly: You’re on a long hunt. Perhaps on a longer bush patrol (Vehicle or Foot). You might be in an observation post which you cannot leave. Or you might have security guards on post at a client. You could be bugging out! In all cases you will be away from catered food and water. In situations like this getting food and water to those in the field is complicated. Checkers 60/60 or Mr Delivery are of no use save a 4x4 or armoured car to get the food and water to where it needs to be. Additionally you want the food and drink arrive in a condition where it is safe to eat and drink. (I recall soldiers in WW1 battle of Ypres (I think) during been delivered hot tea in containers that had been used for petrol. In the hell of trench war this must have been a soul destroying) So how do you get hot hygienic and tasty food to those out in the field or on operation? That exactly what TheQuarterMaster is here for: Getting you the right gear and supplies to the right place at the right time. That way you can ensure you complete your mission (Work or Fun). Our Single Meals are tasty and hygienic meals stored in a pouch. They can be heated in the pouch either against your body or boil in the bag. If open flames are unwise or not permitted then a Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) is ideal. It is a packet with a water activated heating pad. Insert your Single Meal Food Pouch into the FRH add about 30ml of water and within 10 minutes you will have a piping hot meal. Use your SPOON to keep the meal hygienic and feed yourself. My favourite is the Savoury Mince and if you add in a starch such as SAMP , Savoury RICE or even PAP you have a really good meal. For those with a sweet tooth TheQuarterMaster has sachets of APRICOT and MIXED FRUIT JAM as well as PEANUT BUTTER and HONEY . All of these sachets will quickly give you an energy boost can be applied to bread or biscuit to make a sandwich. To round off you meal TheQuarterMaster has “ Bush Biscuits ” Styled on the traditional army Dog Biscuit. HOWEVER our Bush Biscuit is easy to eat/fragment into piece yet not a fragile that it will crumble into powder whilst being carried. It has a pleasant Mild Malty Taste and can be eaten as is, topped off with Jam and Peanut-butter or anything savoury. Bon appetite! Regards Camo & TheQuarterMaster Crew.

# 37 Cold Clammy Shock

By Camo • February 23, 2024
Shock caused by blood loss from a traumatic wound is a cold and clammy feeling mixed in with a shivering cold and the sensation of falling asleep and nausea. Unless immediate action is taken a funeral plan might be needed. Whilst most commercial first aid kits are set up to deal with ‘Lite’ type wounds, the limited amount and small size bandages will have trouble with arterial or large capillary bleeds. I highly recommend that you attend a course Stop-The-Bleed. It will teach you how to deal with massive bleeding wounds with limited resources. For many years Tourniquets have been frowned on as specialist equipment that only specialists should use. The reality of specialists is that they are seldom around when you need them and more than likely you are going to have to wait for them to get to you or you are going to have to get to them: ASAP! AXIOSTAT is a sponge that has a blood clotting agent soaked into it. Depending on the size of the wound it can be literally shoved into the hole or gash to quickly stop bleeding. Honestly if you are on blood thinning meds, you need to have Axiostat close by. Let’s assume that you have stopped traumatic bleeding, either with the correct use of Axiostat, a Tourniquet or your T-shirt stuffed into the holes and pressure applied. Yes, it will be messy (and I really hope you will be wearing protective Nitrile Gloves ) but it can work. Next you will have to deal with the consequences of the blood loss namely Shock and its symptoms. This can range from feeling cold and starting to shiver and drowsiness. A simple Rescue Blanket can easily keep the victim warm. Failure to do so will see complications from the shock set in a few days later as the grim reaper returns to claim what should have been his a few days prior. There are tragic stories of lives that could have been saved bit for skill and/or a simple piece of gear. Please folks consider carrying TheQuarterMaster IFAK . It will have most of what you need to deal wounds and injuries that result in blood loss. Stopping the bleeding should be your priority. One can get oxygen into the victim after a few minutes, blood not so much. TheQuarterMaster IFAK bag should be part of your range gear and be in your vehicle. Gear plus skill might prevent tragedy for you or your family. Stay Safe Regards Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew.

#36 Palms Greased

By Camo • February 12, 2024
Sadly in South Africa, the euphemism for bribery, Greasing Palms is becoming an uncomfortable feature to get things done or move the wheels of officialdom. Usually a Coke or KFC are entry level “Grease”. It’s not pleasant nor right. If difficult or lazy people require “Grease” to work, what about our machines, tools and equipment? TheQuarterMaster stocks a wide range of lubricants and cleaning fluids for general & specific applications. The Anti-Scuff Paste (Molybdenum Di-sulphide) it is a paste that you burnish into the moving parts of firearms. At a microscopic level the Moly adheres to the surface smoothing out for a long time essentially being a dry lubricant. Additionally it has such a high melting point that it is used as a lubricant in Jet Engines. With the extremely high melting point and abrasion resistance it is perfect for firearms that will see heavy use. Our Honing oil applied to a wet stone will speed up your sharpening of knives. The honing oil lifts out the fine metal dust from the stone making each stroke on the stone more efficient. The Copper Anti-Seize Grease has micro fine copper powder in a lithium grease. It too can handle high temperatures used on moving parts of Reloading Press’s or Firearms will reduce friction and extend operational life. Herschel Multi-Purpose Spray 150ml is my favourite Lubricant and Cleaner in a can. The smaller can size is ideal to fit into your range bag or tool box. It is also non-carcinogenic. Compared to some local equivalents it is the “Q”ueen of Cleaning and Lubricating sprays. It will not damage rubber of plastic parts. Yes it is also avaliable in a Larger 300ml Can for the workshop Silicone Spray is fantastic to displace water off electronic parts, spray onto zips of bags and gear. Inert, non-toxic and Odourless it will waterproof fabrics too. Gear is expensive and needs to be maintained to extend service life and ensure proper function. Checkout TheQuarterMaster range of Lubes and Grease: They are guaranteed to work better than a lazy civil servant. All the best.  Camo and TheQuarterMaster crew.

#35 Fingers, Nails 'n Teeth

By Camo • January 31, 2024
Compared to the rest of the animals that roam, swim or fly about this planet we Humans really do not have much of a tool box. Claws, talons, teeth, tusks and horns are not on the list of items that we are born with. Yes, our brain is our Superpower that enables us to survive and thrive in all types of environments and out into space. Yet we may have the software; we do not have the “Hardware” aside from our nails, fingers and teeth. TheQuarterMaster has a fantastic range of tools that are portable and pocket size. Our Multitool is a great price and comes with a 10 year warranty with 13 tools will be able to grip, cut, pry, and file. Compared to your finger nails and teeth this is a real winner. A simple Okapi or Honey Badger knife can defend you if attacked by a Cake or Piece of Biltong. Seriously though, I cannot get through my day without my Honey Badger, using it to cut tape, boxes or in the kitchen. From a self Defence point of view a Claw knife is a fantastic weapon of last resort especially if you are of the fairer sex. A blade can devastate an attacker from close up. I wish more women with the appropriate mindset and basic training carried a blade. By the end of the week there will be less rapists and abusers in society. No matter how fantastic our Brain, Fingers and Nails are, you cannot start a fire with them. With a bit of practice you should be able to start a fire many time over with a Ferro Rod . It is virtually abuse proof and water proof. If you have an inclination to the historical, why not try your hand starting your fire with a ”TontelDoos” or Tinder Box. It takes a bit of practice but is surprisingly easy once you get the technique right. Think about it, the world was explored and settled with the help of canvas, wood, iron, brass and a lot of blood sweat and tears. There was not an iPhone, keyboard or Screen in existence! Simple tools carried in your pocket will make your day much easier. Try it You will be surprised how much you come to rely on them. Stay safe: Be prepared Regards Camo and TheQuarterMaster Crew
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