Brecon Beacons Bug Out Challenge

[@davehumpleby3440]

Many years ago I tried this out and tested myself for ten days through the Andes. I had a local map (not a patch on Ordinance Survey), no prior knowledge of my intended route and no info available re anyone having attempted it before. My rucksack weighed 50kg at the start; mostly food as I would be in the mountains with no opportunity for resupply for the duration. I climbed up to an elevation of 5000 metres above sea level and experienced temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius. I did not see another living sole for the first week. It was a truly epic experience that will stay with me for life. Shame I didn't have a video camera with me and that it was before the days of mobile phones and KZbin. Suffice to say I know what kit works for me!

[@KT_survival]

You're having fun in the crazy times we're living in. That's what all preparedness minded people should do - practicing bug out scenarios. Living just in our dreams can be costly.

[@FlyingHaggisFilms]

Wise words KT although admittedly facing about at mycage generates crampsand back pain, but needs must.🤣🤣

[@arctodussimus6198]

“Test your kit”. Some of the best advice ever spoken. After the shtf, and your life is on the line, it’s too late to find out your kit isn’t ready. I know a couple of folks that actually live out of their bug-out bag. It’s like an edc on steroids kit. The items are used often, and nothing goes past the expiration date.

[@jamesr792]

Well done sir Shiny kit syndrome is a real thing…. And doing one’s best to minimize it can be difficult Love your videos Keep up the great work

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks mate!

[@johnbiddal5951]

Good video and sound advice. The value of shiney kit may be be very high, but it's useless without experience which is priceless, when life gets difficult. Experience is not for sale but can be earned through practice

[@malcolm824]

Great video

[@chrismcclelland3532]

great video and sound advice -- has to be one of the best scenario's I've seen -- all the best m8

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks Chris!

[@AggyGoesOutdoors]

Really enjoyed this one, cracking test of body, mind and kit!

[@MarkN67]

Great vid’, enjoyed that. Really enjoy watching the “light and fast” techniques. 👍

[@craigrobertson6082]

An excellent set of explanations and a proper demonstration of the skills. Well done, mate. Thanks.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks Craig 👍

[@greenmansurvival4832]

No substitute for dirt time! Great vid as always. Need to get out for a snurgle in the Lakes pre course!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Roger that mate, time spent in snurgle is rarely wasted!

[@GamingBear_Q_E_D]

Loving your vids, getting back into things, researching and re-finding/improving my kit. Had a catastrophic rugby accident during pre-match training, recovering after several operations not allowed to move much got into gaming and worked into a top 10 team on World of Tanks, always knocked around the military and trained with family and army mates but my eyesight was worsening so didn't think I could get in even though i was as fit as any back then. So top ten team commanding NA and vision worsened leading to going officially blind at the end of last year along with realising i'm Autistic .. so looking at life (or not often lol) getting un-fat since November as I get my head back together with a new paradigm. Blind and getting fitter again but really missing bivouacking and orienteering and have a plan to try doing vids on the trials associated with this new set of challenges to find where the edges are and push to find a way to help other blind fat people (less fat than I was lost 29kg since last November) to get off the couch and do life rather than give in, to dig in and dig deep, yes it's hard but that's life. I want to get back to enjoying as many sunsets and sunrises from amazing places as my visual impairment allows between the darkness, I never know which sunset or sunrise will be the last I see but I want to do as many as I can. Need to get back to vidding, and looking to find a community with similar perspectives, if you know of anyone in a similar boat you can point them in my direction if you want, won't impose and ask anything, but if you have any thoughts I am always open to a kick in the right direction. Keep up the great work and vids, you rock dude! Regards, Bear.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks mate, appreciate it. Love your positivity despite the challenges you’re facing, good on you 👍

[@Joinordie718]

Mr Tom excellent advice and great tips sir 🤙

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks mate!

[@RT-fb6ty]

Great video, Actions speak louder than words. Everyone who owns a Bug out bag should do this simple test. After work on Friday saddle up your kit. Move as far as you can as quick as you can to put distance between you and the reason you needed to bugout. Bivouack, repeat, saturday and Sunday. Monday go back to work. How far did you go? Urban, Rural? Problems with gear, tactics, personal fitness? You are only cheating yourself if you cheat. If you were being hunted, or hounded would you survive? Make a team movement with your group or a rendezvous at a rally point. Training is essential to success.

[@chrisrandall9522]

Really enjoyed that buddy, stunning views keep em coming!!!

[@nickhealey3388]

Brilliant video mate, learnt a few tricks there. Keep the content coming! Courses sound good as well 👌👌🇬🇧

[@kan-zee]

1:35 ...Lets call it *PPB* (Prepared Pathfinder Bag) 😎👍

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Awesome. Love the views. Cheers from the Canadian Rockies.

[@fschjg3147]

Nice Video. I was there in Jan. 2018 and make then Winter Fan Dance. Very nice area.

[@craiglawrence001]

Absolutely amazing, BZ!

[@FlyingHaggisFilms]

Really enjoyable and informative film mate, sime good advice. I'm my 12kg viking patrol non bulky ruck a summer army sleep bag and army carinthia bivi seems to do the trick when wearing dry fleece and combat trousers. I assume your sleep bag system was summary? Thanks for taking us along. Stay well. Harry

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate, l was using my Winter kit, including a Softie 9 sleeping bag. Just switched over to my Summer kit now.

[@johnbudenberg6119]

actually testing kit - who'd of thought...

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Mental hey?

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Cracking video mate appreciate you doing these video's I'm an ex Artillery lad and love the outdoors atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate 👍

[@calmolly1]

Great video with sound advise as always.

[@funkygreendog1]

Great advice as always!

[@rogerd6166]

Great vid and great advice mate. Recognized your locations as i only live a short few valleys south eastward. Keep em coming.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate! 👍

[@JeepsterDave]

Enjoyed that one, good advice, thanks!

[@randovizslas]

Great Video Mate👍

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mucker 👍

[@deangoodall7411]

Nice one Tom, top video, can't beat the seven Ps!

[@kevinstrong1639]

Great video and good down to earth common sense advice, 👍

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks Kevin

[@funkyprepper]

Nice video Tom. When some people moan about the weight of their pack there's 2 answers. 1. Get fitter 2. Go lighter.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Yep absolutely, and cheers mate 👍

[@FlankerJackChannel]

I forget how incredible it is there.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Outstanding!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate!

[@carpideom]

Quality vid Tom🤙

[@kjumper1]

Awesome video! Always test out your kit.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate 👍

[@thomascrook8757]

Great vid mate would like to see a vid on your winter loadout before you change up for the seasons

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Roger, l’ll get on that when l get the chance.

[@rolandhillmann6503]

Great Chanel👍

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate

[@Evasion.Survival.Alaska]

I miss doing tasks at night. Up here I get in place before I lose the sun lest I risk stepping on a bear or moose.. Ive had only a few chances to do night creeps but it was in deep snow in crushing cold temps, but even that is super dangerous with ice issues.. Anyhow I was wondering where you been but i then realized YT unsub'ed me from your place.. talk with you soon.. Be safe and thanks for the post.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate, yep no Bear hazards here in the UK!

[@Retired-Tom]

In the UK more likely to stumble over a lost cyclist dressed in lycra or a trespassing rambley thing in red socks

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@Retired-Tom roger! 😂

[@paulsymons7643]

OK fella. I live not far south of the BB's. You walking the Eastern hills. What was your start point. Looking to get away for couple of days, just me, me dogs and rifle. And no bloody people. Cheers fella, nice channel.🙉🙊🙈👌

[@timec2002]

Great countryside to traverse and the views are ace Tom. Have you got a link for the hammock you’re using? Thx buddy.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Yes mate; www.freshairjunkie.co.uk/products/sea-to-summit-pro-hammock-suspension-straps-single-olive?variant=40148502413494&sfdr_ptcid=41924_100_674574575&sfdr_hash=32ffea5f623c78046d3cad029e98c57c&

[@timec2002]

Spot on thanks Tom. 😁

[@inregionecaecorum]

Can't be that difficult, trouble is when TSHTF Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia will be the last places you want to go, will be too full of tourists, think I will stick to my allotment.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

The point was to do this in challenging terrain.

[@andy5323]

Great video Tom🛶good too see a low profile basha setup from 10 metres out awesome nice n low👍mate perfect wood there with plenty of natural cordage about and firelighting tinders👍 a good addidion is a small tin of vaseline buddy many a use it has. Keep up the pro work mate🇬🇧👍🛶

[@BWORKZ_SouthWales]

Just thinking about brecon makes my knees hurt 😂

[@Retired-Tom]

Nice to see you posting again mucker. A couple of times you looked like you're limping, - you ok?

[@PreparedPathfinder]

I broke my femur badly a few years ago and still have the pin in place mate.

[@Retired-Tom]

@@PreparedPathfinder OK mucker, take it steady, don't want to lose the leg. UP.😉

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@Retired-Tom cheers mate 🆎👍

[@simonward4520]

Good to see a real one not the fakes as you mentioned. Too many back garden campers with rambo knifes out there !

[@davidcann6021]

Great video :) There certainly isn't a substitute for hands on experience. Few questions, I know there were trees there but as nothing in life goes to plan would you not carry a ground sleeping system? As most people may have familly to also take with them what would you do differently there both in kit replication and changes to procedure?

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Cheers mate. I did sleep on the ground on the second night, hence the lower basha. It’s the same kit, minus the hammock. Bit of a big subject ref family SOPs and kit, it would depend a lot on ages, capability, location, environment, situation, threats.

[@davidcann6021]

@@PreparedPathfinder Sorry must have missed that bit and always seem to pop in loaded questions. To narrow it down if you had a family of 4, kids are teenagers would you also give them shelter systems and cooking pots or just carry a couple of sets in total? Would you go for a tent vs a basha/bivvy system?

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@davidcann6021 no l’d make them do pressups all night to keep warm 😂 Best way would probably be to pair up with one of the parents, adult carries the heavier stuff such as shelter and cooker, and everyone carries their own food, water, clothing. Again, depends on age, ability etc. I’d base the type of shelter on the environment, location and season.

[@davidcann6021]

@@PreparedPathfinder And there was me thinking it was mean taking of them hiking when they hate it 😂 Thanks good food for thought there. Currently everything is replicated on a smaller scale and they've got the basic training for cooking etc too.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@davidcann6021 ha ha, fair one! I’d say another thing to think about for the kids is a few emergency/survival items too. Things like a whistle, torch, knife, lighter, ferro rod, that sort of thing.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

When miles matter, pounds kill you. Good video!

[@abcddcba8882]

🤙🏻

[@journeyman7189]

Great video and a good exercise. What did you use for your insulation under you in the hammock and on the floor? Nate

[@PreparedPathfinder]

An inflatable sleeping pad mate.

[@steveclark..]

@@PreparedPathfinder Have you ever used heavy duty sacks packed with leaves/moss etc? I do wonder how good/bad that would be compared to an air bed or roll mat.

[@NikosKatsikanis]

when is the next sas event

[@veliborrodic5803]

Can you make online course for survival in hostile envoirement,because some of falks can't reach there?

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Is that the bushwhack pattern? Looks proper 👍

[@adamwells515]

What hydration pack are you using Tom? Another great video. Cheers.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Thanks Adam. I just used a waterbottle here. I have a few different hydration packs, Camelbak, Osprey and Source.

[@adamwells515]

@@PreparedPathfinder cheers, thanks.

[@GC-wj6ni]

What made you use that tarp as apposed to the army Basha?

[@jamesrichardwhitehouse5653]

Good one Tom 348

[@Nofixedabode859]

Hi pal what sleep system did u carry, bag bivvybag pad? Thx

[@PreparedPathfinder]

I used a Softie 9 Sleeping Bag, a Multimat Adventure 25S and a Mountain Equipment Bivvi Bag.

[@astrideriksen8464]

@@PreparedPathfinder How much does your Bergen weigh , I think the most I carried was probably a 95 pounds .

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@astrideriksen8464 l mentioned in the video, it was 35lbs. I carried a lot more than that during my service, routinely over 100lbs, as much as 120lbs sometimes.

[@Nofixedabode859]

Forgot to ask you m8 how long are the jungle knots you purchased for basha? Gonna make some up later to replace bungees

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@Nofixedabode859 about 12 feet or so mate. You can get these ones with the mesh pouches from TRC Outdoors; trcoutdoors.com/product/jungle-knots/

[@steveclark..]

I don't disagree with having a 'bug out bag' kit at all but not one channel on here covers the long term, if you could never go back home or be willing to be part of Klaus Schwab's, "You will own nothing but be happy" society for example. For that reason, I think that the whole bug out bag thing is a bit of a fantasy,... how can you live/set up a new home in the woods with just the contents of a bug out bag??

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Having a few key items in a bag will absolutely make your life more bearable, and possibly save your life, when moving from an area that is unsafe. And yes, when combined with the right skills you could use it for long term use. If nothing else, it's a good idea just to have a bag that will keep you comfortable should your car break down in the wilderness, or if you have an accident. There are plenty of channels covering long term survival btw.