Month: February 2014

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“The hunter has a purity of heart that exists nowhere else. I think he is not defined so much by what he has come to be as by all that he has escaped being. You can make no distinction between what he is and what he does. And what he does is kill. We of course are another matter. I suspect that we are ill-formed for the path we have chosen. Ill-formed and ill-prepared. We would like to draw a veil over all that blood and terror. That have brought us to this place. It is our faintness of heart …


Notes from HJL:

Today we present two entries for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $300 gift certificate …


Personal Survival Kit– The Pocket-size Giant of Preparedness, by R.B.

The Personal Survival Kit (PSK) is everywhere. If you Google it, up come 10,400,000 entries. What is it? Peace of mind, a force-multiplier, a breath-mint tin full of miracle producing ingredients, or maybe not! The PSK can be purchased ready-made online or in any camping store. These kits are diverse in contents and in price range, some being quite expensive. They are interesting but rarely are they exactly what any specific real-life survival situation requires. You will always have to add or subtract components in order to achieve the ideal kit. It is better to take the time and make …


I Awoke Around 9 AM Saturday, August 18, by OldAlaskan

I awoke around 9am on Saturday, August 18, 1992. I work the grave yard shift. The news was still about Mt. Spurr, located about 78 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska and on the west side of Cook Inlet. Little did I know the next four days would be some of the more interesting days of my life. [Seismicity remained low through July and the first half of August. Seismic monitoring of the volcano was somewhat compromised by the destruction of the crater rim station. Despite repeated attempts to reinstall the crater-rim station, the closest seismometer was now 4.8 km away. …


Letter: New Madrid Danger Explained

Dear Editor, I am a Geologist. I wanted to give the short answer as to why the New Madrid Fault complex is dangerous. And this IS the short answer. It is Still Active and always will be. Central-Cratonic faults never completely de-stresses. New Madrid quakes Destroyed the Pre-Colombian Mississippi Mound Builder Civilization. New Madrid quakes Destroyed the region in 1811-2 with aftershocks all the way through the Civil War. The New Madrid Fault Complex is around 9 different faultlines connected together, each capable of 7.5+ quakes. A quake on one shifts the stress to trigger a quake on another. They …


Letter: Heating Concern in LP/OP

Dear Hugh, As we remain in a long lasting frigid winter in northern Ohio, I question how anyone could maintain long term diligence in a listening/observation post that is partially open to the elements. I struggle with ways to provide a heat source without compromising a tactical location. I have read survival blog for many years, but have not seen this important concern addressed. Perhaps you will find this a notable concern, and I request this be forwarded to the masses to solicit ideas for solutions. Thanks for your consideration. – B.B. HJL Replies: I’ve never served in the military, …


Economics and Investing:

Putting Silver Price Rigging Into Perspective Is California built out?Privately owned housing starts remain all-time record lows. Affordability continues to crush home buying but signs of lower prices loom. Is your money safe at the bank?An economist says ‘no’ and withdraws his Items from The Economatrix: India’s Central Bank Governor: ‘International Monetary Cooperation Has Broken Down’ Nearly 1/2 Of America Lives Paycheck-To-Paycheck Index Of Consumer Sentiment Dips


Odds ‘n Sods:

This article touches on a sensitive topic with the government. China has been testing their new high speed missile and it has the Pentagon concerned. We have repeatedly announced that we will shoot down any missile that is to close to us, our allies or our forces, Yet every test that violates that has flown successfully. Can we shoot them down? Are we just chosing not to? o o o B.R. sent this link in: Important Safety Tip: Tape Your Batteries With Electrical Tape!. I have, on more than one occasion, nearly set my pocket on fire as batteries were …



Notes from HJL:

—– Today we present another entry for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $300 gift …


Nine Ways To Be More Self-Sufficient (Even If You Live In The City), by K. Sowell

Many people are intimidated by the idea of becoming more self-sufficient or preparing for disaster because of the misconception that you have to live in the country or at least have a bug-out location in order to do so. This simply isn’t true. There are many things urban or suburban dwellers can do to improve their chances of surviving or even thriving in the event of a disaster when leaving is not an option. A little thoughtful preparation can prevent you and your loved ones from becoming victims in an unstable situation, even if you live in the city and …


Guest Article: Taxed Enough Already, by A.H.

How many articles have you read about prepping on a budget? This website and many others have explored the topic in depth. Grow your own food, buy in bulk, cut unnecessary expenses, learn to improvise, and get out of debt. The old saying is “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without”. We should all be following this advice. At the same time, we should ask the obvious question, ‘Wwhy are so many of us on such a tight budget these days?” One reason may be that your income has decreased, stagnated, or disappeared. If you are …


Letter: Rechargeable Batteries and a Solar Charger

Hello HJL and JWR, I was wondering if you could review and recommend the latest generation of rechargeable batteries available and a solar charger as well. I am leaning towards stocking up on rechargeable AA and AAA and the spacer packs that allow these sizes be used as C and D cell batteries. The vast array of options is overwhelming, and I am hoping someone with the expertise required can help. Thanks for all you do. Take care. – J.W. HJL Replies: I have chosen to use a modular route so that I have the flexibility to charge whatever I …


Letter: Shotgun Security

Dear Sir: I am writing to seek your advise and that of your readers. I live in a metropolitan area, in a nice “safe” suburb where “nothing ever happens”. I have recently become more active in preparing for crisis situations. I have also reevaluated my home security needs. I want to have immediate access to my handgun at night. At this point, if we had an intruder, I would have to get into my closet, open my safe, get my handgun and then try to successfully confront a threat. I have several small children, so leaving a loaded firearm in …


News From The American Redoubt:

T.H. sent in this link to Amend2, a company based in Idaho that makes 30-rnd magazines. They are $15 apiece and seem stronger that Magpul, according to T.H. o o o Here is an clever product, made by a small business in Rexburg, Idaho: The Hot Logs o o o Citizens take law into own hands after cash-strapped Ore. county guts sheriff’s office o o o Itt seems that Idaho could be next state to allow guns on campus – RBS o o o RBS also sent in this video of a man who can skin, gut, and partially debone …