Welcome to the Apocolypse!

[Bullspit]

The most likely meltdown scenarios:

1. Financial collapse, rampant hyperinflation, the greatest depression.
2. EMP attack or solar flare shutting down all power and communication grids.
3. Asteroid strike or mega volcano.

None of them sound like any fun. But lets try. Similar to Kim's Walk Across America in 1600 this is a walk across America post collapse.

The Rules:

1. There is no effective communication system. Our biggest regret is that we can't podcast or youtube the apocalypse to share with our friends on the Internet. All information comes from contact with other people.

2. The population of America has been reduced by 50-75% in a fairly short timeframe.

3. You find yourself on the East coast of the country and hear that your family and friends are on the West and that things are better there.

4. No vehicles allowed. You will be walking, riding a bike or a horse.

5. You can only name gear and guns that you currently own.

6. You must travel alone (no army of friends to protect you).

7. Address the following:
a) What was the catastrophe and what are conditions like now?
b)What gun(s) do you take, how will you carry and how much ammo?
c) What knife/knives do you take and how will you carry?
d) What other gear (that you currently own) will you be taking?
e) What route will you take and why?
f) What strategies do you think will get you there safely?

I'll post mine in a bit.

[Aglifter]

Frankly, the only way to win that scenario is not to play. It's just not possible to make it, unless you're willing to spend years, and, provided DC made up a good chunk of the 50% dead, it wouldn't take that long to at least get some forms of communication/transport back up.

[Denis]

Hmm. Perhaps we should play after all.

Apologies to Rumpshot, who posted that link already, but I thought it germane here too.

[Kommander]

Erm...Lets all just go play Fallout 3.

[Bullspit]

Like anyone ever follows the rules anyway!

This is your typical post-apocalyptic man alone scenario. Probably next to impossible to live long if you are alone but it is a popular storyline.

I'm going for a global economic meltdown coupled with an EMP strike as my apocalypse. Most big cities are dead but smaller towns that had agricultural areas around them still have a semblance of civilization with markets and some, but highly variable laws or codes of conduct. Spaces between the towns are not safe as there is no law. Our favorite, bands of uncivilized looters attack freely.

I'm taking a rifle. I have two choices, medium caliber or .22 rimfire. Living in California I don't have a high capacity black rifle. My closest choices would be a Garand or M1 Carbine. The Garand is heavier than I want to carry and the Carbine doesn't have the punch I would like and it is more than 50 years old. Can I rely on it? The .22 is attractive because you can carry a lot of ammo and it isn't loud. But in the end I'm taking my .308 Ruger 77 International as my long gun. It is short, light, reasonably accurate and reliable. I have open sights (peep rear) only on it. I figure on packing 100 rounds of ammo for it.

Pistols, either a .45 ACP, Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 magnaum or a .22. I'd pick the .44 if I was using the .22 rifle. But since I'm not I'll take a Ruger single action .22 pistol and 250 rounds.

My knife will be a Bark River Canadian Special. Not too big to carry but big enough to do what I need. I'll also have a multitool and a small Buck pocketknife. I'm also taking a small axe that I have. It isn't as nice to use as a full sized axe but it is much better than a hatchet and not too much heavier.

A bike would force me to stay on roads and horses are a pain to care for so I'm going to walk so I will take a backpack I own, a water filter, sleeping bag. I'm going to avoid the big cities, skirt the towns unless I need to trade for other items. I'm also taking fishing gear (line, hooks, etc.) as I hope to catch a fish or two along the way.

I will be taking my small stash of gold and silver for trade and I'll hunt and gather. My hope is that with most of the population gone game won't be too scarce to rely on for meals.

Starting off in the Spring I'll head for a southern route, North Carolina to Tennessee, Arkansas or Missouri, Then Southern Kansas, Southern Colorado, Northern Arizona to California and to the coast. I figure to winter in the hardwood forests of Arkansas or Missouri and then again in Southern Colorado or Northern New Mexico. I think I can make it in 2 years if I live that long.

[Termite]

A man alone is less likely to make it in your scenario than in KdT's 1600 one. And I find your rule of no vehicles unrealistic in an TEOTWAWKI situation. There will be fuel available in places, although it may be rather expensive.

This might be a good choice. Excellent range(6 gals@ 90 plus mpg), adequate top speed(100 mph), can take gravel roads and fire trails. Slap a couple of 4-5 gal fuel panniers on the back and you're looking at a total range of 1200-1500 miles. And it will run on diesel/biodiesel/kerosene.

[Bullspit]

Yes, the "no vehicle" rule is too restrictive but otherwise it would take pages to describe everything that you could carry in one!

I like the bike. Very practical for the scenario.

[randy]

There is no effective communication system.

Sorry, not buying that one. I, and I assume several others on this board, will be able to communicate, both locally and long haul. Even if all my recent gear gets zapped by EMP, I have older gear that will survive any pulse that would not kill me outright. And I can build more.

You must travel alone (no army of friends to protect you)

Not very likely. I rarely travel alone without my family, and when I do travel these days, I almost always am visiting a friend.

In that case, I'll have an AR-15 and a Browning Hi-Power, as those are my travel pieces.

[cu74]

Have a nice trip........

[Netpackrat]

Were I to find myself on the east coast, I might just up and shoot myself, apocalypse or not.