Ragnar Benson, the author of some of my favorite survival books, says that survivalist preparations must abide by the Rule of 3s if they are to be viable. The Rule of 3s states that you must have 3 separate and distinct sources for each thing that you deem absolutely necessary to support human life. At this time, on this planet, in this neck of California, I deem water, food, shelter and fuel to be necessary for sustaining life. How will I find three sources for each of these things at my homestead?
My current plan for LittleFoot is not complete, but here goes:
*Water requirements will be met by 1 2,500 gallon truck-filled water tank, 1 500-gallon rainwater-filled water tank, and, eventually, a well. The tanks and rooftop water catchment system will be installed this Spring.
There is a lot of rain and snow at LittleFoot in the winter, and many months of extreme, dry, waterless heat in the Spring and Summer. The key is to capture water while it is available. I will be experimenting with digging/building a small reservoir in the gully this summer, and measuring the results next Fall/Winter/Spring.
*Food requirements will be met by a 3+ month supply of Mountain House freeze dried food and bulk grains and legumes, and, eventually, a garden and fruit trees. The freeze dried food has been purchased. The bulk grains have not. The garden is a work-in-progress, to be further developed this Spring and Summer. I am told that certain stone fruits will be able to weather the winters up there, and plan to plant apple trees in the coming years. I will also eventually plant Oak trees, and continue to cultivate the Oak trees that already exist, as acorns could prove to be a windfall source of calories in hard times.
Hunting/trapping does not seem to be an option at LittleFoot - I have seen almost no wildlife up there.
*Shelter requirements will be met with the LittleFoot Motel (already established), a treehouse, and a portable tent/dome shelter. The treehouse is just a dream at this time, though the portable shelter could be purchased cheaply, or built from scratch, at any time.
*Fuel requirements will be met with abundant wood from the forest, a solar sizzler parabolic cooker (purchased), propane canisters (purchased), a portable photovoltaic system (purchased) and eventually some stored gasoline for a generator (not yet purchased).
Furthermore, a cast iron wood-burning stove has been purchased for the LittleFoot Motel. Once installed it will provide crucial winter heat, and a cooking surface. The obvious benefit of the solar sizzler is that it runs on sunshine. A propane catalytic heater and stove are already in place. A barbecue and fire pit are used for outdoor cooking. The PV system will eventually power a simple string of LED lights. When the generator is purchased, it will allow me to use power tools & appliances, and charge batteries.
LitteFoot is located at 3,750 feet. It has a tough climate, and a long dry spell each year, with 4 distinct seasons and 3-season access. Turning it into a viable bugout retreat poses distinct challenges. But the solutions are all there if I work with the forest and the land.
My current plan for LittleFoot is not complete, but here goes:
*Water requirements will be met by 1 2,500 gallon truck-filled water tank, 1 500-gallon rainwater-filled water tank, and, eventually, a well. The tanks and rooftop water catchment system will be installed this Spring.
There is a lot of rain and snow at LittleFoot in the winter, and many months of extreme, dry, waterless heat in the Spring and Summer. The key is to capture water while it is available. I will be experimenting with digging/building a small reservoir in the gully this summer, and measuring the results next Fall/Winter/Spring.
*Food requirements will be met by a 3+ month supply of Mountain House freeze dried food and bulk grains and legumes, and, eventually, a garden and fruit trees. The freeze dried food has been purchased. The bulk grains have not. The garden is a work-in-progress, to be further developed this Spring and Summer. I am told that certain stone fruits will be able to weather the winters up there, and plan to plant apple trees in the coming years. I will also eventually plant Oak trees, and continue to cultivate the Oak trees that already exist, as acorns could prove to be a windfall source of calories in hard times.
Hunting/trapping does not seem to be an option at LittleFoot - I have seen almost no wildlife up there.
*Shelter requirements will be met with the LittleFoot Motel (already established), a treehouse, and a portable tent/dome shelter. The treehouse is just a dream at this time, though the portable shelter could be purchased cheaply, or built from scratch, at any time.
*Fuel requirements will be met with abundant wood from the forest, a solar sizzler parabolic cooker (purchased), propane canisters (purchased), a portable photovoltaic system (purchased) and eventually some stored gasoline for a generator (not yet purchased).
Furthermore, a cast iron wood-burning stove has been purchased for the LittleFoot Motel. Once installed it will provide crucial winter heat, and a cooking surface. The obvious benefit of the solar sizzler is that it runs on sunshine. A propane catalytic heater and stove are already in place. A barbecue and fire pit are used for outdoor cooking. The PV system will eventually power a simple string of LED lights. When the generator is purchased, it will allow me to use power tools & appliances, and charge batteries.
LitteFoot is located at 3,750 feet. It has a tough climate, and a long dry spell each year, with 4 distinct seasons and 3-season access. Turning it into a viable bugout retreat poses distinct challenges. But the solutions are all there if I work with the forest and the land.
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