I guess this post has drifted a bit from its intended purpose of identifying what guns you would hit the trail with and how much you can actually carry, but as long as it seems to be beneficial, let's keep it going. Staying home was not an option and would tend to defeat the purpose of the thread.
If you don't like the scenario or the concept, no problem, start another one that you do like.
For those who have not used a dump pouch on your belt, I highly recommend it for foraging, dumping loose ammo, and dropping empty mags into.
I know that at my age, I do not move as quickly as I used to, never mind my family. Since I honestly am not sure they could all walk 100 miles in any reasonable time, I went with a solo scenario. The thoughts of having a motorcycle, an ATV, or a car to travel would be great, unless they were dead from an EMP or solar anomaly. I tend to agree that a bike, particularly as a cargo vehicle, would be outstanding except that they are pretty non-tactical and trail or road limited. If I were on that line of thought, a small folding trailer (either to be pulled or pulled behind the bike) would be a tremendous asset, again, pretty much limited to trail or road use. A cache (or multiple caches) en route at necessary intervals is another excellent idea. If you don't need them, you could leave them for later, or swap unnecessary items you are carrying for ones that you needed most at that time.
I don't think that airport or mass transit lockers are viable, post-9/11, I strongly suspect that they would be monitored and the rental periods would be short.
24/7 access storage units (or unsecured ones) would be great, especially if you don't mind having it in your name. I strongly suspect that the security on those would lapse pretty quickly, and if you have a set of bolt cutters with you, you are in.
No guns would be another way to go, but a pistol, at least a .22LR would IHMO, be much better.
When planning, you have to look for possibilities and contingencies. For those not familiar with the MDMP, I highly recommend it as a method of analyzing and developing multiple viable courses of action.
While you could assume "bugging in", that would not fit this scenario, and would probably be worthy of an entirely different plan.
Select from any of the below COAs that are viable for you, and game them out to see if they are viable.
- You can plan for evac to a safe location in your vehicle (to include boats) in advance of a disaster.
- You could assume a scenario with evac to a safe location in your vehicle or boat during a disaster.
- You can also assume evac to a safe location on backup motor vehicles or, if you have them, horses before or during a disaster.
- You need to plan for evac on bike to a safe location before or during a disaster.
- Finally, you need to plan for evac on foot to a safe location before or during a disaster.
I would consider caches or secure stopping points under each of the above plans. Even a vehicle needs fuel, for example, and your estimated consumption rate could be shot to hell with rerouting, traffic, etc.
Also consider that any of the above could turn into a foot movement if issues occur.
What if the major bridges are out, for example? From Fayetteville north, AFAIK, there are only two crossing points for the Cape Fear River from Sanford to Lillington. That is more than 30 miles. Can you swim it, with your gear and family?
Some plans will evolve from a vehicle, to a bike, to on foot, for example, or from a boat to an overland movement.
If you lose your vehicle and have to go afoot, be aware that you are probably going to have to dump or hide a lot of what you had and will then have to carry a reduced load on your backs for the rest of the journey.
You should also have a plan for what to do if you arrive at your destination and it is no longer viable, but again, that is another plan. That would have to include a contingency for discovering the destination is compromised before you leave, during your evac, or after your arrival.
Same for planning for the family movement. Given warnings, and sufficient lead time (for example a hurricane approaching), you could send them ahead or evacuate with them ahead of the disaster. However, you would have to have a contingency for unexpected disasters, just in case a tornado or solar storm occurred.
Great to have tire repair kits, jacks, hoses, etc., but have you ever used one, particularly only with the items you are carrying? Easy to do in the driveway or garage with floor jacks, jack stands, full range of wrenches, an air compressor, etc. Get out of your home and try to do that with the abbreviated tools you will be carrying. I am shocked at the number or people who have never even taken their jacks out of the car and assembled them, much less tried to lift the car with them.
Hope this helps.
TR