I think that sometimes, when I offer insight here as an experienced wilderness camper/hiker, other posters might blow me off simply because it's something they themselves don't really have a broad understanding about. I don't have a fragile ego at all, so that doesn't bother me, but I do wish posters would listen to my experience in this area because it could be helpful to Elizabeth.
Having said all that, here are few observations I've made in the past , and a few more that I would add after reading the latest updates.
1. TC reads survivalist and off grid wilderness sites. To the best of my knowledge, he has very little actual experience in this. THAT is what is forcing him into public places, assuming they are actually trying to rough it in the wilderness. It's clear that he's " planned " this by researching things on the internet. But he hasn't planned it well, because clearly, he lacks practical experience. If he truly had experience, he wouldn't be in town shopping for food. Experienced campers/hikers pack freeze dried meals...they weight next to nothing, take up very little space, and require no refrigeration. I could feed us in a dispersed camping situation for months this way taking up the space of a small cardboard box.
2. I doubt very much that they are staying in super remote wilderness settings. To get to most of these within National Parks, you must hike in. I get a very strong sense that he is not comfortable being without the vehicle. That said, there are many service roads that are rarely trafficked, and it would not be difficult to pull a vehicle off of one of these roads into a wooded area, camouflage the car with camo netting, and not be seen. They could easily be camping on private property if they do have the camo netting (which I'd almost bet my famr they do).
3. I actually saw a Nissan Rogue the other day, and tried to evaluate it as a practical vehicle for camping long term. To me, it's size is would be a big problem. Even with the back seat put down, it would be a tight fit for 2 people to sleep in. Add to that all of the supplies you would need to haul with you, and I don't think I could do it. I certainly wouldn't attempt it without bringing along a fly (which is a tarp sort of thing that extends your " living space " from the back of the vehicle). If he doesn't have this kind of setup, and is trying to just flat out live out of the Rogue, yeah...no.
4. Water. That is an essential. If they are wilderness camping long term they would need to camp near a water source. This sounds obvious and simple, doesn't it? It actually isn't. Drinking from wilderness water sources can kill you if you don't know what you are doing. Ideally, water needs to be brought to a boil safe. This requires a fire. If he isn't hauling wood (along with all these other supplies in the cramped back of the Nissan), then he has to use wood that's available to him. Does he know what to burn and what not to burn (because even that requires a degree of knowledge). And, is he concerned that a fire might give them away? I read somewhere that he researched a water filter. I hope like hell he is not under the impression that these filters are a foolproof way to safely treat water, because believe me, they aren't. Even when they are used correctly and operating properly, there are many different types of organisms they don't keep out. Chemicals to treat water? They exist, of course, but they are certainly not ideal. What do you want to bet that one of the " ordinary food items " he purchased at the OKC walmart was a case of bottled water? :wink:
5. I mentioned yesterday that when I saw the OKC walmart pics that both TC and ET had every appearance of having been "camping". When I said camping, I didn't necessarily mean camping in the traditional sense, but rather "roughing it". I have absolutely know way of knowing what their "set up" is, but I know the look of roughing it when I see it. It's something that is difficult to explain to people who don't camp/hike, but every hiker knows it when they see it. It's just a mindset that shows up in your appearance and your obliviousness to your appearance. The instant I saw these 2, I was pretty damned sure they had not been staying at a motel. I see no reason to think that that has changed since the walmart video. I think that, given their lack of experience, they may be forced to risk a motel for a night here or there, but everything I've read and seen so far tells me they are trying to go off grid.
6. You do not carry a gun in the middle of your back. Reach back there and pretend you are trying to draw a gun. Can YOU do it? Even if that were possible, it's called conceal carry for a reason. Do you think people might be able to see a gun if it were stashed in the middle of your back just under your shoulder blades?
7. TC researched whether a mattress would fit in the back of the Nissan. From what I saw yesterday looking at a Nissan, I would guess no. But even if he does, it won't be a regular mattress. He would need an air mattress. He's already got way too much crap in that tiny storage space. :wink:
(I was going to type more, but I hate reading long posts myself, and now I'm tired of typing, so I'm cutting myself off.)
