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We Are About To Experience An Absolutely Epic Housing Crash The Likes Of Which America Has Never Seen Before

You may not want to buy a house right now.  What goes up must eventually come down, and we have just entered the “down” side of that equation.  Over the past two years, home prices in the United States have gone up nearly 40 percent.  Now mortgage rates are rising at a pace that is truly frightening, and they are likely to go even higher in the months ahead as the Federal Reserve continues to fight a relentless war against inflation.  Needless to say, higher mortgage rates mean higher potential mortgage payments for prospective home buyers, and so millions of Americans are being priced out of the marketplace right now.  The only thing that is going to bring those buyers back into the marketplace is for home prices to go down, and that is already starting to happen in some areas of the nation.

We were already in a historic housing bubble heading into 2020, and over the past two years we have witnessed another housing bubble develop on top of the previous housing bubble.

Overall, home prices in the U.S. rose 37 percent between March 2020 and March 2022.

That is insane.

Of course our incomes have not been going up as fast as home prices have.  In fact, it is being reported that “home prices have gone up four times faster than incomes” over the past year…

Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas put the real estate industry on edge this spring after they published a paper titled Real-Time Market Monitoring Finds Signs of Brewing U.S. Housing Bubble. Why the renewed concern? Over the past year alone, home prices have gone up four times faster than incomes. Simple economic theory, which dictates that neither home prices nor incomes can outgrow the other for very long, tells us that isn’t sustainable.

There is no way that this could continue for long, and we have reached a point where home prices in the United States are “overvalued” by almost 25 percent

The analysis conducted by Moody’s Analytics aimed to find out whether economic fundamentals, including local income levels, could support local home prices. On a national level, Moody’s Analytics finds U.S. home prices are “overvalued” by 24.7%. In other words, U.S. home prices are 24.7% higher than they would historically trade at given current income levels.

Does this mean that home prices will come down by 25 percent?

Well, it all depends on what the Federal Reserve chooses to do.

If the Fed decides to stop raising interest rates by the end of this year, the damage could potentially be minimized.

But if the Fed continues to raise interest rates throughout 2023, we are likely to see carnage that is unlike anything we have ever seen before.

Personally, I have been stunned by how rapidly mortgage rates have risen.  According to Peter Schiff, the last time that average 30 year mortgage rates crossed the 6 percent threshold was just before the last housing crash…

Average 30-year mortgage rates have pushed to nearly 6.4%. The last time we saw mortgage rates over 6% was right before the housing crash of 2008. Until mid-April, mortgage rates were in the 4% to 5% range. Just one month ago, rates were 5.49%.

Lower-income homebuyers have already been priced out of the market by spiking mortgage rates. The houses that are selling tend to be in higher price ranges.

Officials at the Federal Reserve can see what is happening, but they consider taming inflation to be a much higher priority right now.

So the housing bubble will inevitably continue to implode, and the numbers for the industry will just get even uglier.  Here is more from Peter Schiff

Air is hissing out of the housing bubble faster and faster every week.

Pending sales plunged in June and the inventory of homes on the market jumped as mortgage rates continue to rapidly rise.

Pending home sales plunged by 16% year-over-year in June. This follows on the heels of a 12% drop in May and a 9% dip in April. June marked the 10th straight month of year-on-year declines in pending sales.

Some of the hottest markets in the country have started to cool off really fast.

For example, just look at what is happening in California

The pace of California home sales plunged 21% in June from a year earlier as soaring mortgage rates took a bite out of buyer interest, the state Realtors group reported Monday.

And what we are witnessing in Boise is really alarming.

Boise was once one of the hottest markets in the entire nation, but now sales are dropping faster than Joe Biden’s approval rating

Before governors relaxed stay-at-home orders two years ago, white-collar professionals were already fleeing their exorbitantly priced apartments in cities like San Francisco and Seattle. The biggest beneficiary of that WFH homebuying wave was undoubtedly Boise—where home prices skyrocketed 53%. You could even call it the poster child of the pandemic housing boom.

But that Boise honeymoon is over. While spiking mortgage rates have pushed the overall U.S. housing market into a slowdown, it has delivered a particularly hard blow to the Boise housing market. That has seen both Boise home sales plummet—down 28% on a year-over-year basis—and inventory levels surge—up 161% this year. It’s also chipping away at home values. According to Zillow, the median Boise home sales price fell 3.5% in June.

This downturn is going to have enormous implications for home builders as well.

Sales are falling, and a key measure of home builder confidence just declined for the seventh month in a row

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, which measures the pulse of the single-family housing market, fell for the seventh consecutive month to 55, the lowest level since May 2020. It is the second-biggest, one-month decline in the survey’s 37-year history.

The only time that the index has fallen more in a single month was during the very early stages of the COVID pandemic.

National Association of Home Builders CEO Jerry Howard fears that things will continue to get worse in the months ahead, and he is warning that “we’re going to go into a recession” unless something dramatic happens…

“For the last seven straight months it has been going down and this is a huge drop – and I think all it says is, ‘Somebody do something or we’re going to go into a recession,’” Howard said.

I am sorry to tell you this Jerry, but we are already in a recession right now, and it is going to get really bad.

Our leaders have been making decisions that have been mind-numbingly bad for a long time, and now we are all going to suffer the consequences.

If you are searching for an easy way out of this mess, you can stop looking, because there isn’t one.

What we are heading for is going to make 2008 and 2009 look like a Sunday picnic, and it will shake our nation to the core.

***It is finally here! Michael’s new book entitled “7 Year Apocalypse” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.***

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “7 Year Apocalypse” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written five other books that are available on Amazon.com including  “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”“The Beginning Of The End”“Get Prepared Now”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending digital copies as gifts through Amazon to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse BlogEnd Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post We Are About To Experience An Absolutely Epic Housing Crash The Likes Of Which America Has Never Seen Before appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

Food Lines Get Depressingly Long In The U.S. Again As Crops Fail All Over The Globe

It is happening again.  Lines at food banks all across the country are getting extremely long, and this is happening even though we are still only in the very early stages of the next major economic downturn.  If the lines are this long already, what will they look like six months or a year from now?  Since the beginning of 2022, I have been relentlessly warning my readers about the rapidly emerging food crisis that we are witnessing all over the globe.  Food supplies have been getting tighter and tighter, and now insane weather patters are causing crops to fail throughout the northern hemisphere.  We really are moving into unprecedented territory, but this hasn’t really hit home with the general population yet.

Personally, I didn’t expect to see a huge surge in demand at food banks around the nation until the summer was over.  But according to ABC News, the surge that so many of us have been anticipating is already here…

Long lines are back at food banks around the U.S. as working Americans overwhelmed by inflation turn to handouts to help feed their families.

With gas prices soaring along with grocery costs, many people are seeking charitable food for the first time, and more are arriving on foot.

It is certainly true that the cost of living is quickly eating away at our standard of living.

A single shopping cart full of food can now easily cost 250 or 300 dollars at this point, and as a result more struggling families are turning to food banks for some assistance.

In Phoenix, one food bank recently reported a 78 percent increase in demand compared to the same time last year…

The Phoenix food bank’s main distribution center doled out food packages to 4,271 families during the third week in June, a 78% increase over the 2,396 families served during the same week last year, said St. Mary’s spokesman Jerry Brown.

I was extremely alarmed when I first read that.

Have things really gotten this bad already?

One woman that was interviewed said that she was willing to wait in such a long line because “it’s really impossible to get by now without some help”

Tomasina John was among hundreds of families lined up in several lanes of cars that went around the block one recent day outside St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix. John said her family had never visited a food bank before because her husband had easily supported her and their four children with his construction work.

“But it’s really impossible to get by now without some help,” said John, who traveled with a neighbor to share gas costs as they idled under a scorching desert sun. “The prices are way too high.”

Unfortunately, things are only going to get worse in the months ahead.

Extreme weather is absolutely scorching crops all over the northern hemisphere, and there is no relief in sight.

Over in Europe, we are seeing temperatures that we have never seen before.  In fact, UK authorities are expecting all-time record highs all across the country on Monday and Tuesday

Britain’s national weather agency, known as the U.K. Met Office, issued its first-ever red extreme heat warning Friday. The warnings, in place for Monday and Tuesday, cover much of southern England, where temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius – or about 104 degrees.

“Nobody alive has seen a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius in the U.K.” weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman pointed out. “That would be a hot day this time of year in Dallas or Houston, much less London.”

Of course temperatures are far higher elsewhere.

At one point, a record high temperature of 117 degrees was recorded in Portugal, and so far there have been more than 1,000 deaths from the heat throughout all of Europe…

At least 1,000 deaths have been attributed to the heatwave in Portugal and Spain so far, according to the country’s weather agencies, which are reporting 1,027 at this time.

Around 440 deaths were recorded on Thursday alone, when temperatures exceeded 40C (104F) in several regions and 47C (117F) at a meteorological station in the district of Vizeu in the center of the country.

Here in the U.S., an endless drought in the Southwest has been playing havoc with crops for a long time, and now a “heat dome” is forming which will bring extreme temperatures to the region for at least “several more weeks”

The heat will be prolonged, with computer models projecting several more weeks of unusually high temperatures as a heat dome shifts west with time, setting up hot and dry conditions from Colorado to California.

When things are this hot and this dry for an extended period of time, it is inevitable that crops will fail.

And at this point, we are being told that crops are failing in much of the northern hemisphere.  The following comes from Zero Hedge

Infrared satellite imagery designed to measure moisture levels and the health of farmlands suggests that staple crops such as wheat are in poor condition and in sharp decline among major exporters including the Ukraine, the US and India.  Two countries do have bumper crops so far though; namely Russia and China.

It is hard to say which governments and institutions monitor this data, but a few months ago a multitude of political leaders and global banks issued simultaneous warnings of a “global food shortage” and an impending crisis.  Such institutions included the IMF, World Bank, the BIS and even the White House.  So far, a perfect storm of stagflation, supply chain disruptions and poor weather conditions have combined to disrupt food production around the world.

Read those two paragraphs again.

This is beyond serious.

And I wouldn’t be anticipating a good harvest from Russia either, because right now millions upon millions of locusts are voraciously devouring crops in the agricultural heartland of that nation.

In all of my years, I have never seen anything quite like this.

Here in the U.S., our food supply continues to get hit by more very strange accidents.  They are happening so frequently now that it is really hard to keep up with them all.

All over the world supplies of food are getting tighter and tighter, and the stage is being set for the sort of historic global food crisis that I have long warned about.

The UN has already told us that we are heading into an “unprecedented” global food crisis, but most people aren’t taking such warnings seriously.

But perhaps when they are finally forced to get in the food lines themselves they will finally wake up.

***It is finally here! Michael’s new book entitled “7 Year Apocalypse” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.***

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “7 Year Apocalypse” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written five other books that are available on Amazon.com including  “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”“The Beginning Of The End”“Get Prepared Now”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending digital copies as gifts through Amazon to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse BlogEnd Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Food Lines Get Depressingly Long In The U.S. Again As Crops Fail All Over The Globe appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

Sightmark Latitude 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope: Built to Go Long and Win

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If the world of optics had to be summed up in one word, it would be “choices.” There was a time when the number of serious players in the glass world could be counted on one hand. Now the American capitalistic system and market demand give us a variety of good choices. Many of those choices come at a price point that won’t make you reach for your heart when you see it. One of the best examples of that is Sightmark and its Latitude riflescopes.

Sightmark Latitude 6.25x25x56 PRS Riflescope

The company, introduced at SHOT Show 2007, provided a response to the growing popularity of the modern shooting market. The goal was to provide state-of-the-art optics and accessories to make the modern sporting rifle, shotgun, and pistol as accurate as possible. In 2011, a new 33,000 square-foot headquarters was completed in Mansfield, Texas, combining the company’s corporate offices and a large warehouse to handle the increase in sensitive material and technology being produced.

Currently, Sightmark represents leading markets growing in more than 40 countries and many quality retailers in every state. In short, they are successful because they know what they are doing. At the last Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous I had the chance to visit with my longtime friend at Sightmark, Kevin Reese. Kevin, like myself, is managing an addiction to long-range shooting. It was during one of these discussions that a specific optic kept coming up. It was the Latitude 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope, and it was exceptional. I played the friend card and in short order one was on its way for me to test.

Going After the Gamers

The Sightmark Latitude line is actually composed of five long-range scopes. With magnification ranging from 25 to 40, they have applications in PRS (Precision Rifle Series), F class shooting and Bench rest. I was looking for something a little more flexible in application, which is why I went with the 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope. The Latitude is an optic built for hard use on the PRS circuit. In these competitions, shooters engage very small targets under time pressure at different distances. The distances are between 10 and 1,200 yards, with many being set at unknown distances. They shoot from a variety of positions, and it is as enjoyable to watch as it is to shoot. It is fast paced and can be hard on gear. The Latitude is built to not only survive in this setting but thrive.

The Latitude comes with oversized turrets for quick and easy adjustments. It includes a solid zero stop that I found to work well. Elevation and windage adjustment of the reticle is done in steps of 0.1 MIL with a distance-friendly adjustment range of 31mils of elevation and 20 mils of windage. This is a first focal plane optic with a PRS reticle etched into it. It also has red/green illumination on the reticle to make them easier to see. The illumination has six different brightness settings.

The Sightmark Latitude PRS comes loaded with improved features and components for long-range shooting.

Field-Proven Features

A feature I really like is the Latitude’s locking, fast-focus eyepiece. It keeps the focus set so I can concentrate on shooting instead of readjusting the focus. While some may blow this off, my experience is that when you add lens caps, they tend to move your focus ring if they are not tight. Maybe it’s my OCD kicking in, but I notice it, especially at high magnification. The Latitude is rugged and is IP67 waterproof, able to withstand up to .50 BMG recoil and built with a single piece 34mm tube. It is constructed from aircraft grade aluminum with a hard anodized finish. The lens is multicoated and scratch resistant and it is also fog proof. Overall, it is a very feature-rich piece of glass.

I was excited to get one in for review and made short work of getting it mounted. For this test I mounted it on a Remington 700 SPS Tactical chambered in .308 WIN. A quick zero and we were off to the races. I would be using a bipod as well as a sand sock in the rear of the gun for stability. I did take the time to set the zero stop, which was very easy to do. Once you have the optic dialed in, you simply spin the zero-stop ring upwards to the bottom of the turret. At that point just install the small screws and it is done. I like this design because it is robust and absolutely the same each time. The biggest challenge I see in any optic is its inability to tract correctly and ultimately return to zero.

Precision for Precision

In the hyper precision world, we want 1 mil to be 1mil. The test I have been using forever is a version of the box scope tracking test. This test uses a fairly large target to accommodate all of our various shots. The one I use is 40 inches x 24 inches. I place a black aiming point near the bottom of a carefully drawn center line of the target. This test is set with marks indicating specific projected impact points. Layout can vary, but there are multiple points that have the shooter run the turrets up and down as well as left to right. Because mils and inches do not exactly match, I shoot this test at least twice to confirm consistency.  

The Latitude 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope passed this test with flying colors. This particular gun shoots Federal 175-grain Gold Medal Match really well, so that was the round of the day. All shots were extremely close and in the same spot when repeated. If shot indoors on a mechanical bench I believe the shots would have stacked on top of each other.

Glass & Clarity

Overall, I was impressed with the construction of the scope as well as the clarity of the glass. It has a 56mm objective lens which obviously serves to bring in a ton of light. A feature I found very nice was an adjustable eye relief. Most people mount their scopes and then still need a touch of adjustment. The Latitude allows the eye relief to be set from 4.7 inches to 4.2 inches. This makes super fine tuning a reality. The field of view was decent, and the reticle stayed crisp in all magnifications. While I did my best to dial for my shots, the reticle is designed to allow you to shoot on the fly.

Upgraded Reticle for Precision Shooting

For someone who grew up on old school crosshairs, the Christmas tree of hashes and lines used to cause a pause. That lasted until I discovered just how fast this reticle is in getting follow up shots. Take a few minutes to learn the different hash sizes and in short order you will be shooting at a variety of distances without touching the turrets. When I did run the turrets, I found them to perform well. They provided a good audible and tactile response at each click. There is no question that you clicked or did not click like we see on some other scopes. The parallax adjustment on the side was very smooth and had no play. In my opinion it is a bit on the thin side and could use a little more real estate.

I ran the scope both dialing and holds from 100 yards to 800 yards and the Latitude worked well. When you factor in the price, then the Latitude hit it out of the park. In fact, I found the Latitude to outperform other scopes at much higher price points. This is not just a relatively inexpensive scope. This is a scope the performs far beyond what the price point may tell you. I think the Remington has found its new glass and there is no reason to change it out. If you are looking for a good performing long-range scope but don’t have Elon Musk money, you need to look at the Sightmark Latitude 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope.

The Sightmark Latitude 6.25x25x56 PRS retails for $699.97. For even more info, please visit sightmark.com.

Sightmark Latitude 6.25x25x56 PRS Riflescope Specs

  • Reticle: PRS
  • Reticle, Type: Etched glass
  • Illuminated: red/green
  • Reticle Brightness Setting: 0-5
  • Magnification: 6.25-25
  • Diameter, Objective Lens: 56 mm
  • Objective overall dimension (mm): 2.4 / 61 in/mm
  • Diameter, Eyepiece: 1.81/46 in/mm
  • Diameter, Exit Pupil: 9.6-2.4 mm
  • Eye relief (in/mm): 4.7-4.2/120-107 in/mm
  • Diopter Adjustment: +2 to -2
  • Diameter, Tube: 34 mm
  • Adjustment Value: .1 MRAD
  • Elevation adjustment range (MIL): 31 MIL
  • Windage adjustment range (MIL): 20 MIL
  • Travel Per Rotation: 10 MRAD
  • Maximum Recoil: 50 BMG Caliber
  • Focal Plane: First
  • Finish/Color: Matte black
  • Body Material: Aluminum
  • Length (in/mm): 13.77 / 350 in/mm
  • Width (in/mm): 3.54 / 90 in/mm
  • Height (in/mm): 2.95 / 75 in/mm
  • Weight: 33.1 oz.

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

The post Sightmark Latitude 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope: Built to Go Long and Win appeared first on Ballistic Magazine.

21 Camping Essentials You’ll Kick Yourself For Forgetting

Camping EssentialsPack These Camping Essentials And You Can Rest Easy Knowing You’ll Have A Good Time

OK, I’ll admit it…

A few years ago, I forgot to pack the sleeping bags for our weekend camping trip.

We were 3 hours from home when my wife asked: “did you pack the sleeping bags?”

My initial reaction was a defensive “of course I did …..” but as I thought about it more I realized – I HAD NOT!

We made do with a few random blankets but it was less enjoyable and relaxing than it should have been.

After that, I decided to make myself a list of camping essentials.

The same list I’m sharing with you today.

So don’t make the same mistake I did, instead, use this article to make sure you have all your camping essentials.

This camping essentials list is not just for first-time campers either.

Even experienced campers should use a list to double-check their camping essentials before heading out.

We all get excited! We all get in a hurry to “get away!” We assume our significant other packed that essential item…trust me – it can happen.

So the following camping essentials are items you’d regret leaving behind. The things that turn a good camping trip into a great one.

Now, this camping essentials list is NOT an attempt to take as few items as possible. If that’s what you’re looking for, check out our article on minimalist camping.

This list includes all the essential camping gear to make your trip as fun and as relaxing as possible.

Keep reading to see SkilledSurvival’s top 21 camping essentials:

Want a Downloadable and Printable Version Of This Camping Essentials Checklist? Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

1. Shelter (Tent/RV)

I know what you’re thinking; shelter, duh!

But unless your shelter is your vehicle (like an RV or van), you’ll want to triple-check that you packed your tent.

Now, if you don’t already own a tent you have a lot of choices. For example, you could go with a survival tent or a cold-weather tent, or even a canvas tent.

Unless you’re one who enjoys sleeping under the stars without a tent.

If you’re only planning a single camping trip, you might be able to get away with borrowing one. But if you’re looking to make this a regular hobby, investing in a high-quality tent is essential.

Or you could even go in a hammock if the weather’s nice. Just use your sleeping bag in the hammock and sleep off the ground and under the stars.

Or you could invest in a survival hammock tent.

But what happens if you forget your tent, hammock, and sleeping bag?

TACT Bivvy In Hand

In the name of preparedness, you should have a backup emergency shelter such as an emergency survival blanket or bivy sack.

The Tact Bivvy is a life-saving survival device and an excellent backup camping essential.

Toss one in your glove box and you’ll never be without protection from the elements – whether it’s while camping or in a roadside emergency.

Check out why we like The Tact Bivvy so much:

Wishing Well With Wooden Bucket On A Barren Landscape

2. Water

Have you thought about your camping water plan? Will your campsite have a public water pump?

Or is it a remote site near a lake or creek? What if your campground doesn’t have any drinkable water nearby?

You need to know what the water situation is before you go. You’ll need to plan differently for a site with potable water vs a remote place in the desert.

Either way, you’ll want to have a large water container and leave it at your campsite for daily use. You’ll need it for tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and extinguishing your campfire.

I recommend you get a few water bricks for this purpose. These containers are perfect for camping.

Each one contains 3.5 gallons of water, they are stackable, they have a handle for easy carrying, and they’re virtually indestructible.

Boot Knife

3. High-Quality Survival Knife

While camping, you may need to cut a rope, fillet a fish, or whittle a walking stick and a high-quality survival knife is ideal for these tasks.

Invest in a survival knife that can pierce, slice, and do some chopping as well.

I keep my survival knife on me at all times just in case. As a survivalist, I always recommend a trusty survival knife anytime you head into the wilderness.

If you want a survival knife that can take a beating but is lightweight and compact, get a neck knife (this one is my favorite). Pocket knives work well for everyday tasks, but can’t handle anything more demanding.

Survival Medical Kit Image

4. Medical Supplies

MyFak-IFAK-EmergencyWe go camping to get away from it all. But getting away also means emergency items like gauze, bandages, and painkillers are not as close as the corner store.

So you need to take some emergency medical supplies with you.

You can do this by building your own DIY first aid kit or investing in a good one.

Either way, never hit the road without this critical camping essential.

Want a Downloadable and Printable Version Of This Camping Essentials Checklist? Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

Cold Weather Tent With Man Sitting Outside

5. Sleeping Bag or Blankets

Sleeping bags have been a staple for campers for years. Sleeping bags go with tents like peanut butter goes with jelly.

I even take mine during warm summer camping, because there’s always a chance it gets really cold in the middle of the night. And if you’re unprepared, you could wake up in the middle of the night freezing. Then you’ll have to scramble to add multiple layers of clothes just to stay warm – not fun.

So get a nice warm one for those cooler nights. Worst case, if your sleeping bag is overkill on a hot night, you can always just sleep on top of it. Then if you get cold, just quickly slip inside.

I recommend investing in a warm one instead of suffering the frustrations of a cheap one.

6. Warm Rainproof Clothes

Heavy coats are warm, but on a rainy camping trip, they can be uncomfortable.

It’s better to pack lightweight, rainproof, waterproof, breathable clothes as a top layer. That way you’ll avoid overheating in warm humid weather but keep the rain off in wet weather.hiking waterproof jacket

It’s all about properly layering to prepare for any weather conditions.

Look for design details like armpit zips, mesh pockets, and cinched hoods, to protect you from the elements.

You won’t enjoy your camping trip unless you keep yourself both dry and comfortable.

7. Insect Repellent

Maybe it won’t be buggy, but if it is, watch out!Insect Repellent

I’ve tried a few of the alternative repellents but for me, deet is the only thing that works.

Yes, deet is a nasty chemical, so I try to use it sparingly on my skin. But it sure does keep those pesky skeeters away.

It’s one of the more important camping essentials on this list!

Forget it and you’ll pay the price.

camping chairs

8. Camping Chairs

Sitting on the ground sucks.

I’ve done it many times on backpacking trips because chairs are too heavy and bulky for backpacking –but not for camping.

If you’re going camping, you’re probably taking a vehicle to get there. So make some trunk space for a good camping chair or two.

Your butt and back will thank you.

stack of firewood

9. Lots Of Firewood

Some of you may be wondering why firewood wasn’t higher up on this camping essentials list.

Isn’t firewood a camping staple?

Yes, it is, but you may not want to pack it.

It depends on your particular camping situation. Experts recommend you buy your firewood locally after you get to your campsite. And in some circumstances, it can be illegal to transport firewood across state lines…

Also, if it’s been a dry summer, you might have a fire bane to contend with.

The bottom line is

If you happen to forget firewood before you leave, you’ll typically be able to find some after you get there.

But do your research before you leave. Because camping without a campfire just isn’t the same.

10. Air-Tight Containers

If you’re planning on camping for a few days, you’ll need a few easy camping meals.

But remember, you’ll be cooking and eating with wild animals around and that means you need to respect them.

bear food vault

Never leave your food out, instead, put it in air-tight containers – like this bearproof food vault.

These containers ensure you end up with raccoons and bears sniffing their way into your campsite.

Airtight containers trap food smells and protect them from hungry animals.

Want a Downloadable and Printable Version Of This Camping Essentials Checklist? Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

landscape sunset

11. Sunscreen

I don’t know about you, but when I go camping – I spend nearly all my time outdoors. I don’t understand people who go camping only hide in their tent or RV all day.

My favorite camping day is fishing in the morning and hiking in the afternoon.

And being outdoors more than normal is a recipe for a nasty sunburn. And you can still get burnt even if it’s a cloudy day.

So you’ll want to make sure everyone in your group is wearing some SPF protection.

Consider getting the waterproof kind if you’ll be out on the lake all day and re-apply often.

12. High-Performance Cooler

A lot of people forget to pack a cooler, but it’s an important camping essential.

A cooler keeps your food safe from the outdoor elements and animals. It’ll also keep you from illnesses like food poisoning – so it’s absolutely essential and worth every penny!

A high-performance cooler will keep your foods fresh and cold for at least three days after being opened.

Plus, a good cooler helps keep your campfire beverages cold. And I like the coolers where you can grab what you need (beer) without having to sort through your food items in the dark.

I own a large sturdy cooler that doubles as an extra seat for your friend who forgot his camping chair!

Oh, and I hope it’s obvious – if you’re taking a cooler, you need to get some ice for it…

13. Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress

If you’ve slept on the floor, you know how terrible you feel the next day.

Now, imagine trying to sleep on the hard, cold, uneven ground! Set yourself up for success by investing in a sleeping pad or camping air mattress.sleeping pad

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but you want to enjoy your trip instead of ruining your back.

Also, take pillows with you as well. I can’t sleep well without proper neck support and quality sleep is a must to enjoy your camping trip.

14. Survival Tools / Gear

No one wants to end up in a wilderness survival situation. But every year, thousands of people do.

And if they had some survival gear with them it would help keep them alive.

So instead of listing each of these tools out individually, I’m just going to list the ones you should take with you camping – just in case.

Check out our ultimate survival gear list to make sure you’re always ready.

Want a Downloadable and Printable Version Of This Camping Essentials Checklist? Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

LED Lantern

15. Campsite Lantern

You should take an LED lantern. That way your group can play cards or set up evening snacks or light the trail to the restroom.

If you forget to pack a good camping lantern, trust me, you’ll notice, and that makes it a camping essential.

The good news is you can get super bright ones at such a low cost nowadays!

rusty hammer and axe

16. Survival Hatchet or Axe

A survival axe does the one thing that even a good survival knife can’t.

It can split a ton of firewood fast. Good luck trying to do that with a knife.Estwing Survival Axe

You can also chop down a few small trees as well (if it’s allowed at your campsite).

So get a good axe and add it to your camping essentials.

17. Toiletries

Some campgrounds include restrooms with flush toilets and TP – while others do not. If you’re heading to a remote campground – consider taking your own portable camping toilet.

Either way, having a few rolls of toilet paper packed is ALWAYS a good idea. You just never know and being without is less than ideal. In fact, it’s pretty crappy.

Also, if you like clean teeth and showers, etc., you’ll need to pack those essential items as well. Like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

Fire Survival Skill

18. Fire Starters

I’m a fan of practicing survival skills like starting a fire with sticks.

WetFire Fire Starter

But there’s also nothing as frustrating as spending hours trying to get your campfire lit.

And your family and friends don’t care how you get it going so long as it doesn’t take all night.

I recommend trying these WetFire Tinder Cubs to get those marshmallows roasting asap.

19. Thick Socks

Socks are one of the most underrated camping essentials on this list.

If you’re planning a lot of activities, having some thick socks is important to keep your feet dry and healthy.smart wool socks

Don’t pack thin ankle socks which will cause blisters. Thick long socks will protect your ankles and feet from ticks, and mosquitoes.

Also, don’t wear the same socks over and over – bring a fresh pair for every day you’re there.

Are you not sure which brand of camping socks to go with? I wear Smartwool socks.

20. Camping Utensils

It’s hard to enjoy a great camping meal if you have to eat your food without a plate or forks. So make sure you have some cups, bowls, plates, forks, knives, and spoons.

There’s no real way to improvise these items so pack them, and you’ll set yourself up for some excellent camping meals.

Also, don’t forget your telescoping forks for cooking hot dogs or marshmallows over your campfire.

21. Camping Stove

Yes, a portable camping stove is essential because you cannot 100% guarantee you can have a campfire to cook with.

 

Colman Classic Propane Stove

Colman Classic Propane Stove

I discovered this the hard way. We showed up at a campsite with our dutch oven and a campfire grill grate only to find out there was a fire ban!

We end up borrowing a fellow camper’s Colman Classic Propane Stove. Thank goodness for random campsite friends.

Lesson learned – always have an alternative way to cook your meals – pack a camping stove.

Side Note: If you plan to winter camp, then you’ll definitely want to look into getting a tent stove.

How About A Few Non-Essentials

Why would I put “nonessentials” on this list of camping essentials? Well, because, some things are really really nice to have! So I figured I’d toss out of few of my favorite camping nonessentials to wrap things up.

Here are a few of my extra luxury camping items:

Camping Essentials Wrap Up

Camping can be an amazing experience, but only if you’ve properly prepared for such a trip.

You see, the key to having a good camping trip vs. a nightmare one is all in the preparation.

Make sure you have all the essential items to keep it fun and relaxing – instead of frustrating.

Experienced campers know this and have created a system to ensure they don’t forget those camping essentials.

Now you have this list to double-check before you rush out to the wilderness.

But remember, every campsite and every camp trip is unique.

Research the campground before you go. You need to know what it offers regarding amenities such as washrooms, electricity, and more.

Plus, learn these 21 amazing camping hacks to make your camping life a little better.

Ok, what did I miss? What camping essentials can you NOT live without that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments below, and we might just add it!

“Just In Case” Jack

P.s. Do you know where the closest nuclear bunker is from your home?

There are a lot of natural nuclear shelters in the US that are absolutely free. And one of them is near your home.

Click on the image above to find out where you need to take shelter.

The post 21 Camping Essentials You’ll Kick Yourself For Forgetting appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Who Is Behind A Series Of “Mysterious Explosions” At Natural Gas Facilities In The United States?

This article was originally published by Michael Snyder at The Economic Collapse Blog. 

Are we under attack?  Previously, I have written about a series of very strange fires that have occurred at key food production facilities in the United States this year.  Authorities insist that each one of those fires was an “accident”, and maybe they are correct.

But now the same thing is starting to happen to the energy industry.  In particular, we have seen a number of “mysterious explosions” at natural gas facilities in the United States during the past two months.  Of course, natural gas prices were already spiking dramatically all over the world, and so this string of disasters comes at a really bad time.

On Saturday, an absolutely massive explosion at a very important natural gas facility in Medford, Oklahoma made headlines all over the nation.  The following comes from CBS News

A large fire Saturday afternoon engulfed a natural gas plant in the small northern Oklahoma town of Medford. Video posted to social media showed heavy flames and smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the air.

The fire occurred at a “natural gas liquids fractionation facility” operated by ONEOK, a company spokesperson confirmed in a statement to CBS News.

The explosion that caused this fire was so large that it actually caused “a 1.74 magnitude earthquake”.

The black smoke that came billowing from the plant could be seen for many miles all around, and the damage that was done is likely to disrupt operations at the facility for a long time to come.

Just two days earlier, there was another “mysterious explosion” near Houston, Texas

Authorities say a fire is now out after an explosion along a natural gas line sent up a column of flames from a field in Fort Bend County on Thursday.

According to the Fort Bend County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office, the explosion occurred before 11 a.m. in the 15400 block of JoAnn near FM 1952, west of Orchard.

Nearby residents report hearing “a loud pop” when the explosion occurred…

Is it normal to have two major natural gas explosions like this in just a matter of three days?

 

No, it is not.

And it is important to note that there have been other “suspicious explosions” recently.

Last month, a massive explosion at a liquefied natural gas terminal in Quintana Island, Texas ended up “taking a substantial amount of the fuel off the market”

An explosion at a liquefied natural gas terminal in Texas has left nearby residents rattled and is taking a substantial amount of the fuel off the market at a time when global demand is soaring.

Freeport LNG will be offline for at least three weeks, the company said Thursday, following a fire in its export facility.

So who would benefit from all of this?

I think that is a very important question to ask.

Some are suggesting that the Russians could be behind these “accidents”.  According to Washington Examiner editor Tom Rogan, the Russians actually have a cyber unit that is fully capable of pulling off such attacks…

That brings us to the Russian cyber unit involved in the targeting reconnaissance against Freeport LNG.

Named XENOTIME by researchers, the unit has utilized boutique TRITON/TRISIS malware developed by the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics. That malware is designed for the seizure of industrial control systems and the defeat of associated safety systems. In 2017, GCHQ (Britain’s NSA-equivalent signals intelligence service) outlined the need for network compartmentalization to protect safety systems against this malware better. In March 2022, the FBI warned that TRISIS malware remained a threat.

XENOTIME is assessed by the U.S. and British governments as a critical infrastructure-focused, advanced persistent threat actor. The unit’s modus operandi involves targeting industrial control systems and supervisory control systems in order to effect unilateral control of a network. XENOTIME has caused specific concern in Western security circles for its targeting of safety systems that would otherwise mitigate threats to life during a cyberattack. XENOTIME’s activity has escalated in 2022.

Of course, there are similar cyber units in the western world and in Asia that could be conducting such operations for their own reasons.

The truth is that even if it could be proven that cyberattacks are causing these explosions we will probably never know who was ultimately behind them.

This is just another reason why it is a major national security risk to have so much of our critical infrastructure connected to a global Internet.

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and we are exceedingly vulnerable.

Many on the Internet are pointing out that there was another very unusual fire at a facility in Valdez, Alaska on June 27th

A tanker truck that caught fire at a Valdez refinery Monday afternoon halted fuel-loading activities at the facility on Tuesday, state officials say.

The truck was loading diesel when the explosion occurred, according to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

In the old days, a random fire like that never would have even made a blip in the news.

But with all of the other fires that are now happening, people are on alert.

Over and over again, really bizarre accidents have been happening, and people want answers.

I wish that I had all of the answers, but I don’t.  Like many of you, I am just trying to ask the right questions.

What I do know is that we live in very chaotic times, and I have a feeling that they are about to get a whole lot more chaotic.

I fully expect that the second half of this year will be even crazier than the first half, and that is really saying something.

***It is finally here! Michael’s new book entitled “7 Year Apocalypse” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.***

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “7 Year Apocalypse” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book, I have written five other books that are available on Amazon.com including  “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”“The Beginning Of The End”“Get Prepared Now”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending digital copies as gifts through Amazon to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse BlogEnd Of The American Dream, and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial, or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and anyway that you can share these articles with others is a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today.