Also a left-winger who has adopted some prepping mentality and created a “go-bag.”
In my opinion, “proper” prepping is/should be more about educating oneself, i.e. basic survival skills, navigational skills, how to find food and drinkable water, and if possible how to grow your own food and build a shelter — in essence boy scout stuff.
Once you know about the basics of survival, acquiring some essential tools (think axe, water purification tablets, and fire starter), and creating a rendezvous point with your loved ones is all that’s left.
The, usually right-winger, “preppers” are in reality just apocalypse fetishists. They buy MREs in bulk, create basements to bug-out in, and buy a stockpile of guns as if the concept of “community” will no longer exist in collapse scenario. They alienate everyone around them and focus entirely on the survival of their nuclear family with the insane belief that they could survive in a bunker under their home until chaos blows over.
Fantastic photos!
Hiked in Shenandoah this past spring break and it was awesome. My favorite trail was the Hawksbill, a rather strenuous hike up, but the views are incredible and nearly 360degrees. Theres also a trail going down the other side of the mountain that you can hike down that loops back to the start that has some rock scrambles.