Hello from the Lone Wolf
My name is Don Hames, and I’m the Lone Wolf who created Lone Wolf Survival & Adventure Gear.
I built this site for two main reasons: to educate people who are new to survival and emergency preparedness, and to design custom survival kits filled with gear I would actually trust in a real emergency.
If you’re just getting started, you’re in the right place. You’ll find survival articles, checklists, tutorials, and kits you can customize to fit your life, your family, and your environment.
Why Listen to Me About Survival?
I grew up in the mountains of western Montana on our family farm. Mornings started at 5:30 with animals to feed and chores to do — even on those brutal January days when the temperature dropped to -30°F and the wind chill pushed it to -70°F or worse. I didn’t love getting out of a warm bed for that, but I did love what came after.
When chores and homework were done, I was turned loose in the mountains, hills, and valleys with my friends. We roamed the forests, explored the Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers, and learned how to move through wild country the old-fashioned way: by doing it.
As a teenager I backpacked most of western Montana and ventured into Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and California. After high school I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent four years at the San Diego submarine base. Later, I returned to Montana for college (Go Grizzlies!!), completed Army ROTC, and went on to a 30-year career as an Army officer.
Along the way I’ve survived blizzards, dust storms, -80°F wind chills, 130°F desert heat, hurricanes, tornadoes, and tropical storms. I’ve lived, worked, and trained in all kinds of environments where your gear — and your mindset — really matter.
Why You Can Trust My Gear Recommendations
- Veteran-owned and operated — I’ve spent decades depending on my kit to get home safe.
- 30+ years of combined military, field, and wilderness experience in harsh environments.
- Hands-on experience surviving blizzards, dust storms, hurricanes, grid-down events, and extreme temperatures.
- Backpacking and field work across western Montana and the western U.S., from mountains to desert.
- Every kit is built around real-world use, not just pretty pictures and marketing claims.
- No cheap junk — if I wouldn’t bet my life on it, it doesn’t go in the kit.
Why I Started Lone Wolf Survival & Adventure Gear
After retiring as a college computer science professor, I noticed something that bothered me: a lot of the survival and first aid kits sold online were filled with low-quality items that looked impressive in photos but would fail fast in the real world.
I kept thinking about the people who would buy those kits, stash them in a closet, and then discover — when it was too late — that the gear wasn’t up to the job.
So I decided to build something better. Drawing on my military experience, backpacking background, and a lot of additional study of survival manuals and resources, I started designing dependable, rugged survival and first aid kits that are actually useful when things go sideways.
That’s how Lone Wolf Survival & Adventure Gear was born: a veteran-owned shop focused on quality, value, and real-world usefulness.
Not Sure Where to Start? Here’s Your Roadmap.
- Step 1: Take the Survival Kit Quiz below to see what kind of kit fits your situation.
- Step 2: Download the free 72-Hour Survival Starter Checklist so you know what to pack.
- Step 3: Look at my Custom Survival Kits and pick a starting point.
- Step 4: Add a small EDC pouch or vehicle kit so you’re covered away from home.
- Step 5: Read the blog articles and tutorials to build your skills and confidence over time.
Free 72-Hour Survival Starter Checklist (PDF)
Want a simple, no-nonsense packing list you can print and check off as you build your kit? I put together a 72-hour survival starter checklist based on real-world priorities.
Use it to build a bug-out bag, a home emergency kit, or a vehicle kit you can actually rely on.
Download the 72-Hour Survival Checklist (PDF)
(If this link doesn’t work yet, don’t worry — I’m still wiring it in. Check back soon or explore the kits below.)
Recommended Starting Kits for New Preppers
If you’re just getting started, these are my most important “first purchase” kits:
Common Situations I Can Help You Prepare For
- Hurricanes & wildfires: 72-hour evacuations with a bug-out kit ready to grab.
- Grid-down events & long power outages: Water, light, heat, and radios from my Blackout / Grid-Down Kits and Survival GMRS Radios.
- Getting stranded while traveling: A vehicle kit and EDC pouch so you’re never truly “stuck”.
- Home emergencies: A solid home survival kit built from my core survival kits plus the 72-hour checklist.
- Building skills over time: Articles, tutorials, and checklists in the Lone Wolf blog so you can learn at your own pace.
Featured Survival Articles
Here are a few good places to keep learning once you’re done here:
Still Not Sure What Kit You Need?
If you’re unsure where to start, this quick quiz will help you figure out which survival kit makes the most sense for your situation. It looks at your environment, who you’re protecting, your biggest concerns, budget, and experience.
Answer a few questions, and I’ll point you toward the best starting kit.
What Survival Kit Do I Really Need?
Not sure where to begin? Answer a few quick questions and I’ll point you toward the type of survival kit that fits your situation. You can always customize later — this just gives you a solid starting point.
Your Recommended Starting Point
Thanks for Stopping By
I built Lone Wolf Survival & Adventure Gear to help normal people get realistically prepared — not paranoid, not overloaded, just ready.
Read the articles, try the quiz, download the checklist, and explore the kits. Ask questions. Share ideas. Help other people learn how to survive what life throws at them.
Much appreciation,
Don
Survival Kit
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