Inhaltsverzeichnis für April/May #72 2026 in RECOIL OFFGRID

In this issue, we’re exploring two iconic American landscapes that showcase the power of nature in entirely different ways. First is Niagara Falls, where thundering cascades carve through the border of New York and Canada, creating a world of mist, islands, and river-cut history shaped over thousands of years. Then, we move southwest to California’s Joshua Tree National Park, a stark desert crossroads where the Mojave and Colorado ecosystems meet among sculpted rock, star-drenched skies, and the resilient life that fights to survive in the heat. Together these destinations offer a striking contrast, one defined by relentless water and erosion the other by silence, stone, and the perseverance of the desert. Adventure Appeal Niagara Falls delivers an immense sense of natural power with its staggering flow of more than 3,000…

Outside of a truck stop on a windy autumn day in Nebraska, I mill around waiting on the rest of the group of hunters and industry representatives to arrive. The sound of the wind is broken up by idle chatter and a mass of semitrucks hauling cattle. It was in that windy truck stop parking lot that I met a nine-fingered man who was short on height and tall on personality — Joe “Hot Chocolate” Audubon, the proprietor of Arterburn Outdoors and our outfitter for the upcoming hunt. Joe is a short, stocky man who definitely looks like he’d be a handful. Once we got talking, I was not surprised by his sharp wit and charming dry brand of smart-ass sarcasm. After everyone had arrived, we made our way to…

Stress Response I’ve spent over three decades as a prepper and nearly as long as a therapist, most recently working with first responders. Most of us believe we will not be mentally impacted by emergencies, stress, and survival situations, but stress has a way of surprising you. It’s not a matter of being “tough enough” to not let it affect you. I’ve worked with combat experienced infantry, seasoned first responders, paratroopers, and more in my therapy office. If it were simply a matter of “being strong,” I would not be needed. I’ve seen firsthand how emergencies don’t just test our gear — they test our bodies and minds. Whether you’re a firefighter racing to a burning building, an EMT arriving at a fatal car accident, or a homesteader facing…

Few projects feel more personal than working on a firearm that has been around as long as you have. My Remington 1100 came into the world in the early ’80s. It carries the wear of honest use and the quiet reliability that made the design a favorite for generations of hunters. I have always enjoyed tinkering, which means I rarely leave anything exactly as I bought it. That includes guns. When I finally committed to giving my 1100 a set of tactical upgrades, I wanted the process to feel purposeful. I wanted to enhance its utility for the woods where I hunt. I wanted a shotgun that could take on home-defense duty when needed. I did not want to erase its roots. Working on a platform like the 1100 adds…

The concept of “pantry staples” differs from household to household based on factors like climate, availability, and heritage, but there’s a huge variety of things we can not only make from scratch but also store for long-term use in our pantry. By making items at home and learning how to properly store them, we can reduce our reliance on store-bought products — a valuable benefit in everyday situations as well as providing food security in at emergency. Preserving our own food offers several key benefits. First, we know exactly what’s in our food, without added chemicals or preservatives. Second, we can save a huge amount of money — a bottle of Heinz Organic Ketchup is about $10 right now at Walmart for a 32-ounce bottle, which lasts my kids about…

There are training programs that improve skill and others that improve judgment. Then, there is Troysgate, which reaches further than both by offering something most people will never experience until the moment it matters most. It offers a taste of what a real deadly encounter feels like. The kind that is chaotic, confusing, and life altering. The kind that strips away every comforting illusion about how we think we will behave under lethal pressure. I attended a Troysgate course expecting an advanced firearms experience. What I encountered was something far more personal. In a controlled yet startlingly realistic environment, I saw and felt what it means for the mind to wrestle with primal fear while the body is forced to act. Troysgate calls this the merging of science and deadly…

Vehicle owners can be placed into one of three categories: urban road commuters who wrack up most of their odometer miles going to and from work and running errands, overlanders whose miles are spent driving to conquer mountains and valleys, and then there are those who fit somewhere in between. Many of us live and work in areas connected by a labyrinth of paved roads and highways who relish the opportunity to get away from congestion, power lines, and people. It is in that middle ground where lies the challenge of outfitting a vehicle to be a daily driver, but also capable of heading out to places unknown at a moment’s notice. Recreational vehicles and campers are pre-built and fun but lack versatility. Van and bus build-outs are always cool…

World War II created more than history. It created tools that soldiers trusted with their lives. Knives, shovels, and fighting blades weren’t just gear. They were lifelines. Three standouts — the KA-BAR, the M-1943 Entrenching Tool, and the Gurkha kukri — earned legendary status used in the mud and fire of war. Seventy-five years later, they’re still here — naturally, updated with modern materials but carrying the same spirit and legacy. The Champ, Ol' Reliable The KA-BAR 7-inch carbon steel-bladed knife may be the most iconic fixed-blade knife in the history of knives. And the world. That clip-point blade, metal handguard, and stacked leather handle couldn’t be mistaken — nor could the flat, round pommel used for thumping skulls or general hammering. It is a utility knife, after all. I…

Venturing out at the peak of the winter season can bring many challenges that we do not encounter in warmer conditions. Freezing temperatures bring snow and ice that can make navigating a familiar landscape challenging and turn our daily commute into a dangerous situation if we are not prepared. Gearing up involves ensuring we have appropriate clothing, outerwear, and footwear. Beyond ensuring our on-body gear is keeping us safe, we also need to ensure our Get Home Bag is ready to manage the harsh winter conditions. Your Shelter from the Storm A get home bag is designed to provide all the tools and supplies you will need to get back to a secure location. The challenge of building one is finding the appropriate balance of gear and weight. Unlike a…