I lived as a homeless person for about 7 years in the Willamette national forest just outside of Eugene Oregon and for maybe 2 of those years in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco California. So the short version is; I lived outside out of a large Alice Pack for a really long time. I know a lot about living out of an Alice pack and how much you can carry in one and also just about living outside. Currently I live in Texas close to the Gulf Coast The problem I see with Texas is that it is a pretty populated area. To many predators at close quarters. I think I would like to try to make my way north If it ever comes to that. Oregon is a good area it's mostly empty. Lots of wild game and not full of things that bite and sting and are poisonous. Texas has lots of snakes moccasins and rattle snakes copperheads etc. you name it we got em. Every kind of stinging insect known to man and scorpions and tarantulas we got em.
So these days when I start thinking about a SHTF scenario it makes me think of having to go back to those days living outside which I had hoped were behind me for good. So making sure I have all the right gear means gathering together a lot of stuff I already have. For instance I still have an Alice pack I also have a lot of stuff I didn't have back then like several guns, a nifty Dodge truck I think a lot of what I need to do is organizational making all this stuff quick and easy to load like kits
i was homeless for like 6 months in Reno NV. i had 2 thin blankets and slept in the snow. sucked really, but a hell'ova experience.
migrating north is a great idea, as im plannen on forest living anyway, however, if you migrate, you have to have good timing as well. the farther north you go, the colder it gets, exspecially during the winter.
youd want to arrive before winter, as to be able to set up shelter and traps etc without going into hypothermia.
btw, steel toe boots suck bigtime in the snow. and you may also want to get some winter gear for up there.
as far as kits:
i think its on page 2 of this section, but theres a thread: Creating A Bug-Out-Bag that may interest you.
also, as far as my car, i took a bit of Colt 1911's advice and have started "altoid" kits.
so far i have a altoid survival kit:
fishing gear, sewing, a lighter w/an Led light on it, and a cheap swiss army knife.
i still need to make my altoid med kit though lol.