Some thoughts on preparing and exiting.
I've been scanning posts to try to catch up. Can't find the post where someone (Preacherman?) was considering the smaller lighter vehicle vs larger vehicle for heading out. I have both types, a Nissan 4x extra cab PU w/ good shell, and a Suburban, If only able to take one, the Suburban would be the one. Yes, it takes more fuel to run, but with it's fuel capacity it has double the range as the Nissan, and will carry and pull much more. For scouting around, I can see the advantage of the smaller vehicle, but for covering distance, and having adequet supplies on hand, and even still having room to sleep in the back if needed, the Suburban is my choice.
I would try to take my motor home if the roads were passable, trailering the Suburban or Nissan behind it. I plan on selling the Winnebago and getting a small/medium size (16'-22')camp trailer that the Suburban can pull. I also think about putting the Nissan on my flatbed trailer and pulling it with the Suburban. Would have an extra vehicle in event of a fatal breakdown, as well as portable wealth. The trailer will also soon have a rack on front similar to what racers use fopr their spare tires, over the hood of the vehicle on the trailer. It will have the generator from the motor home, and gas cans or drums can be carried there, or more camp gear. Building a hitch for the back of the flatbed trailer so I can pull the little pickup bed trailer if I ever needed to take all I own and start over somewhere.
I think splitting the load is a good idea, if having more than one vehicle in the family or friends group, so if one was lost for any reason, all of any particular commodity would not be lost.
The issue in this area would be earthquake, and dealing with major disaster would likely be an "after the fact" situation. Being close to Yellowstone, if it looked possible that it would have serious volcanic problems is the only reason I can think of to leave, otherwise most here would be better off staying.
Looking into a hand powered pump for the well, like in the old days. Even with a generator, why use fuel to pump water when it can be done by hand? Would be nice to pressure up to shower, but much water use doesnt have to be pressured up.
My Nissan has a good rack on top of the shell, plan on having a good heavy duty roof rack built for the Suburban. The factory racks are nearly useless. A lot of gear and supplies can be carried on top. Even if you dont want or need to carry stuff up there when moving, it's nice to have a place to put things when stopped and sleeping in back.
I have a 9x12 wall tent I use for camping in the mountains. I have a small sheet metal wood stove for it. I figure I could get by almost anywhere with this tent. Nice to have a roomy, reliable shelter. The small tents keep the weather off of you, but its nice to be able to stand up and walk around out of the weather too. A fly rigged off the front of the wall tent allows a fire to be made and still be out of the rain. A backpacking tent is a good backup, and for walking into places. Have dog packs for my dogs, (Malamutes, imagine that) so they can help pack loads. A large dog can be used to pull a cart also.
Boots
I've used the Red Wing loggers for quite awhile now. They are far and away the toughest boots I've ever owned. I can get about 2 1/2 to 3 years out fo them. Other brands have seriously cratered in 6 months to a year for me. spenco insolse make them very comfortable for extended wear. I've never gotten a blister wearing the Red Wings and good wool socks, including 10 miles of very rough rocky trails near the Montana/Wyoming border. I mostly use wool athletic socks, a big name sports brand, but it escapes me at the moment.
Avoid the steel toes, they make your feet cold. I fit my boots in the afternoon, your feet are slightly wider that time of day, it's best to get them wide enough that they won't pinch when on your feet all day. Red Wings come in wide sizes for the guy that was asking about that.
A wheelbarrow may be practical for some peoples situaton, you can carry more stuff than you can on your back, and set it down anywhere. Mine is a special tactical wheelbarrow, as the tire is a "no flat" type. It's something that I would probably take along anyway, they are very handy tools, but I can't think of a situation I would likely be in that I would have only the wheelbarrow for my gear. Maybe getting camp gear back in a ways off the road.
Small pickup bed trailers are handy. I have a Datson bed trailer with a shell on it. Sometimes I leave my camp gear in it ready to go, and only have to hook up, throw some fresh water and food supplies in to go. A full size pickup bed trailer with a shell might be good for the Suburban. Haven't worked out the details yet, but pickup bed trailers have fuel tanks under them. I believe an electric inline fuel pump could be used to pump the fuel into the towing vehicle.
Good thread.