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The Rockies are my backyard, literally. My home is at 8600' and I live 3-4 miles as the crow flies from the continental divide.
I think you'd be better served by by starting from a civilian/backpacking perspective and then moving to pseudo military, survival one. Most REI have classes, seminars, etc that will get you started.
Spring and fall in the rockies can be pretty brutal. You'll want shelter that can support 2' of snow that may fall as early as Labor Day. I've been cold in my zero degree rated bag. Living off the land legally means fishing or backpacking during hunting season. Either will be very time consuming. MREs are fine for a weekend; but they get damn heavy past a few days worth. Freeze dried has a better weight to calorie ratio. Crypto and giardia are the water contaminents and are easily filterable. Virus' are not an issue here. Afternoon rain with lightning is the norm and is potentially dangerous if you aren't prepared for it.
For what it's worth, Quantico, VA has one of the busiest REIs in the nation. It seems SEALs and Green Beret go shopping there after they get out of class and before they deploy.
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