ok, so i have been following this and there is an amazing amount of info from you guys. I have been doing some shopping and also just figuring out what stuff weighs. I put together my first stab at the backpack, and assuming 15 lbs for food, i was at almost 70# wow that added up fast.
some of it is definitely my own fault. my pack a TZ5000 weighs 8 lbs by itself, and I added a TZ1250 for a day pack at another 3#. My rifle was 9#. My handgun loaded was another 3#. It doesn't take much after that with batteries, cook gear and sleep gear to add up.
I am definetely going to look into thos meindel boots bowhunter 15 suggests. i am in need of a new pair anyways. My irish setters are almost 15 years old, very heavy and have seen a lot of miles.
I have some questions on clothing. How many extra pieces do you take. ie how many pairs of socks for 6-7 days? How many underwear. I have had a serious chaffing incident in the past so i like to bring fresh drawers... That and a container of body glide. I can't endorse that stuff enough....
here is my clothes list before pairing it down
Packed....
socks 4 pair
Mothwing boxers 4 pair
Sitka Ascent Pants
Sitka Ascent Jacket
Sitka med weight core long sleave top
sitka light weight core top x 2
Sitka Kelvin jacket
Sitka Kelvin pants
British mil surplus Rain jacket and pants
silk weight top and bottom for sleeping
Sitka Fanatic Gloves
Sitka Ball cap
Sitka Beanie
.
Wear in
Sitka Mountain pants
Sitka lightweight core top
Sitka ascent jacket
Mothwing boxers
Socks
Boots
Other than the obvious that i spent too much on clothing, do you guys have any comments or advise on how much clothing to bring. I tried to make sure that i had a spare for each piece i wore in case something happened. and I added the kelvin stuff just in case it gets really cold in the morning or evening.
On your guys advice, I decided to get a sawyer squeeze filter and add an extra empty bottle to my pack on top of the hydration bladder. I haven't bought it yet, but i will make sure to get and bring the flush kit.
@bowhunter15 talked about a scouting service that he got some maps from. I contacted 3 of them.
I emailed Bearpaw, scout4u.com and headinwest.net to get some info. headin west was recommended by the people on elknut forum but that guy is expensive ($2000).
Have any of you dealt with any of these companies. I got a call back from the guy at bearpaw and liked what he had to say but talk is cheap. As it turns out, he is from my home town area, so that was a plus.
It looks like hiking poles are a popular suggestion. Do any of you have suggestions on which ones to buy or how to choose them?self
for you hammock guys, here is my sleeping gear
Warbonnet blackbird
hammock gear incubator 0 degree UQ
Enlightened Equipment revelation 10 degree TQ
Super Fly with pole kit
jacks r better tarp lines
generic titanium stakes
I was really suprised how this added up as well. All of a sudden I was at 7.5#. I thought the hammock and quilt route was going to be lighter, but maybe it isn't? Either way, i like the idea of not sleeping on the ground.
for portable electronics and optics, I have
Garmin Montana 600 GPS
Vortex Ranger 1000
Vortex Talon 10x42 binocs
Rented Satelite phone.
Headlamps
I see that vortex is coming out with the fury binocular/rangefinder combo. I absolutely will be getting that. hopefully before this trip but maybe after. it looks kind of expensive. I have seen preorder sites selling it for 1050, but perhaps my military buddies can get me one cheaper.
for cooking, I have
MSR pocket rocket
MSR titan pot
orikaso folding plate, bowl, cup
I figure the party can share the stove and pot as long as we have enough fuel. I thought also about getting an evernew or similar fry pan. Perhaps we can shoot some small game or even go all meateater on the trip and cook up some fresh elk. If we go that route, can any of you suggest a difuser? i have seen how they make it easier to cook in the fry pan, but there are a hundred of them out there.
In another thread there are some recipes for pemican that my wife has agreed to help me make. it actually took longer to convince her to give up some of her baking huckleberries but that is another story.
I have to say, I am really excited for this idea, and i can't thank you guys enough for the help. I've done a lot of elk hunting in the past, but always from a road based camp. this back pack trip is something new for me.
i've been rambling for a while now, and I am sure i will have more questions. but for now......