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2019 Idaho Elk

BCHunter said:
I've packed out 100lbs with my kifaru frame and diy bag(duffle bag with extra straps sewn on) and did several 4-5 mile training sessions with 80lbs. That thing is awesome. I would also look at a MR popup if you think you might want to use it as a pack for sticks/platform back east. you can always do a dry bag between the frame and bag for extra room.

The sawyer squeeze works great as long as it wont freeze. I know people say you can just shake out the water, but there's no way you can get it all out. You can screw them straight onto Smart Water bottles instead of their pouch things. Always bring some purification tablets as a backup, cheap and weigh nothing. crystal light powder packets make anything taste better, you need to hydrate.

Stove: one 4 ounce canister will last you quite a few boils on a jet boil type stove, don't get the big ones.

bring foods you will actually eat when you are tired and at elevation. splurge on the mountain houses, bee stinger waffle energy things, power bars etc... you only go on the trip once a year or less. I hated making food, I could probably go stoveless and be super happy. Chocolate protein shake and granola in a plastic bag with water is the best backpacking breakfast ever, try it at home, trust me.

If you have a partner who will actually stay out there 7 nights and hunt hard you've struck gold... I'm jealous. I went with 2 guys a couple years ago, they slept in till sun up, were back at camp by dark. We were supposed to stay 4 miles out for 4 days... apparently they only packed for 2 days?!?! Good luck!
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Good call on the crystal lite powder. I wouldnt use an MR popup deer hunting as I dont have enough equipment to justify that, but do you think it would have 3500 cubic inches if I put gear between the bag and the frame? In that case the 28 would interest me greatly. Much cheaper than the metcalf and same benefits.

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I'll second what scout man said about the boots. That piece of gear often gets over looked. Get a good pair and start breaking them in now. I wore Merrell phaserbound boots and they did the job. Still have them and wear them regularly. Good boots for the money IMO.

All good info here.


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC18exdGWh7piVWisrnDXiZg
I found this guys youtube channel a while back. The guys does a lot of hiking and try's a lot of different gear. Ive found his videos to be very useful in my research of backcountry gear. You may want to check out his video on cold soaking, it might be a good alternative to cooking every night at camp
 
Letemgrowitllshow said:
Good call on the crystal lite powder. I wouldnt use an MR popup deer hunting as I dont have enough equipment to justify that, but do you think it would have 3500 cubic inches if I put gear between the bag and the frame? In that case the 28 would interest me greatly. Much cheaper than the metcalf and same benefits.

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You could do it, would just be hard to get camp and meat out.

I would definitely think about these guys' advise about camping buy the truck and hike a couple miles back in. Only bivy in if necessary. It seemed most people are either by the road or 4+ miles back, the in between gets passed over.

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BCHunter said:
You could do it, would just be hard to get camp and meat out.

I would definitely think about these guys' advise about camping buy the truck and hike a couple miles back in. Only bivy in if necessary. It seemed most people are either by the road or 4+ miles back, the in between gets passed over.

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Yeah I think I'll stick with saving up for the Metcalf.

I'll keep the camping by the truck in mind when I'm looking at new places.

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Regarding water purification the Sawyers are hard to beat. I would go with the standard size Sawyer Squeeze over the mini as it is not much heavier and is much easier to push water through while purifying. As far as it potentially freezing just stash it in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night and keep it in a coat/cargo pocket during the day and you won’t have to worry about it freezing.

I use a Warbonnet Ridge Runner Bridge Hammock with Cloudburst tarp combined with a synthetic underquilt and top quilt from arrowhead equipment outdoors. Bridge hammocks are a tad heavier than a gathered end, but the comfort of a bridge makes the weight well worth it. Check out hammockforums.net for more than you would ever care to know about hammock camping.

Finally, check out the Horn Hunter Full Curl Combo Pack. You can get one brand new for less than the price of one of the used Big Name packs. It is modular and super versatile, made in the USA, and is a great pack for the money.
 
BCHunter said:
You could do it, would just be hard to get camp and meat out.

I would definitely think about these guys' advise about camping buy the truck and hike a couple miles back in. Only bivy in if necessary. It seemed most people are either by the road or 4+ miles back, the in between gets passed over.

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Click to expand...

I too like the idea of a base camp near the road and spike camp from there if you want. If you pack 4 - 5 miles in to set up a base camp and you aren’t in the Elk you will burn an entire day of your limited time relocating camp. A base camp near the truck and you are mobile if you need to be.
 
Letemgrowitllshow said:
Got any tips on water purification? Our water source will be 1 mile away from camp so I was thinking of a 2.5 gallon collapsable bag to store some water and purify it when I'm gunna drink it.

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Steripen for sure...with tablets in your possibles ouch for backup.
 
My buddy Tim @trogers449 and I did our first back country elk hunt for 10 days in September and spent quite a bit of time fine tuning our system. Overall we were both really satisfied with the performance of our set up. I'll message you both of our pack lists. A few notes though...

  1. Boots - Invest in good boots that fit and are well broken in.
  2. Pack - I used a seek outside revolution 6800 pack - older model - that worked really well. My buddy used a stone glacier. But all kinds of packs will work...just make sure of fit. No need to drop a mint unless, like us, you can't help yourself because gear makes you swoon.
  3. Clothing/Latering - Having a wool base layering system for clothing will also keep your pack weight down and allow you to deal with temperature swings from weather and activity. Even if you only have merino base layers you can go a little more affordable on other clothing items.
  4. Water - We used steripen for water purification and it was great. I had a two nalgene bottles and I also had a 6 liter bladder that I filled up each night for camp water. Worked well...I'll never use a hand pump filter again.
  5. Shelter - I used the Nemo Hornet 2 person. Very light and plenty of room. Not a a true two person...more of a 1.5 person. I also tried out a seek DST tarp as my shelter. That's a pretty sweet system as well but obviously open air.
  6. Sleep system - I used a 20 degree kelty bag and an absolutely heavenly nemo sleeping pad. Never got cold and slept like the dead...the nemo sleeping pads are pricey but damn comfortable, and I'm a side sleeper.
  7. Food - The biggest impact on pack weight was food. We were at about 1.75lbs per day and ended up at about 45 lbs total pack weight (I think I'm remembering that correctly). We never ate all of our food each day, so we went in too heavy there. I would suggest really fine tuning that piece.
  8. Truck - We also had a truck camp set up as well....basically a rubber maid tote per man stocked with a few more camping luxuries, change of clothes, etc. And the truck also held a cooler with real food and real beer. It's nice to come out to a few cold ones and a bratwurst. And by nice, I mean otherworldly. You'll see my truck camp pack list as well.
  9. Get your mind right - Biggest thing...get in as good a shape as you can and spend a night or two at elevation before you pack in. The altitude will punch you out...we started at 11,000 and ended up dropping to 9,000. 9K is way better than 11K, but still...get your mind right. Think about what you think you can handle, and then cut that in half.

Message me with any questions. I love this stuff. Good luck!

Jonathan
 
I've never been out west yet but I think we're planning a trip to Colorado this 2019 season. Check out the pack rabbit pack mule frame. You can use it as your meat hauler but attach the pack you already have to store stuff. I'm thinking about getting it and also trying it for white tail hunting in the east to pack out my deer.
 
You guys are killing me! I plan to be out there in April hopefully running fence, building blinds, etc.

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Little cold today out there -8
31997836b3ff5db43f836c5c58a284a3.jpg


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ingramjri said:
My buddy Tim @trogers449 and I did our first back country elk hunt for 10 days in September and spent quite a bit of time fine tuning our system. Overall we were both really satisfied with the performance of our set up. I'll message you both of our pack lists. A few notes though...

  1. Boots - Invest in good boots that fit and are well broken in.
  2. Pack - I used a seek outside revolution 6800 pack - older model - that worked really well. My buddy used a stone glacier. But all kinds of packs will work...just make sure of fit. No need to drop a mint unless, like us, you can't help yourself because gear makes you swoon.
  3. Clothing/Latering - Having a wool base layering system for clothing will also keep your pack weight down and allow you to deal with temperature swings from weather and activity. Even if you only have merino base layers you can go a little more affordable on other clothing items.
  4. Water - We used steripen for water purification and it was great. I had a two nalgene bottles and I also had a 6 liter bladder that I filled up each night for camp water. Worked well...I'll never use a hand pump filter again.
  5. Shelter - I used the Nemo Hornet 2 person. Very light and plenty of room. Not a a true two person...more of a 1.5 person. I also tried out a seek DST tarp as my shelter. That's a pretty sweet system as well but obviously open air.
  6. Sleep system - I used a 20 degree kelty bag and an absolutely heavenly nemo sleeping pad. Never got cold and slept like the dead...the nemo sleeping pads are pricey but damn comfortable, and I'm a side sleeper.
  7. Food - The biggest impact on pack weight was food. We were at about 1.75lbs per day and ended up at about 45 lbs total pack weight (I think I'm remembering that correctly). We never ate all of our food each day, so we went in too heavy there. I would suggest really fine tuning that piece.
  8. Truck - We also had a truck camp set up as well....basically a rubber maid tote per man stocked with a few more camping luxuries, change of clothes, etc. And the truck also held a cooler with real food and real beer. It's nice to come out to a few cold ones and a bratwurst. And by nice, I mean otherworldly. You'll see my truck camp pack list as well.
  9. Get your mind right - Biggest thing...get in as good a shape as you can and spend a night or two at elevation before you pack in. The altitude will punch you out...we started at 11,000 and ended up dropping to 9,000. 9K is way better than 11K, but still...get your mind right. Think about what you think you can handle, and then cut that in half.

Message me with any questions. I love this stuff. Good luck!

Jonathan
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Great Post! Good Advice!
 
Got a little update for you guys.

I went ahead and got my sleep system. Went with a tent, sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. I'll be returning the pad. For the amount of weight and space I dont think its worth it. I've spent weeks sleeping on the ground without a pad during military training so I feel confident that I dont need the pad.

I like the sleeping bag. Nemo 20 degree bag. Wish it packed up smaller but it is what it is.

The tent is a one man eureka spitfire. Seems like a good tent, but I'm wondering if I'd rather get a bivy and some kinda tarp that I can use with my trekking poles (still need trekking poles)

Still waiting to buy a MR metcalf.

For water purification Im leaning toward a steripen. Keep hearing good things about it. I got 2 nalgene bottles and thinking of getting a water bag to store water at campsite. Tablets for emergency/backup

Stove I am very unsure of at this point. Dont want to drop $100 on a jetboil. Im not a picky eater, and I know something warm at the end of the day is nice, but I'm toying with the idea of no stove and live off bars or jerky or something. Any thoughts on that???

Sorry for the long post. Any and all feedback is much appreciated!
 
What zone? If it is Idaho steep, bring leki walking sticks or something similar. Heck even on the packouts in the more gradual stuff, which will generally surpass whatever you've seen back in (midwest or east) No idea where you are located. But sticks they are great for the nasty blowdown timber. shale rockslides, and gooey mud slopes. Get good shoes, that are good for early season, to below freezing weather. I have Schnees bear tooths and also extreme pac boots. I recommend air bob soles over the molded ones, grass and timber is slicker than snot when wet, air bobs just flat out excel on slopes. Sleeping bag I would if packing in, go with zero degree, but I just hunt from the comfort of house and day trips mostly. Depends on where you are hunting as to what snow levels will be, similar to other western states, pick the wrong storm and you could be walking out.....
 
Hiking poles for sure, gaiters if there's any chance of snow.

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After spending time in the Sawtooth mountains in Idaho chasing elk, I have to stress spending your summer getting in shape before heading to the mountains. I was running 3 miles every other day and was still not equipped for the thin air at elevation. Also, always carry some tape with you at all times. No matter how well you train nor how well your boots are broken in, you'll likely end up getting blisters unless you tape up the hot spots. Immediately, and I mean as soon as you detect a spot of discomfort anywhere on your feet, remove your boot and place tape over the spot. Waiting or not doing it will most assuredly lead to blisters which will lead to a miserable hunt.
Also, make sure your toe nails are trimmed before heading out. That may sound silly but your toes will be forced against the front of our boots as you traverse the mountains. You'll thank me later.
 
jbogg said:
Regarding water purification the Sawyers are hard to beat. I would go with the standard size Sawyer Squeeze over the mini as it is not much heavier and is much easier to push water through while purifying. As far as it potentially freezing just stash it in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night and keep it in a coat/cargo pocket during the day and you won’t have to worry about it freezing.

I use a Warbonnet Ridge Runner Bridge Hammock with Cloudburst tarp combined with a synthetic underquilt and top quilt from arrowhead equipment outdoors. Bridge hammocks are a tad heavier than a gathered end, but the comfort of a bridge makes the weight well worth it. Check out hammockforums.net for more than you would ever care to know about hammock camping.

Finally, check out the Horn Hunter Full Curl Combo Pack. You can get one brand new for less than the price of one of the used Big Name packs. It is modular and super versatile, made in the USA, and is a great pack for the money.
Click to expand...
I'll second the Full Curl Horn Hunter. Bought mine 5 years ago and still using it on my hunts out west. Affordable, versatile, and while a little on the heavy end will carry an Elk very well.

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I went to Idaho 2 years ago this is what I pulled from it. Red line yourself at least once everyday you train. I mean to the point you think youll fall over and you still wont be ready for that place.
 
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