Please help with advice on outfitting for first backpack hunt

[acnewman55]

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

You should look into Nuun.  Adds flavor and electrolytes/vitamins to your water.  Compact, pre-measured tablets, with zero sugar so you can use it in a camelback bladder hydration system and not gunk it up.

[ICEMAN]

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

You should look into Nuun.  Adds flavor and electrolytes/vitamins to your water.  Compact, pre-measured tablets, with zero sugar so you can use it in a camelback bladder hydration system and not gunk it up.

Does it mix well with everclear too?

[acnewman55]

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

You should look into Nuun.  Adds flavor and electrolytes/vitamins to your water.  Compact, pre-measured tablets, with zero sugar so you can use it in a camelback bladder hydration system and not gunk it up.

Does it mix well with everclear too?

If you're honest with yourself, you'll admit that nothing mixes well with everclear.

It is great for hangovers though!

[ICEMAN]

 

[darren]

Ok it's always been a dream for me to do a true back pack hunt buy myself and stay out a week. So I've decided this September I'm going to make it happen, I really would appreciate any advice from you experienced backpackers as to what you would pack with you on such a trip. I have already bout my badlands pack what would you fill it with? And FOOD?? What food do most of you pack in for such trips ?? I'm trying to go as lite as possible. I don't want to miss any asentials.

Figure out the water situation where you're going to be, your purification strategy, and figure out maps and the lay of the land.

Take a bunch of freeze dried meals (e.g., Mountain House and so on) from REI. Those are really light in terms of calories/ounce and you can take a variety of meals so you don't get sick of any one thing. Take a bunch of energy bars or snickers (the original energy bar!) so you can fuel up on the go here and there.

Use your head, trust your gut. I don't think you have to have everything proven out and nailed down before you head out, just be flexible. Nature is a good teacher, but you may get humbled. Be prepared to be uncomfortable or stressed but take the experience as it comes. Make plans, but keep an open mind and try to learn as much as possible.

[jackelope]

Ok it's always been a dream for me to do a true back pack hunt buy myself and stay out a week. So I've decided this September I'm going to make it happen, I really would appreciate any advice from you experienced backpackers as to what you would pack with you on such a trip. I have already bout my badlands pack what would you fill it with? And FOOD?? What food do most of you pack in for such trips ?? I'm trying to go as lite as possible. I don't want to miss any asentials.

What Badlands pack are you running?

Food==lightweight stuff that doesn't take up a bunch of space. Mountain House type meals, trail mix, etc. If you like tuna I like those little packets with the tuna, a couple crackers and mayo. Take all of it out of the package and vacuum seal it or put it in zip locks. DIY your own dehydrated foods if you have the means. Mountain house meals will be a little smaller and a little lighter if you take them out of their packaging as well.  I like to snack during the day rather than a full-blown lunch so I get some energy bars, trail mix, pop tarts, etc to snack on. My guilty pleasure has been coffee. I take some Starbucks via's and some of the little single shot creamers and sugar packets. I've got a little metal cup to drink it out of. Just enough for 1 cup a day.
Decide on what type of sleeping arrangements you prefer. I like a tent with a floor. Some people are good with a floorless shelter, some like a bivy bag, etc. You've got to decide that on your own. My tent is right at about 3 pounds so it's not too bad. I don't have the budget for the super lightweight stuff, but I've done ok with what I've got. Sierra Trading Post is a good place to get stuff at bargain prices.
I bought a 15 degree Marmot sleeping bag on Sierra Trading Post and it's worked out well. It was less than $100.00
Stoves can run the spectrum of price, size, fuel type, etc. I have an inexpensive Brunton Raptor and it's done great for me so far.

It pretty much all comes down to budget. It seems the more you spend, the lighter stuff gets.

[Shawn Ryan]

"Take all of it out of the package and vacuum seal it or put it in zip locks. DIY your own dehydrated foods if you have the means. Mountain house meals will be a little smaller and a little lighter if you take them out of their packaging as well."

You can add your boiling water right to a quart size Ziploc full of Mtn. House meal and the food will re-hydrate in the Ziploc.  I keep the desiccate pack in the Ziploc until I'm ready to eat it. I've had Mtn. House meals left over from one season in a Ziploc and they were fine the next season.