Another high buck hunt gear thread.

[Devenk89]

Hey all, long time reader first time poster. Lots of good info to be found here.

Sorry for the long post but I was looking for a few pointers as this will be my first time doing this hunt.

I'm still a bit undecided, but I plan on either hunting the Alpine Lakes or Lake Chelan area. I know there were a lot of fires around lake Chelan last year, will that affect hunting a lot?

My main question is a gear question. I plan to hike in 5-7 miles then get off trail a bit to get away from people, which should put me at 5,000-6,000 feet. I know this is kind of a vague question, but what sort of low temperatures should I expect at night? I'm trying to decide on my sleep system/shelter. I plan on using the below:

BCO 10x10 tarp
EE Recon Bivy
Thermarest Xtherm sleeping pad
50 degree marmot micron bag... maybe, unless I would freeze to death?

Also wondering if I should bring my spotting scope and binoculars or just one?

thanks guys!

-Deven

[Jason]

Last year was a 180 from the previous year. Snowed on us a couple days and rained a few days too. It was cold and I was glad I had my 10* bag.

I regretted not bringing my spotter. This year I will have it.

[GBoyd]

Do you have a warmer sleeping bag?

I would prefer a bag rated for 10 or 20 for this time of year that high. Even if the forecast is for higher temperatures, I wouldn't trust it.

If you don't have a warmer one and don't want to purchase, consider getting one of the Costco down throws. You can tuck it in your bag for extra warmth if needed.

[X-Force]

Spotter and binoculars. I would expect night time temperatures into the 30s maybe 20s. A bivy and tarp will be ok if the weather is fair but if it’s looking nasty you may want more of a shelter imo.

[RockChuck]

A Warmer sleeping bag for sure, I’m still trying to decide on bringing my spotter is worth the weight or not also.

[Devenk89]

Thanks for all the advice.

I do have another bag, it's just much bulkier/heavier but it sounds like I should definitely take it. I do have a down jacket I can sleep in if I need to, but I prefer not too, so it sounds like I'm bringing the heavy bag!

I don't mind sleeping under the tarp and its big enough that I can all but close it in so I'll probably just stick with it.

As for optics, I'll have to pack my bag with the heavier bag and see if I have room for my spotter and Tripod. I have two Vortex Razor spotters, the 50mm and the 65mm spotter, I'm going to try and bring the 65mm.

Deven

Any other tips/bits of wisdom for this hunt?

[HikerHunter]

I've experienced anything between 20's to 50's at night, but usually plan for 30's. You would regret bringing a 50 degree bag.

Try the NOAA National Weather Service website for forecasts at certain elevations: https://www.weather.gov/

Expect this hunt to be a hike with a gun. Success rates are very low. You will see other hunters, even off the trail. Try to soak it in, a day in the mountains is better than a day at work.

[Devenk89]

I've experienced anything between 20's to 50's at night, but usually plan for 30's. You would regret bringing a 50 degree bag.

Try the NOAA National Weather Service website for forecasts at certain elevations: https://www.weather.gov/

Expect this hunt to be a hike with a gun. Success rates are very low. You will see other hunters, even off the trail. Try to soak it in, a day in the mountains is better than a day at work.

Awesome thanks for the link. And agreed, I'll enjoy just being out in the woods

[smdave]

Hey all, long time reader first time poster. Lots of good info to be found here.

Sorry for the long post but I was looking for a few pointers as this will be my first time doing this hunt.

I'm still a bit undecided, but I plan on either hunting the Alpine Lakes or Lake Chelan area. I know there were a lot of fires around lake Chelan last year, will that affect hunting a lot?

My main question is a gear question. I plan to hike in 5-7 miles then get off trail a bit to get away from people, which should put me at 5,000-6,000 feet. I know this is kind of a vague question, but what sort of low temperatures should I expect at night? I'm trying to decide on my sleep system/shelter. I plan on using the below:

BCO 10x10 tarp
EE Recon Bivy
Thermarest Xtherm sleeping pad
50 degree marmot micron bag... maybe, unless I would freeze to death?

Also wondering if I should bring my spotting scope and binoculars or just one?

thanks guys!

-Deven

@addicted

He has a good list.

[MLHSN]

I prefer a 20 deg bag this time of year.

[Skyvalhunter]

Mark you are turning into a candy

[Bill W]

on the many years I went on the high hunt I would pick a bag that was rated to +20 and also a tent to resist rain/wet snow/and or "slop".  As a side note a friend of mine was on a hunt back in the Entiat and had 2 feet of snow dropped on him once.  Had to hike out in all that.  Some years are nice, some years are not.   Had 6 inches of rain dropped on me one day years ago.

[jackelope]

I think this was 9/21/17. Might have been the 28th.  5k’ ish.





Would have had a really hard time in a summer temp rated sleeping bag that weekend.

[Bushcraft]

A 50 degree bag for the highcountry in the Fall is a non-starter.  I'd recommend a 15-20 degree bag, preferably synthetic if you're running a tarp and bivy.  Unless it's treated, down has a tendency to soak up internal condensation related moisture and it's loft and insulative qualities can be rapidly diminished in just one or two nights.  We've been stuck in our shelters for a few days on end waiting for a storm to lift.

Expect a wide range of temps, winds, rain and snow. We've hiked in wearing shorts and lightweight t-shirts in blazing hot temps only to have a storm blow in with massive winds, cold temps and snow the next evening. The wind-chill was easily down in the low teens. Depending on where you'll be, you should expect and plan for a lot of wind driven rain and/or foggy, blowing spindrift which will get you just as wet under a tarp. Moral of the story is you need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature is going to throw at you.

Good luck and be safe out there.

Allen

[Devenk89]

Thank you gentleman, I have since acquired a 20 degree quilt that I will be using.

I think I'll have my gear together in the next day or so, I'll probably post what I've got to see if I'm missing anything.

thanks again