Backcountry.....Must Haves

[ShaneTyTrey]

I was thinking the other day, it might be nice to have a list of the must haves for the first time backcountry hunter.  I realize a hunt in Alaska may be different than one in Arizona or New Mexico and also a guided vs non-guided will have some differences, but for the most part, the things you absolutely can't live without should be the same.

These aren't necessarily in order, but this is my top 8 things you have to have for any backcountry hunt that is at least 5 days in duration.

1. Quality, rainproof tent - Especially in Alaska, it rains often and rains hard.
2. Quality Sleeping Bag.
3. Quality Boots - Especially in Alaska as those rocks really beat your feet up.
4. Quality Rain Gear - This again would be important on any Mountain Hunt, but especially in Alaska.
5. Sleeping Pad & Pillow - This is probably more of personal preference, and can depend on terrain, in the Alaskan rocks, you have to have this.
6. Lightweight Trekking Poles - Conserves energy, helps with balance and makes really tough hikes a bit easier.
7. Quality Pack - This will hold all your gear on the way in, and hopefully your gear and an animal on the way out.
8. Satellite Device - Could save your life in a pinch, things happen, don't cut corners on this.

There is a list of at least 8 more nice to haves that you may want depending on overall duration of hunt, type of terrain, animal being hunted, climate, etc...These items include things like
Crocs to give your feet a brake, water filter (could be mandatory in some areas), spotting scope, etc...

I am by no means an expert, and certainly people could add to or argue this list, just looking to get some information out there for first time adventurers.

[Buckhunter24]

I'd add waterproof matches and tinder to the list, a bic is good too

[ShaneTyTrey]

I'd add waterproof matches and tinder to the list, a bic is good too

Good addition, fires weren't even an option in the Alaskan Mountains as there was no wood, but in most Western States this is absolutely in that must have.  I carried this but never used it, so forgot, thanks for adding.

[2MANY]

Wrap some duct tape around both of your trekking poles.
It just might save your life.
If nothing else you could put it over your hunting partners mouth when he is snoring.

[ShaneTyTrey]

Yes, good call, and if you use like a Leuko tape it could also be used for blisters or anything like that, that stuff is amazing.

[mburrows]

A solid med kit and know how to use it. Tourniquet, Benadryl, ibuprofen, bandaids, etc.. a good headlight and an emergency light (petzel e light or similar).

A good water filtration set up as well, redundancy here is a good idea incase something happens to your primary and can be accomplished with some tablets or drops.

Love me some tenacious tape for gear repair in a pinch too.

[GOcougsHunter]

Really good knives for both taking care of the animals and to have for establishing camp.
Repair kit for whatever weapon you are using.  You don't want a small mechanical breakdown of your gear force you to abandon the hunt.

[highcountry_hunter]

My trekking poles have duct tape, electrical tape and lueko tape around them.
Keep 1/2 dozen film canisters full of cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, excellent fire starter
Multiple backup lighters and remember, they won’t work if they’re cold. I always keep 2 in my pockets
You can find ultralight first aid kits on Amazon and small packs of biodegradable wet wipes
Jet boil type cook stove and be familiar with using it
I keep a mini leatherman type multi tool on me
Backup headlamp

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[Bushcraft]

File - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are sharper there.  Fewer sharp edges will make your clothing and gear last longer.

Hammer - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are larger and it's easier if you smash them and make them smaller (and then file off the sharp edges).

Magical waterproof material to make water less wet - Especially in Alaska because rain is wetter there than anywhere else.

Just kidding man. Couldn't resist. Plenty of place in the lower 48 and Canada that will shorten the lifespan of your equipment and drown your hopes and dreams.

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea especially in Alaska

[ShaneTyTrey]

File - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are sharper there.  Fewer sharp edges will make your clothing and gear last longer.

Hammer - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are larger and it's easier if you smash them and make them smaller (and then file off the sharp edges).

Magical waterproof material to make water less wet - Especially in Alaska because rain is wetter there than anywhere else.

Just kidding man. Couldn't resist. Plenty of place in the lower 48 and Canada that will shorten the lifespan of your equipment and drown your hopes and dreams.

That is pretty funny, but certain things are more extreme in Alaska, and you know that!

[Colville]

Whiskey

[ShaneTyTrey]

Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide.  I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/

[Karl Blanchard]

Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide.  I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/

That first picture gives me anxiety bad!  Good lesson on why you don't keep your inreach in your pack, but somewhere that you can actually reach it.

[ShaneTyTrey]

I am guessing they shot a Ram and were trying to recover it, can't imagine any other way you would get yourself in that position, it looks nasty where the rescuers are standing in the picture, let alone where the dudes are stranded.

[Mtnwalker]

Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide.  I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/

  my palms are sweaty just looking at that picture

[Rob]

Every trip is different, so every list will be different.

I use the "10 essentials" to determine what to bring on a given trip.  This particular version of the 10 essentials is a "systems" approach, not a 10 item check list.

Navigation
     Paper Map and Compass, GPS, etc
Illumination
     Sufficient lighting for navigating at night (headlamp, possible spare)
Sun protection
     Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, Buff
First aid
     Containing things you think are important in back country (+ bug repellant?)
Repair Kit
     Things you need to fix your gear. E.g. extra shoelaces, spare batteries, knifes, wire, patch for your air mattress, etc.
Fire
     2-3 ways to start a fire.  Stove if you need one.
Shelter
     Can be as complicated as a tent, or as simple as a tarp. I also think about sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc in this category
Extra food
     Food to stay an extra 24 hours beyond expected trip/day trip
Hydration
     Water, a way to carry it, and a way to make more
Insulation
     Extra layers to deal with rain, cold, or an emergency overnight


I add an 11th essential which would be communication.  This is where your PLB/Locator device like an in-reach goes, as well as 2 way radios (if used), a cell phone (if used).


By doing a quick review of this list, I am assured that all bases are covered.  A day hike would see a much smaller set of gear in my pack when compared to an overnight where I might have 20lbs of basic gear.  But each of the 10 (11 actually) essentials are reviewed and addressed. 

The key is, how do you cover the list without carrying 100 lbs of gear on a day hike!  Mastering this takes experience...

[2MANY]

Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide.  I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/

That first picture gives me anxiety bad!  Good lesson on why you don't keep your inreach in your pack, but somewhere that you can actually reach it.

Tuck and roll.