Back country packing

[EMPyre]

Ordered it!

I hear y'all one on difficulties of solo adventures.  Shoot even with others around the size of the space will get to me.  If I'm out hunting or fishing alone, its tough to man up for me and make it through my whole excursion.  I've had times where I've cut it short even in a group, mostly when I don't know the others well, but still.  Quite a juxtaposition to be out doing what you love and still feel down and blue.

[Vek]

I get pretty frigging jumpy if I'm out alone for more than a couple of days.  I start mumbling to myself like Tom Hanks in Castaway.  I don't have too much of a preference between going solo and going with a partner - it's nice to have help packing if you score, and it's nice to share gear weight, but your overall hunting footprint is much smaller when you're solo.  You'll see more animals solo, of all kinds.  I saw some sort of little weasel/fisher *censored* this year - dark colored and about the size of a house cat.  One year I was napping, and woke up to see a tiny owl light against the trunk of a big fir next to me, about 30' away.  Watched him through binocs up close for a few minutes.  Birdwatchers would crap a brick for a chance like that.  The owl was about the size of a fist.  Cool stuff like that you won't see if you're with other folks. 

I lucked out big-time spouse-wise.  She's happy for me to go, and prays for success so I can get home early. 

Enough psychology, though.  Embrace simple, lightweight shelters (TARPS).  Embrace simple, lightweight, easy-prep homecooked foods (google "logan bread" and "freezer bag cooking", look on the kifaru site for lightweight food recipes, search for a discussion thread on logan bread on 24hourcampfire).  Buy a sub-3lb sleeping bag that has a draft collar and is good for 20F.  Determine whether you can get away with just a ridgerest pad, or need an inflatable, and remember how much weight you saved by sleeping under a tarp.  Ridgerest alone saves you another pound over a thermarest.  Get rid of anything reflective on your clothes.  Don't wear blue, black, or white (in general - exceptions made for snow).   

Buy a good pack with muted colors - one that can carry at least 70 pounds comfortably.  I doubt you can get a two-trip muley hunt done with a pack smaller than 4000 cubic inches.  I hunt with my big pack on at all times - you bowhunting types may have to think that one over, as there's some noise considerations to make.  Internal/external frame DOES NOT MATTER, unless you're packing moose.  Go to REI and other mountain gear stores and test drive all of their packs with all of their weighted beanbags inside, and freak them out by asking what kind of beanbag they have that's the approximate density of warm meat. 

[boneaddict]

anybody want to address footwear? Thats probably a whole thread on its own.  Nice thing about my big feet is they are BIG.  Bad thing is they are Big and my boots weigh a ton, but they are VERY supportive. Full leather with sno-seal.  GO light.......has its good points, but when weather turns, you're scewed.

[EMPyre]

I've got to get the footwear straightened out... I ALWAYS end up with blisters, and always on my heals.  I've tried layering socks, liners, duct tape, mole skin, everything.  My boots are relatively comfortable, other than the hot spots, shoot, even the crappy uncomfortable boots I've had in the past will do it.  Only loose fitting shoes like Nikes, skate shoes, or flip-flops seem to prevent the pain.  I gues I'm learning just to live with it, but I don't think I'll head in deep if I can't figure it out.  I've thought about trying to get a custom fitted boot, but don't know where to start there either.

[boneaddict]

Well, some of it is covered in the Meindl thread.   Great boot but the damn things squeek.  I need a non squeeky version and it would score a 10

[EMPyre]

I've been following that thread... The squeak would probably make me crazy(er).  Although I'm wondering what the cause is.  Is it the laces in the eyes, a vinyl material rubbing, or something in the sole?  I should probably address these concerns over there but...

Any other great boots?  I've got flat feet, and I think my heal sticks back farther than average, thus the constant wear there.

[boneaddict]

Its in the sole I think.  My ears are about 6 feet from the boot, so hard to pinpoint and hard to duplicate unless you are walking. 

[Hunting Cowboy]

Embrace simple, lightweight shelters (TARPS).  Embrace simple, lightweight, easy-prep homecooked foods (google "logan bread" and "freezer bag cooking", look on the kifaru site for lightweight food recipes, search for a discussion thread on logan bread on 24hourcampfire).  Buy a sub-3lb sleeping bag that has a draft collar and is good for 20F.  Determine whether you can get away with just a ridgerest pad, or need an inflatable, and remember how much weight you saved by sleeping under a tarp.  Ridgerest alone saves you another pound over a thermarest.  Get rid of anything reflective on your clothes.  Don't wear blue, black, or white (in general - exceptions made for snow).   

In 06 we were packed into an area for the September high hunt and ran into two forest service guys who were hiking out one evening just after dark. They were some hearty fellows. Both carried their own tarp for shelter. That's it, a tarp! They had lightweight sleeping bags and nothing but the bare essentials, Nothing. They had been out for two weeks clearing trails. One carried a peavy pole and an axe the other a whip style crosscut saw and a small axe. It was raining and both were hiking in their rain gear. They stopped by the wall tent and we offered them some homemade brownies and some left over chicken wings and legs we had packed in. They thought they'd died and gone to heaven. Both had lost weight during their two week stint. My point is it comes down to how comfortable is necessary and what are you willing to do without. In 2004 we back packed into the back country for the high hunt and I can tell you that our camp was not nearly as comfortable as it is when horses and mules are carrying the load. I have the utmost respect for those hearty soles who are willing and able to "rough it." and earn their stripes! Both types of hunts can be rewarding and great memories.

Here are the two Forest service guys that shared some brownies and chicken with us. I admire guys like this! In my way of thinking, guys like these forrest service men along with Vek and a few others are a rare breed.

[boneaddict]

Good story!

[actionshooter]

Thats cool! I've seen them up there for long stints with pack mules/horses but never backpacking that long!

[Wea300mag]

This is a great thread. Lot's of good info and stories/feelings I can relate to. The guy who can spend a week alone with just the bare minimum is definitely my hero.

[ICEMAN]

VEK, good point on the logan bread. A great starch for the trail. I have not made any in a few years. Originally I  tried one of the original recipes designed to go on polar expeditions, yuck! If anyone is interested, here is a better version, more palatable. The idea is high calorie, with startch, low cost, dense. (throw in some crushed flaxseed if you get "corked up" on the trail.... )

Logan Bread

Combine and stir well:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup powdered milk
2/3 cup nuts
1 cup raisins
In another bowl, stir well:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
3 eggs
1 cup margarine
1/2 cup oil

Add sugar mixture to flour mixture, stirring thoroughly. Pour into two 9-by-9-inch greased cake pans and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. Let bread cool; slice; and store in the refrigerator or freezer. Makes 36 bars. (Recipe from Good Food for Camp and Trail.)

[Huckleberry]

In 2002 my older brother and a friend hiked the Pacific Crest trail from Mexico to Canada while I was fishing in Alaska. Their goal was 30lb packs after filling up at each check point. This included food and water which was the bulk of their weight. They learned a lot over the 3 months and 2000 miles and much of that has been passed on to me through our hunting trips. A few of their better ideas:

1) Instead of a large tarp sew tyvek into a bag big enough to hold your sleeping bag. This then becomes waterprof, somewhat wind prof and you can sleep in the mud or grass if you need to, on nice nice all you need is a bug net, on crappy ones a small 4x4 piece of tarp of visqueen is big enough to cover your upper body.

2) If you want a sleeping bag that is really light but adds some protection against cold you can remove half the stuffing this is usually cheaper than buying an expensive ultralight.

3) Use 2 or 3 cheap containers of bottled water. They hold up well and are lighter than Nalgene bottles.

4) Eat well. Portion control doesn't matter. If the package says serves 2 IT DOESN'T.

As far as footwear went they wore thorlos which worked well but still got blisters. I used to get them before my current job but now that I spend so much time on my feet I only get them if I pack a lot of weight. That's pretty hard to avoid I think. I always wear two pairs of socks even if it's hot because it helps reduce friction I think. I always carry the 10 essentials (thanks boy scouts) but try hard to phase out bulk and weight. I work alone so hunting alone doesn't bother me but nights can get lonely. With lcd lights that last forever a small paperback book isn't a bad idea. Gives you something to do when it gets dark at 6:00 and your exhausted but not ready for bed. Also, buy a good compass and learn to use it. Some mornings you wake up and the cloud cover is so low you can't get a good bearing. A GPS might work in a lot of areas but never rely on it. After a trip or two the packing becomes second nature you'll have too much your first time and trim it down from there. Just remember that help isn't going to be around the next corner be a little extra careful in sticky situations and you'll be ok....

[shanevg]

Footwear is one thing I have that I really like.  I got these boots: http://www.rei.com/product/733953 from REI (I have the older model.)  And I love them, I use them for short hikes, day hikes, and long backpacking trips.  In hunting camp, I never feel a need to take my boots off until I am getting into my sleeping bag because these ones are so comfortable.  I have also driven with them on quite a few times and it was great.  I highly recommend them.  My hunting partner bought them after I did.  Then my future father-in-law and my hunting partners entire family picked up a pair.  No complaints from anyone, we all love them.  I would suggest them.

[boneaddict]

Are they 9 inch uppers?