Back country packing

[MountainWalk]

i bring a thin pad to keep me off the ground, a ten by ten waterproofed canvas. i make a  bed on fresh evergreen boughs,, all laced up,, and some times i bring a sleeping  bag,, its rated for 50 degrees,, but the manufs rating means nothing really.

[shanevg]

Why the pad?  Don't the boughs keep you off the ground and the tarp keep you dry?  Also, what advantage does the sleeping bag gain over just wearing your clothes to bed?

[ICEMAN]

A pad not only makes it comfortable, but is a lifesaver. You need a thermal break from the ground, even in mild temperatures. Plus, if something bad happens and you are stuck on the ground with a knee injury or similar, the pad will save your but. Makes sitting at camp a bit better too.

Bone, on the "lonely's", I find the "guilt" gets to me when soloing or just getting out for a couple of days. I miss the wife and kids and all, but I really start feeling guilty for taking the time for myself when there are always so many things to still take care of at home. Cell phone technology, {when I can get a signal (seldom)} has really helped me deal with both. And, when I have bailed and arrived home early, I get a funny look, like "WTF ,I thought you were going to be out for four days.....?" About that time I really feel like a *censored*...crap...I should have stayed in the hills.... 

[boneaddict]

I use a small pad and a sleeping bag.  Depending on what camp I am going to whether I take a tarp, a tent, or just lay under a log.  I have done all three many times.  You have to realize that I generally go farther than most, make camp, then go from there and spend the night under a log or big rock on the mountain.   Its a tough one usually, but I get it done. 


My problem Ice is the wife is usually crankier than hell and playing mind games right before I go, laying on the guilt and everything else.  Then we usually get in a big fight and I go.  Then I am dwelling on it the whole time, and I think how selfish I am, and then I am in a hurry to get back home.  Here is an example, at 1:30 in the afternoon, I was working until 2, she called me at work and told me she was leaving me.  I was taking my Dad moose hunting in Idaho at 4 in the morning the next day.  My Dad was already on his way.  That one was fun.  Mind games, I hate them.  I worried about the animals and the kids and everything else.  Got home and everything was fine.  Bi-polar is a fun one.  She pulled the same stunt on my Alaskan trip and I said don't let the door hit you in the ass, and I went hunting.  Of course it still weighed on me.    Thats why you guys with supportive spouses, should be VERY thankful.

[ICEMAN]

I hear you. Mine is supportive, but i still get the guilt. I ended her "I am going to leave you" crap when we were in college. Told her "go ahead, campus is crawling with bit*h&$....." and she decided to stay.....

Besides, if you aint happy, nobody happy.....

I most often take care of everything prior to a big trip, lots of prep....feel that I have earned the trip...

[Ridgerunner]

This post is something else, but its so true, I'll chime in.  Definately buy the book(sooner rather than later) and for teh solo guys the mental aspect is the hardest part of solo hunting.  Definately tough to overcome, it can be though as demonstrated by these guys, I'm on the lower end of overcoming it and must say when you have a successful solo trip whether you tag something or not you have definately grown as an individual. 

Buy the book now, your scouting trip is only a couple of months away.  As for myself I think I'm off to go workout and get in shape for my ironman high hunt this year, lol.

[EMPyre]

What's the thought on a rifle hunter using the above mentioned book for prep?  How heavy is the bow hunting aspect?  I'm sure it will have valuable information regardless but would I be better off looking for something more oriented to modern for my education and prep?

[boneaddict]

Its a good source for anytype of hunting.  It doesn't focus on archery nearly as much as one might think.

[EMPyre]

Sold, one more coming from amazon today.

[EMPyre]

*censored*, not available!  I'll have to hunt it down elsewhere!

[boneaddict]

Try the Eastmans site.....eastmans.com maybe?

[archery288]

you can buy it off eastmans, ebay, cameronhanes.com, and a few others!

[shanevg]

http://www.eastmans.com/cameron_booksbb.php

[EMPyre]

Thanks, I'll order direct from the author's site at lunch, make sure the money goes where it should.

[actionshooter]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who had these issues when going solo. The guilt gets me too, guilt that I spend to much time and money doing other things without the family. I am glad to see if I have mental issues I'm not alone 

 The book actually has little to do with archery overall. I would recomend it for any hunter. I think its time for me to re-read it again also.