Back country packing

[JBR]

It's definately not BUG-proof, especially during warm July evenings, right next to an alpine lake.  They drove me CRAZY.  Had to bury myself in the down bag, which made me sweat my ass off.  Other than the bugs, it was great.

[actionshooter]

JBR good looking camp. I've looked at Seattle Fabrics, how were they to deal with? Did they add the eye-lets or did you?

[Skyvalhunter]

Heres the hammock layout.

[zackmioli]

both those set ups look awesome!

[JBR]

Action - they were very helpful with explaining the fabrics and showing me stuff that would work for what I was looking for.  I had my mother-n-law fold the edges over and sew around the whole thing, then I put the grommets in myself with an easy kit I also bought at Seattle Fabrics.   

It's a simple wood block with a metal punch tube and the grommets (there are different sizes available) that you tap together (one on either side of the fabric) and using a hammer and the metal tapping block, you just crimp the grommet together.  Very easy and the kit was around $10. 

For those that can't make it to the store in person, they have a great website for ordering online too (www.seattlefabrics.com).

[actionshooter]

I've been toying with the idea of a syltarp but not sure if it would be good enough on the wet westside fall days. 

[ICEMAN]

Nothing beats a real tent when it is truly crappy out... there are alot of lightweight tents out there nowadays, and for the benefit of bugproofing my gear, squirrel, chipmunk, mouse and birdproofing my stuff when away from camp, I would pick the tent. You can lay out your gear, fluff you bag, and leave camp expecting things to be OK as you hunt....

[boneaddict]

Idabooner came up with a heck of a tarp back in the day, he made a fly out of parachute.  Very lightweight.  Not sure I'd want to weather a gail in it, but does wonders for the dew and rain.

[bullchaser]

For those interested REI is having a big sale this week they have a sweet tent for 109.00 I bought it for 200.00 it is call the half dome 2 I think. it is totally waterproof and dry inside even when it is pouring and snowing. there is just enough room for two good friends and packs. it is a really sweet tent the only problem is it weighs 5lb1oz but if you buy the footprint you can use just the fly and footprint for a lighter option 3lb 4oz and it still offers way more protection than a tarp. personally i like keeping the bugs out and call me a sissy but I sleep a little better when those summer hungry bears come sniffing around, i feel like i have an extra few seconds to get my sidearm if i needed it, of course I never carry it when i am bowhunting  .

[edmondshunter]

The REI Half Dome tent is great. REI has made a that type of tent as long as I can remember, it gets better every time they redesign it.

I personally like the Sierra Design "Meteor Light CD", this tent is light, has very good ventilation, bonus hanging storage shelf w/pockets, and a good sized vestibule w/ a zipper on both sides for access.  Ive put a lot of miles on with this tent and I love it.

Also have a Slumberjack Bevy shelter 1 man tent, good for stealth camping.  No room for gear in this one, 1 man, 1 bag, 1 change of cloths.  So light you barely notice the weight

[PacificNWhunter]

Awesome post guys, there's allot of really good info on here. I admire you guys who are our sleeping under tarps and rocks (Bone). Last year was my first year out for an overnight solo trip and it was a really big learning experience. Currently I am a fan of the tent but looking to try some lighter weight shelters this summer and hopefully perfect something by fall. Just order Cameron's book to so I am looking forward to diving into that the next couple days. Something I learned when I started backpacking was to make a list of what you think you need for your trip, come back and if you did not use it mark it off and don't pack it again. Come to find out I was a HUGE overpacker.

[ICEMAN]

.......Come to find out I was a HUGE overpacker.

Some of us still are! No kidding though...you can sure get by with less. I do have some must haves though....including a small bottle of spirits.....shame on me.

[coastalghost]

No shame there...its a must have.  Gotta wash down that 800 ibuprofen with something 

[edmondshunter]

Gotta wash down that 800 ibuprofen with something

 


After years of overpacking, and hundreds of miles on foot, I got that list of things to leave at home.  But the Ibuprofen and a little Scotch is a must for a long pack trip.  Nothing warms the belly like good Scotch

[Little Fish]

Just a couple more pieces of info..

Dave Long's book on public land mule deer hunting is another good book to check out.
The Kifaru website has quite a few good threads on back pack hunting