Back Country

[Snapshot]

Someone said it is expensive to cut weight and that is true. It has taken years for me to finally have a pack weigh in at less than 30# that I can stay out with for over a week. Having a buddy and deciding in advance who carries which camp essential is a great way to go. Someone going solo and light may have to choose between a tent and a stove; but with a buddy carrying one and you the other, you'll have the luxury of both.

A titanium spork and cup save considerable weight. A titanium pot that your jetboil and a fuel canister fits inside of is wonderful to have. Carrying a quality water filter is smarter than packing many days' worth of water so long as you are going to be near a water source. A collapsible 3 gal. water container that will fit in your pack when full is necessary if your water source isn't right close to camp. It isn't uncommon to hike a quarter mile or so to get water.

I have a waterproof breathable bivy sack that weighs 2 lb 1 oz. A 12 oz tarp to spread over it is an investment I have yet to make, but when I do it'll make getting dressed in the rain much more enjoyable. In the meantime I carry a waterproof nylon backpack cover to shelter my pack, boots and quiver at night. My down sleeping bag and bag liner combine to weigh 3 lb 4 oz. Therm-a-rest self-inflating mattress is 1 lb 12 oz. So there is my shelter and bed weighing in at just over 7 lbs.

2 lbs of food a day is right unless you carry dehydrated stuff. If I am going to have the luxery of a stove I pack mountain house meals and oatmeal, along with snack bars, mini-candy bars, hard candies and jerky. If I won't have a stove I'll pack gorp in place of the meals and oatmeal (and my pack weight skyrockets).

Clothing weight adds up so I prefer to do laundry rather than carry more than two of any one item; a collapsible camp sink (some weigh as little as 4.5 oz. !) & baking soda for washing clothes. I make clothes pins from small conifer branches. 2 pair polypro briefs (wash one daily), polypro long johns (two sets; what weight depends on the weather forecast). Besides pants & shirts I carry a wool sweater, a fleece vest, a wool stocking hat (it can make a cold night bearable), gloves & wool scarf (only a hat does more to regulate body temperature than that scarf) and a jacket. Wool is heavy but can be the difference in being able to stay out or having to come in if the weather turns bad.

Be sure to include the ten survival essentials but be mindful of weight when you select your compass, maps, matches, etc.

The above mentioned parachute cord is great. Yes, a pillow case (or queen-size sheet sewn to make a super large pillow case) is great for meat. I also carry a real emergency blanket; not the glorified tin-foil type, but instead the quilted kind. I know of those being used not only as a de-boning table but also as a sled for dragging an injured snowshoe enthusiast out of the woods; they are that strong.

I don't pack a stool or chair. I sit on my pack if the ground is wet. I take a mini spiral notebook for recording events. Sometimes my pocket camera will stay home and a disposable camera will take its place; compare the weight! A book is a luxery and if one goes it will be small. I have lately had to add reading glasses.

On some trips we've scouted the area a week or two before and left a food cache. But those were only 4 or 5 miles in, not 10. You might consider going in halfway a couple of weeks before and stashing food. It isn't so bad hiking five miles for restocking; that is where I usually find my truck.

[Elkstuffer]

What is the EMPTY weight of the backs everyone is using? It seems like that is about 1/3 to 1/4 of the weight of my setup. I have an Ebberlestock Jpack.

[JimmyHoffa]

Empty pack weight is 3 lbs 8 oz

[RadSav]

What is the EMPTY weight of the backs everyone is using? It seems like that is about 1/3 to 1/4 of the weight of my setup. I have an Ebberlestock Jpack.

Jpacks are nice but yes they are heavy.  Most camo hunting packs are.  If weight is a big deal forget the camo packs and get a granola crunchers pack.  Just take it off when stalking - no big deal.  I've yet to hunt up north with a guide that has a camo pack.  And those guys know how to get animals on the ground!

With the "shared" system you should never need more than 45# on your back.  And, that includes at least 3# of survival and first aide gear.  If your pack is more than that say to yourself, "I'm not a woman!  I can do this."

Not sure who mentioned putting your bow on your back.  I can not agree with that statement more.  After a few miles you will regret not having that ability.  The difference in your energy level will amaze you.

Also, I agree with those who have warned about Bivy's.  In the PNW these things should be considered "Emergancy Shelters" and not tent replacements.  Especially when you use the shared method of packing.  A good three man tent should be no significant addition in weight when broken up between two men.

I just started using Jet Boil last year.  Absolutely fantastic.  I was worried about the Butane in cold weather as previous stoves coughed and popped real bad in the cold.  I should not have worried.  Was at 7,000' last year on a goat hunt with temps at the truck 2,000' below us -18C.  No water source on those mountains except melting powder.  The Jet-Boil worked flawlessly.

Never go cheap on survival blankets.  I carry SOL brand and they have saved myself, my guides and clients over the years. 

Good luck and Have fun!

[k_rex]

Empty pack weight 4.2 lbs.

Deuter Guide 45+

[coldsteel3d]

A lot of packs are heavy. I spent 3 weeks hunting in the Jarbidge wilderness area in Nevada last year and after the trip I really figured out where I could of cut weight and space. For one I went with the Badlands Sacrifice for my pack and was super impressed. Very light and comfortable. Water filter is a must over packing a lot of water. I bought an exped downmat 9 last year, I will be buying a thermarest neo air before my next trip. Way lighter and smaller. Also the sleeping bag. They are expensive but a marmot down bag is hard to beat. As far as tent or bivy, go with a two man tent, even if you're on your own. Good luck!

[RadSav]

I forgot to mention about caching for a home base camp.  If you know for certain where you want to set up a homebase camp start caching the spot.  On scouting trips carry some heavy items in with you like rope, tarps, a toilet seat (my favorite cache item), large water jugs etc.  Bury them so the bear, squirrels and vermin don't ruin them before the hunt.  I use rafters drysacks to pack these items in before I bury them.  DO NOT CACHE FOOD!!  You don't want animals thinking your camp is a bait site.

If you work on it just a couple weekends this summer you will have a killer camp and never need more than 35# on your back.  At least not until you're packing all that meat and horns home!

[AKBowman]

Thanks. Last year I went in on a scouting trip with a 55 pound pack and I agree the lighter the better. But Im not sure if keeping a pack below 50 pounds for a 6 day trip is possible.

Depends on if you are talking about the pack with or without the weapon on it. I've been on 6 dall sheep hunts, all backpack hunts all 6-11 days. My pack is never over 50lbs. It does start to get expensive to get your pack under 50lbs for a 6 day+ trip but its worth it.

Here's some items on my list;

Northface Tadpole 2 man tent
North face Cats Meow 20 degree sleeping bag
Waterproof stuff sack (so I can strap the bag to the outside of my pack)
Fleece gloves (unlined so they dry out quicker and the liner doesnt come out when wet)
Fleece/wool beanie
DryPlus raingear (the older stuff the newer stuff is too heavy)
Wool shirt
2 pairs fleece pants
2 pairs polypro long underwear bottoms/tops
Polypro t-shirt
4 pairs regular underwear
2 pairs smart wool socks
2 pairs polypro sock liners
Asolo Alpinist goretex mountaineering boots
Collapsable sunglasses (saved my arse more than once from snowblindness)
MSR Dragonfly gas stove
6oz camp fuel
30ft parachute cord (dont leave home without it)
Waterproof matches
GPS
Lighter
Headlamp
3 extra AA batteries (everything that uses batteries in my pack uses AA)
Olympus waterproof camera
Cooking pot which doubles as bowl
spork made out of hard plastic type material (handle cut down to 3")
Aspirin/Ibuprofrin
Moleskin
Tape
20 ft of flagging tape
4-1/2" buck knife
Sharpening tool
Bone saw (consists of two handles, one on each end of a collapsable saw blade, weighs 3 ozs works well)
4 quarter game bags
small universal tool (leatherman)
Bow with 6 arrows
4 straps (used to strap stuff to outside of pack)
Cabelas Alaskan Outfitter external frame pack
Collapsable walking stick (really nice once you have a pack loaded with meat and you are decending steeps)

   Thats about all I can remember off the top of my head. Depending on how much food I decide to bring my pack (without the bow) is right around 41#'s. I do not bring a filter if I am hunting the high country nor do i filter my water I would not recommend it but I just cant get myelf to haul my filter up or waste fuel boiling water.

[AKBowman]

Heres a pick of my pack ready to roll. Oh yeah I forgot about the pad, I use a closed cell foam pad that I cut off just below my hips. Depending on the time of year and my familiarity with the area I might go without the pad. If you can find a bed of dry moss your set. Also forgot about the Camel Pack and secondory water bottle which is a 20oz Auquafina.

[AKBowman]

I also throw in two plastic heafty garbage bags. I've had it down to 36# before but I honestly dont think I could get it any lower than that for a really rigorous backcountry hunt (and most are  as you will find out)

I havent read the whole thread but make sure to practice hiking with your pack loaded. I like to go on at least 6 hikes with a 50# load before I go on a backcountry hunt. I have scimped before and paid the price, if you scimp on getting in shape you usually dont really notice until day 3 or 4. Its easy to overdo it on day 1 so keep that in mind.

[AKBowman]

I like to bring as much powdered or freeze dried stuff as I can for food. e.g.

Powdered Tang: Boil a cup of water and you have a nice treat to keep yourself warm any time of day or night

Cous Cous (sp?): I usually bring about 1 cup for for nights and mix in three or four tablespoons into my Mtn. House for a few extra caleries. They are dry and light but have a high in carbs.

Vanilla Jello Instant Pudding: especially if I know there will be berries around that I can pick and throw in. Just dump some in a bowl and add cold water and you have an awesome breakfast or desert.

[RadSav]

AK - Six days by yourself I would agree with you!  My pack is always closer to 60# if by myself and I have not cached.  Don't forget that "Hunting" usually means setting up a base camp unlike most mountaineering trips.  So this weight is not usually an everyday carry weight.

From your list I would add a good bit more first aide and survival items maybe dump the extra pair of boots (if I read that right).  Don't forget plenty of TP!!!  I take folded blue shop towel/paper towels.  You can use them for a lot more things than you can toilet paper.  And they will work wet.  Not pleasantly, but they will work wet.

If using the shared system and only bringing in enough water to get you to camp, where you will then refill, falling below the 40# mark is definitely possible.  Even with a larger tent and better emergency gear.

That's a nice looking pack setup.  Profile looks good and low even with the bow.  Nice job.

[RadSav]

Getting your sheep and goat in the picture was a nice touch too.  Sweet!

[erk444]

I dont know if it has been suggested yet, but I use a hammock and a small tarp. Keeps me off the ground, and dont weigh much. I use a lite foam pad too cause the wind gets cold from the bottom.

[RadSav]

I dont know if it has been suggested yet, but I use a hammock and a small tarp. Keeps me off the ground, and dont weigh much. I use a lite foam pad too cause the wind gets cold from the bottom.

You must not be as fat and clumsy as I am!