Need Some Advice on the Packing List- Trial Run Next Weekend

[Sliverslinger]

Ok guys here's the deal. This year I'm doing something I've always wanted to do- my hunting partner and I are backpacking in for elk about 6-8 miles with a 2,400 foot elevation gain total (gain 1,000 then lose 700 type of terrain so returning to the truck is out until we go home) to where we are camping which will be roughly around 6,200 feet. Going to leave on Tuesday night after work and return home Sunday the 18th so 5 days out there. Don't expect to run into many people if any. Next weekend we are doing a mini trial run of Friday through Sunday to scout around and hopefully shoot a bear while we are at it. My partner was up there on his horse week before last- a little snow left on the south facing slope, but on the north facing slope in the canyon near where camp will be there was still 3-8 feet of snow depending on the drift. In September I expect most of it will be gone. However, as we all know, the weather can change very fast up high. We are camping about 100 feet from a high mountain lake which I've been told has trout in it. Mornings will consist of climbing a steep rock ridge prior to daylight which affords a magnificent view of a massive valley/ drainage with numerous openings and meadows which can be seen from above. Hopefully seeing or hearing some elk down below and formulating a plan of attack. Then we put leather on the ground. If we get something a buddy will be bringing 1-2 horses to help pack it out. Anyway, I'm putting together a packing list for the trial run with the same stuff we will be taking for the elk hunt (except for the specific stuff like calls, scents, etc...). We've both saved up and sprung for light weight backpacking gear such as the stove, sleeping bags and pads, packs, etc... Below is the packing list thus far. Some stuff I think will be unnecessary and I'm sure I'm missing some stuff as well. I'd really appreciate your thoughts on both, especially from those who have done it before. We've done numerous elk camps together but it's always been from a base camp we drive to. So what on this list do we not really need at all, and what am I forgetting that will be a necessity? I appreciate it fellas!

Daypack and Person

License
Map
Compass
Aerial Photo
TP
Pocket Sharpener
Headlamp
Spare Flashlight
Extra batteries
Fire Starter - Vaseline soaked cotton balls
Flint & Striker
Spare lighter
Pink Ribbon
75' 550 cord
Whistle
Camelback
Water bottle with filter
Water filter and tubing
Small first aid kit
Face paint
Calls
Wind Chalk
Elk Scent
Carmex
Copenhagen
Garbage bags x2
Spare Socks
5 tree stand steps
Bug Spray
Thermacell & Cartridges
Walkie Talkies
GPS
Small Machete/ Bone saw
Knife
Bow
Arrows w/ Broadheads
Binos
Rangefinder
Release
Scent Killer Spray
Duct tape wrapped around lighter
Foot Powder


Pack

Pocket Rocket Stove
Fuel Canisters
Pot/Cup set
Utensils
Salt & Pepper Packets
2.5 gallon collapsible water container
Cliff Bars
Instant Oatmeal
Mt. House Meals
Coffee packs
Multivitamins
Gatorade Powder
Jerky & Snacks
1 liter canteen
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Bivy Cover
10x10 light weight tarp
Extra 550 cord
SOG Seal Pup Knife
Soap
Scent Killer Deodorant
Baby Wipes
Toothbrush/ Toothpaste
1 liter canteen
Game Bags
1 gallon Ziplock bags
Small collapsible fishing pole
hooks, bobber, flies,
Extra TP
Extra Release
Small Allen Wrench set for bow repairs


Clothing

Poncho
Hat
Gloves
UA Heat Gear Top
UA Cold Gear Top
UA Cold Gear Bottom
UA Vest
Pants x2
Shirts x2
Underwear x5
Rain Gear
Socks x8-10
Boots

We are absolutely stoked for this trip. Been getting into shape all summer and ready to go.

[ICEMAN]

lose the tree steps
antibacterial solution for spraying the meat, take your pick
suture kit, quick clot
washcloth or bandana
benadryl
imodium anti diahareal
aluminum foil for the fish
some lemon herb seasoning
celebratory ounce of crown royal

[time2hunt]

Just curious what is your pack weight right know

[Sliverslinger]

Just curious what is your pack weight right know

That's a very good question. I actually just got my new pack in the mail today. Keep in mind a lot of this stuff is divided between two people. The answer to your question... I don't know yet. I'm going to pack it tomorrow night with everything except the food which I haven't bought yet.

[ICEMAN]

Anyone have any alergic reactions to bees or anything?  Epipen?

[Sliverslinger]

lose the tree steps
antibacterial solution for spraying the meat, take your pick
suture kit, quick clot
washcloth or bandana
benadryl
imodium anti diahareal
aluminum foil for the fish
some lemon herb seasoning
celebratory ounce of crown royal

I appreciate the input greatly. The tree steps were definitely something that I thought would be the first to go. They are on the list because of how many times I've walked past a tree and thought "If I could only get to that branch I'd have a killer view overwatching this trail." In reality, I'd probably never do it even if I could. Excellent idea on the immodium. Never thought of that but it could definitely be handy.
I did forget to mention the aluminum flask we'll each be taking with Crown. Thanks!

[Sliverslinger]

I've added Immodium Anti Diarhea, A bandana, Ibuprofin, , a flask of Crown, and Benadryl to the list. Removed the tree steps.

[jechicdr]

Looks similar to my list.  You have a lot of "water" containers.  I carry 2 camelbacks up with me and ferry my water to camp (don't like to camp real close to water due to mosquitoes)  Usually keep a full camelback at camp and the one that's partially empty I carry with me on my morning hunt to drink and fill it along the way using my water filter.  I usually hunt on my own and may take 2 trips to get my stuff to camp.  First trip includes hunt and camp necessities, half the food and half my changes of clothes.  Second trip includes the shower, rest of clothes and rest of food.  You'll notice about 2 weeks worth of food.  Mountain house makes a granola, blueberry and milk breakfast that is a great change of pace in the mornings when you don't want to heat up the water.  A little heavier than oatmeal packets, but also more fulfilling.

Backpack x 2

Batteries (AA, AAA, Lithium)
Cell Phone
Extra phone battery
Solar batter (from Edmund Scientific for charging cell phone)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Pillow
Tent
Water filter
Camel back x 2
Fire starters (lighters/magnesium-flint/wax matches)
Saw
Shower
Towel
Toilet paper
Plastic Shovel
Wipes
Wash cloth
Toothbrush
Deodorant
Foot powder
Soap
Prilosec
Loratadine
First Aid Kit w/ space blanket
Allen wrenches
Garbage bags x 4-in case of hot weather, can put quarters in garbage bags and put in cold creek or alpine lake to keep cool

Jetboil (and utensils)
Fuel
Nature Seasonings-for occasional grouse
Food
   Granola x 14
   Pepperoni sticks
   Dried fruit
   Meals x 14
   Snickers

License and tags
Rangefinder
Binoculars
Binocular case (has some extra pockets for holding little extras)
Wind detector-Firefly I think it is called.
Headlamp x 2 (cheap one for camp, and for tracking game Cabelas Alaskan Guide (on sale now) The XG Green Model is outfitted with a white Maxbrite LED with 70 lumens of output and 90 hours of run time. It also has three 5mm green LEDs that put out 15 lumens for up to 200 hours. Operates on three AA batteries (included). Weight: 8 oz)
Knife
Sharpener
Pruning shears-cutting shooting paths.
Nylon cord
Montana decoy
Calls
Spot Messenger-they make one now that connects to cell phone and you can send texts via satellites.
GPS
Compass
Maps
Game Bags
Camera
Thermacell-Would not bring bug spray

Bow-with 7 arrows in quiver...hope I don't go through all 7.
Release
Sleeve (holds loose clothing out of way on bow arm)
Bow Sling

Boot dryer-scent lok (on sale for 9.88 at Cabelas)
Boots x 2
Shoes for around camp
Socks
Gaitors
Underarmor boxer briefs-great for reducing chaffing with extended walking
Camo layers
Coat
T-shirt for walking up the mountain
Shorts for walking up the mountain
Belt
Rain gear
Warm fur hat
Gloves
Hat with face cover
Wide brimmed hat
Camo paint

[mtncook]

I noticed several water storege contianers, you could leave some.  You are going to have a load for 5 days. I'd also cut the clothes back. You can wear the same outer clothes as long as they are dry.  Your trial run will tell you what to leave home.

mtncook

[3nails]

Don't over think this or over pack for this. You can get by with a lot less than you think. Good idea on a trial run and seriously consider stashing some supplies on that run. You aren't going in that far. My day hunts usually consist of 4-10 miles in, 3,000'+ elev. gain, hunt all day, go home, come back in the morning and do it again.

[kalamasasquatch]

my OPINION......lose the fishing gear, the day pack, some of the cloths, the xtra water containers. add water purification tablets in case your filter fails. pills are a fail safe back up. use your main pack or frame with a fanny pack for your day trips out hunting. youll want the pack frame with you when you do make a kill. why waste a trip fetching the pack frame?

[colockumelk]

I would lose the:

Daypack
Elk Scent: Your spot and stalk/calling elk.  You're gonna be playing the wind anyways.  So this item IMHO is useless
Scent Killer:  Again you'll be playing the wind.  THis is useless weight.  Especially since after 3 days on the mountain there isn't a scent killer product on the market that will mask that scent.  Play the wind.
Extra Water containers:  As said before just use a big camel back and maybe that water bottle with the filter you mentioned.  I get water every day.
Small Machete:  You don't need a saw to debone your elk.  A knife is all you need.  If you must have a bone saw make sure its a small one.  But I only bring a knife.
Extra Clothes:  Dont bring extra pants or extra shirt.  You wont need them.  Also I would cut down on the amount of socks and underwear.

Here's a tip as well.  Make sure that when it comes to underwear and socks you avoid cotton like the plague.  Especially in the underwear department.  Cotton will only absorbe your sweat and will stay wet and by the end of the first day you'll have chaffing so bad you wont want to continue on.  I recommend that you wear some type of compression shorts.  Wal-Mart has them for like $10.  I have 3 pair.  They are Nylon I think and since I started wearing them I havn't had any chaffing.  Socks I would get some good high quality wool or polyester hiking socks.  Same thing as the cotton panties.  They'll absorbe sweat and stay wet, you'll get blisters and your feet will smell horrible.  In the military they taught us to change our socks regularly because of this.  Of course this is because we didn't wear synthetic socks.  Would have solved that problem right away.

[high country]

your pack is WAY too full if you plan on moving country and killing elk. lose every single redundancy.....water filter on top of water filter, etc. you can back up with aqua mira if you are that freaked out. you need; food, water shelter and heat to cook on. a spare pair of socks and undies......you will want to burn the rest after hauling it around.
 
and to think you will be alone is awesome, but can be depressing. I would expect to see a few folks, after all there is a lake.
 
here is everything I took a few years ago. I have whittled a couple pounds out of that.

[high country]

I have tried syn undies.....not for me. I will burn my dirty ones. by thorlo mountaineering or similar socks too

[Sliverslinger]

Thanks for advice guys- keep it coming.My concern with the water is that I am a crazy sweater, no matter what the temp and on many hunts I go through over a gallon of water a day easy, not counting what I used to drink back at camp. Sometimes I'll drink two gallons and still be pissing bright yellow.

In regards to the underwear and socks, I to learned in the military to change socks often. Granted they weren't the best socks, but even now with some of the great expensive backpacking socks, as soon as my feet get sweaty I like to change em out. I try to take care of my feet constantly because I become a sissy when I get a blister or hot spot and I hate being absolutely miserable while hunting.

I'll definitely be adjusting the list in regards to clothes based on the general weather forecast.

Thanks again guys, anything else?