Glacier Peak high buck question

[redalder]

A friend of mine and I are planning to do the high buck hunt next year in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what temperatures and weather patterns are usually like in that area at that time of year? We're looking at backpacking in and hunting around 5-6500 feet elevation, and hoping to travel light enough to keep moving if we need to. My main concern is how much time we might have to get meat out if we connect with something. We would be hunting anywhere from 8-15 miles from the trailhead, by the looks of the map. So I'm wondering how warm it usually is at that time of year up there. We're planning on scouting in July, and again in August during bear season.

Don't worry, I'm not looking for anyone's secret spot. We already have an general area picked out.

thanks!

[hillbillyhunting]

You will have to watch the weather.  I have been up there in miserable heat and I have been up there in more than 6 inches of snow for the high hunt.

[JimmyHoffa]

What hillbilly said.  A friend of mine has hunted there for many years and said daytime weather has been anything from hot to waist deep snow and nearly everything in between.  For night time it will probably be cold even when hot during the day.  He said one year it was hot during the day and they woke up with about six inches of snow on the tent.

[shootnrun]

These two pretty much nailed it. We were experiencing temps in the 70's during the day this year and riding the edge of freezing at night. We got to my buck that evening and got the meat cooled off right away and it was fine. We didnt find my little brothers buck until the AM and he lost a little due to the immediate heat of the day. We have also had hunts where in the 2 days we were there it rained so hard the creek we were next to came up 8-12 inches. We go in light as well but pack in good thermals and rain gear just in case.

 

[Seabeckian]

Although I'm not planning on hunting that same wilderness, I do fully intend to do a high buck hunt this next year as well (if indeed my plans to draw a Desert tag fall through  ). I have never downed an animal in the sort of temperatures that season has the potential of bringing. So... whats the best methods you gents have found for keeping the meat cool and not losing any to the heat spoiling it? Thanks!

[JimmyHoffa]

Usually still snow to be found at high elevation in wilderness areas.  If not, creeks are still close to freezing.  Do what you can in the shade, allowing the meat to dry a little in the air.  If need be, put in a plastic bag and throw some snow on top or dip in the creek for a little bit. 

[JPhelps]

We would be hunting anywhere from 8-15 miles from the trailhead, by the looks of the map.

It is not so much about the IN as it is the UP!
Also in my opinion you must be prepared to take the meat out the following day depending on the temps. 

[romaknows]

Please realize that shooting a good sized deer 8- 15 miles back  is going to be a huge undertaking,it can be done but be prepared for lots of work .If your pack weight is already over 45 lbs , then with one properly  boned out big buck you will both have packs weighing over 100 lbs.

 It might be wise to plan on stashing the boned out meat , and then come back for it the next day with nothing but packframes .

[redalder]

Thanks for the tips, all. We plan on going in as ultralight as we can. I've got a good lightweight tent and sleeping kit, and lightweight stove, etc, too. I'm assuming that if we get a deer, we will be making two trips back out to the trailhead to make it work. I was just wondering if there would be a way to keep a deer cool that time of year, especially if there's two of us, trying to get two deer. Also been kind of wondering how that would work keeping bear meat cool in August, too. I've been told to bring along plastic bags so I can cool bear meat in a stream before packing out.

I can't wait to get up there in the summer to check it out, and to check out my own fitness level, too, to be honest. I'm living here right at sea level. I get decent amounts of exercise, and I'm relatively fit for a mid 40's guy, but I know I need to really bump up the aerobic exercise between now and then, too. I'm not used to walking around at 6500' elevation, where the O2 molecules are a little farther apart than I'm accustomed to.

[jstone]

a few years ago i lost 20 pounds got in great shape to hunt in montana. Hunted high 7000 took a while to get adjusted. Better than not being in shape. Good Luck.

[JPhelps]

As far as meat care is concerned you are working against two things.  Temperature and Air.  You wan't to get the meat cooled down as quickly as possible but also keep the meat dry.  If you put a warm quarter in the stream it will cool down but sweat/condensate inside the bag.  Before night fall I would take the meat out of the bag and let it dry/cool through the cooler night.  It also stays a lot cooler down along the streams or lakes.

[JLS]

Yes, use the water to cool initially, but don't leave it submerged.  You want it to breathe and it won't do that inside of a plastic bag.

[romaknows]

i like to hang the meat in "cheap cheese cloth bags", they can really hold a lot of weight and you can cut and tie them to suit your needs, they are cheap and dont weigh hardly anything.Its better to use lots of smaller bags verses a bunch of meat in a couple of bags(at least till its all nice and cool).
Try to stash the meat in a creek bottom that has shade all day ,and i always take off a stinky undershirt to keep by the bags of meat to keep the coyotes and other critters away.

[JPhelps]

We have been using T.A.G bags.  They are awesome and support themselves with the draw cord.

[Seabeckian]

I fully endorse this as being redalder's thread , but I sure appreciate all the meat handling tips. Great info to have before the practical use is required.