High Country/Backcountry gear lists...

[300rum]

That's what i was looking at renting.  I think they were $40/week if I remember right, I will try to find it. 

I went with a PLB instead (ACR from REI).  The SPOT can supposedly allow you to send messages back home (like an "I'm OK" message to wife's e-mail).  In addition you can request hep, which will be dispatched by SPOT's subscription service people. 

I went PLB because there's no subscription to buy - it's good for 5 years and then it just needs a battery service.  The distress signal goes straight to the Navy or Coast Guard IIRC and they coordinate a rescue.  It also has a radio homing signal that lets rescuers find you faster when they get to your general location.   

I did not get a spot because of the ongoing subscription costs and I've heard about problems with getting reliable signal out.  I've also read about many customer service issues and I don't know if I trust the service to send an appropriate and timely rescue vs. the US military.

 

PLB was $280 - my wife tried to add that to my hunting budget but I told her it was for her, so it shouldn't count    I like getting into the wilderness and often alone, so it's cheap insurance.  Good to know I'm still worth more to her alive than dead 

[300rum]

Yep, plbrentals.com.  $39/week with $5 shipping.  I thought that was pretty good.

[Vo2max]

Its always great to read what others bring and find important on a back country hunt. I am no pro when it comes to backcountry hunting and am a total rookie at it as a matter of fact but one thing that I am finding to be absolutely awesome is making my own food, dehydrating it and taking it afield.

I use the "Backpack Gourmet" recipes (book my Linda Frederick Yaffe) and while others are eating Mountain House I can eat homecooked meals without the need for seasonings (already included) and I can add as much or as little pure unadulterated calories as needed or fewer for that matter. This way, you save cash on MH meals, you get the calories you need, you are left satisfied eating meals you know contain what you need/want and all you need to make them is a Jet Boil (1.5cups water boiled in about 2-3minutes) with a minimum of fuel utilized. Light weight as it gets and versatile to say the least.

Just thought I'd chime in as I did not read that anyone else was doing this. Have a great fall!

ERIK

[Cascade_fisher]

I make my own as well, most of the time anyway.

Its always great to read what others bring and find important on a back country hunt. I am no pro when it comes to backcountry hunting and am a total rookie at it as a matter of fact but one thing that I am finding to be absolutely awesome is making my own food, dehydrating it and taking it afield.

I use the "Backpack Gourmet" recipes (book my Linda Frederick Yaffe) and while others are eating Mountain House I can eat homecooked meals without the need for seasonings (already included) and I can add as much or as little pure unadulterated calories as needed or fewer for that matter. This way, you save cash on MH meals, you get the calories you need, you are left satisfied eating meals you know contain what you need/want and all you need to make them is a Jet Boil (1.5cups water boiled in about 2-3minutes) with a minimum of fuel utilized. Light weight as it gets and versatile to say the least.

Just thought I'd chime in as I did not read that anyone else was doing this. Have a great fall!

ERIK

[alecvg]

Here is my list not including whats on my person.

Pack - Sitka 45 Bivy
Clothes - Wool socks - 1 pair
             - Under Armour Boxers - 1 pair
             - Sitka Jetstream Jacket
             - Kuiu Spindrift Jacket
             - Kuiu Chugach Raingear set
             - Gloves
Meat Care - Cutco Hunting Knife
                 - Knives of Alaska Caping Knife
                 - Game Bags
                 - Gerber Bone Saw
Optics - Zeiss Diascope
           - Nikon Rifle Hunter 550 range finder
Sleeping bag - Rei down bag
Pad - Thermarest
Misc - Book
       - Flashlight
       - Surefire Headlamp
Im sure I am forgetting something but this is the most of it.

[Hunter mike]

Well, I started the thread so I thought I'd let you all know what I came up with (overdue, sorry).  Thanks everyone for all the replies - it really helped me out.  Nothing is really high end because I didn't start with much, but everything has been really functional so far.  I'll add the upgrades I've made since the High Hunt...

Pack: Cabelas Alaskan 1 external frame (sometimes just lash stuff sacks and daypack to the frame (scored the pack $25 on CL)

Tent: Kelty Grand Mesa 2 or GT Ultralight Hammock + tarp

Sleeping Bag: Coleman Exponent 0* (around 4 lbs for <$100)

Rifle: 30-06 Savage 111/Nikon combo

Binocs: Used cheapie Bushnells - upgraded to Vortex Diamondback since (best investment ever for budget gear)

Holster: Gunslinger Corral (kinda ghetto, but very versatile and handy)

Treking poles: Cheapies, double as shooting sticks

Knives: Havalon and Gerber saw

Sleep Pad: Walmart CCF $7

Clothes:
AGO camo set = not breathable (but usable)
replaced with Columbia Big Game Terrain shells on mass clearance. 
Lightweight Northface hiking pants/shorts convertable ($35/bargain cave)
Couple of cheap lightweight poly t-shirts and pants
Northface thermal base layer $4/Goodwill (would easily be worth full price)
Northface Fleece 1/4 zip
Costco hiking socks ($11/4-pair - also have the Wigwam for cooler weather)
Extra underwear

Food:
Granola/powdered milk for breakfast + granola bar
All day snacks/dried fruit/soy nuts/peanuts/jerky
Mt. House dinners

Stove: Ebay alcohol stove/stand/windscreen (<$20)

Water filter: Katadyn Hiker Pro

Misc: TP, Multi-tool, 1 ea. flashlight and headlamp, PLB, compass, GPS, medical tape, liquid bandaid, emergency blanket, a few extra batts, zip ties - nothing special here, stuff I already had

Kill kit: Put together a pouch with knives, transport tags, paracord, and game bags.  Used a couple of pillowcases and a coughlan's laundry bag as game bags - all folded compactly and sealed in a foodsaver to minimize bulk.


Overall everything was great.  Nothing failed me - I ended up with about a 45 lb pack weight.  I thought it was a lot, but I talked to lots of guys who packed in 65lbs for the same trip, so then I felt better.  I think I'm pretty no-frills.  I could do without extra batts and stove fuel etc if i really wanted, but I like to have an extra cup of coffee if I want and read at night without worrying about wasting essentials.

[fillthefreezer]

how many days did you stay and high how was your camp?

[JackOfAllTrades]

"all folded compactly and sealed in a foodsaver to minimize bulk"
 
Vacuum sealed or a ziploc bag?
 
-Steve

[fillthefreezer]

foodsaver is a vacuum packing brand.
my kill kit is vacuum packed as well, just kept tearing ziplocks with tripod legs and other pokeys

[Hunter mike]

I was out 3 nights/4 days but probably had plenty of food for 2 more nights if I added more Mt house.  I didn't eat the breakfast granola every morning because I was trying to get an early start.

I camped at 5300 ft. and hunted between about there and 6300 ft or so. 

The vaccum packing worked great for the game bags and a few other things.  I'm thinking about vaccum packing my down vest next time since it's good to have if the temps drop but worthless if wet and not likely to need on the hike in/out.  I really want a primaloft vest or jacket but it will probably be heavier.

[fillthefreezer]

my spindrift is primaloft and 13oz
my wifes helly hansen odin isolator is primaloft and about 12.4oz

[kentrek]

I'm thinking about vaccum packing my down vest next time since it's good to have if the temps drop but worthless if wet and not likely to need on the hike in/out.

vaccum packing works great for one time use items (like game bags) but you may want to use your coat an still be able to store it safely and compactly 

instead try sea to summits waterproof compression sacks,either keep your down with your sleeping bag sack or maybe even have an separate smaller sack for clothes

those sacks are thin but ive had em in some pretty crud weather an never even worried bout em leaking

[ElPasoCounty]

Great thread fellas...I'm considering a pack trip for '13 when I get out to Washington.

Im getting a good education.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I think all who have posted here have posted some valuable information, but when packing we need to consider the expected/unexpected environment we'll be traveling to. On either side of the Cascades any of us can encounter inclement weather at any time. In mid summer, thunder storms high winds, rain and hail on the east side, high winds in the central alpine or SW Cascades are prevalent. Memorial and Labor day weekends have shown me some extreme weather anomolies in all parts of Washington mountains. Late season alpine hiking/hunting can bring on unexpected cold, and early season excursions on the west/wet side can bring torential rains. Two things I haven't seen on very many lists are ice axe and crampons.  No,... Not for summitting your favorite glacial mountain, but just for safety crossing that large snow field that the Billy Goats just ran across. The key with any gear list that is approaching minimalist status is to be prepared for just about anything with quality gear that is light, and know how to use it.
 
-Steve

[Spikorbust]

Great lists... I know most are not thinking of there high county hunts now but for me this will be my first so its time to get prepped.