Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 11:02:00 AM
As many on here know, my little brother is active duty Army and an Alaskan resident. As a resident he gets to hunt unguided for the species most only dream of hunting and as his brother, I'm allowed to accompany him unguided for those same dream species. With that said, the duties and demand of a war fighter has kept him away for most hunting seasons...but every once and a while we get a window to sneak north. This is one such window.
Originally this trip was slated for 2020, but in steps covid and scrambled our plans. The hunting gods however have once again smiled upon us and here we are one month from flying out on the greatest hunting adventure I may ever go on in my lifetime! I do have mixed emotions however. In a perfect world we could push this trip out to maybe catch a better time for finding mature rams. AK sheep populations are on a gradual decline and back to back to back hard winters have left mature rams in short supply. This could be the only opportunity we'll ever get to go though so it's foot on the gas and full steam ahead! There's a legal ram somewhere out there, we just have to walk till we find him :chuckle:
We knew late winter that this trip was going to be a reality so the planning and preparing started early. Physical fitness, diet, and gear evaluation were all a top priority for me. As lots of you know my "little" brother is a man among men. He will outlift/out work everyone in the gym and then go run a marathon and then do it all again the next day. Top 5 Placer multiple times in The Best Ranger Competition, his fitness, land navigation skills, and mental toughness are second to very few.....and I gotta try and keep up!?! 😬
In 2021 covid left me in shambles. It put me down for almost 3 full weeks. I atrophied away to a mere 165lb. Add in the fires and smoke in Yakima and my lungs took forever to rebound. With no cardio and no muscle the hunting season destroyed me. I survived but I was mentally and physically drained. For basically all of winter I slept and ate. I made it all the way up to 200lb for the first time ever (and not a good 200). I've always taken pride in my ability to out hike, out work, and out grind everyone on the mountain. My current condition left me ashamed of how far I had fallen. So as winter began to fade into spring I really had my work cut out for me to get back to where i had been. I was quite literally starting from ground zero.
Anyone who is hovering or surpassed that 40 mark and has attempted to get fit can attest to the "2 steps forward, one step back" kind of progress. You wanna hit it like you used to but your body says "not so fast buddy". The hardest part has been having to check my own ego and throttle back what I'm doing. The old "it's a marathon not a sprint " mantra comes to mind. Instead of running miles through the streets of selah and lifting weights I found a trail in union gap that has an aggressive elevation gain and I would just hike it. Bring my clothes and pack to work and just go grind it out every day. "Stop looking at your watch Karl! Time doesn't matter just get it done and make sure you're sweating. You're not racing anyone" is what I would have to tell myself. Early wake ups for push-ups, jump rope, 8 min abs, and various other body weight exercises are the new norm instead of bench, squat, clean.
About 2 months ago I started getting bad lower back/hip pain. Turns out not enough self care and ramping it up too soon isn't good for you 😆 A little sciatica became my enemy. I found a great chiropractor and an even better massage therapist. I realised really quickly that I needed to give my body more care. Gone are the days of foot on the gas, *censored*'ll buff out mentality. Now it's weekly adjustments and massages to work out my lifetime of quirks.
As I've gained traction getting past my Sciatic issue I started adding in soccer sessions with my son, runs with my daughter, and some hill workouts. Sure enough Friday left me with a strained right calf. Nasty little issue that has me gimping around like I'm 80. It was feeling a touch better Sunday so I figured maybe I just need to work it out so I hit the track for 3 miles worth of 400's, stretching each lap. WRONG MOVE! Now it's RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevate) until better. It's at 50% already so hopefully by next week I can put my pack back on and get back to it. I've been DILIGENT about adequate stretching but the one time I get lazy it really bit me. Just glad I didn't tear the calf.
I had many big hikes planned leading up to this trip but mother nature and her snow pack have been working against me 😆 Last one I attempted was supposed to be 28 miles and around 7hrs but after post holing through crotch deep snow for 4 miles to get over the ridge it ended up being a bit over 9hrs and way more calorie output than I wanted 🤮.
At this point I think my base is strong enough that I'm going to just transition to full on maintenance mode. Stretching, massage, and pack hikes EVERY OTHER day. Too close to fly out to risk screwing something up.
It's been a few years since I've done a thread on a hunt so be patient as I blow the dust off my writin fingers
First day on the hill vs the last time I actually clocked it. Slow gains...
Post by: 2MANY on July 13, 2022, 11:17:16 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 11:20:28 AM
Try Coke Classic.How dare you sir! We don't use the C word around here 😡
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 11:37:51 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on July 13, 2022, 11:48:10 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on July 13, 2022, 11:50:17 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 11:52:48 AM
Post by: RB on July 13, 2022, 11:53:58 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 11:55:34 AM
but has your bench press and bicep curls improved? Those are the most important and it is summer timeI've traded in my bro tanks for shorty shorts. Instead of sun's out guns out its now skies out thighs out :chuckle:
Post by: fishngamereaper on July 13, 2022, 11:56:47 AM
Desire to train but fear of the pain...
If you need a stand in I'm available... just in case... :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 12:01:31 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on July 13, 2022, 12:05:38 PM
but has your bench press and bicep curls improved? Those are the most important and it is summer timeI've trades in my bro tanks for shorty shorts. Instead of sun's out guns out its now skies out thighs out :chuckle:
Blue skies bring out the thighs. Jorts for the win
Post by: Jpmiller on July 13, 2022, 12:06:11 PM
Post by: mburrows on July 13, 2022, 12:13:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 12:32:29 PM
We fly out Friday Aug 12th from SeaTac into Fairbanks. From Fairbanks we get on a smaller plane with Wright Air and fly into Bettles. From there we jump into an even smaller Brooks Range Aviation plane and out into the bush. We settled on BRA after talking with or getting ghosted by other outfits. Their communication is great and they seem to run a solid outfit. Biggest decider was fishngamereaper used them on his caribou hunt last year so if they suck I can lay 100% of the blame on him :chuckle:
Just a few numbers on the travel...
•SeaTac to fairbanks round trip $608
•Wright Air Fairbanks/Bettles round trip $340
•BRA bush flight $2,900 top end. If they can reach our spot in the Cessna it will be considerably less. This is an unknown till Judy can run it past the pilots and they know our total weight.
Wright Air really pops you on baggage. You're allowed 40lb and then it's $1.80 per pound over that. I'm budgeting $500 for this just to be on the safe side.
Probably the most daunting task of all of this is selecting where you want to get dropped for your 2 week adventure. Lot of phone calls, triangulation based on the list of areas BRA provides you of spots they have taken sheep hunters in the past, etc. Finally came down to just picking a spot in the vicinity of known sheep populations that provided multiple routes to hunt. From our little lake we have 3 distinct drainages/ranges we can hunt through all being about 40-50 miles a piece and all looping back to our "home base".
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 12:33:44 PM
Well, as a guy over 50, this thread makes me feel much better about myself! Karl isn’t immortal!!! :chuckle:I'll never be as old as you Jerry :chuckle:
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 13, 2022, 12:40:21 PM
Have you thought of bicycling or swimming for the training days when injuries set back your other plans? I know it's not the same as boots on dirt, but I switch to the bike everytime a gremlin pops up--calf strain, ankle twist, it band so far this year.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 12:45:10 PM
Sounds like such a fun hunt. Looking forward to reading the rest.Unfortunately I don't have any access to a pool but I do hit the stationary bike from time to time.
Have you thought of bicycling or swimming for the training days when injuries set back your other plans? I know it's not the same as boots on dirt, but I switch to the bike everytime a gremlin pops up--calf strain, ankle twist, it band so far this year.
Post by: fishngamereaper on July 13, 2022, 12:45:59 PM
One of the pilot's had to put their otter down on the tundra while we there because of engine issues,...so if they need to crash they can do it safely.... :o
Make sure you have cash for the hot pockets and frozen pizzas Judy stores in the porch freezer... :EAT:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 12:47:31 PM
Hey now...I get blamed for allot of stuff....but c'mon man... :chuckle:Seriously!?!!!! Pepperoni pizza is my #1 craving when I come out of the field! :drool:
One of the pilot's had to put their otter down on the tundra while we there because of engine issues,...so if they need to crash they can do it safely.... :o
Make sure you have cash for the hot pockets and frozen pizzas Judy stores in the porch freezer... :EAT:
Post by: Gringo31 on July 13, 2022, 01:32:26 PM
Just have him pack you :tup: :chuckle:
Post by: whacker1 on July 13, 2022, 03:18:24 PM
Post by: elkboy on July 13, 2022, 03:36:04 PM
Post by: baker5150 on July 13, 2022, 04:13:54 PM
We had a Caribou trip "postponed" due to C19. Getting it re-scheduled has been a nightmare.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 13, 2022, 04:22:10 PM
Post by: Stein on July 13, 2022, 04:27:59 PM
Post by: Benny on July 13, 2022, 05:17:00 PM
Are you going to buy a bear tag and get a sheep locking tag as well? Always a nice option without having to buy two tags. I’ve seen some incredible mountain grizzlies in the Brooks.
Good luck!
Post by: Dan-o on July 13, 2022, 05:31:19 PM
I've also gotten into sheep shape.....
As long as they are licking salt off the asphalt.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 13, 2022, 06:04:41 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 13, 2022, 06:49:15 PM
The stairs during wrestling practice in high school were the worst.
Post by: Naches Sportsman on July 13, 2022, 07:08:02 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 08:20:08 PM
Hey Karl, a little insider tip, something to think about to maybe save some $, look at shipping stuff back non pri mail when you fly out of Bettles. Indeed Cargo is expensive. Don’t know how those villagers can afford the cargo prices with some of the stuff they send into Fairbanks and have shipped to their villages! When the villagers need pepsi, they usually ship it non pri as it’s cheaper.oh yeah well aware. I'm not worried about a few hundred extra bucks to get my gear home. I'll be home for 4 whole days before I roll out for MT elk so need all my gear home asap.
Good luck, I'm well aware of the over 40 effect. You gotta be much more picky about what you want to accomplish and focus on that. The days of doing it all, eating garbage, drinking the bar dry, sleeping a couple hours and then doing it all again seem to be much more difficult to pull off, especially once I hit 45. On the other side of the coin, it's pretty amazing what an old guy can do, I remember being surprised when my old man could walk, much less run once he hit the ancient age of 40. :chuckle:I hear that. Luckily I eat relatively clean except for the occasional bender on a fishing trip or turkey hunt and I don't drink any beer or booze. Funny you bring up sleep. I've put deliberate effort into sleeping 8hrs a night, though with a 0400 wake up, I don't always succeed.
Post by: grundy53 on July 13, 2022, 08:57:05 PM
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
Post by: Caseknife on July 13, 2022, 09:19:16 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 10:02:04 PM
Sleep system
• Kifaru 20° slick bag
• Thermarest Uber light
• Inflatable pillow
• Seat to summit closed cell short pad
Cook system
• Pocket rocket
• TI cup
• TI spoon x2
• 10ltr water bladder
• 1ltr bladders x3
• 32oz Gatorade bottle
• Fuel x2
Meat care
• Havalon
• Contractor bag x2
• 80ltr dry bag
• Game bags
• Extra blades
Misc Pack Contents
• crocs
• electrical tape
• Pack rain cover
• Puffy pants
• Puffy coat
• Rain gear
• Headlamps x2
• Phone scope
• Spotting scope
• Tripod
• Phone cord
• Battery banks
• Extra AAA batt
• 550 cord
• Aquamira drops
• Bug head net
• UL tarp/stakes
• Zoleo
Clothes
• Darn tough over the calf socks x2
• Firstlight merino t shirt
• Firstlight Chama hoodie
• Sitka timberline pant or Prana zion (undecided)
• Puffy vest
• Mechanics gloves
• Fingerless wool gloves and liners
• Beanie
• Lightweight neck gaiter
• Outdoor Research gaiters
Toiletries
• Benadryl
• Ibuprofen
• Tooth brush
• Floss pick
• Toothpaste
• Contacts stuff
• Gold bond
• Wet wipes (dried)
Weapon
• HCA 28 Nosler
• Spartan javelin bipod
• 20 rounds of ammo
Air strip misc stuff
• Bear fence
• Camp chair
• Extra kill kit for bear/caribou
• Diet Pepsi's
• Fishing rod/reel/tackle
My brother is carrying our med kit as well as our tent. Shelter for this trip will be a Hilleberg Anjan 3. Chosen pack on this one will be a Kifaru crater on a 24" duplex light frame. I'll have a gun bearer, nalgene pocket, and medium belt pocket on it. I also added an xpac guide lid which bumps the whole setup to a bit over 9,000ci. All loaded up with gear, 12 days food, and rifle my pack is at exactly 64lb 2oz. I'll carry on my pack with optics, clothes, and sleeping bag. Everything else fit in a 50qt cooler and the gun case.
Side note on the two pads. So I have a pile of sleeping pads. One for any possible use. I normally carry a 4 section chunk of an old foam pad for a seat cushion but traded it in for the full short pad. What this did was 1, buy me a little redundancy if my inflatable goes down and 2, bumps my R value using it in conjunction with my lighter inflatable and gives me an overall weight savings. To match that R value I'd have to bump up to the neoair and then when you add in the butt pad it ends up being a good bit more weight.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 10:12:48 PM
It’s incredible country with a ton of history! It’ll burn into your soul. I know sheep numbers have been sliding in there but there has to be a few hiding somewhere.my brother and I have had many talks about this and each time we come to the same conclusion...we are there to hunt sheep. He will have his griz tag and stack of caribou tags but unless we get charged while waiting for our ride on the last day and have to shoot our way out, we aren't going to burn precious days dealing with non target species. Obviously we could always luck out and have something pop up close by base camp in which we would have to decide if It would be worth the extra $5,700 to come get it 😬 :chuckle:
Are you going to buy a bear tag and get a sheep locking tag as well? Always a nice option without having to buy two tags. I’ve seen some incredible mountain grizzlies in the Brooks.
Good luck!
Post by: MtnMuley on July 13, 2022, 10:19:20 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2022, 10:24:19 PM
...........you lost me at "short pad".......and "diet pepsi".....:chuckle: :chuckle:HAHA!!! :chuckle:
Post by: huntnnw on July 13, 2022, 10:25:39 PM
Post by: 2MANY on July 14, 2022, 08:54:06 AM
I know you will have a dream trip especially since no motorcycles are involved..
Post by: ganghis on July 14, 2022, 09:09:34 AM
Also, not sure how late you're going, but DEET / netting / thermacell could be handy if mosquitos are still around.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 14, 2022, 09:30:57 AM
Looks like an awesome hunt! Don't forget to add toilet paper to your list ;)I've got two Costco packs of wetwipes packed. I let them dry out to shave most of their packed weight and then you add water to them once you get where you're going.
Also, not sure how late you're going, but DEET / netting / thermacell could be handy if mosquitos are still around.
As for bugs, my brother is packing his thermacell and we both have head nets. I despise deet so I'll wear my rain gear all week if they are that bad :chuckle: not sure if Michael is packing any or not.
Post by: kellama2001 on July 14, 2022, 09:39:47 AM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 14, 2022, 09:41:41 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 14, 2022, 11:07:00 AM
I would do a test wipe with those before you go. I ran out of butt wipe one day way back in the bush and resorted to a clorox wipe. I will not do that again.😆😆😆 yeah that sounds bad. These are for sure baby wipes haha
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 14, 2022, 11:35:38 AM
Post by: actionshooter on July 14, 2022, 05:40:03 PM
Jealous for sure, congrats on just being able to go!
Post by: opdinkslayer on July 14, 2022, 06:14:14 PM
Good luck on a dream hunt hope you guys can find a couple shooters. 8) :tup:
Post by: Jpmiller on July 14, 2022, 06:36:43 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 14, 2022, 06:49:54 PM
I see you have a bear fence for camp.... what's up?, paranoid??? :chuckle:
Jealous for sure, congrats on just being able to go!
I think traumatized is the word form what he was telling me of his last trip. Inland bears seem to be more nasty then the coastals from the locals I know up in AK.
Post by: Houndhunter on July 14, 2022, 06:51:51 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 14, 2022, 06:54:27 PM
don't tell me that!!!! The fence was supposed to be for our base camp stash but now I'm gonna have to bring a second :bash: I STILL sleep sitting up with a glock 20 in each hand mumbling "get outta here bear, get outta here bear" and wake my wife up every three hours for her watch shift :chuckle: :bdid:I see you have a bear fence for camp.... what's up?, paranoid??? :chuckle:
Jealous for sure, congrats on just being able to go!
I think traumatized is the word form what he was telling me of his last trip. Inland bears seem to be more nasty then the coastals from the locals I know up in AK.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 14, 2022, 06:57:59 PM
I'm not sure but aren't different areas of Alaska different rules on what's a legal ram? What's a "legal" ram where you are going?full curl, double broomed, or 8 years old.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 14, 2022, 07:16:47 PM
Well at least with a bear tag payback is possible
Post by: actionshooter on July 15, 2022, 03:01:54 PM
:chuckle: :chuckle:don't tell me that!!!! The fence was supposed to be for our base camp stash but now I'm gonna have to bring a second :bash: I STILL sleep sitting up with a glock 20 in each hand mumbling "get outta here bear, get outta here bear" and wake my wife up every three hours for her watch shift :chuckle: :bdid:I see you have a bear fence for camp.... what's up?, paranoid??? :chuckle:
Jealous for sure, congrats on just being able to go!
I think traumatized is the word form what he was telling me of his last trip. Inland bears seem to be more nasty then the coastals from the locals I know up in AK.
Post by: Alchase on July 15, 2022, 04:28:33 PM
Forgive my ignorance on Dall Sheep hunting, I am just tagging along because it sounds friggin amazing and you make stories interesting. And to ask one question
wake my wife up every three hours for her watch shift :chuckle: :bdid:
How is that going to work out for ya :dunno:
:chuckle:
Seriously though, this sound like an incredible trip!
Post by: Fidelk on July 15, 2022, 06:12:06 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 15, 2022, 06:29:39 PM
haha. My wife would be a lot meaner than a grizz if I did that :chuckle: was a little inside joke with actionshooter. We were on Kodiak last fall about the same time and our group had a rough spot in regards to bears. We had to sleep in shifts they were so relentless.
Forgive my ignorance on Dall Sheep hunting, I am just tagging along because it sounds friggin amazing and you make stories interesting. And to ask one questionwake my wife up every three hours for her watch shift :chuckle: :bdid:
How is that going to work out for ya :dunno:
:chuckle:
Seriously though, this sound like an incredible trip!
Are those Altra brand shoes in the photo? Stadium steps are a great training option. Good luck on the adventure.yes sir lone peak 5's. Really love them. The wide toe box is great for keeping a good grip on the trail.
Post by: elkrack on July 15, 2022, 11:20:30 PM
Gonna be a trip for the books. Good luck
Post by: Fidelk on July 16, 2022, 07:32:59 AM
Are those Altra brand shoes in the photo? Stadium steps are a great training option. Good luck on the adventure.yes sir lone peak 5's. Really love them. The wide toe box is great for keeping a good grip on the trail.
Saw the wide toe box in your photo and just had to ask. Perfectly designed for your fitness sessions hiking trails. Since walking into an outdoor store and seeing them, I live in Altra. Switched from heavy leather boots and been wearing Lone Peak 3 hightops for hunting. Surprised how well they handle rocky terrain.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 16, 2022, 02:18:48 PM
Anyways food stuff...
Breakfast
• Peak refuel granola & berries or spicy breakfast hash freeze dried by JonathanS.
• Coffee
• Complete Probiotic
• Daily vitamin
• Omega 3 fish oil
• Wilderness Athlete simple greens
Lunch/snacks
• Nature Valley almond butter biscuit
• Jerky
• Green belly
• Peanut butter
• Pure organic fruit bar x2
• GU energy gel
• honey stinger waffle
Dinner/dessert
• Peak Refuel meal
• Candy bar of some sort
• Wilderness Athlete Hydrate and recover
Total calories varies depending on the combination of meals but average is 3,450-3,600 and ranges from 1lb 9oz to 1lb 14oz. Probably gonna toss a package of tortillas in as well for doing breakfast burritos with Jon's breakfast hash. Stuff is so freaking good!
Side note, jerky is all vac packed and in the freezer till closer to fly out so not in pics. Each package of jerky is 3oz.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 16, 2022, 02:19:44 PM
Post by: Falcon on July 16, 2022, 10:28:23 PM
I’m sure you can’t sleep at night :chuckle: I remember my first and only one to date dall sheep hunt.
There is no better feeling in the world to prepare and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime. All the best in your quest :tup:
Post by: CaNINE on July 17, 2022, 06:34:17 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 17, 2022, 06:23:10 PM
Let that big 28 bark.she's ready! All my rifles are within 6oz of each other so figured just better bring her. When the game is on the line you play your starter :chuckle:
Hells Canyon Armory carbon killer
Lone Peak Razor Ti action
26" barrel chambered in 28 Nosler
Benchmark Ibex stock
MBM 3 port beast brake
Triggertech special
Nightforce NXS 5-22x50 moar reticle
Spartan Pic rail/javelin adapter
Spartan Javelin bipod.
195gr berger EOL's at 3,050fps.
Ready to hunt she is 9lb 2oz
Post by: Dan-o on July 17, 2022, 07:43:31 PM
Is what a guy would say if he was seriously jealous of that group.
Looking forward to tagging along.
Post by: actionshooter on July 17, 2022, 08:51:25 PM
They were pesky little buggers weren't they :chuckle: :chuckle:haha. My wife would be a lot meaner than a grizz if I did that :chuckle: was a little inside joke with actionshooter. We were on Kodiak last fall about the same time and our group had a rough spot in regards to bears. We had to sleep in shifts they were so relentless.
Forgive my ignorance on Dall Sheep hunting, I am just tagging along because it sounds friggin amazing and you make stories interesting. And to ask one questionwake my wife up every three hours for her watch shift :chuckle: :bdid:
How is that going to work out for ya :dunno:
:chuckle:
Seriously though, this sound like an incredible trip!Are those Altra brand shoes in the photo? Stadium steps are a great training option. Good luck on the adventure.yes sir lone peak 5's. Really love them. The wide toe box is great for keeping a good grip on the trail.
watching your adventure closely... wishing you luck sleeping at night :tup:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 18, 2022, 07:58:15 AM
My hiking partner not so much :chuckle:😬
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 18, 2022, 07:59:22 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 18, 2022, 08:01:32 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 18, 2022, 08:07:00 AM
Post by: dyhardhuntr on July 18, 2022, 09:14:14 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 18, 2022, 09:19:55 AM
Tagging along for this epic adventure. I too have been bitten by the sheep bug. Not sure when or if I’ll ever get too. It’s definitely a dream. That is a blister of epic proportions by the way😂yeah and that was mile 3.5 of the 12 :yike: tough SOB to complete that hike with that thing. Glad it wasn't my foot :chuckle:
Post by: ramslam on July 18, 2022, 09:23:24 AM
Post by: elkrack on July 18, 2022, 10:30:24 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 08, 2022, 07:07:51 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 08, 2022, 07:10:54 AM
Post by: highside74 on August 08, 2022, 08:37:32 AM
Here's to safe travels and an epic hunt, my man!
Post by: Gringo31 on August 08, 2022, 10:32:21 AM
I love the part where its all in front of you..... Soon, it will just be a memory. Best of Luck and enjoy the epic times spent with loved ones....
:tup:
Post by: Fidelk on August 08, 2022, 12:26:20 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on August 08, 2022, 01:25:26 PM
Post by: HikerHunter on August 08, 2022, 01:45:36 PM
Post by: elkrack on August 08, 2022, 03:03:34 PM
It’s pretty awesome getting the kids involved! Doing hard things together builds great relationships. Good luck on the hunt!
Post by: trophyhunt on August 08, 2022, 03:37:26 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 08, 2022, 03:52:35 PM
After a lot of emotional turmoil and a lot of oven heat and thick socks I've got these Hanwags stretched out and feeling great! They have officially gotten the green light for the hunt.
Post by: Falcon on August 08, 2022, 05:55:13 PM
You have done the work now go experience your hunt of a lifetime.
I pray you have safe travels and good weather on your hunt.
Post by: mburrows on August 08, 2022, 08:41:15 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on August 08, 2022, 09:03:36 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on August 08, 2022, 09:17:06 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 09, 2022, 05:59:50 AM
Post by: Caseyd on August 09, 2022, 12:47:55 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 09, 2022, 01:19:53 PM
First dusting of snow last night :yike:hahaha yeah I got a report of 8" at 3k and nobody being able to fly 😬
Post by: opdinkslayer on August 09, 2022, 03:03:48 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 09, 2022, 04:43:30 PM
First dusting of snow last night :yike:hahaha yeah I got a report of 8" at 3k and nobody being able to fly 😬
They brought a Blackhawk in when we where there to fly the broken otter back in from the tundra.
I would think if you asked nicely they could bring one if for you guys and you could fast rope out at the top of the mnt..... :rockin:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 09, 2022, 06:51:26 PM
When do you leave?Friday
you spelled "Michael can fast rope in while Karl lands safely on the ground and hikes to the top of the mountain" wrong :chuckle:First dusting of snow last night :yike:hahaha yeah I got a report of 8" at 3k and nobody being able to fly 😬
They brought a Blackhawk in when we where there to fly the broken otter back in from the tundra.
I would think if you asked nicely they could bring one if for you guys and you could fast rope out at the top of the mnt..... :rockin:
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 09, 2022, 07:56:35 PM
When do you leave?Fridayyou spelled "Michael can fast rope in while Karl lands safely on the ground and hikes to the top of the mountain" wrong :chuckle:First dusting of snow last night :yike:hahaha yeah I got a report of 8" at 3k and nobody being able to fly 😬
They brought a Blackhawk in when we where there to fly the broken otter back in from the tundra.
I would think if you asked nicely they could bring one if for you guys and you could fast rope out at the top of the mnt..... :rockin:
Sorry. .auto correct on the phone....
:chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 09, 2022, 08:21:54 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 09, 2022, 08:23:56 PM
Post by: opdinkslayer on August 09, 2022, 08:45:03 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on August 11, 2022, 05:18:06 PM
Your pack list includes "cross." IDK if that was: a) "crocs" misspelled, b) you plan to pray a lot, or c) you plan to crucify something. If b or c, please post pics.
And we will need an update on whether you can still out-wrestle/fight/run/pack Michael.
Post by: Mfowl on August 11, 2022, 05:54:57 PM
Post by: Caseyd on August 11, 2022, 06:05:07 PM
Hope this hunt is all that you've dreamed and prepared for.
Your pack list includes "cross." IDK if that was: a) "crocs" misspelled, b) you plan to pray a lot, or c) you plan to crucify something. If b or c, please post pics.
And we will need an update on whether you can still out-wrestle/fight/run/pack Michael.
My guess would be d. Memorial for their brother
Almost go time, looking forward to the write up. Safe travels
Post by: Stein on August 11, 2022, 06:50:57 PM
Post by: ganghis on August 11, 2022, 07:04:13 PM
Post by: shootem on August 11, 2022, 09:46:14 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 12, 2022, 04:30:44 AM
Hope this hunt is all that you've dreamed and prepared for.Definitely supposed to be "crocs" :chuckle:
Your pack list includes "cross." IDK if that was: a) "crocs" misspelled, b) you plan to pray a lot, or c) you plan to crucify something. If b or c, please post pics.
And we will need an update on whether you can still out-wrestle/fight/run/pack Michael.
Post by: jasnt on August 12, 2022, 05:09:02 AM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on August 12, 2022, 11:53:20 AM
Post by: benhuntin on August 12, 2022, 11:59:15 AM
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Post by: bearpaw on August 12, 2022, 12:03:38 PM
Post by: Itsintheblood on August 12, 2022, 05:59:16 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 13, 2022, 03:38:08 AM
It's 0235 now and Wright doesn't open till 0730 so we've staked our claim to some lobby benches for a few hours of sleep.
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 13, 2022, 07:04:26 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 13, 2022, 07:41:52 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 13, 2022, 08:20:26 AM
Hope the weather isn’t to bad for you guys. Just got back from a week up there and there was one nice day outta 7. Down pour rain most of the time. Good luck! Shoot straight!yeah hoping we are on the backside of it. Currently 55 and sunny in fairbanks. Sitting in the Wright Air terminal waiting to fly to Bettles.
Post by: LDennis24 on August 13, 2022, 10:33:17 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 13, 2022, 12:21:55 PM
that’s good to hear!Hope the weather isn’t to bad for you guys. Just got back from a week up there and there was one nice day outta 7. Down pour rain most of the time. Good luck! Shoot straight!yeah hoping we are on the backside of it. Currently 55 and sunny in fairbanks. Sitting in the Wright Air terminal waiting to fly to Bettles.
Post by: Falcon on August 13, 2022, 03:23:17 PM
Well the drive over the hill was nice. 405 was terrible. Flight to fairbanks was uneventful. Kinda funny...while waiting for our plane a guy on our flight sits down next to us. Bit of small talk and he notices our memorial bracelets for Aaron. Turns out he is also an apache pilot and served with Aaron with the 10th mountain.
It's 0235 now and Wright doesn't open till 0730 so we've staked our claim to some lobby benches for a few hours of sleep.
Karl: That’s an amazing story about your brother......it’s destiny tup:
Have an awesome adventure, and know that Arron is watching from above and enjoying every bit of your journey.
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 13, 2022, 05:08:30 PM
Post by: rainshadow1 on August 13, 2022, 07:13:25 PM
Late friend from Glenallen always told me about taking 1/4 of a washcloth, and 1/2 a bar of hotel soap, etc... I enjoyed the memory of his Dall Sheep stories while looking at your lists!
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 14, 2022, 04:16:10 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 14, 2022, 05:10:07 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 14, 2022, 06:41:47 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 14, 2022, 08:32:13 PM
He should be radio silent now for the duration. We had no service in bettles and the only coms was in reach...
Hopefully Bullblaster or someone will feed us Inreach updates............
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 15, 2022, 06:29:31 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on August 15, 2022, 08:39:50 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 15, 2022, 09:36:12 AM
Quote
Change of plans from Bettles. An outfitter camp was dropped at their preferred location.
With all the planning that took place. That must of stung a little. Gotta make the most of it! :tup:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 15, 2022, 09:39:09 AM
The subsistence board closure of a few units threw a wrench into the works for a lot of guys, both otc and guides.QuoteChange of plans from Bettles. An outfitter camp was dropped at their preferred location.
With all the planning that took place. That must of stung a little. Gotta make the most of it! :tup:
Those two can think on their feet and adapt.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 17, 2022, 08:23:44 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 17, 2022, 08:38:27 AM
I had a pre programmed in-reach message.
Rain-stuck-tarp-$!//@$$###
:chuckle:
I have a feeling they'll turn something up soon.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 17, 2022, 02:05:35 PM
Post by: Fidelk on August 17, 2022, 04:22:37 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 17, 2022, 06:02:56 PM
Got another update, laying low for 36-48 hours now at base camp. Last night was one of if not the most physicallly demanding events either of those guys have been through. Plenty of time to recover and go do it again.
:tup:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 17, 2022, 06:28:41 PM
They have 8 days to beat the odds again.Got another update, laying low for 36-48 hours now at base camp. Last night was one of if not the most physicallly demanding events either of those guys have been through. Plenty of time to recover and go do it again.
:tup:
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 17, 2022, 06:31:53 PM
They have 8 days to beat the odds again.Got another update, laying low for 36-48 hours now at base camp. Last night was one of if not the most physicallly demanding events either of those guys have been through. Plenty of time to recover and go do it again.:tup:
They'll do it...no doubt in my mind...
Just as soon as they leave the tent.... :chuckle:
Post by: MtnMuley on August 18, 2022, 09:52:44 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 18, 2022, 09:57:53 AM
Hope they got a ram, it's got to be a huge relief to get one "early" and remove some of the pressure. There's no shame in getting skunked but going one for two is a success in anyone's book!
Post by: mburrows on August 18, 2022, 12:39:44 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 18, 2022, 03:25:15 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on August 18, 2022, 04:18:34 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 22, 2022, 06:47:34 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on August 22, 2022, 07:29:28 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 22, 2022, 07:47:49 AM
They found another band of rams but have been weathered out for days. It looks like it may break just in time to fly out later this week.
Post by: Nibenza on August 22, 2022, 10:10:24 AM
I spent August 1967 in Fairbanks.......under 4 feet of water.
You too huh. Spent the entire flood in our house right on the Chena. Fun times.
Post by: Jpmiller on August 22, 2022, 10:36:46 AM
Some of us have our own hunting as well. :chuckle:
They found another band of rams but have been weathered out for days. It looks like it may break just in time to fly out later this week.
Ouch, here's to hoping one wanders into camp then, or the weather has a change of heart and gives them another chance.
Post by: Fidelk on August 22, 2022, 02:23:36 PM
I spent August 1967 in Fairbanks.......under 4 feet of water.
You too huh. Spent the entire flood in our house right on the Chena. Fun times.
I've met several people locally who were also there. I went up there to fight fire and we were based out on Airport Way. When the waters receded a bit, we would look at what went floating by......boats, canoes, collapsible canvas kayaks and a float plane or two.
Post by: Rainier10 on August 22, 2022, 05:19:56 PM
Post by: huntandjeep on August 22, 2022, 08:20:22 PM
Weather. One of the biggest things that you can’t control.So true . I know 2 guys that did just what Carl and his brother are doing. 1 spent 9 days
In his tent because of rain / fog . The other 13 days because of rain / fog / snow . Here's hoping these guys do better
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2022, 07:57:43 AM
Post by: phildobaggins on August 23, 2022, 08:03:36 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2022, 08:23:43 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 23, 2022, 08:27:32 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 23, 2022, 10:57:09 AM
Love the updates we're getting. Can't wait to hear the whole story when they're back!doesn’t sound like there’s much to tell. There is nothing more miserable than sitting under a tarp for days on end. Down right sucks to be honest.
Post by: Fidelk on August 23, 2022, 11:12:30 AM
10 miles of muskeg back to the lake for pick up in a few days.
That stuff is horrible to walk through.
Post by: Jpmiller on August 23, 2022, 11:29:01 AM
Love the updates we're getting. Can't wait to hear the whole story when they're back!doesn’t sound like there’s much to tell. There is nothing more miserable than sitting under a tarp for days on end. Down right sucks to be honest.
I don't know. Going back to the lake a few days before pickup sounds like some good things happened.
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 23, 2022, 11:30:45 AM
thats what I hear.Love the updates we're getting. Can't wait to hear the whole story when they're back!doesn’t sound like there’s much to tell. There is nothing more miserable than sitting under a tarp for days on end. Down right sucks to be honest.
I don't know. Going back to the lake a few days before pickup sounds like some good things happened.
Post by: LDennis24 on August 23, 2022, 11:40:57 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2022, 11:52:46 AM
Im pretty sure there will be plenty of stories to be told when they get back… and im guessing at least part of those stories will be about sitting under a tarp or in a tent for days.thats what I hear.Love the updates we're getting. Can't wait to hear the whole story when they're back!doesn’t sound like there’s much to tell. There is nothing more miserable than sitting under a tarp for days on end. Down right sucks to be honest.
I don't know. Going back to the lake a few days before pickup sounds like some good things happened.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2022, 05:08:15 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 23, 2022, 06:40:46 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2022, 06:46:12 PM
Thank you for the update, what a fantastic report!Tryna be all vague and suspenseful and not tell their story too much. :chuckle:
Post by: MtnMuley on August 23, 2022, 07:28:55 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 23, 2022, 08:11:54 PM
Thank you for the update, what a fantastic report!Tryna be all vague and suspenseful and not tell their story too much. :chuckle:
🙊 🙈🙉.... :chuckle:
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 23, 2022, 08:25:40 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2022, 08:27:12 PM
Realtime inReach updates wuda been cool, but looking forward to reading the post-mortem story…… :hunter:You dont want that kind of stress!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 23, 2022, 10:34:02 PM
And having been on these hunts it can be more than an adventure, life in the raw north between weather, bears, and 60-80 year old planes is no certainty on any given day.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 26, 2022, 02:38:34 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 26, 2022, 02:40:09 PM
Post by: Tenkara on August 26, 2022, 02:42:32 PM
Post by: HikerHunter on August 26, 2022, 02:44:02 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 26, 2022, 02:50:18 PM
Blue sky and sunglasses...I thought it was raining the whole time... :chuckle:
Stellar job guys ..
Sitting crosslegged waiting for storytime...
Post by: OutHouse on August 26, 2022, 03:04:28 PM
Post by: jasnt on August 26, 2022, 03:52:33 PM
Post by: Dan-o on August 26, 2022, 04:14:37 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on August 26, 2022, 04:24:38 PM
Post by: Falcon on August 26, 2022, 04:31:32 PM
Post by: grundy53 on August 26, 2022, 05:21:17 PM
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
Post by: Mulie87 on August 26, 2022, 05:29:00 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 26, 2022, 05:57:08 PM
Post by: CJ1962 on August 26, 2022, 07:37:45 PM
Post by: redi on August 26, 2022, 08:05:51 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 26, 2022, 10:09:10 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on August 26, 2022, 11:12:04 PM
Post by: MountainWalk on August 26, 2022, 11:40:35 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 27, 2022, 08:23:49 AM
Lot more to come. What a wild ride!Well, that's a happy birthday for you, Karl! Congratulations!
Post by: mburrows on August 27, 2022, 08:56:27 AM
Post by: RB on August 27, 2022, 08:56:33 AM
Post by: elkboy on August 27, 2022, 09:57:13 AM
Post by: wheels1 on August 27, 2022, 11:22:21 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on August 27, 2022, 04:49:07 PM
Post by: Skillet on August 27, 2022, 05:15:09 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 27, 2022, 06:00:48 PM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on August 27, 2022, 07:30:59 PM
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Post by: zagsfan1 on August 27, 2022, 08:12:58 PM
Post by: idaho guy on August 27, 2022, 08:26:59 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on August 27, 2022, 09:38:13 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on August 27, 2022, 10:10:16 PM
Post by: boneaddict on August 28, 2022, 06:45:25 AM
Post by: Ironhead on August 28, 2022, 07:59:58 AM
Post by: elkrack on August 28, 2022, 09:47:59 PM
:chuckle:
Congrats on what looks to be an outstanding story :tup:
Post by: HillHound on August 28, 2022, 10:03:20 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 29, 2022, 05:50:06 AM
Post by: elkrack on August 29, 2022, 07:45:41 AM
Someone graduated with honors from the Plat school of story telling... :chuckle:
:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
:chuckle:
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 29, 2022, 09:55:26 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 29, 2022, 10:13:49 AM
I was hoping you'd find A ram. Mind blown... Very very very cool. I didn't see that as a realistic dream....and to do it with your brother....
WOW...
Congrats X 1000. Made my morning! :tup:
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 29, 2022, 10:21:15 AM
I thought the same thing. Certainly he's home by now.
It really boils down to priorities..
Travel logistics, meat care, taxidermy prep, gear care, family, prep for next hunt....etc...
Or Hunt WA peanut gallery...
Clearly we know where his priorities are ...
:chuckle:
Post by: Fidelk on August 29, 2022, 10:51:22 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 29, 2022, 11:51:58 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 29, 2022, 12:01:08 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 12:02:49 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on August 29, 2022, 12:04:32 PM
I've never seen hunters so clean and fresh looking as that one pic. Are we sure they got to the mountains? Maybe purchased trophys from the natives? :chuckle::yeah: :yeah:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 04:48:38 PM
The legendary Jack O'Connor once wrote that "The wild ram embodies the mystery and magic of the mountains, the rocky canyons, the snowy peaks, the fragrant alpine meadows, the gray slide rock, the icy, dancing rills fed by snowbank and glacier, the sweet, clean air of the high places, and the sense of being alone on the top of the world with the eagles, the marmots, and the wild sheep themselves." When setting out on our first sheep hunt we could never have imagined how accurate a statement that would be...
We landed in Bettles Alaska on a rainy Saturday morning with stars in our eyes and white sheep on our minds. We hastily made our way to the air taxi office to check in and get the scoop on our odds of departure. Our greeting came in the form of a swift kick to the gut with news that an outfitter had setup shop on the exact spot we had picked and e-scouted all summer. We were left scrambling to quickly decide on a new landing site. The Brooks Range is vast and throwing a dart at a giant map is not how we envisioned starting our trip but indecisiveness has no place in Alaska mountain hunting so a new lake was picked as we dashed to the hangar to pair down gear and get ready to fly. The hours ticked by slowly and eventually word came that there would be no flying today. With sleeping bags deployed and dinner eaten, we stared at the ceiling till the sound of rain on the metal roof lulled us to sleep.
Day two was fairly uneventful. Cloud ceiling was 500 feet so no flying. We drank a few too many $2.50 diet Pepsi's and an over priced bowl of Ramen from the Sour Dough lodge. The first half of the day was spent in the hangar chatting with the other hunters and rafters awaiting their own trips to the bush. It was 2pm when Lilly poked her head out of the office door and said "get ready guys you're up!"
We were already packed up and ready to party. The Cessna 185 was skipping down the lake by 3pm and we were on our way. A short 1hr flight later and we were touching down on a random lake we didn't have on any of our maps.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 04:51:13 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 04:54:41 PM
Light shining through the tent greated us to our first day of hunting! Bursting from our tent there was a light fog blanketing the tundra but we were optimistic for the day. We ate breakfast, pitched the bear fence and we were off. We rounded the bend and into a large drainage that fed into the drainage we were camped in. Just as we did, the sun burned through and we could see for miles. We sat down to glass and almost immediately I spotted 4 rams. They were 3 miles away so we grabbed packs and beat feet farther up the drainage. At 1 mile away we set up again to see if we could make out horns better and could we ever!
There were two banana rams, a 3/4 curl, and 1 older ram with a long driver side and a broomed off passenger side. Still two far away to tell for sure but out of real-estate to make a play from there. About that time a big fog bank rolled in and gave us another opportunity to cut distance. We got to within 500 yards but more fog blacked out the mountain and we could no longer see them. Off and on the fog would blow out enough to catch glimpses of them but never enough to pull an accurate range. Though 500 and in is my comfort zone, an exact range is always required. The stakes were too high for kentucky windage shooting. As we sat in the fog impatiently awaiting a clear view of the mountain and our ram the rain set in. We pitched our tarp for some much needed shelter just as it turned to driving snow.
The fog broke long enough to get eyes back on them and we determined he was in fact legal, but once again with mist and fog we couldn't get an accurate range. When the thick fog rolled in and we lost sight we decided to close the gap again. We made our ascent but driving rain and dense fog forced us back down. A bit past 9 p.m. we decided we weren't gonna get our break and trudged through the muskeg the 4 miles back to the tent.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 04:56:10 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 04:57:05 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:15:58 PM
Working up and out of their line of sight we gained our needed elevation and closed the gap. The heavy fog moved in and we used it to get across from them. We were now inside 600 yards and had a perfect ambush spot setup. All day we sat under the tarp in the driving rain, mist, and dense fog. Around 6 p.m. we finally got our break but to our disappointment there were no sheep to be seen. With no clue which direction they went we just started picking our way up through the rocky canyon. About a mile in Michael hisses "there they are up on the rock wall!"
They were 915 yards. Too far for a shot. We backed out and picked our way up another 700 vertical feet and moved up to within rifle range. Michael got on the spotter and I got down on the rifle. They knew something was up so there was no time for messing around. I got a range, dialed accordingly and settled in. With nothing to read wind off of except for the icy breeze kissing the beads of sweat on my own face, I made my call and held accordingly but the only wind effect was a big updraft on the rock wall and my first shot went high! I worked the bolt and quickly made my adjustment, checked level, and sent a second round hitting him squarely in the shoulders.
He hobbled behind a large boulder with only the top of his horns giving away his position. Those horns began to sway and in an instant he tumbled a short distance to his final resting place at the top of a cascading water fall high in the canyon. It was a nail biting ascent up to him. Lichen covered Cliff faces, scree slides, and boulder fields laid in our path. It took us an hour to find a safe path to reach him....
"He was snow-white, his eyes were amber, and his horns the color of dried lemon peel."
—“The Dall Sheep,” September 1960
When we got to him he was laying in the water and rock. The cliffs that once offered him sanctuary now stood guard above what was to be his tomb. Never in my life had I seen such a regal beast with my own two eyes. There before us on that flat slab of God's rugged earth was OUR RAM! Not some guy from a video or magazine but ours! We had flown 2,000 miles on 3 planes, planned and dreamed for years, conditioned tirelessly, all to bring us to this moment and oh how sweet it was! The odds said it was to be an impossible task but fate had other plans and deemed us worthy. We were now....sheep hunters!
"There is no half way. After his first exposure, a man is either a sheep hunter or he isn’t. He either falls under the spell of sheep hunting and sheep country or he won’t be caught dead on another sheep mountain." - Jack O'Connor
With pictures taken, and careful knife work complete, we shouldered our packs a bit after 10:30pm as it began to rain. The same obstacles that we had to traverse to reach him we now had to navigate down but this time more wet than ever. It was downhill for hours in the rock, rain, and fog. Fog so thick visibilty was less than 30 yards. Picking a line down only to be turned back time and time again was painstakingly slow. When we reached the valley floor the same fog we had descended for hours through engulfed us even more.
The mental and physical strain were taking their toll and by 2 a.m. I couldn't take another step without unshouldering my pack and eating something. As our freeze dried dinners rehydrated we erected our now beloved tarp. We inhaled our food and tried to sleep but being soaked and cold it was fruitless. As our chivering became uncontrollable the need to move again became paramount. The thick fog still had visibility down to mere yards but river to our left and cliffs to our right meant we were moving in the right direction.
A few minutes before 7 a.m. and 8.5 miles of cliff, rock, and muskeg later we arrived back at our tent. Throwing meat, cape, and horns every which way as we dove into our sleeping bags was a glorious feeling. The hardest single physical event of either of our lives was now over and sleep swept over us in an instant.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:16:54 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:17:42 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:18:44 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:19:27 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:22:40 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 05:23:47 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on August 29, 2022, 05:37:46 PM
🤣
On a serious note, gonna be tough to beat that as far as a personal goal! Amazing job, my hips hurt after reading your story! Congrats man, very, very beyond cool!
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 29, 2022, 05:42:17 PM
Post by: Falcon on August 29, 2022, 06:41:06 PM
Post by: huntandjeep on August 29, 2022, 07:01:10 PM
Post by: wheels1 on August 29, 2022, 07:15:28 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 29, 2022, 07:53:08 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on August 29, 2022, 08:37:41 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 29, 2022, 08:45:13 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 08:49:25 PM
Since we didn't get back to our tent until 6:50 a.m. we slept hard until 1:00pm when a spat of driving rain beating on our tent like a drum woke us out of our slumber. With sore legs and backs we reorganized gear, laid out meat and cape to dry and did our best to rehydrate and catch up on calories.
Resting was made easy by the fog and drizzle. We did glass up a small group of 2 young rams, 3 ewes, and 3 lambs from the tent. Back in our sleeping bags with the remainder of our wet gear we drank coffee, listened to podcasts, looked at pictures of our ram and relived the hunt with each other a million and one times. We were on cloud 9 with no plans of getting off.
The following day was chore day! We needed to get the head skinned off and cape fleshed. First time fleshing a hide for either of us so we went slow and it took a long time. Mid afternoon we concluded that we need to get some stuff back to the lake in order to be a one and done trip if we got another ram so we loaded up bear fence, ram, and a few other non essentials and made the 8.2 mile round trip across the muskeg. Back at the lake we needed to devise a plan to keep this meat and cape good. We did an initial salting of the hide then we went to work building a raised rack out of caribou sheds to get the meat bags off the ground so air can flow around it. With several more sheds we made additional space above the meat. Shaking the cape free of the wet salt, we then applied a second, generous coating of more salt and folded it skin on skin and placed it on the rack with the meat. Placing my rifle beside it we covered it all with a blue tarp making sure to build up openings on either end to allow air flow. Our ram head and many more shed antlers were placed on top of the tarp to keep it pinned. Our beloved bear fence was constructed to keep all of it safe and with everything squared away we bid farewell. It was agonizingly painful to leave such precious treasure unattended but we had one more ram to find and we were hell bent on achieving the impossible a second time. With the burden of that chore done we were free'd up to go anywhere and do anything we could think up. Arriving back at camp with screaming hip flexors due to racing a rain storm we ate our dinner and found sleep quickly.
We woke reasonable early but thick fog and rain kept us pinned down. We finally got a window mid day so we packed camp and forded the river to make our ascent up drainage. A bit before 9pm we spotted 2 rams through the fog. We found a flat spot and set camp for the night. Leaving this area wasn't an option until we found these rams again and any friends they may have hiding back in the cracks and folds of their rock fortress.
As "light" pulled us from our slumber a layer of fog laid across the mountains like a white ribbon. We nicknamed this elevation "ram level". The fog was always right where the sheep wanted to be or maybe the sheep always wanted to be consealed in the fog, but either way it always hung at "ram level". As the fog rolled over the ridges like waves in the ocean 2 rams straight across the valley from us appeared. It was the two rams from the night before. Neither were legal. We glassed everything we could and then moved up valley a few miles to get a different look. Of course the fog came back with a vengeance and we spent the day hunkered under the tarp staring at nothing once again. Finally we called it and hiked back to the tent. That evening it got very cold and we retreated back to the security of our sleeping bags a bit before 9.
That night was COLD!!! A stiff northern wind, misting fog, and frozen tundra greated us as we awoke to zero visibility once again.
After hours of staring at nothing we decided to make a move to attempt and escape the fog. We moved down valley to our last bit of food we cached right as the rain began. We hurriedly set up camp and eventually gave up on going anywhere as the rain pounded away.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 08:50:25 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 08:51:23 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 08:52:18 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 08:56:32 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 08:58:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2022, 09:06:31 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on August 29, 2022, 09:14:37 PM
😁
Post by: jasnt on August 29, 2022, 09:26:39 PM
Post by: ganghis on August 29, 2022, 10:43:18 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 29, 2022, 11:38:52 PM
Post by: Onewhohikes on August 30, 2022, 05:26:22 AM
Post by: mp.hunter on August 30, 2022, 06:22:50 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: LDennis24 on August 30, 2022, 06:52:49 AM
Post by: dyhardhuntr on August 30, 2022, 07:12:23 AM
Post by: goosehunter12 on August 30, 2022, 07:13:32 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 30, 2022, 07:40:58 AM
Post by: mburrows on August 30, 2022, 08:12:13 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:21:27 AM
"This is no game for the weak-kneed and faint-hearted. Hunter success is not high, not because there aren’t enough sheep but because there aren’t enough people with the temperament to become sheep hunters."
—“The Bighorn,” March 1960
Day 10 greated us with blue skies! We packed camp and started our ascent up and over into the neighboring Valley. Six miles in Michael spotted a lone ram high up in the rocky cliffs at the top of a peak. We worked our way closer and closer. As close as we were going to get without being on slope with him, we still couldn't determine legality. Knowing he was a loner and looking like probably full curl we decided to make the stalk in on him to determine legality.
The stalk was intensely physical. 1,600ft of vertical in .6 miles over shale, boulders, and cliff bands. After hours of climbing we just couldn't get an angle on his little slice of heaven perched upon his rocky watch tower. My nerves were shot and I did not want to go any higher. With nothing to gain with more elevation, we dropped 100ft and scaled up and over a medium sized rock wall that was blocking our path. Once back out of sight we pushed forward. Another 200 yards put us up against another rock wall that made the south wall of his avalanche chute. As Michael slowly crested the top and immediately crouched back down with a look on his face I will never forget. On the other side at a mere 63 yards stood our ram. Head down and feeding he had no idea we were there. Michael eased his rifle over the top of the wall. Through his scope he could easily count 9 annuli. He whispered to me "he's 9, I'm gonna kill him. At 63 yards Michael squeezed the trigger on his rifle and put one well placed bullet 3" behind the crease of the big rams shoulder. With all the defiance of a true warrior king he stood his ground but his final moments passed quickly and with a wild thrash of his head he toppled over backwards crashing into a large boulder which luckily hung him up preventing a great fall.
My brother has wanted to hunt sheep since he was a little boy. Watching him reach down and touch the horn of HIS RAM brought me to tears. Here stood a man who I admire and love more than anyone on this earth, accomplishing what could possibly be his oldest lifelong goal was immensely moving. I choked back my emotions as to not ruin the excitement. We hugged, we high fived, we counted annuli 46 times just to be safe.
It was a nasty steep spot so we safely and methodically skinned and deboned his ram after many many pictures. With heavy packs we started our descent. Down down down we descended until we were safely on the valley floor. Before we set off after Michael's ram we had pitched our tent and offloaded extras so we had a 2 mile hike back to base. I was shot by the bottom of the hill but a quick stretch at the creek gave me enough life to make it back.
With camp already set I began caping out the head while Michael made dinner. Smiles never left our faces as we tended to our chores knowing we had just tagged out on dall sheep on the north slope of the Brooks Range on the worst year to be hunting sheep in Alaska! It was an intense but amazing day. One I will think back on until the day that I die.
Day 11, the day of the grind. We had 10.6 miles of muskeg to burn through with heavy packs to get back to the lake. We awoke reasonably early, ate, and packed camp, meat, and head. Walking the rock of the river bed was far more leisurely than high stepping through the life sucking muskeg so we attempted to stick to the rivers edge but it was short lived and we soon found ourselves slogging through the watery mess once again.
Six hours later we had made it to the lake to find everything as we left it. My rams meat was still good and the cape was in tact. I have never been so relieved in all my life. The unknown condition of my ram had kept both of us in a constant state of concern but we could now rest easy knowing all our prep work had paid off.
We set camp, unpacked Michael's ram and kicked back for a leisurely evening. We roasted backstrap over a sad fire made from twigs scavenged from the lake shore. Though labor intensive keeping the coal bed hot enough to cook it was a delicious meal and worth the effort. With fresh meat in our stomachs we called it a night.
The following day we ate, drank copious amounts of coffee, stared at our rams and fished a bit. The day prior we had messaged the air taxi to let them know we were back at the lake and ready for pickup whenever possible. They were positive an early pickup wasn't going to happen but around noon they messaged and said plane will be there by 1:30 so be ready! We packed everything up except our chairs and tarp and hauled it over to the beach.
We drank in the grand scale of this wild country one last time as the Cessna 185 floated to a stop in front of us. Loading gear, meat, and horns, we bid farewell to our wild home of two weeks. Thankful it allowed us to visit and take from her our bounty of meat and yellow horn. It was a terrifyingly rough flight home! The wind was furious and blew our little plane to and fro, up and down. For over an hour our pilot Brendan kept us pointed straight. Michael is a self admitted motion sickness sissy. He fought a hard battle but a mere 4 min from landing he lost that battle and filled a gallon ziploc with lunch. Our air taxi needs to replace their puke bags however as the many pinholes started to leak! Eventually we made it back to the float dock from which our journey started and we piled out of the plane like clowns from a car with Michael and his goody bag following up the rear as it geysered its contents out of its sides! I've never been so happy to be out of the sky!
Back in Bettles we paid our tab, grabbed 4 diet pepsi's and a bag of chips and headed back to the hangar to unscramble our world and get meat cut and in the freezer.
Making short work of our rams we were soon done with our chores. There was a group of 5 rafters from NY and Boston that were in the hangar at the beginning of our trip that were very interested in these two guys that could fit their entire world in two backpacks. Sure enough they got out of the bush the same day we did. We spent the next day and a half with them chatting adventures. They shared all about their trip backpacking and rafting in Mongolia and we explained and answered their questions in great detail about all things hunting. The following night I pan seared to medium rare a large piece of backstrap which we sliced thin and shared with everyone in the hangar (10 people counting us). It was gone in mere seconds as our non hunting friends tasted their first wild game. It was rewarding to unwind with some good company on our final days away from the "civilized" world and to help be stewards for our way of life.
Friday at 11 a.m. we hopped on our Wright Air flight and made it back to fairbanks where we got a taxi to Budget rentals, snagged a car and raced off to ADFG to get our rams checked. It was a fun process to watch. They aged them, took tissue samples, measurements, and finally plugging our horns signifying that both our rams were in fact legal. With a handshake and a congratulations from the biologists we bid them farewell.
With that done we found a big pepperoni and pineapple pizza and a hotel room with a hot shower and a bed. We hadn't slept in a bed in 14 nights and my God was it amazing!
Saturday morning we went to breakfast for Raindeer sausage and sourdough pancakes to honor our new tradition started on Kodiak during our first trip to hunt Alaska years ago. It was no Kings diner but it was plenty good enough for a couple of brothers who now call themselves sheep hunters....
"The mountain sheep keeps his horns as long as he lives, and on them he writes his autobiography. He records his age, his species, his good years and his bad, and his battles.”
—“The Stories Sheep Horns Tell,” February 1974
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:23:10 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:24:55 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:26:51 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:27:55 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:30:57 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:34:24 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:35:30 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:36:31 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:37:50 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:38:52 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:40:55 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:41:29 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:43:03 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:44:14 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:45:16 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:45:59 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 08:46:48 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 30, 2022, 08:51:35 AM
Post by: MountainWalk on August 30, 2022, 08:59:08 AM
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on August 30, 2022, 09:13:54 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on August 30, 2022, 09:17:08 AM
Congratulations to you both on an unreal hunt.
Post by: CJ1962 on August 30, 2022, 09:18:32 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 30, 2022, 09:23:12 AM
Post by: KNOPHISH on August 30, 2022, 09:48:45 AM
Post by: hard hunter on August 30, 2022, 09:50:12 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:13:04 AM
You would have bankrupted Vegas defying the odds you did. So impressed, pumped and excited for you. What are your taxidermy plans?probably just a pedestal shoulder mount. I'd really love to do a replica for the mount and a euro with the original horns. They are so amazing and I'd love to be able to allow people to pick them up and handle them whenever. Holding ram horns in your hands is pretty cool as you know.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:16:19 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 30, 2022, 10:17:53 AM
You guys killed it..
Thanks for taking us along for the ride .. :tup:
And you made miss Alaska...and oddly enough, Bettles... :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:18:12 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:18:58 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:19:42 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on August 30, 2022, 10:20:38 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:20:45 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:21:56 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:23:19 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:24:15 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:25:29 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 10:26:11 AM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 30, 2022, 10:38:44 AM
Post by: Dan-o on August 30, 2022, 10:58:36 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 30, 2022, 11:34:26 AM
Tell us more about that monster Caribou bull that wasn't meant to be. Did you guys have caribou tags but no time to hunt them?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 11:56:53 AM
Excellent Karl. What a great write up and adventure. That amount of time in the fog and rain is brutal. I spent about 5 hours in it over the weekend bear hunting, so I know exactly how you must have felt :chuckle:we were camped on my ram when he came through. The fog was at ram line but clear down below us into the valley. We saw him at about 800 yards but he proceeded to work his way into 330 yards. Could have killed him a hundred times over but for fear of bumping rams we let him walk.
Tell us more about that monster Caribou bull that wasn't meant to be. Did you guys have caribou tags but no time to hunt them?
Post by: Skillet on August 30, 2022, 12:13:45 PM
Post by: 2MANY on August 30, 2022, 12:50:24 PM
Time spent with Bro.............................Priceless!!!
Post by: elkrack on August 30, 2022, 12:57:25 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on August 30, 2022, 01:18:17 PM
Congrats. :tup:
Post by: Caseyd on August 30, 2022, 01:59:27 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on August 30, 2022, 03:02:38 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 30, 2022, 03:08:39 PM
Quote
I'd really love to do a replica for the mount and a euro with the original horns. They are so amazing and I'd love to be able to allow people to pick them up and handle them whenever.
I think some of us would like to contribute to make that happen. I'll throw in the first $100 :tup:
Post by: Sneaky Squirrel on August 30, 2022, 03:25:54 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 30, 2022, 03:28:15 PM
That's incredibly generous but I could never accept. Still need to talk to my taxi about options.QuoteI'd really love to do a replica for the mount and a euro with the original horns. They are so amazing and I'd love to be able to allow people to pick them up and handle them whenever.
I think some of us would like to contribute to make that happen. I'll throw in the first $100 :tup:
Post by: rainshadow1 on August 30, 2022, 04:06:37 PM
Really appreciate you taking the time to bring us along! Hope you can use us as a rough draft and get it into eastmans or something!
I’m going to link this to my sons. The days of grinding off vibrams are coming to an end for me I’m sure, but they’re just beginning for them! Hoping the Blanchard boys can inspire them to go for it!
Again, sincerely appreciate your time!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 30, 2022, 04:31:52 PM
Congrats to you two! :IBCOOL:
Post by: TVHunts on August 30, 2022, 04:37:44 PM
Congratulations!
Post by: johnbmyersii on August 30, 2022, 06:25:44 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 30, 2022, 06:35:58 PM
That part of your story really brought back some memories... :tup:
Post by: Jpmiller on August 30, 2022, 06:42:17 PM
Post by: shootem on August 30, 2022, 08:01:51 PM
Post by: whacker1 on August 30, 2022, 08:35:27 PM
Post by: actionshooter on August 30, 2022, 09:41:44 PM
Epic is one of the most over-used terms in hunting description and always makes me cringe.. I have seen it used for mid-west whitetail hunts, good prairie dog days and even fishing for crappie... all stupid
I have never said this before... but this trip was EPIC
Congratulations!
Post by: NOCK NOCK on August 31, 2022, 05:41:24 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 31, 2022, 06:44:30 AM
Congrats and thanks for sharing the adventure! Im with an earlier reply, Did ya take pics of the caribou shed rack/dryin rack you assembled?somehow neither of us took a picture of it :bash:
Basically just Chris crossed antlers to create air flow underneath the meat. It wasn't anything elaborate, just a stack of old white sheds.
Post by: LDennis24 on August 31, 2022, 07:31:14 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 31, 2022, 07:38:43 AM
It would have drove me nuts not to be able to pack some of those sheds back! :drool:it was wild man! There's literally hundreds of them everywhere. It became a running joke. "Holy smokes Michael I just glassed up a shed!"
Post by: LDennis24 on August 31, 2022, 07:54:12 AM
Post by: bearpaw on August 31, 2022, 09:15:28 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 31, 2022, 10:07:53 AM
Congrats on such an amazing "epic" adventure, write up, and photos, very well done! :tup: :tup: :tup:thank you Dale and thank you to everyone who followed along and offered such kind words.
Post by: workstohunt on August 31, 2022, 02:01:08 PM
Post by: Caseyd on August 31, 2022, 02:44:11 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 31, 2022, 03:18:30 PM
Can we all fund a videographer for the next trip :chuckle:Search “12 year old doing stupid stuff” on youtube and it will show you the same thing as 90% of the hunt.
Post by: Caseyd on August 31, 2022, 03:31:53 PM
Can we all fund a videographer for the next trip :chuckle:Search “12 year old doing stupid stuff” on youtube and it will show you the same thing as 90% of the hunt.
:chuckle:
Post by: 2MANY on August 31, 2022, 03:35:20 PM
Can we all fund a videographer for the next trip :chuckle:Search “12 year old doing stupid stuff” on youtube and it will show you the same thing as 90% of the hunt.
:chuckle:
At least now we know how the clothes got wet in the tent.
Post by: b0bbyg on August 31, 2022, 03:49:11 PM
Everything was awesome except one thing, pineapple on pizza ... what kind of knuckle dragging heathens are you? :chuckle:
Post by: Ironhead on August 31, 2022, 04:02:49 PM
Post by: TommyH on August 31, 2022, 04:04:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 31, 2022, 06:27:34 PM
What an awesome adventure, and the write up was well done. I enjoyed everything from afar and think a few joints started hurting just reading your story.oh you mean the lords topping!!! Pepperoni and pineapple are a match made in heaven sir! How dare you!
Everything was awesome except one thing, pineapple on pizza ... what kind of knuckle dragging heathens are you? :chuckle:
But seriously...pineapple on pizza could quite possibly be the most polarizing topic in modern history. You either love it or you hate it :chuckle:
Post by: Dan-o on August 31, 2022, 06:34:19 PM
What an awesome adventure, and the write up was well done. I enjoyed everything from afar and think a few joints started hurting just reading your story.oh you mean the lords topping!!! Pepperoni and pineapple are a match made in heaven sir! How dare you!
Everything was awesome except one thing, pineapple on pizza ... what kind of knuckle dragging heathens are you? :chuckle:
But seriously...pineapple on pizza could quite possibly be the most polarizing topic in modern history. You either love it or you hate it :chuckle:
Only commies hate pineapple on pizza.
And I hope at some point that you'll let me hold those ram horns.
It's as close as I will ever get again.
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 31, 2022, 06:37:05 PM
What an awesome adventure, and the write up was well done. I enjoyed everything from afar and think a few joints started hurting just reading your story.oh you mean the lords topping!!! Pepperoni and pineapple are a match made in heaven sir! How dare you!
Everything was awesome except one thing, pineapple on pizza ... what kind of knuckle dragging heathens are you? :chuckle:
But seriously...pineapple on pizza could quite possibly be the most polarizing topic in modern history. You either love it or you hate it :chuckle:
Right up there with coke or Pepsi... :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 31, 2022, 07:36:57 PM
Ha!!!! Not even debatable!What an awesome adventure, and the write up was well done. I enjoyed everything from afar and think a few joints started hurting just reading your story.oh you mean the lords topping!!! Pepperoni and pineapple are a match made in heaven sir! How dare you!
Everything was awesome except one thing, pineapple on pizza ... what kind of knuckle dragging heathens are you? :chuckle:
But seriously...pineapple on pizza could quite possibly be the most polarizing topic in modern history. You either love it or you hate it :chuckle:
Right up there with coke or Pepsi... :chuckle:
Post by: 7mmfan on August 31, 2022, 07:41:21 PM
Ha!!!! Not even debatable!What an awesome adventure, and the write up was well done. I enjoyed everything from afar and think a few joints started hurting just reading your story.oh you mean the lords topping!!! Pepperoni and pineapple are a match made in heaven sir! How dare you!
Everything was awesome except one thing, pineapple on pizza ... what kind of knuckle dragging heathens are you? :chuckle:
But seriously...pineapple on pizza could quite possibly be the most polarizing topic in modern history. You either love it or you hate it :chuckle:
Right up there with coke or Pepsi... :chuckle:
I for one love pineapple on pizza. Have since I was a little kid. Can't beat a good Hawaiian.
But I'm a coke guy through and through. Pepsi... yuck.
Post by: sjhgraysage on August 31, 2022, 07:41:29 PM
Congrats x 2!
My son that you met won't do pineapple on pizza, his mother I and love it. 😉😁
Post by: boneaddict on September 05, 2022, 02:40:35 PM
Post by: Falcon on September 05, 2022, 04:34:22 PM
Making your dream come true was well earned. Thanks for taking us along for the ride :tup:
Post by: dewandgin on September 05, 2022, 06:15:29 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 05, 2022, 07:25:59 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 06, 2022, 07:47:25 AM
Was the amount of work, discomfort, and pain during the hunt more, less, or about what you expected it? I always feel like I have a grasp of what a given hunt will take from me physically and mentally and always underestimate it in hindsight. Wondering how this one worked out for you now that you're a little removed from the hunt?man great question! So going into this hunt I obviously did a lot of reading and research. Seemed like everyone liked to sensationalize the difficulty of sheep hunting the north country. If you didn't have a 5lb rifle and a 36lb pack you'd actually die. My theory has always been steep is steep. Miles are miles. Whether that's Alaska or New Mexico. A 15 mile day ridge running for rams can't be all that different than a 15 mile day chasing bugles in Idaho right?! Well I think I was 50% right :chuckle:
The big things you can't escape from a physical standpoint was the Muskeg. I imagined we were gonna be mostly on rocky ground. The amount of life sucking miles we spent slopping through the skag was horrible. If I ever go again my pack workouts leading up to the hunt will involve ankle weights as I'm not sure how else to prepare for that crap.
Wetness. I expected I was gonna get wet but it's more of a constant than I had imagined. Even on the sunny days it's gonna rain on you at least once or twice.
Although I was correct in that steep is steep, the instability of the rocky slopes taxes you mentally a lot more than hiking through forest. You're a lot more tense traversing that stuff as well which fatigues muscles more quickly.
Other than those few things it was about what I expected. Unsurprisingly all the gear and weights that have accompanied me on uncountable hunts still worked just fine. My 9.5lb rifle didn't somehow magically hinder me just because I was sheep hunting. Michael and I not sharing a super compact micro spotting scope didn't prevent us from crossing over steep terrain or making serious ascent and descents. If anything, next hunt I'll for sure bring a bigger spotter. Fit is fit and if you've done the work to develope the muscle and stamina nothing is gonna stand in your way. It was for sure some of the most physical hunting I've ever done however and I'd definitely urge anyone that's going sheep hunting to really pick apart their gear, cut weight where they can and start working out yesterday because you're probably gonna get your ars kicked....especially on the 10 miler back to your pickup spot through muskeg with a 100lb pack :chuckle:
Post by: Rainier10 on September 06, 2022, 07:54:44 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 06, 2022, 10:33:24 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 06, 2022, 10:36:24 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 06, 2022, 11:14:40 AM
So I always wondered if on these sheep hunts you find dead sheep heads anywhere or old horn pieces. Did you ever see anything besides Caribou sheds?we sure did! We were in the danger zone on Michael's ram and found an entire skeleton of a pretty nice ram on a small grassy shelf in the middle of some cliffs. We were in full stalk mode so didn't go down to it for inspection however. Now I'm wishing we had as I'd love to know age and true size but at the time it would not have been a smart move and honestly where it was it wouldn't have been a save move to inspect even if we weren't stalking a ram.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2022, 12:27:12 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on September 08, 2022, 12:30:06 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on September 08, 2022, 12:40:50 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2022, 12:59:01 PM
That's interesting, maybe you just found a honey hole???apparently we did :chuckle: I'd bet money that 2 of the rams we saw will be legal next year too!
Wow, hunt of a lifetime for sure! Did you guys do any fishing at the lake?we made a sad attempt at it. I brought a setup that was just perfect for grayling.....not so great for 30lb spawning lake trout :bdid: :chuckle:
Post by: HikerHunter on September 08, 2022, 01:43:39 PM
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 08, 2022, 01:55:37 PM
Was doing some post hunt research and found some fun facts....in the last decade there has only been 8 rams killed in our unit. 2 were our rams and 4 were shot in 2012. So from 2013-2021 only 2 rams were killed by general season hunters (resident/non-resident). I'm thinking we got pretty dang lucky :chuckle:
Absolutely unreal!
Post by: Jpmiller on September 08, 2022, 06:32:14 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2022, 09:05:32 PM
So you heading back in next year for those other rams then? How long is your brother going to be an AK resident?haha I wish! I have a 4 year waiting period so no sheep till 2027 for me. He has at least 8 more years of residency. They are talking about Anchorage as a forever home after the Army so maybe indefinitely :chuckle:
Post by: Jpmiller on September 08, 2022, 09:20:13 PM
So you heading back in next year for those other rams then? How long is your brother going to be an AK resident?haha I wish! I have a 4 year waiting period so no sheep till 2027 for me. He has at least 8 more years of residency. They are talking about Anchorage as a forever home after the Army so maybe indefinitely :chuckle:
I keep trying to convince my brother to move to Alaska but he always seems so offended by it :chuckle:
What's next then? Grizz?
Post by: LDennis24 on September 08, 2022, 09:27:34 PM
Post by: Onewhohikes on September 09, 2022, 05:33:38 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 09, 2022, 07:19:42 AM
I mean.. willing to take the time and effort to adopt me is above and beyond anything I could of ever imagined.....
8)
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 09, 2022, 07:39:49 AM
I just think it's so awesome...you guys are amazing.:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
I mean.. willing to take the time and effort to adopt me is above and beyond anything I could of ever imagined.....
8)
My other dream hunt is musk ox... Maybe you can find a way to hunt those! I don't know if non residents can draw for that or not. You better tell your brother to get on that one!musk ox is an impossible draw. We apply every year but the odds are less than dismal.
griz is high high on the list. As per usual though it's just very difficult to plan anything as any hunt has to fall timing wise into his block leave. As anyone in the Army can attest, the Army doesn't take hunting season into consideration when scheduling leave. It's always around the dumb stuff like Christmas and Thanksgiving :chuckle:.So you heading back in next year for those other rams then? How long is your brother going to be an AK resident?haha I wish! I have a 4 year waiting period so no sheep till 2027 for me. He has at least 8 more years of residency. They are talking about Anchorage as a forever home after the Army so maybe indefinitely :chuckle:
I keep trying to convince my brother to move to Alaska but he always seems so offended by it :chuckle:
What's next then? Grizz?
Depending on leave timing the hit list consists of
Aug Caribou/griz
May griz
Oct/Nov kodiak blacktail and mtn goat though this time we wanna do a boat based hunt with my uncle on his 70ft seiner. He's an old school Alaska *censored* who has been there and done that and then went back for more kind of guy. We'll drag JonathanS and Bullblaster along for that one.
Feb/March We'll go for mtn goats again.
And of course anytime after Aug 1, 2027 it's all about the rams!!!
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on September 11, 2022, 10:16:19 AM
Post by: Houndhunter on September 12, 2022, 04:48:31 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 13, 2022, 07:23:37 AM
Post by: kellama2001 on September 13, 2022, 10:01:04 AM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on September 16, 2022, 12:46:29 PM
Post by: dvolmer on September 17, 2022, 10:22:10 PM
Post by: Alchase on September 18, 2022, 12:12:58 AM
Thanks guys! Really appreciate the kind words.
What an amazing trip!
Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 19, 2022, 09:41:04 PM
Great write up, I am glad I can afford to go on an outfitted hunt, but no outfitted hunt will ever compare to the trip you had, I am beyond jealous, so freaking awesome, especially this year. No amount of money can buy what you experienced, super happy for you guys. I just can't like this enough!!! Congrats to both you and your brother Karl. I hope my trip next year can even provide half of what you experienced, time to start training, August will be here in no-time!Hey man, guided or unguided, rams don't come easy. At the end of the day you'll have to climb the same mountains, walk the same scag, and carry the same packs as we did. It will be every bit the spectacular adventure that we had! Start walking uphill with weight in a pack like right now :chuckle:
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on September 20, 2022, 08:32:41 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 21, 2022, 06:33:19 AM
Have a 1,000 vertical climb behind the house we do 4-5 times a week, going to add 40lbs starting next week and go up from there if needed. Any other suggestions!oh man I'm jealous of your hill! You'll be good to go. Really nothing else to add if you're already getting hills in. Not sure where you're going exactly but if I had to go back to the spot we were at I'd try and figure out how to train for the muskeg hiking. Maybe wearing ankle weights on all my training hikes :chuckle: My hip flexors just got destroyed on this hunt. Definitely go through your "kit" with a fine tooth comb to try and trim as much weight as you can. I'm assuming your guide will likely carry a lot of stuff and tell you not to carry a lot of things?
Post by: trophyhunt on September 21, 2022, 07:17:39 AM
Post by: frazierw on September 21, 2022, 08:55:08 AM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on September 21, 2022, 06:32:38 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on September 23, 2022, 12:58:23 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 24, 2022, 06:19:53 AM
What a great story. Both the writing and pictures and the actual story that you lived with Michael. There will be few other hunts that will compare equally with that adventure. From the gear winnowing, stadium stairs, to sloggy muskeg, scree, rain, and fog, you two prepared and endured for success. Though surprised by the few number of rams taken there in the past years, I'm not surprised that two of them are yours. Your success against such dismal odds is testament to who you are as hunters and athletes. You were rewarded for your efforts and persistence and that's the best type of reward. Few people and few hunters grind so hard they can't lose. You two don't appear to be lacking on the grind and your success to failure ratio proves it. I'm happy for your success and happier for the man it makes you.Wow! Man I really appreciate all that Shawn. You are spot on about the grinding part being dialed. I'm beyond sub par in the fitness department or the skills department but I definitely have the "embracing the suck" part licked :chuckle: I just keep my head down and hold onto the back of Michael like an old pack mule.
Post by: ridgefire on September 25, 2022, 04:21:11 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 25, 2022, 04:36:33 PM
Huge congrats and thanks for sharing your adventure. Do you mind sharing how you were drying your boots and socks out or were they constantly wet?Neither of us ever had leaky boot issues. Some sweat but tossed insoles into the sleeping bag whenever we were in them.
Post by: ridgefire on September 25, 2022, 04:46:38 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 25, 2022, 05:04:52 PM
Maybe I missed it but are those Hanwag Alaska GTX boots in your picture?yes sir. I've got well over a half can of snow seal baked into them. Michael had Lowa Tibets.
Post by: Caseknife on October 17, 2022, 08:34:52 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 23, 2022, 10:33:41 PM
Karl, that was an awesome hunt and write-up. Have to live vicariously through your hunts, probably never get to do a hunt like that, way to go. Just caught up on this thread.Thank you sir. I appreciate you taking the time to read it all.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 26, 2022, 08:31:39 AM
Post by: b23 on October 27, 2022, 11:06:14 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 28, 2022, 04:57:43 PM
Very cool and was a pleasure to read. :tup:thank you sir :hello:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2023, 11:41:43 AM
Post by: Dan-o on July 13, 2023, 12:31:05 PM
Post by: mburrows on July 13, 2023, 01:12:25 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 13, 2023, 01:14:46 PM
.
Post by: idaho guy on July 13, 2023, 07:34:11 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on July 13, 2023, 07:38:09 PM
Looks good....
Hopefully he paints that wall :o :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2023, 08:03:07 PM
:tup::chuckle: base housing. They weren't able to find anything worth buying this time and aren't thrilled about it.
Looks good....
Hopefully he paints that wall :o :chuckle:
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 13, 2023, 08:11:14 PM
With a pending move to Georgia, Michael's taxi double timed his ram. Keys for the Georgia house were barely in hand and Michael was hanging him on the wall 😍😍😍 Impatiently waiting for mine to be done.what a beautiful animal and a great mount! Did you guys take them to the same taxi?
Post by: fishngamereaper on July 13, 2023, 08:11:49 PM
:tup::chuckle: base housing. They weren't able to find anything worth buying this time and aren't thrilled about it.
Looks good....
Hopefully he paints that wall :o :chuckle:
:yike:
Hopefully it's short term...I mean Georgia..
:chuckle:
I'm sure your jonsin for yours....I can only dream.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 13, 2023, 08:34:08 PM
we did not. Mines close though. Sent my horns back beginning of may, and a few weeks ago I had to pick out the backing color so I suspect it'll be done here by the end of summer. I miss him :chuckle:With a pending move to Georgia, Michael's taxi double timed his ram. Keys for the Georgia house were barely in hand and Michael was hanging him on the wall 😍😍😍 Impatiently waiting for mine to be done.what a beautiful animal and a great mount! Did you guys take them to the same taxi?
Post by: Falcon on July 14, 2023, 02:22:50 PM
It will be a spectacular mount for sure :drool: Can’t wait to see it.
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 14, 2023, 05:46:49 PM
good deal. Looking forward to seeing him all finished up.we did not. Mines close though. Sent my horns back beginning of may, and a few weeks ago I had to pick out the backing color so I suspect it'll be done here by the end of summer. I miss him :chuckle:With a pending move to Georgia, Michael's taxi double timed his ram. Keys for the Georgia house were barely in hand and Michael was hanging him on the wall 😍😍😍 Impatiently waiting for mine to be done.what a beautiful animal and a great mount! Did you guys take them to the same taxi?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 02, 2023, 10:58:06 AM
Post by: hunterednate on August 02, 2023, 11:51:09 AM
Well I got my latest issue of WSF magazine and to my surprise on page 48 there was a somewhat familiar story. My brother submitted the final draft of my write up. Of course it reminded me why I don't submit hunt stories as they chopped a lot and even added some stuff as well as a bit of photo shopping/trimming of pics. Apparently there can't be a single speck of blood in a hunting magazine :chuckle:🤦♂️
Congrats Karl! That is awesome. Wayne Van Zwoll, Col. Craig Boddington....your byline is in some lofty company there. Glad the story is getting out to a wider audience.
Post by: Elkpiss on August 02, 2023, 02:37:22 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 02, 2023, 07:16:14 PM
I read this a 2nd time, this is probably one of the best Ram stories, i am no ram guy but dam Karl what a hunt.. Loved it just as much the 2nd read.. You and your bro are legitvery kind of you to say. I want to go back to AK so bad it's actually physically painful :chuckle:
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 02, 2023, 09:00:41 PM
I read this a 2nd time, this is probably one of the best Ram stories, i am no ram guy but dam Karl what a hunt.. Loved it just as much the 2nd read.. You and your bro are legitvery kind of you to say. I want to go back to AK so bad it's actually physically painful :chuckle:
Heck I feel like that after I fish up there, can’t imagine the hole a trip like that burns in ya
Post by: Benny on August 02, 2023, 09:12:43 PM
Congrats on the story. Always cool when words can live on.