Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 28, 2023, 01:59:04 PM
These aren't necessarily in order, but this is my top 8 things you have to have for any backcountry hunt that is at least 5 days in duration.
1. Quality, rainproof tent - Especially in Alaska, it rains often and rains hard.
2. Quality Sleeping Bag.
3. Quality Boots - Especially in Alaska as those rocks really beat your feet up.
4. Quality Rain Gear - This again would be important on any Mountain Hunt, but especially in Alaska.
5. Sleeping Pad & Pillow - This is probably more of personal preference, and can depend on terrain, in the Alaskan rocks, you have to have this.
6. Lightweight Trekking Poles - Conserves energy, helps with balance and makes really tough hikes a bit easier.
7. Quality Pack - This will hold all your gear on the way in, and hopefully your gear and an animal on the way out.
8. Satellite Device - Could save your life in a pinch, things happen, don't cut corners on this.
There is a list of at least 8 more nice to haves that you may want depending on overall duration of hunt, type of terrain, animal being hunted, climate, etc...These items include things like
Crocs to give your feet a brake, water filter (could be mandatory in some areas), spotting scope, etc...
I am by no means an expert, and certainly people could add to or argue this list, just looking to get some information out there for first time adventurers.
Post by: Buckhunter24 on August 28, 2023, 02:14:42 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 28, 2023, 02:25:13 PM
I'd add waterproof matches and tinder to the list, a bic is good tooGood addition, fires weren't even an option in the Alaskan Mountains as there was no wood, but in most Western States this is absolutely in that must have. I carried this but never used it, so forgot, thanks for adding.
Post by: 2MANY on August 28, 2023, 02:35:07 PM
It just might save your life.
If nothing else you could put it over your hunting partners mouth when he is snoring.
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 28, 2023, 02:38:11 PM
Post by: mburrows on August 28, 2023, 03:50:05 PM
A good water filtration set up as well, redundancy here is a good idea incase something happens to your primary and can be accomplished with some tablets or drops.
Love me some tenacious tape for gear repair in a pinch too.
Post by: GOcougsHunter on August 28, 2023, 04:05:00 PM
Repair kit for whatever weapon you are using. You don't want a small mechanical breakdown of your gear force you to abandon the hunt.
Post by: highcountry_hunter on August 28, 2023, 05:11:55 PM
Keep 1/2 dozen film canisters full of cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, excellent fire starter
Multiple backup lighters and remember, they won’t work if they’re cold. I always keep 2 in my pockets
You can find ultralight first aid kits on Amazon and small packs of biodegradable wet wipes
Jet boil type cook stove and be familiar with using it
I keep a mini leatherman type multi tool on me
Backup headlamp
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Bushcraft on August 28, 2023, 10:41:20 PM
Hammer - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are larger and it's easier if you smash them and make them smaller (and then file off the sharp edges).
Magical waterproof material to make water less wet - Especially in Alaska because rain is wetter there than anywhere else.
Just kidding man. Couldn't resist. Plenty of place in the lower 48 and Canada that will shorten the lifespan of your equipment and drown your hopes and dreams.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 29, 2023, 05:09:18 AM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 29, 2023, 10:23:42 AM
File - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are sharper there. Fewer sharp edges will make your clothing and gear last longer.
Hammer - Especially in Alaska because the rocks are larger and it's easier if you smash them and make them smaller (and then file off the sharp edges).
Magical waterproof material to make water less wet - Especially in Alaska because rain is wetter there than anywhere else.
Just kidding man. Couldn't resist. Plenty of place in the lower 48 and Canada that will shorten the lifespan of your equipment and drown your hopes and dreams.
That is pretty funny, but certain things are more extreme in Alaska, and you know that!
Post by: Colville on August 29, 2023, 11:01:58 AM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 29, 2023, 11:03:59 AM
https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 29, 2023, 11:16:11 AM
Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide. I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.That first picture gives me anxiety bad! :chuckle: Good lesson on why you don't keep your inreach in your pack, but somewhere that you can actually reach it.
https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 29, 2023, 11:17:34 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 29, 2023, 11:29:06 AM
Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide. I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.
https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/
:yike: my palms are sweaty just looking at that picture
Post by: Rob on August 29, 2023, 11:51:35 AM
I use the "10 essentials" to determine what to bring on a given trip. This particular version of the 10 essentials is a "systems" approach, not a 10 item check list.
Navigation
Paper Map and Compass, GPS, etc
Illumination
Sufficient lighting for navigating at night (headlamp, possible spare)
Sun protection
Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, Buff
First aid
Containing things you think are important in back country (+ bug repellant?)
Repair Kit
Things you need to fix your gear. E.g. extra shoelaces, spare batteries, knifes, wire, patch for your air mattress, etc.
Fire
2-3 ways to start a fire. Stove if you need one.
Shelter
Can be as complicated as a tent, or as simple as a tarp. I also think about sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc in this category
Extra food
Food to stay an extra 24 hours beyond expected trip/day trip
Hydration
Water, a way to carry it, and a way to make more
Insulation
Extra layers to deal with rain, cold, or an emergency overnight
I add an 11th essential which would be communication. This is where your PLB/Locator device like an in-reach goes, as well as 2 way radios (if used), a cell phone (if used).
By doing a quick review of this list, I am assured that all bases are covered. A day hike would see a much smaller set of gear in my pack when compared to an overnight where I might have 20lbs of basic gear. But each of the 10 (11 actually) essentials are reviewed and addressed.
The key is, how do you cover the list without carrying 100 lbs of gear on a day hike! Mastering this takes experience...
Post by: 2MANY on August 29, 2023, 12:15:25 PM
Right where i was at, pretty wild, clearly residents as there was no guide. I had asked a couple times about taking a shorter route, and was told, those cliffs are gnarly, you can get in a bad spot.That first picture gives me anxiety bad! :chuckle: Good lesson on why you don't keep your inreach in your pack, but somewhere that you can actually reach it.
https://alaskapublic.org/2023/08/17/we-were-all-amazed-air-guardsmen-save-2-hunters-in-precarious-cliff-rescue-near-tonsina/
Tuck and roll.