Back injury pack

[Vanishe187]

So i hurt my back several years ago..i have since lost lots of weight and started working out a lot. I was wanting to try pack hunting, but unsure if its something i could even accomplish now. I am wondering if anyone here has a lower back injury and pack hunts..My questions are what pack do you recommend. I dont plan on doing any week long trips. .mostly will do 1 to 2 nights during mule deer hunts. Any info would help on what and how you do it with the limits of an injured back.

 

[RockChucker30]

That's a tough one. Have you spoken with a doctor? You're really getting into questions that only you can answer for yourself....risk of re-injury vs. how bad you want to do it.

What about renting llamas or stock, or paying an outfitter to do a drop camp hunt where he handles the packout with horses?

 

[Vanishe187]

Well im healthier than what i was supposed to ever be. My doctor said i could lift heavier things just gotta know what my body tells me...i see the packs move weight more to your hips which makes me think i might be able to. As far as outfitters or guides i dont like being told where to go i am an on my own person. Animals would be great nowhere to house them and dont know anyone that rents around here.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

I don’t think you should be looking at a specific brand of pack, but rather a quality pack that is properly fitted to your body. Essential features are going to be a good hip belt that contacts your hips in the right position, and load lifters on the shoulder straps. That will transfer the majority of the weight onto your hips and avoid stressing your lower back. If you haven’t fit many packs yourself, it is worth going to a reputable store/dealer to have them help you.

Probably as important as the pack is strengthening your core muscles. Many people end up with back problems in the first place due to a weak core. You can Google “core strengthening exercises” or ask your doctor or a physical therapy for recommendations.

Good luck and congratulations on getting out there. As long as you don’t overdo it, you will probably feel better with regular exercise.

 

[Goatshoes]

Vanishe187,

I have had a lower back injury that required surgery and I do back pack hunt and pack out my animals on my back. I can't agree more with Rockchucker. You need to talk to your doctor about it, but understand that most people (smart doctors included) don't have a clue as to what goes into what we do. So you need to be your own best advocate and not just ask for his or her opinion but understand the nature of the injury, the correction (if there was one) and what best you can do to move forward or perhaps not move forward with your hiking plans.

Because each person and injury and or surgery is unique I don't like to make any recommendations on how to proceed other than to say if you do proceed with back packing start slowly with the weight and heed what you body tells you.

Good luck.

 

[fwagner]

So i hurt my back several years ago..i have since lost lots of weight and started working out a lot. I was wanting to try pack hunting, but unsure if its something i could even accomplish now. I am wondering if anyone here has a lower back injury and pack hunts..My questions are what pack do you recommend. I dont plan on doing any week long trips. .mostly will do 1 to 2 nights during mule deer hunts. Any info would help on what and how you do it with the limits of an injured back.

Im 37 years old and have two herniated discs and backpack hunt every year for the last 10 years. The pack you choose should fit you but there is no such thing as a "pack for back injuries". Hopefully you have spent your time working on core stability and most of you exercises need to revolve around those things so that when you do have a loaded pack on you have the proper core education to support the weight. Again, get in front of a person who can fit your pack to you and show you how to load it properly because that will help. But if you can't perform a front plank, side plank, bird dog, or if you don't know what those are that should be your focus....not the pack. Since my injury I work out 5-6 days a week and begin everyday with core strengthening exercises. Hope that helps!!

 

[Vanishe187]

Yeah i do lots of core actually strongest my core has ever been and i use to fight. But i was just wondering on one that people seem to notice is better for them vs say another brand. Have been looking at kuiu exo and mystery ranch. Thanks for the tips though i havent ever packed so i will definitely go to help get it adjusted correctly. Basically looking for tips to help reduce unnecessary stress, or if you have noticed a design or feature of a brand that helps.

 

[Goatshoes]

I use the Kuiu pack. But just about any pack with a waist belt will give you a traction effect. You may actually feel better with the pack on.

 

[Vanishe187]

Hey goatshoes what size is your kuiu? I am looking around the 3000 size packs. Want to hold about a couple days worth. Not planning anything more.

 

[Goatshoes]

I don't know off the top of my head but I think that it is the 3000. It holds all we need it to and we even stuffed a gutted but un-quartered antelope inside several times. I'll confirm size for you this afternoon.

 

[Vanishe187]

Hey thanks yeah that size range seems to be a great all around size

 

[rideold]

Go talk to a Physical Therapist. Internal medicine docs deal with the insides. A PT deals with the muscles and bones and how we move.

 

[Bambistew]

I have a L3 dual parts defect with spondylolysis... basically 2 of the little bone lobes on the side of a vertebra which the muscles/tendons connect are broken off.

I'm at about a 3 of 5 for pinching my spinal cord. It has never bothered me backpacking, including stupid weight.

 

[Vanishe187]

What pack do you use bambistew

 

[Bambistew]

What pack do you use bambistew

Used a bunch of different ones. Mystery Ranch, a couple Kifaru frames, a Barneys and some other old junkers.

Strangely it doesn't bother me at all. I can certainly tweak it by bending over and picking a little weight, but backpacking is fine.

 

[Goatshoes]

Hey goatshoes what size is your kuiu? I am looking around the 3000 size packs. Want to hold about a couple days worth. Not planning anything more.

I don't know off the top of my head but I think that it is the 3000. It holds all we need it to and we even stuffed a gutted but un-quartered antelope inside several times. I'll confirm size for you this afternoon.

Its the ultra 6000

 

[Goatshoes]

Used a bunch of different ones. Mystery Ranch, a couple Kifaru frames, a Barneys and some other old junkers.

Strangely it doesn't bother me at all. I can certainly tweak it by bending over and picking a little weight, but backpacking is fine.

What he said.

I think this is because the weight on your hips actually stretches the spine as if in traction. Its not the pack so much as how much weight and how you move. But seriously talk to a Physical Therapist as suggested by rideold or a GOOD chiropractor.

 

[Vanishe187]

Yeah i did therapy with a spine specialist. Im doing well i lift weights and i know what to do and not to to hurt myself. Only reason i want to get into it is because i feel i could do it. I figure if i can drag a mule deer 3/4 mile a pack would probably be easier on me. I will probably pick on up december sometime and start training with it.

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

The Sherpa gives good advice.
HD

 

[nwihunter]

Trekking poles aren’t a bad idea if your packing out an animal. I just got back from a trip where we packed out an elk. I only used them when packing the meat out. I can definitely say they saved me more than once on that pack out. It’s prety easy to get thrown off balance with extra weight on your back and tweak something