How far and how much weight for packing in.

[tom338]

Planning on a out west hunt, DIY and packing in. Am I being realistic packing in 5-6 miles with 45-50 lbs in my pack? I'm not terribly out of shape and do walk in a ski hill area to stay in shape with a pack on. I always tend to over pack though. If you pack in what do you take for cloths? Planning on a 5-6 day hunt back in. My list:
1 pr pants, 1 set rain gear, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sawyer mini filter, spotting scope,tripod, bino's, GPS, small digital camera, buck knife, Havalon knife, game bags, 3 pr socks, 6 pr underwear, 1 merino zip up, 1 prima loft jacket (very light), a couple merino wool shirts for layering, small cook stove, Mt house meals 12, protein bars 12, Head lamp, rangefinder, extra batteries for everything, small compass.
What am I taking to much of and not enough of?? From intel there will be water readily available. Would you pack extra boots? Will pitch camp that far in and then hunt from there. Will be deer hunting, not elk this year. Should have put in backpack forum

 

[Bambistew]

There are a bunch of threads on this subject. Ypu can read for hours...

The only extra clothing I take is socks and underwear. Depending on time of the year maybe thermals. 45lbs with all gear including a spotter and a rifle is going to be an expensive shopping list. . If you have a partner split gear and save weight. My packs generally range in the 40-55lb range depending on what we're hunting, distances and temps.

 

[tom338]

I already own all the gear, have always gone outfitted, don't care to do that anymore.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

Ditch all the clothing except for socks, rain gear and a jacket.

 

[RkyMtnELK]

Where do you live now and where will you hunt and at what elevation will you be hunting ? Will you set up a base camp and go from there ?

 

[Nunyacreek]

Agree, ditch the clothing. Weight is almost always in inverse relation to comfort. When you look at whaT guys did 100 years ago you CAN get by with a lot less. However, it's pretty hard to sit and glass for hours in utter shivering discomfort. You need a weapon, a knife, and a tag. Beyond that it's all negotiable. However some degree of tolerance of discomfort is learned. I wear poly long underwear and would never bring briefs or extra shirts, just a base layer, a primaLoft coat and a shell, But I carry 2 headlamps and a bookWhich Is not very ultralight So it's just personal I guess.

 

[Josh Kuntz]

Only 2 pair of socks, 2 shirts, 2 pair of underwear as a maximum. Some guys rotate them each day, others wear the first item until it is too funky and then switch to the 2nd. You don't need backup batteries for everything. I try to get all my gear to use the same size batteries, then I just take one extra set of lithium ion AAA's. Ditch the buck knife, unless it has special meaning to you. A Havalon can get the job done, especially using the gutless method. You do NOT need to bring an extra pair of boots. Some guys do bring crocs or even light flip flops to wear at camp. They are more comfortable and let you dry out your boots faster because you take them off right when you get back to camp. Speaking of boots, I suggest testing your feet in various conditions to see how minimal a boot/shoe you actually need. This is different for everybody. Some folks need/want heavy and stiff boots and others can get away with light sneakers. A brimmed hat is a necessity in my book. Most guys also bring a beanie of some type. I personally don't take a beanie because I have a jacket with a hood. Personal preference.

As someone else said, it is tough to say if you are capable of going 5-6 miles in because we don't know specifically what your body is trained to do or what type of terrain you will be hunting. I will say that if you are more than 25lbs overweight and you don't regularly hike mountainous areas with a loaded pack, you will likely struggle. It is certainly not a requirement to be super-fit, but it will help you immensely.

I personally like to have a very light pair of gloves also. Thin merino gloves are nice but I often just use a cheapo grocery store stretch glove. I might also suggest you take some powdered electrolyte drink mix to keep you fueled. And if you are a daily coffee drinker at home, bring some coffee packets. Your hunting trip is NOT the time to go cold turkey from caffeine.

Many guys bring a sleep aid such as Tylenol or Advil PM or even melatonin. Very little weight penalty to help you get good rest.

I could write for hours on this, it is one of my favorite subjects, but I will leave you with arguably the best advice I can give. Go on as many pre-hunt backpacking trips as possible using your hunting gear. You will find out what gear you want to bring and what you want to leave home.

You can also check YouTube for many videos on this subject. To see a very minimalist approach from a guy who has many years experience, check out "What's in my Pack by Steve Speck".

Good luck with everything.

 

[tom338]

I live in Minnesota. I do walk in the ski hills by home with my pack on, and I will be adding extra weight this year to prepare for this hunt.. Usually do 5 miles in there for training. We will be walking in that far and then setting up camp. Hunting from there, may move camp if deemed necessary. I always tend to overpack, big problem for me. Just want you ideas on what you do.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

I live in Minnesota. I do walk in the ski hills by home with my pack on, and I will be adding extra weight this year to prepare for this hunt.. Usually do 5 miles in there for training. We will be walking in that far and then setting up camp. Hunting from there, may move camp if deemed necessary. I always tend to overpack, big problem for me. Just want you ideas on what you do.

If you're setting up a camp, then by all means take some extras. I understood as you'll be living out of your pack, no camp.

Now start doing all your training while breathing through a straw. Cause thats how its going to feel for you at 8-9k. There is really nothing you can do at low elevation to be prepared for the mountain. Obviously, training like you have been is way way better than nothing, but the mountains are still going to prove who's boss.

 

[LopeHunter]

Sweat dries to salt. Salt forms crystals. Jagged, sharp crystals. Wash out any clothing touching your feet and delicate bits or you will pay the price. Or carry spare socks and underwear. I packed in 5 miles on switchbacks at 6000 feet elevation with legitimate 90 pound pack plus had two liters of water as started hike and my gun. Figure 100 pounds. I had to hike slowly. Almost impossible to rest unless against a steep slope or rock outcropping. Part of the trail slid out and I had to lean into the ridge and that meant my knee took the slam into the narrow trail. Cut through my hunting pants like was a paper towel. Did not end my hunt but a heavy pack increase risk of injury.

I have one of the best tents money can buy for backpacking, light everything, and by time I account for 5 days of dehydrated food, nuts, breakfast bars, peanut butter, etc so have 3000 calories a day then I have never had my pack under 70 pounds. If weather is expected to be down to 30F then hypothermia is an issue so the sleeping bag gets heavier and I have to add more clothing layers.

I suggest you lay out what you are going to pack in with the weight as take first step (includes water, gun or bow, ammo, bios, food, etc) then weigh. I practice with a weight vest and backpack with water bottles that increases in weight until can hike with 10 pounds more than expect to carry and for 25% more distance than expect to hike day 1. I can never replicate the altitude impact and most my training hikes are relatively flat and firm footing so that is why I overtrain.

 

[El Jason]

You never said when you are going? Archery? Rifle? September, October, November? Time of year can make a big difference.

I can pack for a 7-9 day archery hunt and be right about 60 pounds. That includes bow, binos, 3 liters of water, basically everything except the clothes I'm wearing and my boots.

The topography of the hike in can make a heck of a difference too. Are you constantly ascending/descending, or hitting a ridgeline and cruising? Mileage isn't created equal.

I only take extra socks. Everything else gets worn daily. If I can, I'll rinse it out and hang dry during the day. For an archery hunt I'll take the following clothes:

Sitka Ascent OR Mountain Pants
Sitka Core 1/4 zip
Sitka Traverse 1/4 zip
North Face puffy
Sitka Jetstream
Marmot Precip rain jacket
Fleece beanie

If it's looking cold, I'll take my Celsius vest also, a lightweight pair of wool bottoms and pair of gloves.

If you're going high altitude, I would recommend some high intensity interval training. One of the best things you can do to increase your aerobic performance and your ability to function at high altitudes.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

I don't find myself limited so much by the distance of the hike in, but rather the prospect of getting an animal out if I am successful. With a deer it shouldn't be quite as much of an issue as if you were elk hunting. But you are still looking at either one really heavy trip out with your deer, or 2 lighter trips. Then another trip for your camp.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I live in Minnesota. I do walk in the ski hills by home with my pack on, and I will be adding extra weight this year to prepare for this hunt.. Usually do 5 miles in there for training. We will be walking in that far and then setting up camp. Hunting from there, may move camp if deemed necessary. I always tend to overpack, big problem for me. Just want you ideas on what you do.

What ski hill?

As for the stuff I agree with pretty much all above.

As for distance, just make sure you aren't walking past too many elk. Depending on the area, you might walk past quite a few elk to get 5 miles back.

 

[mixedbag]

Do you have your hunting spot already known from past experience/intell?If not, for deer,I don't think you really need to put 5-6 miles on your feet.If your doing archery then yes you do have to be up in treeline,but later seasons the deer come down to you.Too many guys feel the need to walk way in because that's what they hear.I rarely see anyone after the one mile mark on any hunt.
Do a weekend trip with your gear and determine unnecessary gear from that.Sounds like your bringing a lot of clothes though.I also would ditch the extra knife,batteries.Put new batteries in your stuff before you head in and have one set of spares.Going in 5-6 miles in the high elevation mountains is not easy.I'd find spots closer and move deeper if necessary

 

[mtmuley]

This. mtmuley

 

[brymoore]

The trip distance and weight is fine.

My concern is a guy from MN packing out an elk five miles. Good luck.

 

[HighDesertSage]

You'll get the 50 + or - lbs of gear in no problem. What you need to be concerned with is how you are going to get the gear and meat out before anything spoils. Where are you hunting? If you are in CO or MT you shouldn't need to pack that far in for deer. Also what time of year are you hunting? Here in CO deer are generally moving out of the high country by mid-October.

 

[Sytes]

5 day hunt trek though I've not had the opportunity to do a 5 day + hike in a few years, unfortunately:


Inside/ on pack - Badlands "Summit" pack (96oz/6 lbs)
Clothing is mainly C4E - high quality material / light weight. (Can not afford Sitka setup)

*1 light pant (20oz) / heavy pant (*33oz)
*2 light SS & 2 LS shirts (8ozx4)
*3 pr quality socks (3ozx2)
*3 pr bottoms (3ozx3)
*1 underpant (9oz)
*2 undershirt (7ozx2)
***1 Down jacket (16oz)
1 reg jacket (40oz)
1 Rain jacket (16oz)
Beanie (4oz)
Vest (16oz)
***Gaiters (12oz)
*Gloves (5oz)
179oz. Excluding clothed items & Including *** items.

Gear:
**BD waterproof bivy sack (26oz)
Big Agnes Sleeping bag (106oz) ya, ya... extra weight / space = good sleep = good day.
Big Agnes sleeping pad (24oz)
Kelty Pillow (8oz)
MSR camp stove (11oz) (Splurging ~ comfy sleep)
XPot Kettle / Spork (7oz)
Fuel (16oz inc canister)
Shooting stix (16oz)
389oz.

Water:
Pack bladder 2ltr water (68oz)
Katadyn filter (11oz)
79oz.

Food:
I like Mountain House
Breakfast Skillet 4 (5ozx4)?
Folgers coffee bags 8 (nil)
Beef Stroganoff 4 (5ozx4)
Walmart protein bars 10 (2ozx10)
Splurge ~ protein small summer sausage rounds 5 ( 7.5ozx5)
97.5oz.

Misc Gear:
Emergency / Survival kit (10oz)
Headlamp (4oz)
Rino GPS (10oz)
InReach SE (7oz)
Smart phone (Video/pics and useful pairing w/ InReach) (7oz)
Solar recharge kit (16oz)
Havalon knife (5oz? Packed away, atm)
***4pc Fly fishoing kit (20oz? Packed away, atm)
Game Bags (24oz?)
T-paper (4oz)
4 Carabiners (3ozx4)
P-cord 550 or 650 (16oz)
135oz.

879.5oz (packed items) + 96oz (backpack) = 975.5oz = 61lbs This is an "All Inclusive" pack. I may have forgot an item or two though this is the main deal for myself.



*Wearing.
**With others the tent weight is distributed roughly same weight as bivy sack.
***Optional based on weather / intended experience.

 

[Nunyacreek]

One of the things that I fight is the small bags of "extra stuff" batteries, bullets, extra knife, that sort of thing. After carrying extra shells for years I never used very many so now I carry a full magazine (4) and six more. Your 11th shot is typically ineffective.
I carry two headlamps and one knife, because I've never lost the knife, which I never use except on an animal, but I've had lots of headlamp failures.
For me a gps is neat but not very helpful in mountain hunting. I carry my phone as a gps and camera. It's not as good as either, but lighter. I like paper maps weighing nothing, but fun to study.
Electricians tape wrapped around my barrel and duct tape around a trekking pole. Besides some drugs ( Tylenol, etc. ) and some heavy duty first-aid type drugs (hydro condone, Benadryl, etc) you don't need a very comprehensive first aid kit. I don't think I'm likely to be tough enough to suture myself and if it's that bad it's a matter of getting help usually, not patching up and continuing.
I can't imagine needing more than one pair of pants or boots, but I do carry crocs.
Bottom line, everyone here is correct but the practice idea is best of all. A few weekend trips will have you leaving sh*t behind in a hurry.

 

[Dinkshooter]

I know a guy that hunted 30+ days with 2 pairs of undies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a-To0CNnDY