10 Day DIY Backpacking Questions, Advice

I realize that we may be in over our heads, but that's part of learning. We are all in our mid 20's and chomping at the bit to just get out and learn. I am working on a backpacking menu and calculating calories as I type this. I have a Platypus Gravityworks 4.0L water filter that is awesome that ill be taking for the hunt. Thanks for the advice!

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Is that 4.0 liter filter for you only or for your whole group? How many in your hunting group. 4 liters will get consumed pretty quickly by 2 or 3 people. If you are really close to a water source, it may not be an issue, but not having enough water for cooking or no water in the morning when you get up makes for a real pain in the butt, having to get up and go get more water for the filter.
 
Following this thread I’ll be backpacking for elk in Colorado for first ever diy hunt trying to gather all info I can we are planning to resupy after 2-3 days and if we havnt got on elk by that time we’re moving on to the next spot
 
3 miles is nothing...I've set up base camp 5 miles in and made two treks right off the bat (minimal elevation gain). Carried in camp, then got all the rest of the gear the next day. It was straight hunting thereafter. Bring more TP than you think you'll need...snivel gear too. Ten days is a long time without a few creature comforts.
 
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Is that 4.0 liter filter for you only or for your whole group? How many in your hunting group. 4 liters will get consumed pretty quickly by 2 or 3 people. If you are really close to a water source, it may not be an issue, but not having enough water for cooking or no water in the morning when you get up makes for a real pain in the butt, having to get up and go get more water for the filter.
There will be 4 of us. Another guy is bring a pump filter and we will have tablets as back up.

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Following this thread I’ll be backpacking for elk in Colorado for first ever diy hunt trying to gather all info I can we are planning to resupy after 2-3 days and if we havnt got on elk by that time we’re moving on to the next spot
Good luck to you! I hope this thread helps.

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Just camp at the truck and do day trips if 3 miles is your desired distance
That is an option. I think it will really depend on how far in the elk are. I am willing to go in further than 3 miles. From what I have seen, it is rough country and I want to minimize the back and forth if possible.

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I like to do 3-4 days in make me more mobile, cuts down pack weight plan on having several back up spots. don't be afraid to move after few days if your not finding game
 
Did my first backpack hunt last year with a buddy. We opted to split water gear. He got a sawyer squeeze and I got a 10L gravity works for camp. We took a couple of bladders a piece so we could fill with the sawyer and then dump in the 10L at camp. we were not able to camp close to water but it was a non-issue having the big bag at camp for cooking and morning refills of our bottles. If you are close to water one 10L will probably work okay but if not I would want 2 for 4 guys so you are not having to constantly get more water. Pack was 65# for 6.5 day hunt.
 
Funny how someone could say “three miles is nothing” without having any idea where it is. Ive done 3 mile hikes that took 10 hours.

All Im saying is dont worry too much about the numbers everyone throws around on the internet. Just pick something that looks huntable to you and go there for however many days you are still seeing animals. If you get into elk a half mile from the road dont feel like you need to go further. If you get to your spot and it looks like garbage then dont stay there. Unless you are getting into animals there is no reason to be stuck somewhere. 10 days is a long time. If you are in the right spot I would hope you kill an elk long before that and have to go back to the truck anyway.
 
Funny how someone could say “three miles is nothing” without having any idea where it is. Ive done 3 mile hikes that took 10 hours.

All Im saying is dont worry too much about the numbers everyone throws around on the internet. Just pick something that looks huntable to you and go there for however many days you are still seeing animals. If you get into elk a half mile from the road dont feel like you need to go further. If you get to your spot and it looks like garbage then dont stay there. Unless you are getting into animals there is no reason to be stuck somewhere. 10 days is a long time. If you are in the right spot I would hope you kill an elk long before that and have to go back to the truck anyway.
That's a good way to think of it!
 
Lots of variables there. I would plan to allow approximately 2 pounds of food per day. High calorie food. I like to pack these into daily kits. The weight of your gear cN vary greatly depending on what type of gear you're taking. 2 person ultralight backpacking tents are lighter that those made for car camping. Individual bivys or even hammocks are very light options and can reduce weight. Game bags, clothes, stove and even your pack can all add unnecessary weight. Practice with a few different setups and see what works for you. Using the truck as a basecamp is always a good option. You can store extra food, clean clothes and spare gear without the worry of humping it all in.
 
you want to camp close to water. being a mile away from a water source is too far. take up too much time and energy to refill. you want to stay very well hydrated at altitude. there should be water in every drainage this year.
 
Go in before season and test out your gear and see how it feels/runs and adjust from there.
I just got back from a 2 day scout. I definitely need to make some adjustments to my gear list.

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you want to camp close to water. being a mile away from a water source is too far. take up too much time and energy to refill. you want to stay very well hydrated at altitude. there should be water in every drainage this year.
I learned this the hard way this past weekend. Hiked up to 10K feet and ran out of water before topping the summit. No more water till that night.

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