2019 Initial Ascent Gen II pack review.

[realunlucky]

The country these buffalo live is flat top Mesa's with steep sides. The bison like to run the rim edge in the thick cedars so they can drop off into the bottom at the first sign of pressure.

 

[realunlucky]

I had invested a bunch of time scouting this unit, always found some buffalo but not in numbers or consistently enough to give me confidence in a drainage. Basically the bison are where you find them. Surprised to find out buffalo don't have to drink water everyday and that they only will consume 1% of thier body wieght daily. Pretty amazing animal can disappear for extended periods of time.

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[realunlucky]

Saw a few the evening before the opener and luckily we were able to turn them back up in the morning.

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[realunlucky]

Everything about these animals is huge, can't imagine breaking one down without a few extra hands. Packing one out requires multiple strong backs that's for sure.

My hunting partner decided that the Initial Ascent belt was more comfortable than what he had been using and purchased the new IA6K to use on this pack out. I'm thankful for good equipment and good friends makes a tough pack out seem to go quickly.

 

[realunlucky]

Here's a few more pictures from the pack out

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[IdahoGoat]

Wow, that head is huge. Must be scary walking up and realizing the scope of what lies next.

 

[realunlucky]

Wow, that head is huge. Must be scary walking up and realizing the scope of what lies next.

Did not look all that huge laying hoof out but every step closer it got bigger. They are very wide in the chest

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[realunlucky]

There is a tip Dennis from Initial Ascent shared with me. When/if I encountered a extra wide load I needed to secured with the pannier load carrier system.

Take the straps that connect the lid to frame and remove them from both the frame and the lid.

Remove the bottom frame connection from the pannier carrier, insert the lid straps in those same frame slots and thread the pannier on the excess end of the lid straps.

Now you can adjust the bottom of the pannier load carrier so you can center it on the load and attach all the supporting straps.

 

[IdahoGoat]

So I was in the Boise area recently and tried visiting the initial ascent shop in Middleton but couldn't find it. Tried calling and no one answered. Maybe they moved recently? Any idea if they have a storefront?

 

[realunlucky]

So I was in the Boise area recently and tried visiting the initial ascent shop in Middleton but couldn't find it. Tried calling and no one answered. Maybe they moved recently? Any idea if they have a storefront?

Joe and Dennis are hunting partners so that probably complicates things this time of year. I'd try emailing them and seeing what you can set up.

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[Team Initial Ascent]

Sorry that we missed you! We do not have a store front however, we can absolutely set up a time to meet with you. We have two location that we ship out of; one in Middleton the other in Nampa. Dennis and I were on a 7 day hunt together which is why I am sure we missed you. Please email us at [email protected] with your contact information and we will give you a call to set up a time.
Thank you,
Joe
Initial Ascent

 

[IdahoGoat]

Thanks Joe, I'll definately take you up on that the next time I have a Boise trip planned!

 

[realunlucky]

Here is a short youtube video of me Loading meat between frame and bag of my daughters deer. Its very simple process. Any questions please ask.

 

[realunlucky]

Really haven't gotten out very much since my daughter's deer hunt. I have a whitetail hunt coming up in Missouri where typically I hunt pre hung stands but this year's flooding some stands are inaccessible without chest waders. This will push me into carrying a stand and ladder sticks with the IA pack.

Will update how it works out.

 

[robby denning]

Really haven't gotten out very much since my daughter's deer hunt. I have a whitetail hunt coming up in Missouri where typically I hunt pre hung stands but this year's flooding some stands are inaccessible without chest waders. This will push me into carrying a stand and ladder sticks with the IA pack.

Will update how it works out.

Cool beans


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[realunlucky]

I have some pictures and caring a hang on stand along with some climbing sticks in the AI worked pretty good. When the weather turned super cold I didn't like having to fumble with the waders and just hunted the couple stands that were accessible. Ended up without taking a buck home so maybe I shouldn't have been so lazy.
The comfort level of caring everything was awesome but the frame was a bit much for hanging near enough to reach my daily stuff. Decided leaving the frame under the stand and detaching the lid and keeping that close was a good compromise.

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[realunlucky]

When I got home I got a chance to trade packs with some good friends while they were packing out thier buck.
Running the old pack frame reminded of how far pack technology had come. I see a new pack in thier future.
Just getting to see this buck in person was well worth whatever sore back I got from the ol' pack board.

 

[realunlucky]

Here's the Black Friday sale

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[realunlucky]

Just a reminder Initial Ascent sale ends tonight

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[Moonwalker]

Mine should be at my house this week. Excited to test it out!