2026 Chugach Dall Sheep

[Gstew1930]

I'm headed to the Alaska in August for my Dall sheep hunt. i was lucky enough to draw the only non resident tag for 14C, my hunt # is DS231. I'm making this to document my experience the best i can. My grammar isn't the best so work with me lol. The outfitter I'm using is John Rydeen. I'll take any advice i can get. I do have a couple of initial questions hopefully someone can help with. I wear the vivo ESC's & I'm told I need a set of gaiters, I don't love the idea of a strap under my foot all day or is this a non issue? If so is there an alternative solution? I dont think i need a ton of gear. Trekking poles for sure. Headlamp. Thank for you help guys

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Congrats! You’re going to have a phenomenal hunt. @PNWGATOR messaged me about your tag.

Firstly, since you are hunting with John Rydeen, I would reach out to him first with all the specific questions you have. Then, you can run by the info he’s provided with us here on Rokslide. It would be a better idea than going to him with what others have told you and trying to make it fit with what he already knows to work for his area and this specific hunt. If he’s provided you a gear list, post it here and we could give thoughts on specific items.

Re. Vivo’s, I also wear the Forest Tracker ESC’s a lot and have used them for deer hunting here in Alaska. I’ve considered them for sheep, but most definitely would not consider them in 14c.
If you havnt spent time in the Western Chugach, I suggest watching some hunt videos from there to get an idea of the terrain. The ability to use your boots to edge into no fall terrain while carrying a heavy pack is vital.

 

[Gstew1930]

Congrats! You’re going to have a phenomenal hunt. @PNWGATOR messaged me about your tag.

Firstly, since you are hunting with John Rydeen, I would reach out to him first with all the specific questions you have. Then, you can run by the info he’s provided with us here on Rokslide. It would be a better idea than going to him with what others have told you and trying to make it fit with what he already knows to work for his area and this specific hunt. If he’s provided you a gear list, post it here and we could give thoughts on specific items.

Re. Vivo’s, I also wear the Forest Tracker ESC’s a lot and have used them for deer hunting here in Alaska. I’ve considered them for sheep, but most definitely would not consider them in 14c.
If you havnt spent time in the Western Chugach, I suggest watching some hunt videos from there to get an idea of the terrain. The ability to use your boots to edge into no fall terrain while carrying a heavy pack is vital.

Thank you very much for your reply. I've been talking to John quite a bit but more about travel info so far & rain gear. I don't think switching out of a barefoot boot is possible right now. I need to look into this & see if i can find an alternative. if i go straight into a regular boot it will wreck my feet. In the last week I think I've watched everything on youtube about the chugach lol. Its pretty intimidating to say the least

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Thank you very much for your reply. I've been talking to John quite a bit but more about travel info so far & rain gear. I don't think switching out of a barefoot boot is possible right now. I need to look into this & see if i can find an alternative. if i go straight into a regular boot it will wreck my feet. In the last week I think I've watched everything on youtube about the chugach lol. Its pretty intimidating to say the least

Where do you live? If you have steep terrain nearby, put on 60 lbs and spend a lot of time side hilling, climbing and descending. There are boot options that have plenty of forefoot room and easy to walk in, yet have more lateral stability than the Vivos, that require your foot to conform to the terrain, which isn’t an option with heavy weight and on very steep alpine grass or concrete like dirt. Ie. Crispi Lapponia Pro’s, Hanwag boots with their Alpine Wide Last, Lowa Mangart etc.

Basically, if you insist on using Vivo’s, you might be able to pull it off, but you will be severely limited on the terrain you’ll be able to navigate.

 

[Gstew1930]

im an hour east of Houston. One of the flattest spots in the country. i plan on making a drive to the mountains 4-5 times before the trip. closest are about 6 hours from here. Until then its weighted step up & bleachers ect.. Im looking at new boots right lol. im not dead set on anything. i'd rather not gamble