4 guys, 9 day spike out, need a base camp?

[Ghost]

If we drawn WY four of us will be spiked out for 9 days, wondering if we should put up a base camp to come back to and take it easy for a day. Its a pretty easy 2 mile hike back to the truck. Thoughts?

 

[couesbitten]

If it's a "pretty easy 2 mile hike", why not just make that your base camp? Don't know what your base camp tent or other amenities would consist of, but why have a camp set up 2 miles away that would at times, be possibly unoccupied?

 

[cnelk]

Here is a pic of the back of my truck.
I can be as mobile - or not - as I want to be.
Since I hunt 2-3 states each fall, it works well.

With 4 of you I would suggest having SOMETHING to go back to.

Going back to the truck isnt such a bad idea to get replenished or more items needed after a few days isnt uncommon.
I would at least have something there to sleep in, extra sleeping bag, food water.

But I know by experience that only 2 miles quickly turns into many wasted hours and tired feet

 

[Ghost]

Thats what Im thinking, but it would still be sparse compared to a base camp right next to the truck. You can only put so much on a persons back and a game cart, not to mention going from 500'ASL to 10,000'ASL is going to seriously check out butts.

CNELK, Im sure we will have to go back to the truck at least once during those 9 days, at especially if we score. I plan on taking my redcliff and possibly another tent if nothing just to spread out.

The base camp would be a GP small complete with a big wood stove, cots and a shower system.

 

[durangobrad]

How far would it be to town? Maybe dont worry about a base camp and if someone needs to head back for any reason just drive the truck down to town. Grab a shower at the local rec center, get some real food, drop some meat at the processor, etc.... Seams like a hassle to set up a big tent, stove, shower, etc for something that may not get used at all....

 

[jmez]

Having done it both ways I would skip the base camp. We've found that all it does it take up a bunch of extra time the day you get there setting it up and then tearing it down the day you leave.

We have everything packed are ready to go when we arrive at the trailhead. Change clothes and put on packs that are loaded and ready, hit the trail. We spend about 10 minutes at the trailhead now prior to heading in. I'd rather be using time setting up a spike camp where I think the elk are than messing around at the trailhead for any amount of time on something I may or may not use.

 

[Ghost]

Towns 35 minutes. But its a real small town, going to have to check on the facilities, it would be really nice if they had dry ice.

 

[Jauwater]

Easy 2 miles back to the truck, 500' ASL - 10000' ASL, I feel I'm missing something. 2 mile 9500' elevation gain? No way I'm going back to the truck I reckon unless I let go of the cliff.

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[cnelk]

I believe he means they LIVE at 500' seas level and will be HUNTING at 10,000ft

 

[Ghost]

I believe he means they LIVE at 500' seas level and will be HUNTING at 10,000ft

Yep, thats what I mean. Humping a 70lb pack is hard enough here, dropping us off at 10,000 feet with the same pack is going to really really suck

 

[Ghost]

Easy 2 miles back to the truck, 500' ASL - 10000' ASL, I feel I'm missing something. 2 mile 9500' elevation gain? No way I'm going back to the truck I reckon unless I let go of the cliff.

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LOL!!! Yeah we are not hunting everest!

 

[JWP58]

Here is a pic of the back of my truck.
I can be as mobile - or not - as I want to be.
Since I hunt 2-3 states each fall, it works well.

With 4 of you I would suggest having SOMETHING to go back to.

Going back to the truck isnt such a bad idea to get replenished or more items needed after a few days isnt uncommon.
I would at least have something there to sleep in, extra sleeping bag, food water.

But I know by experience that only 2 miles quickly turns into many wasted hours and tired feet

What this guy said!

 

[MallardSX2]

How far would it be to town? Maybe dont worry about a base camp and if someone needs to head back for any reason just drive the truck down to town. Grab a shower at the local rec center, get some real food, drop some meat at the processor, etc.... Seams like a hassle to set up a big tent, stove, shower, etc for something that may not get used at all....

This is exactly what I told my friends this season. They wanted to set up a base camp and I told them that if I had to go back to base camp I was just going to go to town instead. Hot shower warm food ect ect. The guy who killed his bull went back and did that with his meat.

 

[Speeddmn]

Last year our "base camp" was my 27 foot camper. Pulled into the spot, dropped jacks, loaded packs and hit the hills. We hiked in almost 3 miles to where we wanted to spike camp. At the end of the unsuccessful hunt it took us 2 trips to get our entire spike camp out. We hiked in a few small things weeks prior that we thought would be handy.

In my opinion base camp is a place to return to relax, unwind, get a shower, etc. If that is a no-tell motel or a camper, the simpler the better.

 

[FlyGuy]

I'm not the most experienced hunter, but I would say throw down the basic base camp near the truck. Doesn't have to be extremely elaborate, but at least get the ice chests out of the sun/under a tarp & put up the shelter & stove. Since you already have the base camp gear, then there are a few positives I can think of (but others may disagree):

-If you are coming from damn near sea level like we are, then you need to take it easy on the 1st day and acclimate; and putting camp together will allow you to do that but still keep you busy.

- If you come out with quarters late one night it will be very nice to have a place already set up so that you can just crash.

- Over the course of 9 days, it's reasonable to expect that someone from the group may need a little bit of a mental break. coming out for a night, diner in town, etc might help recharge.

 

[LaHunter]

Will this be your groups first time packing in and hunting/living from your packs?
In your first post you state that it is an easy 2 miles, so I am assuming you have hunted this area before?

I think it will depend a lot on your group's level of experience. For some guys with a lot of packing in experience, 9 days is no big deal, but for others 9 days would be a long time.

I just know when the weather is nasty and I'm worn out, a base camp with a stove is a good place to be at night to get a good nights sleep.

Good Luck

 

[FreeRange]

I don't like to leave anything but a truck that's ready to go at the trailhead in case pressure, animals or weather might dictate that you move areas slightly. If a simple move requires hours breaking down a camp that might weigh on your decision and limit you a bit. If you need to get out of the weather or just take it easy for a day come back and set up camp. Also, 4 guys in one truck with all the crap that goes along with a base camp takes up a lot of space and time rummaging through everything. My rule on out of state hunts is when I pick a guy up at his house his backpack is already packed and ready to hit the trail. Too much can get lost in the mix with 4 guys worth of gear piled into one truck.

 

[1signguy]

Not sure on your budget but... With 4 guys I would rent a trailer/rv and leave it at the trailhead. Something small that gets you out of the weather, warm shower etc. Nine days is a long time in the field and coming from 500 feet... I think a break in the middle will make for a more enjoyable and potentially more successful hunt. You could also use it for a day of acclimation/recon day. Then get an early start the next day- close the door and grab your packs... The rv will be even nicer at the end of the hunt... Also, much easier to move and less to set up break down...

 

[Ghost]

Will this be your groups first time packing in and hunting/living from your packs?
In your first post you state that it is an easy 2 miles, so I am assuming you have hunted this area before?

I think it will depend a lot on your group's level of experience. For some guys with a lot of packing in experience, 9 days is no big deal, but for others 9 days would be a long time.

I just know when the weather is nasty and I'm worn out, a base camp with a stove is a good place to be at night to get a good nights sleep.

Good Luck

Ive done numerous spikes from 2 to 8 days. had to come out to the truck once for food on the 8 dayer. My girlfriend has numerous backpacking trips, including one 3 day spike in MT during elk gun season. The other 2 not so much, they are pretty much relying on my "expertise". If it was just myself and my gf, we wouldnt have to come out for anything with having the extra capacity on the game cart, but with 2 other guys, I know how people can get a little stir crazy.

We did a 4 day backpack in the area last july, we have a pretty good idea of the terrain.

 

[Ghost]

Not sure on your budget but... With 4 guys I would rent a trailer/rv and leave it at the trailhead.

I have been kicking around the idea of picking up a pop up camper to use as a base camp. Sure would beat putting one up after driving 26 hours.