You know, it seems so obvious but I never really "got it" myself until I lost 10lbs before last hunting season. I came away from the trip needing half as many "dad breaks" as the year before, to catch my breath hiking up a long hill. Now this season I'm trying to lose another 10. It makes a huge difference.
This. The blue extra strength one is the only one that works for me, screw the all natural ones, and I am usually against chemicals on skin. My buddy ended up needing to use it almost every day last 1st rifle season, since he didnt bring any.
I’ve done it under 50 but was miserable. I take the REI camp chair and though it is low to the ground, it beats sitting on a rock, log or the ground to eat meals at camp. Especially after a long days grind. I tried the Sea to Summit Ether Light but it kept dilapidating and I’d have to air it back up in the middle of the night. It’s funny when I first started doing backcountry hunts, I was what others would call going in heavy +50 pounds and even above 60 if I attach my bow and sidearm to my pack. I’ve experimented with light weight or UL stuff and got down under 50 but I’ve since went back to the reliable gear that weighs a little more, but sleep better at night and generally feel pretty well rested for the duration of my hunts now. While learning this game I’ve been at times sleep deprived and food deprived. Not anymore. I’ve come to grips with the fact I’d rather carry a few more pounds in to eat well, sleep well and be comfortable. Much more enjoyable. That being said, there is still a lot of suck to embrace after all the comforts.
I think the reason so many of us don't have skin-out weights is the bow, and clothes and bino harness aren't really things we're looking at weight savings as much for and never tracked them. Now looking at how big the differences can be, I can see the value in it. It's still weight we're hauling around.
I use the app PackLight to log my gear. Then I can play around with different packing lists to see how my weight changes depending on different situations and gear choices. Then I train with about 10 lbs more than my expected pack in weight.
No. This will be my first run with it.
Get an initial gear list of what you think you'll need for your backcountry archery elk trip. Try the gear, clothing, footwear, and food during extended/overnight summer trips. You'll quickly find out what stuff works or not for your style of hunting. Most inexperienced hunters carry way too much "un-necessary" shit into the mountains. Focus on cardio conditioning with some complimentary moderate weight training. Try hiking with a loaded pack once or twice a week at home.
I resemble that statement...dropped 10 lbs in May and plan to do the same for Jun, Jul and Aug to be ~220 by 9/1. I plan be down 40 lbs and have 50-60 lb pack for spike hunting.
Food 10 lbs (2lbs per day), water/filter/bags 10lbs, rifle/optic/ammo 10 lbs, binos/harness/pack 10lbs, tent/sleeping bag/pad 10 lbs, that is 40 lbs right there...then you add kill kit, ifac, stove/fuel, rain gear, extra socks/underwear, puffy...that is 50 lbs for me...no redundancy except the sock/underwear.
Sure, not one formula for everyone.
