Dalton Highway Hunt Rent

[akhunter3]

We will be renting a vehicle and parking on the Dalton, hiking in 5+ miles for about a week. How safe will the vehicle be left tgere for a week?

Please make sure to practice walking in a bounce-house filled with a variety of different size balls, rocks, etc. with a heavy pack on...this is easily one of the nastiest walks out there

 

[Alaska Wild Rentals]

Please make sure to practice walking in a bounce-house filled with a variety of different size balls, rocks, etc. with a heavy pack on...this is easily one of the nastiest walks out there

2nd this! Make sure you are in solid shape!

 

[Geewhiz]

The guy I went with last fall thought he was in good shape. To make a long frustrating story short, he quit on himself and me and I ended up packing his caribou out 5.5 miles. Be honest with yourself on your abilities so you don’t do what he did

 

[Krazyhunter]

Have you ever walked 5+ miles across the tundra with a week worth of gear and food?

I can't say I have even walked in Tundra. I expect it to be difficult and I am preparing as best I can for it. It is a hunt I have always wanted to do but, until now, I couldn't afford it. Any advice from those that have done it before me, is greatly appreciated.

 

[keithw_007]

Start practicing with a weighted pack (also make sure you get a good pack and it is fitted to you), Practice having all the weight on one foot hold and then change legs. Become one with a stair stepper. Enjoy the suck.

 

[Krazyhunter]

Thanks Keith, I am dreading the Suck! But, excited about a chance at a Caribou. I ordered the Kuiu Pro 6000 and it's expected to deliver tomorrow. My son and I are planning to load our gear in and start tromping around. We have about 80% of our gear so far.

 

[rickyw]

Effort wise, that tundra reminds me of hiking in 20” of wet snow, just more wobbly

 

[sniper61]

I would say the best way to get ready for the tundra is fill a pool almost to the top with concrete blocks and dump a tuck load of grass clippings in it. Fill to 6 inches above the highest block and walk 5 miles in it.

 

[johnnycake]

Start practicing with a weighted pack (also make sure you get a good pack and it is fitted to you), Practice having all the weight on one foot hold and then change legs. Become one with a stair stepper. Enjoy the suck.

If you buy a cheap but thick memory foam mattress, and scatter random toys and balls underneath it, then do this exercise on top it would be pretty close. You can get it wet too, but then the mattress won't hold up as long for repeated practice use.

 

[Pilsner]

Start practicing with a weighted pack (also make sure you get a good pack and it is fitted to you), Practice having all the weight on one foot hold and then change legs. Become one with a stair stepper. Enjoy the suck.

and do it with YOUR HUNTING BOOTS ON!

 

[Mvaughan]

Some good training tips above. I honestly think mental preparation is just as important as physical. That tundra walking sucks, no way around it. You average about 1mph when walking, sometimes less if you’re in the hilly portion. Plan for a whole day to make it to the five mile line when you’re hauling all of your gear in. You’re going to be wet, cold, then hot, then cold again….did I mention wet? You’re not going to walk in a straight line, the tussocks and other terrain features will guarantee that. Your five mile hike will probably be closer to 7-8 once you zig zag all around the obstacles. Your hips will burn from balancing on one leg. You’ll take twice as many steps, because your stride can’t be normal. It sucks….but it doable. Keep telling yourself to embrace the suck.