Dumb clothing questions about packing in.

[Chris in TN]

Do you guys pack all your clothes to the trailhead then choose what actually gets brought in, based on forecasted weather conditions, or do you try to bring it *all* in with you? I realize that I should always plan for contingencies but is there some point where you say 'I can leave this at the car'?

For example, I have a pair of very heavy Columbia wool pants. They're decades old and still in great shape. I could sleep in an igloo wearing those things, they're great, they've kept me warm on cold rainy days when I was soaked but stayed in the woods, but they're a bit on the heavy side for anything less than wet/cold weather; not what I expect to need in 1st rifle.

Do I leave those things at the car unless the weather forecast (minus ~15-20 degrees to account for altitude) tells me otherwise?

Is 'pack everything you expect to need for the coldest/wettest day and leave the rest in the car' a good basic strategy here? Obviously we'll have a raincoat with us and I'll have gaiters that may or may not get left in the car depending on forecast (and I know to deduct 20' from the local forecasted lows and look at anticipated fronts/rain/snow closely before I leave the car).

Our plans (highly subject to change based on what we learn scouting before season opens, of course) is to be ready to stay away from the car up to 6 nights with the actual plan being for no more than 3-4. It's hard to imagine a circumstance where we were committed to staying in a camp after day 4 - unless we had a 4-day cat and mouse game with a herd of elk. I don't expect that. I expect us to either kill one or exhaust all the spots we'd hunt from our camp then return to the car to move elsewhere by the middle of day 3. Again, this isn't me making a fixed plan; this is me making contingencies and being prepared for whatever. We might get out there and camp at the car. I just want to be prepared to leave the car and be gone a while and have everything I need and only a very little extra.

At the end of the day it seems like I simply cannot fully pack, from here at home, for the actual trip in. I have to pack for the trip out there then finalize packing for the pack-in on the day we walk away from the car, with some stuff left behind based on the most recent wx. Right?

 

[180ls1]

I just pack for what I think I'll need right before the hunt. If I get a touch cold I can suck it up or break out my thermal blanket.

You'll probably over-pack if you're new to it and that is OK. If you have a sat device you can get weather updates, or just learn how to read the weather.

 

[NEPkaspot]

We use the tuck as a basecamp and spike in or use an ATV. I have extra gear at the truck but only wear and carry what I expect to use. Always have a puffy and rain gear in the pack, maybe puffy pants just in case. As John Barklow says "what if weighs a lot." But with more experience, you will get more comfortable.

 

[atmat]

It depends what kind of hunting you’re doing and where you’re doing it.

I always bring puffy pants/jacket and rain gear, as they could be life saving. I just got back from archery hunting, and even though we had some very warm days, we also got drenched and had some cold days. Enough that I was grateful to have the puffy and rain gear.

Heavy, one-off pieces of clothes I’d leave at the trail head.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

I usually leave the what ifs at the truck. They can add up quickly and make a miserably heavy pack. Puffy jacket and pants with rain gear is typically always in my pack. I'm definitely not carrying much if any wool clothing on a backpack hunt as it gets heavy fast.

 

[justinspicher]

I have a duffel bag with extra base layers, socks, shirts, pants and boots. I take out what I think I’ll need and leave the rest. There’s also a couple of meals and some water bottles in there.

I generally do day hunts so it’s nice to have options and really nice to be able to change into clean and dry clothes for the drive home.

 

[Blowdowner]

Did I hear raincoat but not rain pants?

 

[bowhunthard88]

Weather forecast depending. I can tough out some discomfort, even if it comes down to using my sleeping bag lol. I would pack for your anticipated weather ahead of time, and maybe take stuff out of my pack at the truck, but I don't pack stuff in AT the truck lol.

I ALWAYS bring a sun hoodie, Brynje Super-Thermo base layers, rain jacket, wool beanie, puffy hooded jacket, and a set of knee-high gaiters. Most of my pants are fast-drying DWR treated, so unless rain is in the forcast, I usually don't pack rain pants. Same with puffy pants, unless the forecast is cold, I usually don't pack them. The rest of the stuff packed is tailored to the specific hunt. Learning to layer is an art perfected by knowing what your body can handle!

 

[Chris in TN]

Did I hear raincoat but not rain pants?

No. You heard a southerner colloquially refer to a rainsuit as a raincoat. We each have a complete rain suit plus various other things that'll be nice to have if it rains.



ETA: But thank you all for the replies. This more or less answers my question. We will probably make packs with middle-of-the-road clothing levels and add or subtract based on the weather forecast.

 

[Blowdowner]

Great yeah rain gear is very useful and weighs little. Good in many ways even if not raining.

 

[Greenbelt]

Do you guys pack all your clothes to the trailhead then choose what actually gets brought in, based on forecasted weather conditions, or do you try to bring it *all* in with you? I realize that I should always plan for contingencies but is there some point where you say 'I can leave this at the car'?

For example, I have a pair of very heavy Columbia wool pants. They're decades old and still in great shape. I could sleep in an igloo wearing those things, they're great, they've kept me warm on cold rainy days when I was soaked but stayed in the woods, but they're a bit on the heavy side for anything less than wet/cold weather; not what I expect to need in 1st rifle.

Do I leave those things at the car unless the weather forecast (minus ~15-20 degrees to account for altitude) tells me otherwise?

Is 'pack everything you expect to need for the coldest/wettest day and leave the rest in the car' a good basic strategy here? Obviously we'll have a raincoat with us and I'll have gaiters that may or may not get left in the car depending on forecast (and I know to deduct 20' from the local forecasted lows and look at anticipated fronts/rain/snow closely before I leave the car).

Our plans (highly subject to change based on what we learn scouting before season opens, of course) is to be ready to stay away from the car up to 6 nights with the actual plan being for no more than 3-4. It's hard to imagine a circumstance where we were committed to staying in a camp after day 4 - unless we had a 4-day cat and mouse game with a herd of elk. I don't expect that. I expect us to either kill one or exhaust all the spots we'd hunt from our camp then return to the car to move elsewhere by the middle of day 3. Again, this isn't me making a fixed plan; this is me making contingencies and being prepared for whatever. We might get out there and camp at the car. I just want to be prepared to leave the car and be gone a while and have everything I need and only a very little extra.

At the end of the day it seems like I simply cannot fully pack, from here at home, for the actual trip in. I have to pack for the trip out there then finalize packing for the pack-in on the day we walk away from the car, with some stuff left behind based on the most recent wx. Right?

I'm pretty much wearing what I take in. In my pack is puffy gear, rain gear, Sitka ambient jacket, pair of thermals if I don't have them on, and an extra pair of socks and underwear. That's about it. I've literally stayed out for close to two weeks with this set up. I tend to hunt in October and alpine, so it's colder, and can rain.

 

[Chris in TN]

I'm pretty much wearing what I take in. In my pack is puffy gear, rain gear, Sitka ambient jacket, pair of thermals if I don't have them on, and an extra pair of socks and underwear. That's about it. I've literally stayed out for close to two weeks with this set up. I tend to hunt in October and alpine, so it's colder, and can rain.

I'm asking in the context of first rifle season., so that's helpful. We intend to bring a change of underwear and underlayers and ideally I'd like for us both to have a single backup outerlayer. Our packs are getting heavy. Tale as old as time, I guess.

 

[LongWayAround]

First rifle is usually pretty mild. I would plan for that, but be prepared for anything from 75° sunny to 18" snow.

I always have extra clothes at the vehicle. Daily wear is based on the forecast.

Even with the likelihood of good weather, I would suggest getting a pair of puffy pants for your daughter if not also for yourself. The Blackovis ones are a good, cheaper option.

 

[Greenbelt]

I'm asking in the context of first rifle season., so that's helpful. We intend to bring a change of underwear and underlayers and ideally I'd like for us both to have a single backup outerlayer. Our packs are getting heavy. Tale as old as time, I guess.

So whatever can serve you multi purpose is great. I run a 20 degree quilt that weighs a pound and it's gonna get in the low teens or single digits on me. But I'm fine cause I sleep in my clothes and puffy gear. But then I can glass in my puffy gear as well. Generally my pack doesn't go over 50 pounds. Most the time 40's is where I'm at. I pre scout water also and do not take that in. I'd say the heaviest thing I take in is food. And that dissipates daily. It takes a lot of trial and error to find out you can survive off very little. Procuring the right gear over the years will let you stay out longer and go lighter. My pack out really doesn't change ever. I may ditch rain pants if and puffy pants if it were first rifle season like you, but I'd still take the tops. I could pack a year ago and be able to pick it up and go. But it's taken years to figure all that out.

 

[Chris in TN]

First rifle is usually pretty mild. I would plan for that, but be prepared for anything from 75° sunny to 18" snow.

I always have extra clothes at the vehicle. Daily wear is based on the forecast.

Even with the likelihood of good weather, I would suggest getting a pair of puffy pants for your daughter if not also for yourself. The Blackovis ones are a good, cheaper option.

We're looking at clothes for her right now. The last thing I want is for her to be cold.

 

[Chris in TN]

So whatever can serve you multi purpose is great. I run a 20 degree quilt that weighs a pound and it's gonna get in the low teens or single digits on me. But I'm fine cause I sleep in my clothes and puffy gear. But then I can glass in my puffy gear as well. Generally my pack doesn't go over 50 pounds. Most the time 40's is where I'm at. I pre scout water also and do not take that in. I'd say the heaviest thing I take in is food. And that dissipates daily. It takes a lot of trial and error to find out you can survive off very little. Procuring the right gear over the years will let you stay out longer and go lighter. My pack out really doesn't change ever. I may ditch rain pants if and puffy pants if it were first rifle season like you, but I'd still take the tops. I could pack a year ago and be able to pick it up and go. But it's taken years to figure all that out.

I can see how it would be easy to fine-tune our gear over time. This whole summer has been a neat mental exercise and I guess I get to see if we passed or failed here in a few weeks.

Also - you mentioned a quilt. She has a ~4# sleeping bag and I added a 1# down(?) blanket. Stuffed it right into her sleeping bag sack. I suspect that her bag plus that single blanket, with us sharing a tent, especially if we can get out of the wind, ought to be easily more than sufficient for even higher altitude lows during 1st rifle. If we have a really bad cold forecast we'll likely sleep at or in the car and we'll have bigger bags there.

I still have the old green mummy milsurp Extreme Cold Weather bags to stick in the car. I've slept in those in temperatures cold enough to make me turn around and go home now.