Getting that 100lb pack from the ground onto your back

Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
8,115
Location
S. UTAH
Well what I do is give myself a hernia. Not fun.

One thing I have done is set the pack next to a tree like I am going to strap it to the tree but set it just a couple of feet away. Then I sit on my but with the tree between my legs and the pack behind me. Strap the pack on and use the tree to pull myself up.

Also look for something to set the pack on that is about waist height.

The turtle method works well with trekking poles to help get to your feet.

Trekking poles help a lot.
 

Laramie

WKR
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
2,649
Heaviest I have done solo was 130lbs. I used a rope on a tree to help me up. That little bit of assistance makes a big difference. I'm a big guy though so I can understand for the 160lb guys it could be a heck of a struggle.
 
OP
dirtshooter
Joined
Jan 1, 2022
Messages
411
Location
AB
Well what I do is give myself a hernia. Not fun.

One thing I have done is set the pack next to a tree like I am going to strap it to the tree but set it just a couple of feet away. Then I sit on my but with the tree between my legs and the pack behind me. Strap the pack on and use the tree to pull myself up.

Also look for something to set the pack on that is about waist height.

The turtle method works well with trekking poles to help get to your feet.

Trekking poles help a lot.
Pulling yourself up with the tree is a good idea too, thanks
 

wapitibob

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
5,992
Location
Bend Oregon
I packed 2 Pronghorns back in 2012, stupid move but didn't learn the lesson.

I put 1/2 an Elk on my pack a few years ago, no idea what it weighed. Flat ground and nothing taller than the 6" grass. I tried the pack on the ground thing and couldn't budge let alone roll over. I fianlly got it up kind of on one knee and slipped an arm in and flopped around enough to get that one side in the shoulder strap. It was a miricle the strap didn't break but it held. After getting it on I could go about 30 feet and would have to stop; hip joints were on fire. Load was heavy enough the stays pushed thru the mtl at the top of the frame but SG fixed them no charge.
 

lonedave

WKR
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
369
Location
West Richland, WA
I do similar to a couple of the others on here….I stand the pack up on the ground, sit down, and get into both straps. Then I roll over into my hands and knees, lift my right leg up, put my right hand on the knee to brace my back, then push up with that leg. As I’m standing up and get my left leg up, I brace my back with my left hand too. When I’m up and steady, I put on the waist belt and sort of “shrug and tighten” a couple of times and clip the sternum strap. I’ve got a couple of bad discs, so I do as much as I can to support my back.

Truthfully, any more, I’d rather shuttle two 50# loads any day of the week than attempt to carry 100#+.
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,458
Location
oregon coast
That's making sense. In the heat of the moment I didn't really think about using the terrain. There was definitely enough hills and stumps to facilitate this haha next time I'll be more prepared.

I kept hearing all about these 100+lb loads and I'm like wtf am I doing wrong here
That’s almost always my method, lift the pack onto something and go from there.

I have had to do the turtle approach a few times, but is certainly more difficult to get stood up and feels like I’m going to wreck my pack
 

Jethro

WKR
Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Messages
1,408
Location
Pennsylvania
I sit down and strap in, but I also snug the waist belt. Not a full cinch, but tight enough that the bottom stays with me as I do the roll and then stand. Use the trek poles to assist with the stand.

I don’t think I’ve ever hauled 100lbs. Even at 60+ lbs, I do the sit, roll, stand.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,197
Location
Colorado Springs
Stand the pack up on the ground, sit in front of it and slide your arms through the shoulder straps, and tighten a little. Clip the waist belt on and tighten as much as possible, then roll onto your hands and knees and stand up. Then cinch it all down tight and start hiking. Been doing this for decades because I hunt solo so much.
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
7,566
Location
Chugiak, Alaska
I just won't even attempt it anymore. I'd much rather make multiple trips with a lighter pack and not have to worry about screwing my back up, or blowing a knee out, etc. 80 lbs. is about as heavy as I'll go these days, unless it's something like a moose hind quarter, and it's for a short distance over mostly flat terrain. But really, even for those types of circumstances, I'll still try to figure out an easier way.
 

jcaud

FNG
Joined
Apr 29, 2022
Messages
74
Made a go on a full deer and gear this year, and did similar to some others. Got my pack uphill from a small hill, and then sat down between the hill and tree and used the downward slope to get up and standing. Didn’t have very far to go but I plan on making a couple trips next time I’m in that situation.
 
Joined
Jan 15, 2016
Messages
401
Yeah lol if I knew how to cape a skull out without ruining the cape I'd have solved my problem
Its not hard and there are plenty of videos out there. Your local taxidermist might also let you watch him or her go through the process and give you pointers. Carrying out the head just isn't necessary.
 
Top