Help with an efficient setup

[thegrouse]

I have relocated to the mountain West and figured I would try to get an Elk tag this year, if I cannot draw one I will get an OTC tag. I really do not plan on shooting one this year, but I am going to get out there and put in the work. I will be prepared in case a real dumb Elk doesn't hear/smell me and stands still long enough. I have backpacked several times. I just got a used hunting pack and I am trying to put together a gear list for the Fall. This should be in August/Sept of this year. When I am backpacking I run this setup and I am good down to 25 degrees or so. I have taken the quilt down to 18 and been ok but never far from the vehicle. I have added some items I think I will need to hunt plus their actual weight. My bow is in the shop now so I am guessing on the weight. Ill update the list next week. One thing that sticks out on my list is the knife weight. I am hesitant to ditch the sheath due to those razor sharp OutdoorEdge blades. Depending on where I am hunting I may ditch the bladder if 2 32oz bottles will work. Any input would be appreciated. I am disappointed that my setup without food and water will be around 30#. I figure 5# water and 1.5# food per day so really I will probably be 45# by the time I hit the trail. Here is the link to my current setup.

https://lighterpack.com/r/gt0gs0

Thanks

 

[gtriple]

Ground sheet is not really needed for a tent.

Ditch the rain gear unless it’s going to rain consistently during your hunt. If it’s gna be warm, I might not take it even if it’s gna rain.

Maybe ditch the storage sack for the stove and cup.

Personally, I’d ditch the soap. It doesn’t help you not get winded by an elk.

Swap the Sawyer squeeze for a Katadyn BeFree with 0.7L soft bottle.

Ditch the extra SmartWater bottle. And the 3L platypus is an ounce heavier than the HydraPak 4L.

I’d ditch the extra flashlight, the multitool, and the watch. The watch is just not needed with an InReach.

Don’t think you need the yellow food bag and a nylofume pack liner.

You probably only need one insulation top for archery hunting.

A 10 degree quilt is overkill for archery season. A Katabatic Palisade would save 12oz.

That should be around 52-56oz in savings. Your kit is already pretty light, but you could shed around 3.5lbs.

Do you not run a bino harness? Saw that it was missing.

 

[thegrouse]

Thanks for the input. I have never backpack hunted, so I have not used a binocular harness for Texas whitetail. I do have a 40 degree synthetic quilt, but I do not think that would be warm enough. Good call on rain gear, maybe I will just dump the pants and bring a lighter rain jacket. Ill check out the water filter, I am a bit disappointed with the Sawyer Mini.

 

[TaperPin]

Thanks for the input. I have never backpack hunted, so I have not used a binocular harness for Texas whitetail. I do have a 40 degree synthetic quilt, but I do not think that would be warm enough. Good call on rain gear, maybe I will just dump the pants and bring a lighter rain jacket. Ill check out the water filter, I am a bit disappointed with the Sawyer Mini.

It can sleet, hail and snow in the high country from July until winter when fronts move through. Rain gear has been the difference between good hunting weather and sitting in a tent at best, and dealing with hypothermia at worst. Not once a decade, but every year these fronts kill people if they can’t stay dry.

Straight cold tap water is much warmer than high country sleet. Standing in a cold shower with hiking clothes on and going for a few mile walk in 40 degree weather with a ten mph wind should be no problem if rain gear isn’t an essential. Try it.

The best way to whittle down a list is to pack it up and go for an overnight trip, even if it’s just in your back yard.

 

[thegrouse]

This list is a modification of my last December hike in Big Bend NP at 4-7k elevation. I was hiking at 10k in the Uintas this summer and you are right, it was high 30s and raining. I guess I need to figure out what elevation I will be hunting. I plan on doing a few shakeout trips once the snow melts. I can walk into the national forest from my house and be at 9k feet quick

 

[Hnthrdr]

backpacking I would absolutely keep at least the rain gear top. I have never regretted my OR helium top, it is great over a puffy if you are stationary glassing and will keep you dry and warm during those afternoon storms that so frequently blow in. If it really pours you can stay mostly try in it even without the bottoms.

 

[thegrouse]

I have a Helium, I like it and it is lighter than my Torrentshell.

 

[gtriple]

Thanks for the input. I have never backpack hunted, so I have not used a binocular harness for Texas whitetail. I do have a 40 degree synthetic quilt, but I do not think that would be warm enough. Good call on rain gear, maybe I will just dump the pants and bring a lighter rain jacket. Ill check out the water filter, I am a bit disappointed with the Sawyer Mini.

The BeFree is much better than any of the Sawyer filters.

Just check the weather the day you are heading in. If you get unexpected rain, you can always just hike out and dry off. This isn’t Alaska.

I’ve used a 30 degree quilt well below freezing. You can wear your insulation top to add warmth. And you base layer bottoms.

Edit: note that I sleep very hot.

I’d highly recommend getting a bino harness. Having binos hanging around your neck all day for several days would be miserable for me. I think the Stone Glacier is still the lightest option. But others may be able to chime in.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Tried a bunch of bino harnesses, settled on Marsupial gear. Try a few out and see what you like, 100% recommend having a bino harnesses though,

 

[TaperPin]

Just check the weather the day you are heading in. If you get unexpected rain, you can always just hike out and dry off. This isn’t Alaska.

You backpack in and plan on walking out anytime you get wet?

 

[TaperPin]

I’d keep the extra flashlight as well. Even if you have the worlds best vision at night, getting down in a small canyon late in the day with clouds to the west that suck up evening light, you can quickly be in a steep situation where you can’t see a hand in front of your face and it’s too rough to try to feel your way down or up. I was with a couple friends with weak batteries and my light was the only thing that kept us from having to spend the night there.