New back pack hunter

[theycallmemud]

I plan on doing my first back pack hunt for archery elk in wyoming. Been base camp hunting along time. I ll be hunting anywhere from 8000 to 10000 ft. Wanna know what you all think of this system, ive been researching like crazy and this is what I came up with.

Shelter: x-mid 2 solid
2lb 8 oz
Pad: therm a rest neo air x lite 4.5 r value, 13 oz
Bag: western mountaineering terralite 25
1lb 15 oz

I built this system for April - September, but feel like I might need a different pad and bag for hunting elk and mule deer through October and possibly November. I was thinking a therma rest Xtherm paired with a western mountaineering badger 15 or a versalite 10.

 

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I’ve done the backpacking thing for over 20 years now. These are all really good options. The x lite I’ve had to single digits but for me it gets a little lack luster below 20 degrees. I’d also go for a zero degree bag instead of a 10 degree moon late hunts. Ideally you’d buy the 20 degree and x lite and start there and then add a 0 degree and bag and x therm if you get into late season hunts. I’m not a fan of hot tents for backpacking so I’d keep the shelter the same regardless. The x mid will handle enough weather as long as you pick good sheltered camp locations in the late season.

 

[theycallmemud]

I’ve done the backpacking thing for over 20 years now. These are all really good options. The x lite I’ve had to single digits but for me it gets a little lack luster below 20 degrees. I’d also go for a zero degree bag instead of a 10 degree moon late hunts. Ideally you’d buy the 20 degree and x lite and start there and then add a 0 degree and bag and x therm if you get into late season hunts. I’m not a fan of hot tents for backpacking so I’d keep the shelter the same regardless. The x mid will handle enough weather as long as you pick good sheltered camp locations in the late season.

What would you consider a good camp location in bad weather? I had a big aspen fall right along the side of my tent, when i was sleeping, about ten years ago on a elk hunt in southern utah. It landed about two feet from me and and two inches from the tent and perfectly parallel. I woke up got out of the tent and was very confused at first wondering if I absent mindedly set the tent that close to the tree. No way. Then I see the fresh dirt from the roots sticking up. It was a very live looking tree. Ever since then I don't sleep next to trees if i can help it.

 

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What would you consider a good camp location in bad weather? I had a big aspen fall right along the side of my tent, when i was sleeping, about ten years ago on an elk hunt in southern utah. It landed about two feet from me and and two inches from the tent and perfectly parallel. I woke up got out of the tent and was very confused at first wondering if I absent mindedly set the tent that close to the tree. No way. Then I see the fresh dirt from the roots sticking up. It was a very live looking tree. Ever since then I don't sleep next to trees if i can help it.

Mostly out of the direct exposure to the wind in terms of how a shelter handles. Some tents like a hilleberg can take high winds with snow load but it’s still hard on them. If you can tuck into a less exposed spot lighter weight shelters will fare better.

 

[NeedleCrook]

if you’re looking at the xtherm for colder weather, you might as well go straight for that and bypass the xlite. I use my xtherm on every trip, including hot weather camping in Southern California

 

[NickyD]

I’d look at a 0-10 degree bag instead of the 25. Those temp rates are survival ratings, not comfort ratings. And wearing additional layers doesn’t work nearly as well as a colder rated bag IMO.

I’ve had good luck with pads in the 4-5 R value rating for those dates and elevations. If you’re expecting colder weather you can always add a closed cell pad. You add R values so if you add 4.5+2=6.5 which is good for low temps.

 

[jchamwv]

I would use what you have and sleep in my puffy jacket and pants if it was cold enough.

 

[ProStaffSteve]

buddy and I did a november elk hunt this year. First time doing so by camping. Big Agnes 0 degree bag & pad, loaded with my gear & a peaks floorless tent/tyvak floors it worked pretty darn well down to 8 degrees (not great, but it worked.) Slept on snow pack one of the days and holy crap was that cold at 15 degrees.

 

[GunsAreFun]

The weight difference to get an Xtherm and then never have to worry about it again is so small.

The actual ISO comfort rating for the bag is 28 degrees. If you sleep warm, that will be fine for archery but inadequate for late season, and you have to get a second bag or supplement it. If you are a cold or even an average sleeper, that may not be enough to keep you comfy for archery every night. We get 1-2 days below freezing every night with an average low of around 35.

 

[theycallmemud]

I would use what you have and sleep in my puffy jacket and pants if it was cold enough.

This is what I was thinking. I have kuiu super down jacket and pants I plan on packing them anyways.

 

[theycallmemud]

I plan on picking up another bag for sure. I was thinking a western mountaineering kodiak 0 or the badger 15 for october hunts. There's a 10 oz weight difference between the two. The badger seems more versatile, for September to late October with enough room to add my kuiu down if it gets real cold. The coldest I've experienced in colorado and utah is 12 degrees for general rifle deer and first rifle elk.