Pack/Gear Shakedown

[TOLeary]

This nutrition planner tool is useful too.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...HYTuOJaDVjtI/edit?gid=213108607#gid=213108607

Based off of dead middle of intermediate, I’m 100 calories off which is what I’m anticipating this hunt to be like. Percentages are all pretty close as well

Protein 16.5%
Carbs 45%
Fat 38.5%

If I add anything it’d be more carb heavy and would fit closer to his ideal percentages. Thanks for that planner

 

[TOLeary]

I use that combo (60 g Alpha & light windshirt) for early season. As the season progresses (or temps require it) I'll use a heavier Alpha piece as my mid-layer, but still carry the windshirt.

I've got some 4 -ish oz wind shirts I use backpacking outside of hunting season, for hunting season I use a little heavier one (7-ish oz), just more durable.

Which wind shirts specifically do you use? How is their stretch and ease of movement?

 

[TOLeary]

Don't your lenses fog? I split the difference and use the Rick Young Bungee on an FHF pouch. 8.8 ounces, which includes a rangefinder pouch on one side.

This is an interesting setup to look into

 

[Drenalin]

This is an interesting setup to look into

It wasn’t my idea, but it works really well for me.

 

[TOLeary]

Just wanna say thank you for your perspective. A lot of good tips in there that I wish more people could see. One thing that always bothers me when carrying a pistol archery hunting is that it’s on my pack and then have to switch to my hip if it’s off. I like that bear spray would stay on my bino harness which never comes off until I get in my tent.

The upper base layer is cotton, or?

Synthetic. Don’t like the way merino feels on my upper body when I sweat.

I always recommend a hooded, long-sleeved sun shirt.
It's probably too late, but I would look at lighter boots.

I don’t like fitted long sleeves for a duration of time. Day hunts perfectly fine. Multiple days and I want to rip it off. A loose fitting sun hoody isn’t my favorite for layering but either. I’ve never considered sun a concern on a hunting trip honestly. I don’t wear a hood fishing on a boat and prefer that

What’re your concerns on boot weight? What weight range do you prefer to stay in? Are you solely concerned on weight or take into consideration materials, flex and ankle support?

I added a cut-resistant fish fillet glove to my kill kit

I like this idea, great tip thank you

-

The inreach tip is one everyone should know. Not sure how I found out about it but I definitely utilize that. Such a good feature

I’m going to continue thinking about food but I feel confident with what I currently have. Good chance I add a little something

 

[TOLeary]

I missed the bear hunt part. Definitely bring tripod, definitely a lot of glassing.

I would be bringing a small spotter in addition; again expect a lot of glassing. I'd throw in a small length of Z-pad or the like to sit on as well.

Got it, thank you.

Do not have a spotter yet. Next year will have one and good to know it’ll be useful for bear. Instead of a z pad to sit on I actually use my inflatable pillow to sit on. I just let air out until it’s comfortable. Was sitting on rocks for a while last year and the foam pad wasn’t cutting it. Tried out the pillow and loved it

 

[TOLeary]

The specs on that solar panel are closer to 8 ounces, what panel is 3 ounces? I might be interested in one. Mines a 5 watt, weighs 5.5 oz.so basically the same weight for the panel and a 10000mah battery as a 20000 mah battery, but I can recharge in the field indefinitely. That’s how I look at it.Has worked great for years, fills up the battery pack at camp while I’m hunting. Haven’t found the limit yet doing that, but I’m in Arizona so plenty of sun usually.
I don’t know if it helps you, but I’m just finishing up testing stoves as we speak. The brs is averaging 7 grams of fuel to boil 16.9 oz (2 peak refuels plus a bit) of cool water, in a 650 ml titanium cup, no lid. So for me, I’ll plan on 10 grams per boil,to be safe,to account for wind,elevation, colder temps etc burning more fuel.
For me, it would take between 2 and 3 weeks of 2 meals per day for the higher efficiency of the jetboil to overcome the weight difference between it and the brs/cup setup.
To me, there’s a clear winner

The solar panel on my list weighs 3.39oz. That was measured by me. I’m sure whoever wrote 8oz included all the carabiner and shit that came in the box. 10w and like $20 so might be worth checking out. There’s been some lengthy write ups on it from thru hikers that use it extensively.

Yea there’s some good videos that show the weight savings in the pot and stove outweigh the efficiency of the jetboil stash. Even with a 4oz can the difference in number of boils was like 19 to 24 so not much. Definitely worth the size and weight of the brs/pot combo

 

[TOLeary]

It wasn’t my idea, but it works really well for me.

View attachment 762483

That’s slick. Pretty sturdy or is it true bungee?

 

[Drenalin]

That’s slick. Pretty sturdy or is it true bungee?

The Rick Young deal is just shock cord, but it’s large enough diameter that it stays in place pretty well while still having stretch. On the FHF pouch, I had to route through those upper two loops so it doesn’t sag away from my chest.

 

[fngTony]

Is your listed boot weight for the pair?

 

[Ferrulewax]

Haven't the replies but here's my $.02 based on your first post and the gear list.

1) Do you need the pack lid? I almost never use mine (k3 3200), but if you need the space you need the space
2) Forget the gopro unless you are already familiar with it. As someone who is pretty familiar with filming I still end up never using anything but my phone. a 13 pro makes great video anyway.
3) not sure if you are using the lid on your pot, but I would make a lighter lid out of an aluminum pie plate if you are. But i am a weight weenie.

 

[TOLeary]

The Rick Young deal is just shock cord, but it’s large enough diameter that it stays in place pretty well while still having stretch. On the FHF pouch, I had to route through those upper two loops so it doesn’t sag away from my chest.

I noticed how you routed it through, I like rhat. Looks like an option to check out

 

[TOLeary]

Is your listed boot weight for the pair?

Yes the pair

 

[TOLeary]

1) Do you need the pack lid? I almost never use mine (k3 3200), but if you need the space you need the space

Good point. I haven’t loaded my pack yet so unsure but I’m almost positive I’ll take it even if I don’t need it space wise I’ll utilize it for organization. If it’s glaring that I don’t need it I’ll drop it. Thank you

3) not sure if you are using the lid on your pot, but I would make a lighter lid out of an aluminum pie plate if you are. But i am a weight weenie.

Haha I like the one that I don’t have to mess with

2) Forget the gopro unless you are already familiar with it

Dropped it

 

[fngTony]

Yes the pair

That’s not bad then.

 

[TOLeary]

That’s not bad then.

Yea I didnt think the weight was noticeable. Not much different than my Baltoro lites in terms of weight. Not a light hiker by any means but doesn’t feel like I have bricks on my feet either

 

[fngTony]

Yea I didnt think the weight was noticeable. Not much different than my Baltoro lites in terms of weight. Not a light hiker by any means but doesn’t feel like I have bricks on my feet either

My size 13 are 29oz each so your doing much better than me

 

[mtnbound]

Just wanna say thank you for your perspective. A lot of good tips in there that I wish more people could see. One thing that always bothers me when carrying a pistol archery hunting is that it’s on my pack and then have to switch to my hip if it’s off. I like that bear spray would stay on my bino harness which never comes off until I get in my tent.



Synthetic. Don’t like the way merino feels on my upper body when I sweat.



I don’t like fitted long sleeves for a duration of time. Day hunts perfectly fine. Multiple days and I want to rip it off. A loose fitting sun hoody isn’t my favorite for layering but either. I’ve never considered sun a concern on a hunting trip honestly. I don’t wear a hood fishing on a boat and prefer that

What’re your concerns on boot weight? What weight range do you prefer to stay in? Are you solely concerned on weight or take into consideration materials, flex and ankle support?



I like this idea, great tip thank you

-

The inreach tip is one everyone should know. Not sure how I found out about it but I definitely utilize that. Such a good feature

I’m going to continue thinking about food but I feel confident with what I currently have. Good chance I add a little something

Never mind about the boots. I looked them up I thought they were 49 oz each, as you list 1, and I thought, dam that, some heavy-ass boots.

 

[mtwarden]

Which wind shirts specifically do you use? How is their stretch and ease of movement?

For hunting I use a Black Diamond Alpine Start- good balance of wind/precip protection and breathability. Stretches pretty nicely due to a Schoeller fabric.

 

[Idaboy]

Sorry I missed the dates/month? If it's cold and wet then gators to save from wet pants and boots. If not, I find I overheat in gaiters WAY too much and they make noise. I have abandoned unless days of rain or hunting snow. Are you moving camp often, vs packing in and spiking and then day hunts from that?. If you are packing in and dumping most of this weight at your spike camp, then I wouldn't worry too much about the ounce shaving your are trying to address here. If this is camp on back, moving daily, hunting with all gear in bag all the time, then yes trim as much as possible and reconsider any shared gear you can do.

Gun & Bear spray- that's a personal decision, bear spray for sure. Are you hunting with a rifle or bow or both? If I am rifle hunting then I skip the pistol.

Dual purpose batteries and skip the solar. I have gone to USB-C rechargeable battery and bring either extra headlamp, (back up might be smaller, but that uses same battery) and/or a small LED flashlight (that also uses the same type of USB-C battery... ( learned hard way as dropped a head lamp in the dark and it landed right on a rock, the LED element went out on it, that sucked. Last thing you want is to be a night kill site and be short a light or backup). I then use my battery back (IF NEEDED) to charge up. I have maybe less than 60" in the am and 60" at night hiking in dark. I would skip the solar panel. It's only used for one thing, and chances are you won't be using. Between the small flashlight and 2 head lamps, I have 3 interchangeable batteries and solid light for 5-6 days.

Are you using in reach for GPS navigation or phone? I actually use a different phone when hunting. I have on older Samsung galaxy that lasts forever in airplane mode with Onx. I leave my cell at the car and take this phone for my GPS nav. I have found the in reach mini really drains if you are typing to use that for navigation and I only use mine for communication. I never burn up my battery pack, and often overpack electronics. Would strongly consider talking with partner about electronics. Electronics are heavy and we tend to overpack these as humans. Are you hunting with your partner or being separated from eachother most of the time. If you are "hunting tighter" then you can likely get by with one in reach for the group.

Skip the nalgene and use a light bottle(s) like recommended

How "well" do you know the water situation, 500ft drop up and down at end of day just to get water can be a big hike realistically and drain on you at end of day. Dropping 1000ft to get water daily, if not incorporated into your hunt, will suck. Would strongly consider "shared gear" for water at camp. If you will "be near" water later in the day, then fill up then extra bags. I need 4L water/day for cooking 2 meals/coffee/tea + drinking during the day, but I have always been a high water consumer. We usually have a 4L or 6L bag will fill up near end of day and bring back to camp when we aren't by water. Then we know we can finish the day/night cooking, and get through the next half day. If we don't do that, then I usually fill up my 2 Sawyer squeeze bags and then I know for sure I am good for the evening back at camp and the next am.breakfast

Does this all fit in your 3600, or are you having to strap a bunch on the outside. I would keep the lid, it's small but helps for easy access/organize stuff.

Your gear list is good. one thing you might add is a large black contractor plastic bag. I leave that at bottom of pack and then it is great at kill site to set meat/stuff on, or if terrible rain, you can pull it out and help cover gear/back. Or if packing out and you care about blood, can use to keep blood off your pack when hauling. Minimal weight addition to your list. Consider a small light pulley or extra carabiner to help hang food, and/or have enough rope (to have in camp and to have in pack) The Dyneena rope is uber light.

good luck, and plan on seeing grizzly/dealing with grizzly, that way you won't