Ross and Adam: First CO Elk Hunt Planning Thread

[AdamW]

How badly did the altitude get you? Looms like a great trip!

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The worst part for me was getting going each day. There was some pretty steep country and I was sucking wind. For example within the first mile I probably took 5 short breaks. I found as I kept going it actually seemed to get easier as I got my breathing figured out, if that makes sense. Then the next day, restart at square 1 and repeat the same process.

That's awesome, I'm back here in MO cheering you guys on! I'm down from 185# to 160# (I'm only 5'5) with exercise and slightly modified Paleo. I'm hopeful for my two year plan to go. I WILL make it happen.


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Kick ass man! I think a goal to do something or have an event you value is a great motivator for weight loss, health and fitness. Much harder for me to just do things because I should be doing them. Not hunting related, but that was my motivation to drop 20 lbs back in 2014. Keep up the good word buddy.

Awesome thread. I love the proactive approach you guys are taking on this hunt. Good luck but I don't think you'll need it

Thanks weaver, nice of you to say. 3 1/2 more months; can't believe it is that close. Ross and I just need to not kill one another or be killed by our wives before then and we'll maybe luck out!


And thanks again to all the Roksliders who contribute to this site. Don't know what I'd be doing if I didn't have RS as a reference.

 

[Disco14]

Just read the entire thread and I'm tuned in to hear the ending!! Much like Finch's thread, I will enjoy following you guys and rooting you on!

Keep up the hard work and positive attitude!

 

[AdamW]

Thanks disco!

 

[Redmech]

My wife and I managed to hit Colorado for a few days over the holiday weekend. Touring and scouting answered many of my questions and created many more. I look forward to hunting it in 3 months 7 days 7 hours and give or take some minutes. Here are a few pics.

It all is starting to fall in place. While we were gone on our trip my Leupold Rifle scope came back from repair at Leupold. It seems right I think. Have to go sight it back in and shoot some ammo thru the rifle.

On to pics finally,
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I didn't see any live elk, just a bunch of Mule deer, chipmunks, and campers. Saw lots of elky looking country, but what does a guy from Missouri know about that.

 

[AdamW]

In that second picture you almost look like you knew what you were doing. Almost!

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

How did the elevation hit you?

 

[Redmech]

How did the elevation hit you?

I've never experienced any sickness from elevation. I do experience the lack of oxygen and shortness of breath. I hope to do well when I'm camping for multiple days on end above 11,000 feet. The paleo diet I practice, I drink lots of water, and always try to drink more yet while in the mountains.

 

[Redmech]

In that second picture you almost look like you knew what you were doing. Almost!

I'm relying on my hunting partner to know what's going on.

 

[Redmech]

I've been getting out with my pack on for 2-3.5 miles every morning before work, every day, just something I make myself do to stay hooked up to it. I'm not giving myself the option of not doing it. I'm hiking down my street and around my town at 5 AM and am feeling stronger everyday.

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And yesterday I hit my all time low weight since I started my get in shape program. I weighed 203 yesterday morning. MY weight back in January was 275.4. So this has been a drastic change for me.

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Adam and I talk or text daily, figuring out the answer to one hurdle then we come up with three more problems/questions to think about. This whole journey has been fun so far, and it still hasn't fully taken off yet, but we are getting closer daily.

 

[RallySquirrel]

You are killing it and every drop of sweat will be worth it. Its a journey, not a destination and it sounds like you are enjoying every step. Your hunt is already a success!

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Holy crap that's a ton of weight loss. I though I was doing good with 30+ gone but damn you're killing it.

 

[Redmech]

You are killing it and every drop of sweat will be worth it. Its a journey, not a destination and it sounds like you are enjoying every step. Your hunt is already a success!

Thanks, it feels like a success already.

Holy crap that's a ton of weight loss. I though I was doing good with 30+ gone but damn you're killing it.

I never imagined I'd lose 70+ pounds. Paleo diet is the reason for my success there. It's for sure a hunter's diet. If you are eating traditional western diet, like I was, going to paleo will drop a lot of dead weight off you. Paleo diet has been a lifestyle change more than a diet, it's a changed way of eating. I'm not going back to my old ways of eating.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

 

[Cant hit em]

Nice work

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I've been paleo for a few months now and I fully agree, traditional Western diets are garbage. I don't plan on going back either

 

[Redmech]

I've been paleo for a few months now and I fully agree, traditional Western diets are garbage. I don't plan on going back either

That's awesome, my wife is slowly getting on board, and next is trying to convert my 5 and 10 year old to it. I want them to have a wonderful childhood, but even more so, believe paleo will make them have a full and healthy life.

Really always happy to hear people going the paleo route.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Good job on then weight loss, that must be such a big change!

I've never rifle hunted elk but on my first couple bow hunts I took too much clothes. Now I like to bring a base layer shirt, a medium weight coat, a down coat, hunting pants, and rain gear. It's a system so if it gets real cold I don't have specific items like a heavy coat to put on but rather I use it all together. Using items for multiple roles instead of multiple pieces for specific tasks saves a bunch of weight! I bring 3 pairs of socks so one can be washed and drying while I wear a pair and have a dry clean pair in my pack. I bring two pairs of underwear.

I do splurge and carry crocs so I can let my feet dry in the middle of the day and also for taking baths in a creek.

Another must as a flat lander is Chapstick. The air out west is much drier and your lips will pay the price. I'll be heading to Colorado archery hunting in September on my 4th DIY hunt.

Josh

 

[AdamW]

Great info Ace! Yep little stuff like Chapstick has been the cause of misery on non-hunting trips for me before. One thing that has been so helpful is reading over guys' packing lists and looking at pictures. Good stuff!

 

[BroodBuster]

+a bunch regarding Palio. I'm down 65#'s and have been holding 168-170 for a couple of months now. Each week now I gain a little muscle and lose a little fat .

Did a hike last week. 6 hrs in with a 2000' elevation gain and 5:45 out. Last year that would have been more like all day in and most of a day out.

I like to break up hunts into three stages. The planning, the doing and the telling lies about it around the campfire. I think it's really cool you guys are putting in the effort and getting the most out of the planning stage.

Good luck to you!

 

[KChunter71]

Good luck Adam and Ross on your quest for a Colorado elk. I did my first elk hunt last year in New Mexico with a bow. Learned a lot and burning to get back out after elk! The mountains do tell you so much about your physical shape and your chosen gear. I ended up missing my shot on a bull, but it was a trip to remember. Good luck boys! Nothing like getting into sheep shape!



TK

 

[Redmech]

I've been wanting to increase my weight in my pack, right now its full of miscelanous gear, and total weight is about 45ish pounds. I have several pairs of jeans that are too big for me now. So I grabbed a knife and some cordage and filled them full of gravel. The two bags weigh about 61 pounds now. I'll empty out my pack, and throw these in and my pack should be in the mid to high 60's. So I think tomorrow this will kick my but probably.

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