Shred it (My packing list)

Joined
Apr 13, 2019
Messages
80
Location
Alaska
With the Alaska draw results released, looks like I'll be putting off my goal of an archery mountain goat for '26 and sheep will be the primary focus. Drew an October archery tag and am looking for input from the experienced sheep guys to help dial in my kit from early season mountain goat to late season sheep where I can expect more miles and colder weather.

Some notes on the LighterPack list:
-If the weather is looking bad before heading out, I may end up adding semi-auto crampons/snowshoes. I figure a light pack does me no good if I can't safely access sheep country.
-I got super lucky and this tag is out my back door. I'll have time to scout up to the season start and will have a good idea of what access I'll be using to access drainages. I may or may not cut out the gaiters if I'm sticking to hard ground that's snow free.
-This tag is an any ram tag so I dont see a need to spend the coin on upgrading the spotter (as much as I may want to). I will however be upgrading binos to the 10x42 ELs (or similar) before this hunt in case I've got to find white sheep on white mountains.
-Rangefinder is getting upgraded to something else, mine is junk.
-My bow is a boat anchor and I wish it was lighter, but I cant reduce the weight with the amount of confidence I've got in this setup.

Please feel free to criticize my list. Tell me what could be lighter, where X item burned you in the past, or about items you wished you had on day 9. Thanks to all the previous members who've worked through gear list, they've all gone a long way in getting a 75lbs 10 day pack to where it is today.

 
List looks really good, I'd say the only place to drop weight is in the pack itself. There are lighter options.
Not sure how big you are but I have a hard time eating all of my calories when busy hiking, glassing is another story.

Main thing is find a buddy to pack your spotter!
Good luck.
 
Sleep system is always ripe - hopefully some of the Sheep guys will chime in. The tent is the place I see where you might be able to gain some ground perhaps, that I see, but wind is always a real consideration.

Pack sticks out as another place to save weight.

Tripod is another place you could save going to an Aziak or similar.

All three of those options suck b/c what you have is not bad at all. I'd look at what the potential difference is - maybe 2 lb savings on pack, another 1lb on shelter, 1/2lb on tripod? Gets you under 60lb but 3.5 lb isn't earth shattering.
 
List looks really good, I'd say the only place to drop weight is in the pack itself. There are lighter options.
Not sure how big you are but I have a hard time eating all of my calories when busy hiking, glassing is another story.

Main thing is find a buddy to pack your spotter!
Good luck.
5' 11", 170lbs. I've got the same problem as you with calories, way easier eating them stationary than on move. I used this food list last year on a 10 day slog of a goat hunt and felt fueled up until the last day, which in my mind was about perfect.

Debated on adding the note about the extra person before posting, but I guess its relevant. I'll likely have my dad with me on this trip who has always great about splitting weight where we can. So on shared items, I guess we could consider that weight cut 33%-50%.
 
I agree with @jofes on the pack. Definitely lighter (and better options IMO) ones to take with ya.
 
Sleep system is always ripe - hopefully some of the Sheep guys will chime in. The tent is the place I see where you might be able to gain some ground perhaps, that I see, but wind is always a real consideration.

Pack sticks out as another place to save weight.

Tripod is another place you could save going to an Aziak or similar.

All three of those options suck b/c what you have is not bad at all. I'd look at what the potential difference is - maybe 2 lb savings on pack, another 1lb on shelter, 1/2lb on tripod? Gets you under 60lb but 3.5 lb isn't earth shattering.
Shelter is what I've been looking hardest at, and depending on the day, I bounce back and forth between a Hilleberg, Ultamid 2p, or to just stick with what I've got. I havent weighed it yet, but if the weather is cold enough that bugs wont be bad and its not supposed to rain a lot, I guess I could leave the insert at home and save some oz there. Wind and snow load are at the top of my concerns right now. I'll be getting my tent out in the mountains with the next bout of bad weather we get and really stress testing it.

Waiting to see what Exo comes out with with their K4X next year as the K4 frame feels as good as Kifaru on me, but I think I'll probably deal with the weight penalty on the Kifaru until that K4X comes out.
 
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