Shred it (My packing list)

[chizelhead]

In that case I'll probably end up sticking with the bino/spotter combo. I end up using my binos in close too often to not be able to glass with one hand. Might end up going 8x32 or 10x32 and save some oz there, I'll see what deals pop up in the next couple of months.


Absolutely. In colder temps the filter lives in the chest pocket of my lightweight hoody. However, that base layer has to go and get replaced. I wore it on a hike this weekend and remembered just how bad that thing gets to smelling. Going to have to keep that filter issue in mind when picking out something new. Love the steripen concept, but I've almost thrown that POS off the mountain one too many times.


Since this is a living list I'll note some changes. I added the sidearm to the list. Too many brownies in the area to depend on undeveloped sword skills with an arrow in hand. Looks like I have a lead on a lighter pack system, and worse case I'll borrow a buddies SG. So add 3 lbs for the pistol and cut 3 lbs for the pack, we're back to 60lbs. Another thing to upgrade is the pants to something with knee pads. I spent a good chunk of this years caribou hunts on my knees and oh lord what a difference those knee pads made. For archery hunts, I'll skip the baby wipes before stalking 400 yards on my knees without knee pads again.

Still on the hunt for the perfect boot. I've got wider feet and am trying to find an uninsulated/B2 boot. Love the idea of something lighter, but to this point I've had no luck with the toeboxes. I've got a pair of Meindl Glockners showing up next week, and if those dont work the next on the list is Zamberlan 2092s. Why crispi isnt putting heel welts on their stiffer boots is beyond me.

Appreciate the feedback from everyone to this point. I'll keep this thread updated as changes are made so it can hopefully be of use for someone in the future.

Good deal on lightly used Zamberlan 2092 on Rokslide if they are the right size. I think they're fantastic assuming they fit you.

 

[ColeyG]

I disagree on ditching the water filter. There's bear and marmot scat all the way up to the ridge lines and you may be fine 99% of the time but the 1% ain't fun. You can get away with tabs to cut weight but I would use them on any water you're not boiling.

I also disagree about ditching the inreach, it's much tougher than a phone and has a longer battery. Not hard to imagine a fall that disables you also crushing a phone and it's nice having the inreach clipped off to your packs shoulder strap so it's accessible your injured and can't get to the interior of your pack.

Gaiters are also really nice if you're glissading down scree and will keep water from wet vegetation from getting into your boots if you're on the valley floor. I've also been up in that hunt zone and had 22" of wet heavy snow between October 9 and 10.

Plenty of browns up there but you can pretty easily save a few pounds going from a pistol to bear spray and practicing good camp hygiene.

I do agree on foregoing a spotter if you're not picky on which ram you want. You gotta get in bow range anyways

As my mountaineering mentor used to say, everything comes at a cost. Everything you take, and everything you choose to leave behind has both a benefit and a detriment.

I think I’ve been on around 30 sheep hunts now and have filtered/treated water zero times. Paid the price one night in Talkeetnas in an area where there was an abnormal amount of caribou crap in and around water sources. I’m not entirely sure water was the source of the brief but intense GI distress, but that would be my bet.

Granted that part of the Chugach is lower elevation and there will be a fair amount of time spent below treeline, but based on experience in the area, I don’t think finding clean trickles of water up high will be difficult.

On the Inreach, most of that unit has cell coverage. Easy to play the “what if game” and wind up carrying the kitchen sink. Planning for what is most likely along with some thought into worst case scenario and the range of possibilities is a good approach to packing in my book.

Ounces turn into pounds, pounds turn into pain.

There is no one right answer, obviously, and all of this is subjective and based on personal preferences and experience.

 

[carsonkeys]

For the last handful of years, I've been doing a solo hunt for the opening week of sheep season and have been able to get my solo kit down to 50lbs all in. Still heavier than I would like, but manageable for high mileage approaches with significant elevation gain. More more than that on my back really increases the fatigue factor for me. I don't know why but the difference between 50 and even 55lb seems very significant to me.

Does your 50lb kit include food, optics, and weapon? If so, would you mind PMing me your list? You helped me a bunch on my first sheep hunt, and I think I have more whittling to do.

 

[ColeyG]

Does your 50lb kit include food, optics, and weapon? If so, would you mind PMing me your list? You helped me a bunch on my first sheep hunt, and I think I have more whittling to do.

Yes and will do.