Stupid Light?

[mtwarden]

I was thinking that a good way to cut weight might be to forego fuel and stove and bring foods that don't require cooking/heating. I have yet to try this though.

I've tried it. It works OK in the "summer", but shoulder seasons/winter I want warm meals and warm beverages. My stove, pot and a small fuel canister (~ 5 days worth) is a pound—a pound I'm not skimping on

 

[Ferrulewax]

I've been playing around with an UL loadout for here in the East. Headed out this Tuesday for a 2 day one night about as light as possible. Poncho tarp for rain gear and shelter (7oz) esbit cook kit (5 oz w/ food). Still debating if I want to bring the saddle or hunt from the ground.

https://lighterpack.com/r/1an6m3

27lbs Includes:
-k2 frame, k3 3200 w/lid (5lbs) I would like to try a k3 1800 for even lighter weight
-rifle (5.28 lbs)
-Saddle Kit (6.06)

Mild weather and a lack of truly remote areas make it considerably easier to be UL here.

 

[Beendare]

I've been around the block on this UL trend....random thoughts I hope help you.

I've spent many nights out with what's on my back- which in some cases was nothing back when I was night hunting hogs with dogs [depredation]...

.... and a couple times in my 20's in the Rocky mtns in Rain and snow when my mini mag light took a dump at least I had a daypack with some stuff on those occasions. Those are miserable.

Going UL doesn't matter as much if you are hunting from a spike camp. If you are trying to do the Youtube hunting style where they pack the world around with them everywhere- then it matters. If you have a big loop in the backcountry you are making to find critters, then that makes sense.

A guy learns what he needs to be comfortable. Quality gear doesn't weigh much...and then just don't overpack. When you get some bad weather you will be glad you have that Tarptent double rainbow over a coffin bivy that saved you 8 oz.


I spent 8 days solo backpack elk hunting- my camp and gear dump pictured- and no way I do that with a 30# setup that I use when scouting and making a big loop for 3 days. I packed in a backpacking chair on the 8 day hunt and it was worth every ounce for these old bones....but then I wore the same pair of pants washing them on day 4. Use the right pant and you don't need 2 pair.

When you get up over 2-3 days there is no weight savings by not bringing a stove due to the freeze dried weighing less. Plus, NO Coffee.....NO tea....NO hot chocolate? Thats Heresy! What kind of special forces wannabe does that? Grin

 

[gatorfish]

Very much appreciate this thread. I’m just getting in to backpack hunting, but have extensive experience backpacking and in other outdoor endeavors where an efficient, weight/space conscious gear loadout matters.

My backpacking base weight is less than 10lbs all in, which Includdes a tent, an all season pad, and a 20deg bag. But I understand, this type of set-up is made for trail hiking and may sacrifice durability for weight savings, although I haven’t had issues.

I’m trying to incorporate the lessons learned when building out a hunting set-up while adding durability/reliability knowing off trail movement will be hard on the gear and having the ability to pack out meat is the goal. But it’s hard knowing my new Exo Pack weighs more than my current Big 3 combined!

 

[feanor]

Very much appreciate this thread. I’m just getting in to backpack hunting, but have extensive experience backpacking and in other outdoor endeavors where an efficient, weight/space conscious gear loadout matters.

My backpacking base weight is less than 10lbs all in, which Includdes a tent, an all season pad, and a 20deg bag. But I understand, this type of set-up is made for trail hiking and may sacrifice durability for weight savings, although I haven’t had issues.

I’m trying to incorporate the lessons learned when building out a hunting set-up while adding durability/reliability knowing off trail movement will be hard on the gear and having the ability to pack out meat is the goal. But it’s hard knowing my new Exo Pack weighs more than my current Big 3 combined!

There’s definitely some overlap that you can apply to your hunts, but you’ll be singing the exos praises when you’re packing out close to 100 lbs. You simply can’t get away from a frame that is capable of carrying that kind of weight.

Other things like an extra headlamp or battery pack seems like overkill from a UL perspective. But if you shoot an animal at dusk and have to blood trail at night/ or cut it up and pack it out at night, that extra weight is well worth it.

I think the clothing aspect and sleep system can greatly benefit you in the UL trail hiking realm. Good luck!

 

[gatorfish]

There’s definitely some overlap that you can apply to your hunts, but you’ll be singing the exos praises when you’re packing out close to 100 lbs. You simply can’t get away from a frame that is capable of carrying that kind of weight.

Other things like an extra headlamp or battery pack seems like overkill from a UL perspective. But if you shoot an animal at dusk and have to blood trail at night/ or cut it up and pack it out at night, that extra weight is well worth it.

I think the clothing aspect and sleep system can greatly benefit you in the UL trail hiking realm. Good luck!

Thank you! The tip for needing more light is great. The majority of my hunting has been in the southeast and Texas where a truck or 4wheeler is always at hand, and processing takes place at camp with a hoist and power.

I have been using the nitecore nu25 for a long time, and love it, but only for light camp tasks and some night hiking. I just picked up the new nu20 classic to try. Coupled with a couple nb10000 banks, I trust this set-up would be adequate?

Any other areas, where a “back-up” may be valuable?

 

[gatorfish]

I was thinking that a good way to cut weight might be to forego fuel and stove and bring foods that don't require cooking/heating. I have yet to try this though.

I have “cold-soaked” over several backpacking trips. Using a cheap plastic peanut butter or talenti jar. Just add your meal and water into the jar, throw it in your pack and hike for a few hours.

But, It gets old quickly. Food I normally enjoy, like ramen-bombs or oat/protein mixes, become unpalatable quickly when not warm

Long weekend, sure. Week or longer, I need a stove.

 

[JohnB]

Any other areas, where a “back-up” may be valuable?

Headlamps, knives, and warm gloves are the 3 typical duplicates for me.

 

[mtwarden]

Hunting changes the dynamics of the weight game vs backpacking. As pointed out, most dramatically in the pack you use, but also things like rifle/ammo, optics, kill kit, etc.

You also don't spend a ton of time static like you do when hunting, so the clothing that would be comfortable backpacking down the trail, might not be if you need to spend 3-4 hours on a windy ridge glassing.

In addition, clothing that was fine in regards to durability going down the trail, may be much less so when dealing with miles of blowdown and thick timber.

The good thing is that a lot (most) of the backpacking gear you have transitions over to backpack hunting, as does the mindset that of keeping your pack light—just not as light as you're used to backpacking