Would I be in over my head? - Colorado Elk

[timekiller13]

You don’t have to walk 10-12 miles a day to be in elk.

Best elk hunt I went on, I was never more than a mile from the truck, saw elk daily. Probably covered no more than 3-4 miles a day. And this was in an OTC unit. Be mobile, but don’t walk past elk to find more elk.

 

[jmd]

Do it, but be prepared for the altitude difference

 

[UKwildcatfan]

I wish I'd had the opportunity to go at 25.

 

[Gpw]

your 25. If you’re mentally ready for it you’ll do fine. Don’t second guess yourself

 

[wapitispokes]

Do it.

The only thing a 25 yo often doesn’t have is the mental fortitude of a fat out of shape man who knows his limits but would rather die in the mountains than cutting out In n Out shakes.

Edited to add that I did a Philmont trek at 21 with my 65 year old dad, who continued to go in his 70s. You can do it.

Bingo..."do it".

I did Philmont circa 1969 and was "under the minimum age" at the time - I was somewhere around 12-14, but definitely under the minimum age at the time. Youngest on our crew. Weighed maybe 110 lbs at most and carried a 45 lb pack... and we had cotton sleeping bags, floorless canvas tents and the like. And it wasn't that hard. That is when I fell in love with the mountains and wilderness.

I resemble Mr. Quandary a couple of posts up. Heck, I keep doing it even though most folks wouldn't and some might say I shouldn't! Live free or die.

Elk hunting is as hard as you want to make it. The key is getting experience and having fun. It's about the adventure & discovery; not the kill. (Thank God! LOL).

On the other hand, when I was young, around 50, and training to climb Rainier and some local glacier peaks in Washington State, everyone wanted to know how hard the climb was. Answer - easy peasy compared to elk hunting. LOL.

The only things slowing me down are a back issue, ruptured achilles and knee replacement. But they are not stopping me! Glad I'm not 25, elk hunting would probably be hard. LOL.