Pack list revisions (after the hunt)

[robtattoo]

I just realized, there are a few things I took & used but haven't listed:

Diamox (prescription)
Rolaids (1 small pack per day)
Chewing gum
Duct tape around 20oz bottle & trekking poles (used when a branch fell through the tent)

Condiments: Olive oil packets (Took 20, used 1 per meal)
Taco Bell hot sauce (Took 20, used 'em all!)
Single serving honey (Used 1 per oatmeal & carried for emergency energy during the day. Took 20, used 'em all)

It sounds odd, but condiments can really make a meal. Josh had powdered cheese with him & a teaspoon added to some meals really transformed them!

The food I dehydrated was simple & I tried to get a good balance between protein & carbs. Fat is a problem as it doesn't dehydrate well, hence the oil packets.
The menu was as follows:
Venison chilli with Penne pasta.
Simple Venison spaghetti sauce with cous cous
Ground turkey Madras with brown rice.
Corned beef hash with baked beans & mashed potatoes.

All the meals (apart from the Corned beef) were made with way more vegetables, spices & garlic than usual as dehydrating tends to mute the flavors. All portions were done as 4 cups (rehydrated) per person, per meal which is great at home, but turned out to be way too much on the mountain. Next year I'll cut that back to 2 cups.
All the meals were vacuum sealed to save space, but also the bags were used to rehydrate. IT's much simpler to cut open the bag, add boiling water & sit the whole thing in a coozy for 20 minute to cook. No pots to wash & all the bags can go on the fire.

Things I wished at some point I'd had with me:

Needle & thread.
Safety pins.
Nail clippers.
Seat/cushion
Thin gloves
Sunscreen
Saline nasal spray

It's been a funny old time, compiling exhaustive lists of things I 'needed' to take that I ended up not using & things I didn't take that I really could've used.
I know that had I/we got an elk on the ground, there would be things that would've been needed (like the paracord) & I guess that's something I won't know for certain until it actually happens.

[robtattoo]

More stuff I took & didn't use......

Deodorant. You're gonna stink, deal with it.
Body glide.
First aid kit. I know, I know, but one good kit would be fine between all 3 of us. We all took one.
Pocket knife I always have one, but between the Havalon & Mora, I was covered.
Multitool Again, always have it along, but never needed to use it. Small pliers would do & weigh less.
5, 1 gallon ziplock bags Always in my daypack & I'm really not sure why!  :D

[pinky]

Thanks for sharing Rob.  There are some good ideas in this posting. After the earlier GPS discussions and the mention of the Backcountry Navigator, i looked into it and have tried out the free demo version just a little. still trying to figure it out.   Did you use it, B.N., much or did you use the other GPS more?

[robtattoo]

I only used BCN. It worked so well, I've pretty much scrapped the idea of a stand alone GPS.
I took the Backtrack, more as an insurance policy. Next time I probably won't bother.

[robtattoo]

Sorry to keep dragging this out! I keep thinking of stuff that folks might find useful in future.

My total initial pack weight was 68 pounds (shutup) The frame itself is 5ish & my daypack is 2½.
I used a Cabelas Alaskan Outfitter frame, without the top loop & a Tenzing 2220 daypack.
I could easily cut 3-4 pounds by upgrading packs to a Kuiu or Exo 3500 next year.
The Exo is something I've been looking very hard at, but being brand-fire new & heavily backordered I didn't want to risk it this time out.  www.exomountaingear.com  is their site.

The Kelty down sleeping bag I took was too small (78"x31") & heavy for it's size (around 2½ pounds) & I'll be changing this out ASAP for either an Enlightened Equipment Revelation or Hammock Gear Burrow quilt, which will cut a handy pound.

Ideally I'd like to get my pack under 50 pounds & with a few gear changes & the knowledge & experience gained from this trip I doubt it'll be a problem.
Me, I weigh in at 260 & that WILL change by 40 pounds by next year. I doubt I'll ever be a toothbrush cutting, gram counter. I like my comforts too much & I don't want to have to 'baby' all my gear, but a few sensible omissions & dollars invested here & there will certainly make future trips less torturous!
I doubt, however, that they will make it any more enjoyable.
Pain is fleeting, accomplishment lasts forever!

[Adirondackman]

Great Post:

I did my 7th Elk Hunt last year and still seem to eliminate one or two items each time.

I don't even cook anymore! My daily food supply weighs in at about 1.5 lbs. No stove or fuel needed.

Compass is a must. I actually use my Compass 90% of the time and use GPS as a backup. The Compass always works. I have seen many occasions where the GPS unit didn't work or took a long time too fix a point. It also requires batteries. I don't have to carry spares.

First aid is a must if you hunt different areas from your party. Items to stop and control bleeding are all that I carry.

I have used the Katadyn hiker for many years and have not found a better way to filter water. I usually get a full year or more out of my filter and that includes hunting and backpacking trips. I don't like using chemicals but they seem to be the lightest way to go.

My Basic list for 7 day hunt:

3 pairs socks
1 lite pair merino underwear
1 pair hunting pants
1 pair hiking pants
1 hunting shirt
1 lite weight merino wool vest
1 rain coat - Cabalas lite wt.
1 Heavy wool shirt
1 Bandana or lite cap
1 Wool watch cap
1 pair gloves
2 knives
3 ways to make fire
Tent - Tarp
Sleeping Bag
Pack
Disposable toothbrush with toothpaste
Maps
Compass
GPS
Water filter
50' Para chord
Game bags
1 package of wipes
TP
small survival kit

My pack usually weighs in at just a little over 40LBs.

I rarely say "I wish that I brought that"
It is usually "What the hell did I bring that for"

As far as Altitude Sickness the only real remedy is Acclimation. The time will very depending on your condition. There really is no other remedy. Headaches and lack of appetite are very common.

[glass76]

Thanks for starting this thread, lots of good information.

[Whip]

Originally posted by robtattoo:

Pain is fleeting, accomplishment lasts forever!

I like that!!

[Steve Chappell]

Robtattoo

More good info!  Thanks for adding on as you remember...I have now added a few useful things to my list one never think of until you read it!

With down bags, the higher the down count the better the insulation and lighter the bag will be.  KUIU has a waterproof down bag now that is 865 count rated...which is near the very best. When I first started going to CO ELk hunting my buddy and I bought down bags from Cableas and had no idea there were varying types of down...and our bags weighted a ton.  My KUIU 0 degree long bags come in at 2 lbs 10 oz. The 30 degree long is 1 lbs 10 oz.

I bought a dehydrator and plan to make my own food at some point for my trips. Did not have enough time this year. There is some good info and recipes on the Rocslide.com site.  

Do the Rolaids serve some other purpose?  

I use a nasal gel, like it better than the spays...people who are from the humid state like MI will find their noise dried out, hurting and bloody within days. So good call getting that out there!

I have added a medical Stapler to my first aid kit. The air is so dry in CO the wood does not decompose...it just gets rock hard.  on the 3 day walking back to camp I walked over a dead fall and a small broken off branch put a dandy gash in my shin. We were able to clean it really good but could not get the would to stay shut.  I lost a full day of elk hunting when the bulls were going nuts because I had to ride a horse out to my car so I could go to Ft Collins emergency room for 8 stiches. I knew if I did not get it stitched it'd be busting it open several times a day in the country we were hunting.  Had I had a stapler then, I could have taken care of it myself. While I hope I never need to use it, it is there if I need it.

[todd smith]

Great info guys!!  Like the stapler idea a lot. I was thinking about carrying suture kits but the stapler would be easier.

Great ideas and tips!!  

Thanks for sharing.    

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by Steve Chappell:
Robtattoo

More good info!  Thanks for adding on as you remember...I have now added a few useful things to my list one never think of until you read it!

With down bags, the higher the down count the better the insulation and lighter the bag will be.  KUIU has a waterproof down bag now that is 865 count rated...which is near the very best. When I first started going to CO ELk hunting my buddy and I bought down bags from Cableas and had no idea there were varying types of down...and our bags weighted a ton.  My KUIU 0 degree long bags come in at 2 lbs 10 oz. The 30 degree long is 1 lbs 10 oz.

I bought a dehydrator and plan to make my own food at some point for my trips. Did not have enough time this year. There is some good info and recipes on the Rocslide.com site.  

Do the Rolaids serve some other purpose?  

I use a nasal gel, like it better than the spays...people who are from the humid state like MI will find their noise dried out, hurting and bloody within days. So good call getting that out there!

I have added a medical Stapler to my first aid kit. The air is so dry in CO the wood does not decompose...it just gets rock hard.  on the 3 day walking back to camp I walked over a dead fall and a small broken off branch put a dandy gash in my shin. We were able to clean it really good but could not get the would to stay shut.  I lost a full day of elk hunting when the bulls were going nuts because I had to ride a horse out to my car so I could go to Ft Collins emergency room for 8 stiches. I knew if I did not get it stitched it'd be busting it open several times a day in the country we were hunting.  Had I had a stapler then, I could have taken care of it myself. While I hope I never need to use it, it is there if I need it.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bag already. The Kelty seemed like a great first down bag. Not too heavy & still a 750 fill. The problem was solely down to the fact that I have a ridiculous shoulder/chest measurement & I plugged the thing like a champagne cork! I've just placed an order for a 20º Long, extra wide Enlightened Equipment quilt with 850 fill down. I was on the fence about buying one before the hunt, as I'd already got a few nights in the Kelty, but at temperatures in the 60's. It wasn't a problem until it really became cold & I had to rely on the uncompressed insulation.

The Roliads, I'm told, do help with altitude sickness problems. Don't know why, but the guys on Rokslide (notable Luke Moffatt) told me about them. Tums & other antacids don't work for the same thing. I couldn't tell you why they work, but they really do!

I've never tried the nasal gel before, but I'll definitely give it a go next year. The lack of humidity, compared to Middle Tennessee, sounds like it'd be awesome, but it's honestly as tough to deal with as the altitude. I had a constant 'smoker's' cough after 48 hrs. I haven't coughed like that since I quit the coffin nails 8 years ago!

Just thought: Pack cough sweeties next year too!   :D

[huntnmuleys]

no "preserve" for around the campfire lol??

I don't take 100 foot of cord either.  50 should be plenty. sounds like you took gods plenty of food too.  I usually do oatmeal in the am, one granola bar and/or jerky for a snack, a peanut butter and bacon on a bagel for midday, and a mountain house.  oh and coffee lol..


and I never hunt without a baseball in my pack for luck.  ever

[robtattoo]

Well...... it wouldn't be hunting without a little 'nighttime fortification' now would it?
8oz of J&B Rare  
A teeny snort goes a long way with no food in you & at over 11k!

[fnshtr]

Rob,

Forgive me if I overlooked it in the comments by others... but where I have hunted elk it has been necessary to hang our food up to keep it from attracting bears. That is my main use for paracord. Also... if you get one down, it is very helpful for holding the legs out of the way while de-boning. Also use it for clothes drying, airing out sleeping bags, etc.

Thanks for the thread.

[calgarychef]

Funny is should stumble on this thread the same morning that I'm heading out for an elking trip.  I struggle to keep pack weight low but it's a tough thing to do.  I'm really in the camp of if ya gotta cook only boil food an dI'd much prefer a handful of twigs instead of a stove.

  About the water filtering I use an MSR but we always put the water into a pot and let it settle out before filtering.  The MSR is great because when it plugs it's easy to clean,  sometimes the water leaves a slime on the filter cartridge and the slime plugs it easily.  I really like my steripen but wish it didn't have batteries.  I've used it in a lot of places and haven't been sick yet.  The place we hunt elk has cattle too so the pristine looking mountain water is rife with nasties and no problems so far.

[tracker12]

I'm also keen on the 100' of cord.  If you get an elk down you can easily use that to tie the legs back while gutting/quartering plus hanging meat bags.  Compass for the few ounces it weighs is always in my pack.

As far as for the nose I carry a small tiny can of Vicks vapor rub and line my noise a few times a day. I also keep some Vicks spray  to sleep at night if needed.

[Dave Lay]

great info robtatto and others.. thanks that will help refine my pack this year

[Beanbag]

On the Rolaids thing, every time my brother and I head out to CO we start eating 3-4 Rolaids a day for about 2 weeks( we are at sea level).We rarely have had any problems with altitude. My sons did Army Ranger school a number of years ago and told us that when you get up in altitude your body chemistry starts to change due to the low O2.They took them for their mountain training school.Can't remember exactly what they offset but Something in the Rolaids speeds up the process and will lessen the effects of High altitude. Just need to learn how to breathe thru a straw to get in shape.lol