Elk Hunt clothing?

[skilonbw]

I would say this year due to our high snowpack numbers and some of not even melting very much. After all as I write this the high country is getting 4-8" of snow with a winter weather advisory. I would aim more for light wight but able to handle cold and wet weather. For my typical hunts I always layer with poly underwear and wool socks with some form of lightweight technical camo or earth tone clothes on top. Along with a rain jacket in the pack.

[wislnwings]

Thanks guys.  I guess I should have been more clear.  I have some Sitka gear now (vest, 1/4 zip shirt, pants, jacket) and a wide assortment of camo ranging from Cabelas Microtex to heavy wool.  I do plan to keep adding to what I have as far as technical clothing.  I'm just trying to see what people are using/packing for this type of trip so I can then go through what I have and see what best fits my needs.

[kadbow]

Take some merino wool base layers to keep your stink down.  Unfortunately you need to be prepared for a wide range of weather.  It was snowing here yesterday above about 9000'.

[John Scifres]

Personally, I like cotton.  It's cheap, durable and good for many situations.  As far as it killing...in CO? in archery season? really?  If cotton kills you then, you might should reevaluate your ability for a backpack hunt in the first place.  I mean, you're not climbing Everest here.  Not arguing, just offering another view.

Don't get me wrong, I wear polyprop and wool too.  But they have their drawbacks too.

I can't really afford, nor do I need the uber fibers out there today.  They are nice status symbols and real hard-core guys probably need them, but I don't and I doubt 80%+ of the other guys out there do either.

[jhg]

Originally posted by John Scifres:
... As far as it killing...in CO? in archery season? really?  If cotton kills you then, you might should reevaluate your ability for a backpack hunt in the first place.  I mean, you're not climbing Everest here. ...

I spend a LOT of time above 7000feet.

We do have some great weather here thats for sure and a lot of great weather during archery. And every year people are rescued off these same mountains because they got wet and cold, then gee, it kept getting wetter and colder.  

I have seen snow in mid-July and a 3 day weather pattern that kept it on the ground above 8000ft for those days. It was cold up there and no picnic for the cotton and tee shirt crowd

This is the problem with being in the high country out here. It is so nice so much of the time you get complacent.

Then you are in trouble. I have seen some pretty wicked conditions after a whole summer of predictable patterns and you begin to question if you can get away with less.

 Yes you can. Most of the time. And then all hell breaks loose and really, you are screwed. I would not depend on cotton up there for my life. Ever.

Predicting it will be the usual spit of rain and then clear out is the worst kind of gamble in these little mountains out here in Colorado. I've seen it go bad. It really can be dangerous when it does.

Just sayin'

Joshua

[wapiti792]

Well I will chime in even though I am a flatlander    After 11 hunts in 13 years out west, 9 of which were above 12,000 feet I can tell you that good rain gear (Goretex), wool socks, wicking undergarments including your underwear, and layers that you can shuck on/off as you heat up/cool down will get you through 99% of the time.

I am planning a hunt for Rocky Mountain Goats in 2012 and will most likely drink the kool-aid and buy some lighter-weight true mountain wear to go along with my polypro and wool undergarments because weight is going to be a huge issue on that hunt. I will say after attending several wilderness medicine courses as part of my job the last 5 or so years there are 3 things that will kill you in the mountains: falls, weather, and cotton    IMO cotton is great for warm weather, out the back 40 hunts, but in situations where you might have to spend the night out in cold, wet conditions, it's thermal properties are zero compared to synthetics that dry quick or wool which retains it's thermal properties when wet.

Good luck! You are gonna LOVE elk hunting. It is addictive and spellbinding and will leave you with the 1000 yard stare long after your hunt is over  

[MTArrowLauncher]

Originally posted by John Scifres:
Personally, I like cotton.  It's cheap, durable and good for many situations.  As far as it killing...in CO? in archery season? really?  If cotton kills you then, you might should reevaluate your ability for a backpack hunt in the first place.  I mean, you're not climbing Everest here.  Not arguing, just offering another view.

Don't get me wrong, I wear polyprop and wool too.  But they have their drawbacks too.

I can't really afford, nor do I need the uber fibers out there today.  They are nice status symbols and real hard-core guys probably need them, but I don't and I doubt 80%+ of the other guys out there do eithe
r.

Hypothermia starts at a core body temp of 95°F, and if it rains and soaks you (yup it rains in CO) and the ambient air temp drops to 50° and continues to drop all night, you would be surprised how fast your body temp drops. Then your mental faculties are dulled, and you have trouble thinking and in turn don't start a fire or are unable to and you freeze to death, all because you were like all the other people who thought they didn't need to prepare CORRECTLY for the ever changing western weather, and ended up being hauled out of the high country in a body bag.


I live in MT and have more than ones bow hunted in snow in mid Sept after a week of 90° weather. So its my understanding of the possibilities and how to prepare for them that make me perfectly able to survive on a backpack trip. And Cotton doesn't and wont kill ME because im not stupid enough to wear it where you life can depend on it.

Just sayin

[MTArrowLauncher]

Don't get me wrong, 99% of the time its not an issue, its warm and nice. Its just the one time something happens and you are not prepared that could kill you.

You don't need $700 worth of sitka stuff ( which would be nice but I can't afford it either) there are cheaper alternatives than that for a base layer that wicks moisture and dries fast. Like an UA shirt, $20 bucks at a sporting good store, etc.

[widow sax]

I think you are looking for the numbers of things to take I am rethinking that myself. I would say 1 or 2 pants 1 jacker 1 down jacket or vest 1 or 2 shirts 1 base layer of shirt and pants 2 to 3 pr socks 2 or 3 underwear one pair of the best boots you can get and a rain jacket or poncho if you like. I love the Russell gear and is on sale at Guander 60 persent off and it is as good a Sika I think at a fraction of the price. Just remember what you wear can add weight quick.   Widow

[Talondale]

Anyone had experience with the Microtex Lite?

[FerretWYO]

My thought is this my two most favorite are mentioned alread.

The first as Steve O said. Sitka Asent pants. Amazing. I also have 90%.

Second. Cabelas Microtex in the Outfitter camo. This is my normal hunting atire for all hunts back country.

Base layers are important dont forget those. Quality will pay off.

 

 

[ShadeMt]

I have worn the microtex(and microtex lite) a lot in the past and am happy with it's performance and price.  Another overlooked option are the nylon hiking type pants as they dry extremely quickly. This year I did pick up some Sitka pants so I am anxious to try them in the backcountry.

[beachbowhunter]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
Check out Cabelas Microtex.

Agreed!
I've entirely switched to this stuff for elk hunting and it works great, is affordable, and available in lots of pieces, weights etc. I use the MicroTex lite pieces for elk in New Mexico where it has been hot every time I've gone... The outfitter camo is still one of the best all around patterns too...