Advice on backpack hunt gear list
- Thread starter mcseal2
- Start date
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My list keeps getting tweaked a little at a time as I decide to upgrade, or get gear purchased for the first time. I won't post the whole thing again now, not enough changes yet, but here is the current weights. This is still for my pack, and planning on having a second person splitting shelter weight. I have everything on an excel spreadsheet now, and bought a postage scale so all weights are correct to 1/10oz.
My total pack weight (including eberlestock, rifle, binoculars, tripod,5 days food, water) 46.6lbs
Without rifle or bogpod with optic and shooting heads 35.9lbs.
Without food/water 26.5lbs
Gear without pack, 19.5lbs
It makes a difference if I carry my bogpod & heads for shooting and optics at 47oz total or my 11oz rapid pivot bipod. I'm still looking at carrying only 15x binoculars instead of binos & a spotter. I've actually found a good price on a Leica 15x56 bino with the rangefinder built in too, which would kill even more birds with one stone. I have got all my electronics using AA lithium batteries now also except the rangefinder. I'm also still picking up layers when I can on sale. I'm good on everything except wool base layers, still watching for them when I can.
Thanks again for all the replys.
My total pack weight (including eberlestock, rifle, binoculars, tripod,5 days food, water) 46.6lbs
Without rifle or bogpod with optic and shooting heads 35.9lbs.
Without food/water 26.5lbs
Gear without pack, 19.5lbs
It makes a difference if I carry my bogpod & heads for shooting and optics at 47oz total or my 11oz rapid pivot bipod. I'm still looking at carrying only 15x binoculars instead of binos & a spotter. I've actually found a good price on a Leica 15x56 bino with the rangefinder built in too, which would kill even more birds with one stone. I have got all my electronics using AA lithium batteries now also except the rangefinder. I'm also still picking up layers when I can on sale. I'm good on everything except wool base layers, still watching for them when I can.
Thanks again for all the replys.
Since you have an Excel Spreadsheet made up go ahead and link it since it sounds like a few of us a familiar with lightweight and ultralight backpacking techniques. You can upload it to google documents for free.
I see you've bought a scale. That's the first step after admitting you have a problem so you're certainly on the right track.
The biggest weight savings (at first) come from just figuring out the difference between needs and wants. For example, you'll need a good knife and a way to sharpen it since you're hunting. You really don't need 3 or 4 and personally I'd bring a small toolkit for the rifle instead of a multitool and one good fixed blade like an Esee RC3 or 4. My knife is always on my person and never on or in the pack.
Since you have an Excel Spreadsheet made up go ahead and link it since it sounds like a few of us a familiar with lightweight and ultralight backpacking techniques. You can upload it to google documents for free.
I see you've bought a scale. That's the first step after admitting you have a problem so you're certainly on the right track.
The biggest weight savings (at first) come from just figuring out the difference between needs and wants. For example, you'll need a good knife and a way to sharpen it since you're hunting. You really don't need 3 or 4 and personally I'd bring a small toolkit for the rifle instead of a multitool and one good fixed blade like an Esee RC3 or 4. My knife is always on my person and never on or in the pack.
I'm not sure how to link the excel spreadsheet, if you could give some pointers I'll put it up.
Thanks.
Head to docs.google.com and sign up for an account. If you have a gmail or other google account you can just use that log in. Then you have the option of uploading and sharing documents with whoever.
Let me know if this works
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AizLaUuCCUCjdHVTdzc5WmNRTFhkYWVzWHR6bFJHOEE
The "other weights" listed below the total pack weight is not things I plan to carry, just a place I recorded weights when developing the list for reference. For example if I expect tons of rain I can sub the Sitka jacket for the Space Rain, etc.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AizLaUuCCUCjdHVTdzc5WmNRTFhkYWVzWHR6bFJHOEE
The "other weights" listed below the total pack weight is not things I plan to carry, just a place I recorded weights when developing the list for reference. For example if I expect tons of rain I can sub the Sitka jacket for the Space Rain, etc.
Be careful with those driducks pants. They're the weekest link in the driducks lineup and while I love their jackets I won't carry the pants due to durability issues with the seams. This could be a serious issue while hunting and possibly busting brush. I have some cheap rain pants (not PVC) from Wal-Mart or the like and while they don't breath they're pretty tough. Since I'll be wearing them over pants anyway I cut the liner out and they're down in the 8 oz range IIRC. Breathability isn't as big of an issue on the legs anyway. Besides, if it's cold and you're sweating you're doing it wrong.
Ditch the parastove. It's dangerous to rely on it for heat and compensating for an underrated bag (for the conditions) but it IS nice. This is -20 oz.per person. If you like cooking in camp it's probably worth keeping otherwise go with homemade dehydrated meals and an alcohol stove like the Supercat. If it's really cold consider using a vapor barrier layer while you sleep (http://andrewskurka.com/advice/technique/vaporbarrierliners.php).
I noticed on Kifaru's website that a trekking pole can be substituted for the rear pole on the Sawtooth. I'd do that if I were you. Reasonably light ones can be bought at Wal-Mart for $10-12. Make sure you get the flick lock ones and not the twist lock ones. The flick locks use the same hardware as Black Diamond poles and seem to work very well for the people I know that use them.
You should also break down the weight of the Kifaru into components. You may be able to save some decent weight by swapping tent stakes and line. Another consideration is bug netting. Does yours have it? Is it built in? Do you need it? Or you could use something like a Golite Shangra La 5 at about 6ft tall and just 46 ounces minus a groundsheet, bug net, pole, stakes, and guy lines. You'd still be able to stand up or almost stand up in it if that's a concern. The stove flap would have to be a custom job on it but it's been done before. Mountain Laurel Designs will do custom orders and may be willing to add a stove flap to one of their big mids. It's a hard call to make from here though because the Golite is just the weight of the canvas.
Sea to Summit Soap: I think your weight is wrong here. That bottle it comes in is probably over an ounces empty I'd guess 2.5 ounces or more when full. Replace with Dr. Bonners scentless soap. Dr. B's is concentrated and only takes a few drops so it can be repackaged into a micro dropper bottle. It can also double for washing yourself and brushing your teeth. There's some obvious weight savings there.
A micro dropper bottle can weigh as little as .35 ounces so figure on saving at least an ounce here. Maybe more. -1 ounce
Ditch the Frontier water filter straw and Katadyn filter for Aquamira drops in micro dropper bottles. About 6 oz. saved here.
Why the Carhart fleece beanie with face mask and balaclava? -1.9 oz.
Cut 1 headlamp. -1.7 oz.
I found the down jacket btw. That's a pretty good one.
Do you have to have the cell phone with you? Will it even work out there? -4.1 oz.
AMK Bivy Sack – It's condensation prone but I assume you'll be base camping so some emergency gear for day hunts is in order right?
Ditch the parastove. It's dangerous to rely on it for heat and compensating for an underrated bag (for the conditions) but it IS nice. This is -20 oz.per person. If you like cooking in camp it's probably worth keeping otherwise go with homemade dehydrated meals and an alcohol stove like the Supercat. If it's really cold consider using a vapor barrier layer while you sleep (http://andrewskurka.com/advice/technique/vaporbarrierliners.php).
I noticed on Kifaru's website that a trekking pole can be substituted for the rear pole on the Sawtooth. I'd do that if I were you. Reasonably light ones can be bought at Wal-Mart for $10-12. Make sure you get the flick lock ones and not the twist lock ones. The flick locks use the same hardware as Black Diamond poles and seem to work very well for the people I know that use them.
You should also break down the weight of the Kifaru into components. You may be able to save some decent weight by swapping tent stakes and line. Another consideration is bug netting. Does yours have it? Is it built in? Do you need it? Or you could use something like a Golite Shangra La 5 at about 6ft tall and just 46 ounces minus a groundsheet, bug net, pole, stakes, and guy lines. You'd still be able to stand up or almost stand up in it if that's a concern. The stove flap would have to be a custom job on it but it's been done before. Mountain Laurel Designs will do custom orders and may be willing to add a stove flap to one of their big mids. It's a hard call to make from here though because the Golite is just the weight of the canvas.
Sea to Summit Soap: I think your weight is wrong here. That bottle it comes in is probably over an ounces empty I'd guess 2.5 ounces or more when full. Replace with Dr. Bonners scentless soap. Dr. B's is concentrated and only takes a few drops so it can be repackaged into a micro dropper bottle. It can also double for washing yourself and brushing your teeth. There's some obvious weight savings there.
A micro dropper bottle can weigh as little as .35 ounces so figure on saving at least an ounce here. Maybe more. -1 ounce
Ditch the Frontier water filter straw and Katadyn filter for Aquamira drops in micro dropper bottles. About 6 oz. saved here.
Why the Carhart fleece beanie with face mask and balaclava? -1.9 oz.
Cut 1 headlamp. -1.7 oz.
I found the down jacket btw. That's a pretty good one.
Do you have to have the cell phone with you? Will it even work out there? -4.1 oz.
AMK Bivy Sack – It's condensation prone but I assume you'll be base camping so some emergency gear for day hunts is in order right?
Last edited:
I'll answer the questions below them in the quote
Right, it just rides in my daypack for emergency use with the navigation gear, fire starting gear, and filter straw.
Thanks for the reply.
Right, it just rides in my daypack for emergency use with the navigation gear, fire starting gear, and filter straw.
Thanks for the reply.
No problem. I love this stuff.
coyotelite
Well-Known Member
BIVY GEAR LIST
-kifaru timberline w/grab-it
-1 100oz h2o bladder
-nalgene bottle
-katadyn hiker pro
-marmot sawtooth +15
-Big Agnes Air Core Mummy Pad
-fly creek ul2
-snow peak giga
-rei titanium mug
-rei spork
-small homemade first aide kit
-headlamp
-matches and cotton balls w/petrol jelly
-gpsmap60csx
-maps and compass
-1 roll flagging
-extra batteries
-havalon piranta (6 blades)
-leatherman tool
-3 light weight game bags
-1 kifaru meat bag
-zip ties
-vortex 10x43 binos
-2 50'sections para cord
-unscented wipes (dehydrated)
-duct tape (2' wrapped around pen)
-2 pair morino wool socks
-1 smartwool baselayer bottoms
-1 pair pants (sitka timberline)
-1 sitka core zip t
-1 sitka traverse zip t
-sitka 90% jacket
-sitka jetstream vest
-1 hat
-lightwieght pancho
-lowa tibets
-outdoor research gaitors
-gloves
-daily food packaged for 2500 calories a day and emergen-c
-small notepad
-pistol w/extra mag
-kifaru timberline w/grab-it
-1 100oz h2o bladder
-nalgene bottle
-katadyn hiker pro
-marmot sawtooth +15
-Big Agnes Air Core Mummy Pad
-fly creek ul2
-snow peak giga
-rei titanium mug
-rei spork
-small homemade first aide kit
-headlamp
-matches and cotton balls w/petrol jelly
-gpsmap60csx
-maps and compass
-1 roll flagging
-extra batteries
-havalon piranta (6 blades)
-leatherman tool
-3 light weight game bags
-1 kifaru meat bag
-zip ties
-vortex 10x43 binos
-2 50'sections para cord
-unscented wipes (dehydrated)
-duct tape (2' wrapped around pen)
-2 pair morino wool socks
-1 smartwool baselayer bottoms
-1 pair pants (sitka timberline)
-1 sitka core zip t
-1 sitka traverse zip t
-sitka 90% jacket
-sitka jetstream vest
-1 hat
-lightwieght pancho
-lowa tibets
-outdoor research gaitors
-gloves
-daily food packaged for 2500 calories a day and emergen-c
-small notepad
-pistol w/extra mag
coyotelite
Well-Known Member
This list with 1 week of food weighs in at 43lbs. the only thing that changes the weight is the amount of food and severety of weather. The price of the pack and boots along with other gear always gives peoply pause. My theory on bivy hunting and gear goes something like this.
Backpack hunters have lots of reasons to go back to base camp. The mountains are a rough place. Steep, thick, changing weather from cold to hot as hell and the fact that we have families we miss and that miss us. All of these things, combined with others that we cannot change give us reasons to go home. The last thing we need is more reasons to go home. If our boots are sub-par, our feet will be more uncomfertable sooner. When this happens, every step we take is a reason to turn back. If our pack is not top notch for carrying the weight we are and our shoulders get sore, every shift in the weight, every step we take is a reason to go back. If the clothes we wear don't wick moisture, fit right and agree with our activities, we will get uncomfertable, cold, stink and chaffe. All of these things will make us want to turn back with every step we take, every stream we cross and every ridge we hump.
I spent a lot of time avoiding high end gear because I was appauled at the price. Now that I've bit the bullet and spent the money, I regret all those years i resisted. When I think of all the times I turned back for various reasons that I can now attribute to inferior gear it makes me wonder how many more animals I could have harvested and how many more memories I would have made.
I hope my experiences will help some of you with future hunts.
gun)
Backpack hunters have lots of reasons to go back to base camp. The mountains are a rough place. Steep, thick, changing weather from cold to hot as hell and the fact that we have families we miss and that miss us. All of these things, combined with others that we cannot change give us reasons to go home. The last thing we need is more reasons to go home. If our boots are sub-par, our feet will be more uncomfertable sooner. When this happens, every step we take is a reason to turn back. If our pack is not top notch for carrying the weight we are and our shoulders get sore, every shift in the weight, every step we take is a reason to go back. If the clothes we wear don't wick moisture, fit right and agree with our activities, we will get uncomfertable, cold, stink and chaffe. All of these things will make us want to turn back with every step we take, every stream we cross and every ridge we hump.
I spent a lot of time avoiding high end gear because I was appauled at the price. Now that I've bit the bullet and spent the money, I regret all those years i resisted. When I think of all the times I turned back for various reasons that I can now attribute to inferior gear it makes me wonder how many more animals I could have harvested and how many more memories I would have made.
I hope my experiences will help some of you with future hunts.
gun)
jmden
Well-Known Member
Very good explanation...well said.
