Backpack list.....is this ok?

J

jjwillie

Guest
Hi guys (and gals)....I'm starting to prepare my list for this year's backpack rifle hunt in Idaho. I'll post the list and am going to ask for suggestions on other addition/deletions to the list. We will be packing 2-3 miles from the trailhead into a roadless area and will cover 2200 vertical feet in the first mile and a half, so I'm trying to keep the weight as low as possible.

Meals-
Instant Coffee, Granola, Instant Oatmeal
Dehydrated dinners, etc.

Clothing-
3 pr hiking socks, 2 pairs liners
1 pr boots
1 pr camp pants
2 long sleeve shirts
1 mid weight jacket
under armour
gloves

Gear-
Tent
tarp
backpack stove
Ax
Rifle/Ammo
First Aid kit
Knife/whetstone
Sleeping Bag/pad
Binocs
Rangefinder
Titanium pot
Toiletries
200 feet string/game bags
camera
GPS/topos
flashlight/headlamp
Lantern (has anyone found a good lightweight battery powered one?)
water bottle
fuel for stove
water purifier

I figured everything to be about 65 pounds, including pack weight. Any suggestions? Thanks
 
How about a hunting license, matches, lighter and some orange ? Just a thought since Im a smartass. Gary
 
I am no expert, but have done some packing in while hunting and it seems to me that you need to shed some weight. I would bag the lantern, ax, at least one pair of socks, and the tarp since you have a tent. I would ad a beanie and lighter even if the beanie is just for sleeping it makes a big difference. The new Eastmans mag has an exact four day pack list and the pack is under 27 lbs.
 
Sierra saw instead of ax
extra batteries for l.e.d. flashlight & headlamp
paring knife to cape head.
raingear?
beenie/watch cap
wet ones
spoon
trekking pole(s)
no lantern
no whetstone
 
a small thing, but i learned a long time ago to throw in an extra set of boot laces...good luck on your hunt, and let us know how it went...
 
nix the lantern, ax, and tarp. The Eastman list is great at 27 lbs. but does not include firearm or things the guide was carrying. I've done eighty miles in eight days starting out at 49 lbs and it seemed about right. 65 is too much for backpacking but your not going in very far so you can take some comfort items.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-06-08 AT 06:34PM (MST)[p]You may want to get yourself a little whistle as well for your safety kit.I also carry a roll of surveyors tape, any florecent color.
 
65 lbs is alot of starting weight and if you get an animal it ads one more trip . Just my 2 cents, and good luck
 
Thanks for the replys guys. I may have misprepresented the situation. I will only be packing this weight to base camp. From there, the load will lessen substantially. I usually hunt with the essentials. I like to stay lightweight so that I can move fast.

Any suggestions on internal frame vs. external frames? I'm in the market for a pack and like the versatility of the externals, but it seems a lot of people use internals for packing camp and packing out game.
 
In the state of Idaho you are not required to wear orange. A wyoming saw will replace the ax. What part of Idaho are you headed to? I live in the panhandle if you have any questions.
Good luck!!!
 
Lithium batteries are roughly half the weight of normal ones. But this might only count when your really trying to cut the weight down. If I remember, I think this was mentioned in Cameron Haines book...
 
If you are still interested, Brunton makes a a small
light-weight Backpacking lantern. I got mine at S.W. in the camping section. Works great.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-11-08 AT 00:31AM (MST)[p]Let's see............65# in to camp and with any luck, add 65# of rough boned out deer to that stuff coming out....What you have listed, looks like you might be able to eat 10# of, so that will get your "pack out" down to a measly 120#.

I suggest adding 2 llamas, then take some steaks, potatoes, and tomatoes. Beer, fresh fruit, beer, and asswipe.

That way, you won't look like the Donner Party, discarding all the heavy stuff on your way down the mountain.

Good luck and have fun.
 
I think I may have mis-stated my intentions. The weight and list posted is for camp. I'll be packing in 2-days early to set up camp, purify water, scout, etc.
I'll be lucky if there is 10 pounds on my back while I hunt...I like to go the "fast and lightweight" approach. Also, I'll have two other guys with me, so I'm sure we can divide the load for the heavier items.
Thansk for the advice on the backpacking lantern, just picked one up and it is surprisingly light.

Any one have any opinions on intenal frame vs. external backpacks???
 
I do not claim to be an expert but as far as the pack goes it depends on what you like. An external frame can be handy in that you can remove the bag and use the frame to haul your animal. I have done this and it works good. I know there are packs (internal frame) around that have a bag big enough and lined to carry meat. You just might have to make a couple trips. As far as what(internal/external) is stronger/comfortable/better etc.. I don't have enough experience to say. I also don't have a lot of experience writing on these boards like this so my message may sound jumbled. PM me if you like. I can get you in touch with the same guy who showed me the lantern. He knows more about packs and backpacking than I do.
 
Looks to be a good list. I'd do away with the camp pants, ax, lantern,and two long sleeve shirts. You can purchase a photon light from sportsmans that weights 1/3 of an ounce and will illuminate a small tent nicely.The only extra clothes needed is extra socks and under garments.Not sure what the ax is for but I'd imagine it aint light. I'd get a gerber saw that has a meat blade and wood blade.They are very light! Wrap a nalgene or water bottle with 6 wraps of duct tape and toss in a few zip ties. Otherwise your list looks good.

Mike
 
I would hold off on the Ax, too many extra clothes and the wetstone, and may be think about adding a watch with an alarm on it, mole skins, bug spray, big agnes air core pillow, and some packable raingear. As far as a frame pack, I will use either my Janssens Hard Core Pack or my Eberlestock j104, it all depends on where I'm going and what I'm taking. My mind has gone blank, but i'm trying to think of the name of my knife that has diposible blades...I love mine, it starts with a P. If I can remember the name I will let you know. Good luck on your hunt!

CABugle
 
Willie,

I'd keep the whetstone!!!! I know what some of the others have said about getting rid of it but after miss placing mine last year it sure made butchering my brothers 6X7 a real chore. We had 5 blades between the two of us and they all started out razor sharpe but by the time I was finished the back sides were sharper than the front. I didn't think of it till later after it was all over but there were plenty of flat sand stones in the area on the ground that would have worked as a stone. You might take one of the diamond steels. They are lite and about the size of an ink pen.
Just my two cents.
 
When I hike into the wilderness area to hunt I take my stuff in with an internal frame pack but I bring an old external frame pack for meat

Are your socks wool and is your jacket waterproof? This is crucial in my opinion. All of my clothing that I take is either waterproof or poly-pro.

Drop the lantern and take a headlamp that has LED's because they last a very long time. The lithium batteries are lighter but have a shorter life b/c they usually are in high intensity lights. Matches. Have fun.
 
You defanitely want some sort of Knife sharpener. If a whetstone is your preferance, go with it. I bring a lightweight diamond sharpener. Electrical tape, and a sewing kit for pack repair. It can be invaluable when a hip belt or sholder strap blows out from overweight meat hauls. Been there done that. I also love my crazy creek seat for glassing and camp. Good luck
 
dancing girls. camp is always a lot more fun when you bring them.
how about a needle and thread just encase ya blow the backside out of your britches.
happened once thought someone was going to mistake me for a white tail
i also carry 20' of fishing string and a hook. makes some good brooky lunches. doesn't weigh anything and can be fun and tasty.
can't do it this year i haven't even bought a fishing license
 
You didn't explicitly identify toilet paper. Better be sure to carry some. How about changes of underwear? Small but appreciated luxury. Carry multiple knives -- sometimes knives break. Hat? Satellite phone? Dinner plates, knives, forks,spoons? Belt? Magnetic compass (GPSs can fail as batteries deplete and electronics short out when submerged in a creek)? Nylon string? Repair kit to repair sundry items such as boot soles that separate from the boot, tent rips, pack failures, etc. Duct tape? Thin metal wire? Needle nose pliers? Rain gear? Nail clippers? sunscreen? Lip balm? Matches? Extra boot laces? Day pack?
 

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