There are a few Tradgangers heading to Colorado for an elk hunt in the next few weeks.  I am one of the fortunate ones  

Darren "Hackbow" Shue and I will leave Thursday for the 18 hour drive from Indy.  I have spent the past 3 years since my last western hunt dreaming of my return.  The anticipation is sweet; spiced with the harsh reality of trying to fit it all into a backpack.  We'll be backpacking in about 4.5 miles to a wilderness area.  We'll hunt from Friday 9-3 through Sunday 9-11.

I am trying my best to take the bare minimum this time around but it still seems a lot!

 

Time to play "Will it fit?"

 

And here it all is on my back.

 

I weighed in at 180 before the pack and the other stuff.  I finished off right at 230 with everything on my back or in my hands.  I still need a little more water and my camera so I'll add maybe 4 more pounds at the most.

 

I'd like to make it less but I'm pretty much resigned to it.  I could maybe get rid of a couple pounds of clothes and a little food but I think I'll carry it.  My only possible addition is a wool parka if the forecast calls for anything colder than 30 degrees.

You look ready for a "rocky mountain high".  Be safe and enjoy the wonder of the mountains.  It is always something special with a bow in your hands.

Your good to go John but you better get some better boots  

You look ready to go-that bag on the bottom of your pack might drive you crazy while hiking though. Nice bow you have there, that  should do the trick on any elk you encounter-- good luck and have fun!

My packed backpack, bows and arrows are waiting for me in Pleasantville CO. I mailed it all out last week. I will be leaving Asheville on 9/2 for Durango and will fly back 9/10. We'll be hiking in about 4 miles from 10k' down to 95k' where our camp is. I got my pack to below 40# but Kenneth has already set our camp up over the last few weekends.
 Best of luck to you John and have a safe trip. Can't wait to compare stories...and to everyone else sharing a hunting camp with friends...best of luck. These memories will be long lasting!

Whooeee! I'm headed out the 13-26th. Overlapping with the MLs but hope to catch the rut. My buds got several place scoped out and I should get an opening weekend report this week.  Good luck to all!

John,Darren and All...Hunt hard, be safe and enjoy!!

Bring us bunches of stories...

See some of ya'll in October!!

Good luck Boys!!

Pat, John, and others.....best of luck and have a safe and successful hunt.

I dont need the pack, and my scale still says 230...Good Luck...(wondering where the truck is with all the gear?) probably a different style of huntin...

Dang John I could misplace that much gear while packing the truck and trailer.  Hey where is the shower and hot tub?

LOL

Mike

Exciting for you!

I didn't see a can of peaches or canned ham in that pile?  Must have been under sump'n.

Thanks for Posting... I am wanting to go for a hunt next year...

Anything you are willing to share would be greatly appreciated!!! I am watching intently for your posts, pictures, and insights!!!


Thanks

Gary

Have fun and enjoy. I need to go back to CO and chase them critters. Good luck to all.

Good luck John, and others....Can't wait till Ocotber with some of you fellas to hear the stories from this trip first hand.

I did a 2.6 mile "hike" with the pack and everything but the bow this morning in my suburban neighborhood.  At least it's called "Hill Valley"  Total elevation gain was 20 feet      My house is on one of the highest hills.  We are 8 feet off the street!  I jogged for part of it though.  Pack feels good.  Took me 45 minutes.  I'm figuring 1 mph in the mountains fully loaded.

Someone PM'ed me about food.  Here's my daily list.  Food followed by calories with the total at the bottom.  Weight is about 1.75 lbs per day.  This is a pretty light diet for many guys but it works for me.  If you haven't done this before, try the diet out first or you might go very hungry.  I lose about 10 pounds a week but my appetite is not good at elevation.  Lots and lots of water helps a great deal.  I'm trying some herbal supplements this year to see if it helps.  Gingko biloba and ginger.  We'll see.


Food   Daily Cals
Pita   240
Bacon Bits   100
Rice/Pasta   450
granola bar   180
cups GORP   660
Peanut butter   360
oatmeal packs   180
salmon/tuna packs packs   180
olive oil   240
Jerky   40
Total Daily   2630

John, why the ginko and ginger?

Oh yea, good luck.

I will be back country bowhunting in Colorado in a week and a half. Leaving September 7 and won't get back until September 26. I can't wait. We will be doing a DIY elk and packing for 10 days.

Next year we will be doing the same, but the year after a DIY Alaska Caribou and moose.

Good luck
Gil

Im headed out there 9/16 for a similar hunt- you are correct John 1mph with the pack on is about what we do too.  Good work on the pack weight thats significantly lighter than mine ever is.

Good luck to you!