Spike camp: Do and don't

[Frenchymanny]

Question for the experienced elk hunters here: What are the things to do, and the things to avoid when spending the night off base camp
The hunt will be in Colorado early September

F-Manny

[ronp]

Best of luck on your hunt, Manny!  I hope you have a great time.  The only advice I have is bring lots of that purple juice!

[Frenchymanny]

Thank you Ron!
I agree on the purple juice  

F-Manny

[ron w]

Eat high protein and carbs to keep your energy up, dress in layers and stay Hydrated          .......did I mention staying hydrated!! Also eat before Adk Kenny does ...that way you will get some!

[awbowman]

Dress in layers and get COMFORTABLE boots

[old_goat2]

Be prepared to wear all your layers and wish you could not wear a single layer on the same day! And on a side note, if you go through Denver, make sure you visit Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear!

[Matty]

Or if you pass through Fort Collins. Visit me!
Spike camp. Like backpacking. Keep it clean, make sure you have a good pad and sleeping bag.. Bring adequate amount of food but not too much same with water.  Enjoy!!

[drewsbow]

Dang you guys are just trying to make my pack heavier with this purple hooch thing.

[Frenchymanny]

My question is more on improvised camp when following elk:

How do you spend overnight outside of camp when you are following elk. I suppose a tarp, water and energy bar.
What are the tips and tricks of the experienced elk hunters?

F-Manny

[old_goat2]

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=118711

Check this thread out, it's more about back pack hunting than spike camping, but should offer you some good insight anyways.

[fisherick]

Spike camp-a planned backpacked in to setup a camp to hunt out of. A bivy camp-planned backpack hunt to follow elk and camp where the elk are.
A improvised camp without backpacking to stay with the elk requires a carefully stocked daypack with survival gear such as HD space blanket or tarp, space bivy bag, cordage, fire starting gear, MRE or energy bars, water treatment and storage, wearing all your clothes overnite, and preparing a sleeping site. I recommend practicing this ahead of time under controlled conditions.

[Biathlonman]

Tarptent contrail, good pad, great bag.  Food, water, etc. As you see fit.  I'm looking at the same for this fall.  Don't really have any generalities but will answer what I can specifically.

[centaur]

If you try to siwash without a tent, depend on it raining or snowing. I speak from experience. If you don't want or have a full size backpack tent, consider some sort of bivy sack. Nothing more miserable than being cold and wet a long way from base camp.
Of course, the converse of that is that if you have a nice tent or bivy, it will be a star filled night with no moisture. Go figure.

[Huh]

The first few not so generalities that come to mind...

I pack food for each day in an individual gallon ziploc.  I try to put a minimum of 1500 calories in each bag.  Then each day make a point of finishing the bag.  My hunts have been more enjoyable and I have more energy on day 10 as a result of this force feeding.  

Stay hydrated and stay hydrated.  Bring some crystal light (or other brand) packets to change the flavor if desired, it helps me consume more water.  If you do this be sure to keep one Nalgene clean for cooking water.  Raspberry flavored mountain house is not usually the best.  I always carry a camelbak, but I always have at least one hard sided water container with me as well in case of a rupture.

I would not recommend a super spartan camp.  I have done it many times, the energy bar and a tarp deal, but in the end it has always come back to haunt me.  There are a couple of truths (for me at least) in the mountains....if you run a calorie deficiency for too long you will crash and if you don't sleep well and recharge each night you will crash.  If you crash you will sleep in and miss a hunt or worse you will drag pass on chasing killable bulls and generally feel sorry for yourself.  So, carry enough of a load to keep yourself comfortable and charged up.  However, a full on backpacking load for 1-2 days does not need to weight more than 30-35 lbs.  

Most guys carry way too much stuff IMO.  Make a gear list and compare with those online.  Then on your drive home from the trip get that list out and mark down how often items were used, you might be surprised at how many never got used at all.  If something did not get used and is not absolutely critical don't take it next time.  One thing we can always do is learn from our experiences.

Pay attention to the thermals, cold air tends to sink (barring inversions and the like).  Lots of folks want to sleep in the bottom by the creek, but that is OFTEN a much colder, wetter and energetically expensive decision.  Meanwhile up on the ridge tops the air can be very mild and require less of you and your gear.  Dry and warm are good and smart, not soft or weak.  Where the warm air settles at night is less of a rule, but being up high will often keep the air drier at a minimum.  Dry air and minimal condensation means your tent will weigh less in the morning and you will not be wearing wet gear until the sun has some time to dry you off.    

Use a topo map and try hard to not give up elevation if not necessary.  Traveling smart will save lots of calories.  Use ridges, saddles and other topographic features to save your legs when possible.  If you are chasing a big bull then put out and get your butt up the mountain, but if you are just cruising do it smartly.

Enjoy yourself, look around, listen, there are a lot of other critters out there that can bring you joy and just make you happy to be alive.  Take an afternoon nap or go for a swim in a creek/lake, enjoy the trip and you will last longer.

Have fun, it is almost here.

[JEFF B]

Hey Brother take a hammock with you and a good sleeping bag               and good luck my Brother

[ChuckC]

A hammock and tarp make a pretty good, light overnight.  THere are a few hammocks on the market that are small and light yet relatively comfy.   Note, try it out at home first to see what and how to do it.  I used a fleece blanket, not a bag.  Underneath side gets cold easily.

ChuckC

[Roadkill]

Huh has some solid advice. Temps vary by over 30 degrees here in Reno last week -60 to 90, you might expect more in the fall. Hydrate often, even if you do not feel it.  I also liked the eat all you take for the day advice.  Go after him, wisely.  You already are on you way, as there is good advice here

[Frenchymanny]

Tons of very good advises as well as food for thoughts.

Thanks to everyone who took time to answer.

F-Manny