I've been doing p90x since the beginning of the year. I've already lost over 10lbs. Going for another 15lbs. Here's my plan when the weather breaks. 1. A lot of hiking I can't simulate mountains here because we don't have them, but I do have a few state parks that are "hilly". I'm going to go in with my full pack on with a simulated load. When I get to the park, I'm going to set up a Tree marker. I'll log it into my GPS and compass. Then I'll drive to the other side of the park, hike back and attempt to locate the marker without using the GPS. I have a good GPS, but I don't want to rely on them.. So I need to get good at using a compass. I'm going to do a lot of mountain biking, and cardio. I'm also going to take a dry run weekend trip near the house so I can get comfortable with using all of the equipment in the field. I know there are still going to be surprises on the trip, but I want to limit them as much as possible. Here's a tip: I was planning on using Mountain House backpacking food @ $6-9 each. It's supposed to be fairly tasty. Each meal is 4-600 calories (which we'll be burning quickly). I started looking at MRE's. (yes actual military MRE's ) I know for a fact they're tasty because I've eaten plenty. 1250 calories per meal and they're much cheaper. So I'm going MRE.
Don't forget when spending hundreds to save a few ounces in the pack guys... The cheapest and best way to save weight for the hike in is to lose it off your gut. You can afford the 5 lbs worth of heavier gear if you drop 10 lbs in prep for your trip.
Paul, are there any Tenzing dealers near you? I really think, if you can, you should look at the 4000 as well. I play with both of those packs a lot (I work for an outdoor retailer) and that 5000 does not compress down nearly as much as the 4000. This thought is mostly aimed at using the pack for both day trips and multi day trips. I can get a week out of a 3000cui pack. The 5000 is NOT a bad pack. I just want to see you spend the money the best.
X10. Walking five miles at a track is a ways, five miles on the backcountry can be grueling, and five miles with a quarter on your back can be hell. While we are at weight, learn to do the gutless method and how to bone on your elk. This will save a lot of time and weight.
+1 on the boneless method!!! I've been involved on 3 elk kills/packs...each of them we have deboned and taken the whole thing out at time of kill, with no need to make a return trip to pack. I really don't ever see the need to pack the weight of bones out in quarters... This is the only reason I would like to upgrade my pack, I bought a pack frame my first year to leave in Suburban - but I have only used it for off-season training as I never return to vehicle to get it. My day pack is a small Cabelas Elite Scout I believe...perfect for day trips, rides good and very easy to move and shoot with it on...but 70+ lbs on it is ridiculous...but I always seem to find my way back to the road I would like a pack that compresses down to daypack, but able to handle 80-90lbs...and put those 80-90lbs close to my body for a good ride. Don't see me upgrading this year though...
I'm sure there are. I just haven't looked for a brick and mortar store yet. I will take your advice and definitely look at it. I'd be an idiot to not take the advice of someone who's familiar with the product and who's trying to save me money at the same time. If you work for an outdoor retailer, and you're familiar with them then you're obviously a dealer? Should I be buying this through you and paying the shipping? It doesn't cost much to ship a 7 lb package. I'd much rather give my money to someone who's trying to help me, than some random person. Especially if you're getting some sort of a commission on it. UPDATE: Oddly, No there aren't any Tenzing dealers in my area. Bass Pro and D!CK'sSportingGoods but they both only have them online. I was in BassPro yesterday, didn't see any. 2nd Update: They're promoting the 4000 as a day pack. It's 4000 cubic inches, it looks like the main difference between it and the 5000 is the removable top portion isn't on the 4000. Do you really think the 4000 can handle everything for a week trip? It's about a $40 difference, so it's not the money. If it's a more streamlined pack, with enough room for a week, I like it. I want as streamlined as I can get since I'm not very tall. I don't need to get "turtled" on the side of some hill.
I' probably watched this 30 times already. I have another video (can't find it right now) of a guy who does an entire gutless, backstraps, tenderloins, everything in 11 minutes. With a 3" Piranta. [video=youtube_share;X4kJIrW1IDM]http://youtu.be/X4kJIrW1IDM[/video]
Im trying to play catch up with this huge amount of information being provided still havent gotten to my emails yet between work and school. This would be a trip that I have dreamed about for a long time so im trying to do everything I can to make this possible. so no busting my chops
Don't read too much of this thread then. BackCountry and Tembry will have you chomping at the bit to get in the Truck.
I took me an my father 20 mins to get my Elk cut up an in game bags. We were also using the Piranta's. IMO those knives are the only thing you need. The gutless method is the way to go. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk
I'll be out west hunting from Aug 22-Oct 11 next fall... What state will yall be hunting and when? I wouldn't mind meeting up for a beer and stories over a campfire if nothing else!
We've decided on Colorado. Still haven't picked a GMU. That would be awesome to meet up. I can show you the elk that I killed. We'll be out there 1st or 2nd week of Sept.
I work for Sportsmans Warehouse. If you ordered from us it with has no bearing on me. But, if you will need to order one anyways I would point you towards Corey Jacobsen at Elk101.com. Corey is the owner of Extreme Elk Magazine and a great guy! His forum would be a great spot for you to hang out at as well. The 4,000 will handle a week trip. With my Sitka Bivy 30 (which had NO external strapping for sleeping bags, coats, etc..) I was able to comfortably get 3 days out of it. Honestly, if I didn't have to pack a crap load of water I bet I could get 10 days out of a 4,000cui.
Just registered. Is that you on there....Montana_BackCountry. I just used my name. pcompton. didn't feel creative today.
You know, I couldn't tell you. My memory isn't the best (pretty bad for 24 years old! lol) I haven't been on elk101 since this past fall. Anymore I spend most of my elk time in the Elknut forums. Which you should look into as well! In my experience the EN forums go a lot more into mapping, calling, and shot scenarios. Plus, Paul (who owns Elknut) is an absolute wizard with elk. I would highly recommend looking into his products.
Not sure if you have seen it. Here is the writeup on my elk hunt this past fall. http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhunting-talk/53099-2013-mt-public-land-elk.html
Michihunter, what made you decide on that tent over the others? I've been researching tents, bags, packs etc myself. I think me, maybe my son and my brother are going to CO fall of 2015. He retires out of the army next july so I think that's going to be his retirement gift to himself.
