it will be an adventure to learn from, you are definitely not stacking the odds in your favor. The elevation is going to be what gets you, because in five days you will just be acclimating to the higher elevations. There are a lot of good things out there on the internet to help out with a trip...
I have never had that issue am curious as to what you find out from others. Also if you do the same procedure in the winter if it does the same thing, I like your theory about the heat from the sun.
This has me thinking I may try an early season gaiter. One thing that was not mentioned and I wonder about, in say early September does it make the bottom of your leg sweat.
I would think $2K for fuel is very high but would be fine for the total budget. Big thing is get in great shape, if you can't walk 20 miles a day in Georgia, 5 miles in elk country is going to be hard. I am not saying you cannot be successful on your first time hunting out west especially with...