Wildwillalaska
Lil-Rokslider
To build off the earlier post of hunting pack for training hikes, what about longer thru-hikes?
Doing the 220 miles of John Muir Trailin advance of sheep season this year if the high snow levels of the Sierras don’t cause too much issue. Sheep season would have proven the right time to do it this year, but mid-June will have to do as only way it leaves me sufficient time to catch up at work before sheep and then moose hunts.
So I have been sorting pack options. Leaning away from true UL pack as my sister in law is coming with and I foolishly agreed to carry the large bear can and food for the trip. So need something that will comfy carry 45-ish pounds, little heavier likely the first couple days after resupplies. I carried 58lb pack up to Mt. Whitney Trail Camp at over 12k’ last year with my brother since I was getting ready for the season. Did it fine, but 58lbs is a little more than I’d like, so the SIL will still have to carry a decent amount of her own gear—I’m just doing the food till final resupply at MTR.
Was thinking of going with an Osprey Atmos or Gregory Baltoro, but with them approaching or just creeping over 5lbs, seems the new Kifaru Hoodlem wouldn’t prove much heavier with a Lite frame. I have a SG 7900 Guide I used last year on my sheep hunt, which is pretty comfy till you load meat, cape, horns and camp into it then it simply kind of hurts in spots—but that’s the price for success ai guess. I would have happily traded for a Kifaru belt on that pack out though.
If I went with hunting pack, would likely carry the same for sheep season too. I usually always hike/train with my hunting pack as the season gets close as well, but when carrying it a solid portion of every day for 17-20 days, I really want some comfort too. I will want to run a bladder and hip pockets are a must. I’m a big boy, getting down to 10-11% BF presently by the bod pod, but still weigh 238lbs—so carry a fair amount of muscle on my frame and I HAVE to eat and do so often on the trail. Want to see me pissed, zip-tie my hip belt snack pockets closed.
So when I start looking at adding hydration sleeves and hip pockets and such, this close call on weight seems to broaden a bit. That said, I know my base weight is reasonable, and not overly large except the huge 14” long bearcan.
I plan to complete more of the PCT next year unless we simply repeat John Muir—brothers schedule depending. So I have zero issu3s with buying a separate dedicated pack for this style of backpack camping. This isn’t a cost savings measure, would solely be to carry same pack as I hunt.
Anyway, I’m overanalyzing options to the point of spinnng circles—so any input, even just suck it up and carry a compacted bag like a real man, might prove helpful and is appreciated.
Doing the 220 miles of John Muir Trailin advance of sheep season this year if the high snow levels of the Sierras don’t cause too much issue. Sheep season would have proven the right time to do it this year, but mid-June will have to do as only way it leaves me sufficient time to catch up at work before sheep and then moose hunts.
So I have been sorting pack options. Leaning away from true UL pack as my sister in law is coming with and I foolishly agreed to carry the large bear can and food for the trip. So need something that will comfy carry 45-ish pounds, little heavier likely the first couple days after resupplies. I carried 58lb pack up to Mt. Whitney Trail Camp at over 12k’ last year with my brother since I was getting ready for the season. Did it fine, but 58lbs is a little more than I’d like, so the SIL will still have to carry a decent amount of her own gear—I’m just doing the food till final resupply at MTR.
Was thinking of going with an Osprey Atmos or Gregory Baltoro, but with them approaching or just creeping over 5lbs, seems the new Kifaru Hoodlem wouldn’t prove much heavier with a Lite frame. I have a SG 7900 Guide I used last year on my sheep hunt, which is pretty comfy till you load meat, cape, horns and camp into it then it simply kind of hurts in spots—but that’s the price for success ai guess. I would have happily traded for a Kifaru belt on that pack out though.
If I went with hunting pack, would likely carry the same for sheep season too. I usually always hike/train with my hunting pack as the season gets close as well, but when carrying it a solid portion of every day for 17-20 days, I really want some comfort too. I will want to run a bladder and hip pockets are a must. I’m a big boy, getting down to 10-11% BF presently by the bod pod, but still weigh 238lbs—so carry a fair amount of muscle on my frame and I HAVE to eat and do so often on the trail. Want to see me pissed, zip-tie my hip belt snack pockets closed.
So when I start looking at adding hydration sleeves and hip pockets and such, this close call on weight seems to broaden a bit. That said, I know my base weight is reasonable, and not overly large except the huge 14” long bearcan.
I plan to complete more of the PCT next year unless we simply repeat John Muir—brothers schedule depending. So I have zero issu3s with buying a separate dedicated pack for this style of backpack camping. This isn’t a cost savings measure, would solely be to carry same pack as I hunt.
Anyway, I’m overanalyzing options to the point of spinnng circles—so any input, even just suck it up and carry a compacted bag like a real man, might prove helpful and is appreciated.
