Good tip, Garrett. I've actually used an ENO hammock quite a bit for backpacking and hunting. The gear that I've referenced in this video is for elk hunting at ~10,000' in September, and a hammock doesn't suite that type of trip well...at least for my personal needs. Hammocks are incredibly comfortable, easy to pack, and fast to setup; when the conditions are right, there's nothing better!
You should look into purchasing an ENO. It's a light weight hammock, you can hang it from really nothing a tree to holding it down with a rock. they have little sleeping pads you can put into the hammock. i personally think it's more comfy then sleeping the ground.
That's a great tip. In fact, that's exactly what I'll be doing with the dry sack that I use to pack my sleeping bag in. Once I get camp setup, I'll be storing/hanging my food in it.
Good Gear review !!! here is a tip ...I pack all my stuff in a garbage bag in my pack ; reduced the need for rain cover for the pack , its also cheaper ,requires not time or effort for assembly in the event of rain , is lite, and that way it can also be used on the pack out for meat !
Thanks, Mike. I'm writing stories of each day of the trip on my blog now. I'll probably do some follow-up videos of gear in the coming weeks/months. Everything worked great!
I've used quite a few Badlands packs, with success. I've put the 2800 through the ringer and it has been great. I can't use that pack for a week though, 2-3 days is ideal. The updates they made to the 2200 for this year look really good. If you look at my channel you should see a Badlands video from January, which is a run-through of the new for 2013 lineup. Thanks!
Just a note. Maybe I would add a dry bag for hanging your food at night and when your out of camp. Their lightweight and have multiple uses. Bear country here in CO.
SoleAdventure.com Me and two others decided on the 1st rifle in CO. I've been using your spreadsheet. Down to 46lb total but the electronics alone are over 6lb with two cameras and mics. Next big thing is forking out the $$$ for merino wool lol.
Not for this year's elk hunts. I'm hunting later in the season, and in a relatively thick area, so I don't think I'll need it like I would for an early archer high country hunt. I have the Minox MD50 spotter, which is a great little optic.
Hey Jon-Paul. That is the Tenzing CF 13. I have a video review of it on my channel that you should check out. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Just found your video as I am getting ready for deer season in Cal. I love your set up and thanks for sharing. Do you by chance have any opinion on the Badlands packs? I was considering the 2200 or the 2800. Thanks.
Great video! thanks! Im looking for a new pack for bowhunting Elk. My pack is 20 years old and worn out so I know there has to be an upgrade out there better for your back. What is the best pack for wilderness ELK bow hunter. Sitka? thanks!!
You made a comment below about hunting with partners...do you always hunt with someone else or go out solo? I am considering going solo this year in WA state for a few days. Also, how do you carry your bow? Does the Tenzing have a weapon carry system? Great video. Thanks.
Troy, I do take some solo trips. But when it gets past the 2-3 day range, and involves true remoteness, then going with a partner makes a LOT more sense. I usually strap my bow to my backpack (Tenzing or others) via the built-in compression straps. Many packs that don't have a bow carrying "feature" still hold a bow quite well.
I hunt with a bow the vast majority of the time. A pistol can be a welcome companion in bear country; both of my hunting partners carried one on this year's CO elk hunt. I chose to hide behind them if we had a bear encounter. ;-)
I'm guessing plastic in your 'kill kit' is included to 'save' your pack if you use it to haul meat.. Nice vid...thanks the parts where you brand name is informative. you seem to like platypus....i didn't see Deet....been places i wouldn't have survived with out it ...yeah yeah all the new aged stuff didn't cut it once 3 days in we camped next to a tiny lake and the group; all brought new aged garrenteed mosquito repellant that just didn't work ...We used my whole supply in one night between eight of us...
what are your thoughts on using a bivy? .outdoor research makes a very good basic bivy for around the $200 mark that would be more protective than just a tarp and sleeping bag. does the protection a bivy would give you from weather outweigh the couple of extra ounces you would have to pack?
The main reason I'm not a bivy fan is the fact that they're so limited in use. You can sleep in it...that's it. Two guys can cook/relax/read/etc in my tarp, and it's only 2lbs (hardly heavier than a bivy, and even lighter when split among two men). If you have a day where you need to be in a shelter for several hours, then a light tarp or tent is much better than a bivy. Now, if you're talking about using a bivy to supplement your bag/tarp for extra protection, then that's something to consider. I don't think it's needed in most areas, assuming that you have a suitable bag/shelter to begin with.
great vid. This season will be my first elk hunt in Idaho and I was wondering if you are by yourself (I probably will be). How do you pack the meat out and keep it cool so it doesn't spoil? I'm guessing if you get a nice sized bull it would be like 4 solo trips? that could last all day?
I wasn't solo; there was 3 of us, actually. Keeping meat cool can be a challenge, depending on the conditions. And if you're solo, I would plan on at least 4 trips, but it'll take you much longer than one full day. Here's some more info to consider... soleadventure.com/2013/07/so-you-shot-an-elk-now-the-work-begins/
SoleAdventure.com man great post! you see so many vids of guys shooting an animal and slapping fives and that's it.. not a lot of info out there on what to do after the kill. It's really cool you put that together. It certainly puts it into perspective. I'm glad i read it now so I'll have time to start looking for people I can call or bring some buddies with me... speaking of making a call. How do you like that spot connect? does it work as advertised?
ShanaAndJeff The SPOT Connect worked great. Keep in mind that it is a "one way" communicator; you can send messages, but you can't receive anything back.
another question for you. what do you sleep in? taking in extra stuff to sleep in would suck, but also sleeping in your base layer seems like it would just cause more odor to transfer overnight. I already planned on washing my sleeping gear in no scent stuff to avoid any possible fragrance transfers. but this is coming up in 2 weeks and I was wondering what is typical to wear back at camp/sleeping. just when I think I have it all figured out I come up with another thing to worry about.
Tyler Snider I don't bring any extra clothing for sleeping. I sleep in my base layer top/bottom. Both pieces are merino, which drastically cuts down on odor. It isn't often that I wear my base layer bottoms during the day (but I will if it gets extremely cold), so they are dedicated to sleeping most of the time, I guess. I have two base layer tops (lightweight and midnight); sometimes I wear both all day, and other times not. Which ever one is dry will be used for sleeping. Merino is the key here.
In my experience the best way to sleep (summer, spring, fall, winter) is to strip right down. And I have spent a lot of time 'camping' in the winter in -30 C weather. Keeps you from perspiring a lot while you sleep which in turn can make you colder. Of course keep your base layer in the bag for warmth when you have to wake up . That's just my experience.
hey so i live in colorado, and I'm curious to how well those floors tents work. does that not super suck when its a downpour? i like that they don't weigh much, but I'm curious to why so many hunters choose them.
Tyler Snider The main benefits are the space to weight ratio. Rain is not really a concern if you pay attention to setup in the right spot. You obviously don't want to be in a place where water will run downhill into the "floor". As long as you're setup right, you'll be dry.
Hey man, I have the first lite Lanos QZ top and allagheny bottom. I'm wanting a heavier second layer for the colder nights and days. What do you have and what do you like.
Kit Turnbow I don't like the super-heavy merino layers for western/backpack hunting because they are, well, too heavy. The Uncompahgre puffy is a must-have in my opinion. If you're looking for a heavier mid layer, the Halstead Tech Fleece is a great option. That covers your tops. For bottoms, all I ever need is the Kanab and Allegheny for out west (I only hunt September out there). Heavier bottoms would be the North Branch Pant, which are their fleece lined, soft-shell exterior pants.
Are there advantages to using the filtration system over iodine or chlorine tabs if you have a stream or other flowing water source? Can you use it as a camp shower?
The benefits for me are a better taste and no waiting with the filter. I have used treatment tabs in the past, and still carry some as a backup, but I prefer the filter. You could use this setup us a camp shower. At night I often filter several liters of good water into the "clean" bag, and then carry the "dirty" bag full as well. I hang the dirty bag and use it "on demand" for washing up, doing dishes, etc. The line from the dirty bag has a shut-off valve, so you can use it as a "faucet".
The ground cloth/sheet that I'm using is from Gossamer Gear (search for "polycro" on their website). It's VERY lightweight and incredibly durable, when compared to your typical plastic-type sheet. Let me know if you have any other questions.
cordelmar I believe that pack was 107 ounces. I've since upgraded to an Exo Mountain Gear pack: soleadventure.com/2014/08/my-2014-elk-hunting-gear-list/
SoleAdventure.com How are you liking the Exo 3500 vs the Tenzing CF? I'm really liking the pack options available out there now, looking at particularly the Exo 3500 and Stone Glacier packs.
Yes, it is crazy expensive. That's one of the reasons that I'm moving to a new pack from Exo Mountain Gear. soleadventure.com/2014/03/introducing-exo-mountain-gear/ Much more affordable, Ti frame, and built right here in the USA.
Brother, love your videos and really thankful for all you do. But you gotta work on not saying "Umm" every other word. It's really really distracting. Thanks
An elk is a load of meat to pack out. I've never packed out anything weighing more that 300 lbs (7 miles each way) I can't imagine hauling out an elk or moose.
Fail, Fail Fail, you don't need a big one but something like the gerber dime or leatherman style, or even a victoronox farmer, but some form of multifuncional backup tool
Good tip, Garrett. I've actually used an ENO hammock quite a bit for backpacking and hunting. The gear that I've referenced in this video is for elk hunting at ~10,000' in September, and a hammock doesn't suite that type of trip well...at least for my personal needs. Hammocks are incredibly comfortable, easy to pack, and fast to setup; when the conditions are right, there's nothing better!
You should look into purchasing an ENO. It's a light weight hammock, you can hang it from really nothing a tree to holding it down with a rock. they have little sleeping pads you can put into the hammock. i personally think it's more comfy then sleeping the ground.
That's a great tip. In fact, that's exactly what I'll be doing with the dry sack that I use to pack my sleeping bag in. Once I get camp setup, I'll be storing/hanging my food in it.
Good Gear review !!! here is a tip ...I pack all my stuff in a garbage bag in my pack ; reduced the need for rain cover for the pack , its also cheaper ,requires not time or effort for assembly in the event of rain , is lite, and that way it can also be used on the pack out for meat !
It is a polycro ground cloth from Gossamer Gear. You can get them directly from their website.
Thanks, Mike. I'm writing stories of each day of the trip on my blog now. I'll probably do some follow-up videos of gear in the coming weeks/months. Everything worked great!
I've used quite a few Badlands packs, with success. I've put the 2800 through the ringer and it has been great. I can't use that pack for a week though, 2-3 days is ideal. The updates they made to the 2200 for this year look really good. If you look at my channel you should see a Badlands video from January, which is a run-through of the new for 2013 lineup. Thanks!
Just a note. Maybe I would add a dry bag for hanging your food at night and when your out of camp. Their lightweight and have multiple uses. Bear country here in CO.
Great stuff! I just checked out the site. My buddy and I are planning a DIY elk hunt this fall, and this info is EXTREMELY helpful!
Thanks for checking it out. I hope it helps.
SoleAdventure.com Me and two others decided on the 1st rifle in CO. I've been using your spreadsheet. Down to 46lb total but the electronics alone are over 6lb with two cameras and mics. Next big thing is forking out the $$$ for merino wool lol.
DIY Sportsman Electronics are heavy! So considering your load in that area, you're doing great otherwise. Merino is definitely an investment.
Thanks man! i just got my first bull elk last week it was a 6x6. but keep the video coming there actually really helpful.
ok your pack looks full, so where is all the Meet going, and what is your plan for hiking it out
Duct tape wrapped around a Bic lighter is what I carry in my pocket; EDC. Be going on my first elk hunt in Colorado this October, great video.
cool video, thanks man. getting ready for my first outing
Excellent job on the pack dump, THANKS
Good video. I hope you share some video from the hunt
Not for this year's elk hunts. I'm hunting later in the season, and in a relatively thick area, so I don't think I'll need it like I would for an early archer high country hunt. I have the Minox MD50 spotter, which is a great little optic.
Hey Jon-Paul. That is the Tenzing CF 13. I have a video review of it on my channel that you should check out. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Awesome in every way possible. Thanks!
Congrats, Garrett! You've spoiled yourself by shooting a 6x6 for your first bull. ;-)
Just found your video as I am getting ready for deer season in Cal. I love your set up and thanks for sharing. Do you by chance have any opinion on the Badlands packs? I was considering the 2200 or the 2800. Thanks.
Good job on the video! Nice gear too!! Good luck!
Thanks. Same to you!
Great video! thanks!
Im looking for a new pack for bowhunting Elk. My pack is 20 years old and worn out so I know there has to be an upgrade out there better for your back. What is the best pack for wilderness ELK bow hunter. Sitka? thanks!!
You made a comment below about hunting with partners...do you always hunt with someone else or go out solo? I am considering going solo this year in WA state for a few days. Also, how do you carry your bow? Does the Tenzing have a weapon carry system?
Great video. Thanks.
Troy, I do take some solo trips. But when it gets past the 2-3 day range, and involves true remoteness, then going with a partner makes a LOT more sense. I usually strap my bow to my backpack (Tenzing or others) via the built-in compression straps. Many packs that don't have a bow carrying "feature" still hold a bow quite well.
So are you bow hunting or using a rifle? Good luck man, that looks so fun. Do you ever carry a revolver or something just in case?
Did you bring a pot for cooking dinner?
I hunt with a bow the vast majority of the time. A pistol can be a welcome companion in bear country; both of my hunting partners carried one on this year's CO elk hunt. I chose to hide behind them if we had a bear encounter. ;-)
I don't remember you mentioning which Tenzing pack that is? Is the 5000?
Hey bud, new subscriber here... can you tell me more about that ground cloth you got there? thanks, and great vid! keep em coming.
I'm guessing plastic in your 'kill kit' is included to 'save' your pack if you use it to haul meat.. Nice vid...thanks the parts where you brand name is informative. you seem to like platypus....i didn't see Deet....been places i wouldn't have survived with out it ...yeah yeah all the new aged stuff didn't cut it once 3 days in we camped next to a tiny lake and the group; all brought new aged garrenteed mosquito repellant that just didn't work ...We used my whole supply in one night between eight of us...
Are you taking a spotting scope?
What model is your Backpack and model of water bag. thanks!
Where can I find you post on "food" for the back country?
what are your thoughts on using a bivy? .outdoor research makes a very good basic bivy for around the $200 mark that would be more protective than just a tarp and sleeping bag. does the protection a bivy would give you from weather outweigh the couple of extra ounces you would have to pack?
The main reason I'm not a bivy fan is the fact that they're so limited in use. You can sleep in it...that's it. Two guys can cook/relax/read/etc in my tarp, and it's only 2lbs (hardly heavier than a bivy, and even lighter when split among two men). If you have a day where you need to be in a shelter for several hours, then a light tarp or tent is much better than a bivy. Now, if you're talking about using a bivy to supplement your bag/tarp for extra protection, then that's something to consider. I don't think it's needed in most areas, assuming that you have a suitable bag/shelter to begin with.
surprised you didnt put in a flare!!
where can I get a ground sheet like the one you have?
Really nice setup !!
MUDSWAT Thanks. Here's my latest gear list update: soleadventure.com/2014/08/my-2014-elk-hunting-gear-list/.
great vid. This season will be my first elk hunt in Idaho and I was wondering if you are by yourself (I probably will be). How do you pack the meat out and keep it cool so it doesn't spoil? I'm guessing if you get a nice sized bull it would be like 4 solo trips? that could last all day?
I wasn't solo; there was 3 of us, actually. Keeping meat cool can be a challenge, depending on the conditions. And if you're solo, I would plan on at least 4 trips, but it'll take you much longer than one full day. Here's some more info to consider... soleadventure.com/2013/07/so-you-shot-an-elk-now-the-work-begins/
SoleAdventure.com man great post! you see so many vids of guys shooting an animal and slapping fives and that's it.. not a lot of info out there on what to do after the kill. It's really cool you put that together. It certainly puts it into perspective. I'm glad i read it now so I'll have time to start looking for people I can call or bring some buddies with me... speaking of making a call. How do you like that spot connect? does it work as advertised?
ShanaAndJeff The SPOT Connect worked great. Keep in mind that it is a "one way" communicator; you can send messages, but you can't receive anything back.
What do you use the trekking poles for?
Where in Colorado are you going to hunt ?are you hunting with a partner
another question for you. what do you sleep in? taking in extra stuff to sleep in would suck, but also sleeping in your base layer seems like it would just cause more odor to transfer overnight. I already planned on washing my sleeping gear in no scent stuff to avoid any possible fragrance transfers. but this is coming up in 2 weeks and I was wondering what is typical to wear back at camp/sleeping. just when I think I have it all figured out I come up with another thing to worry about.
Tyler Snider I don't bring any extra clothing for sleeping. I sleep in my base layer top/bottom. Both pieces are merino, which drastically cuts down on odor. It isn't often that I wear my base layer bottoms during the day (but I will if it gets extremely cold), so they are dedicated to sleeping most of the time, I guess. I have two base layer tops (lightweight and midnight); sometimes I wear both all day, and other times not. Which ever one is dry will be used for sleeping. Merino is the key here.
+SoleAdventure.com really appreciate it!
In my experience the best way to sleep (summer, spring, fall, winter) is to strip right down. And I have spent a lot of time 'camping' in the winter in -30 C weather. Keeps you from perspiring a lot while you sleep which in turn can make you colder. Of course keep your base layer in the bag for warmth when you have to wake up .
That's just my experience.
My knife is in the "kill kit" pouch the I pulled out. I have another video that goes through that kit it detail.
really good video mate!!
Did you get your Elk that year?
hey so i live in colorado, and I'm curious to how well those floors tents work. does that not super suck when its a downpour? i like that they don't weigh much, but I'm curious to why so many hunters choose them.
Tyler Snider The main benefits are the space to weight ratio. Rain is not really a concern if you pay attention to setup in the right spot. You obviously don't want to be in a place where water will run downhill into the "floor". As long as you're setup right, you'll be dry.
What rifle are you using on your hunt?
can you please tell me how much this cost for this
Hey man, I have the first lite Lanos QZ top and allagheny bottom. I'm wanting a heavier second layer for the colder nights and days. What do you have and what do you like.
Kit Turnbow I don't like the super-heavy merino layers for western/backpack hunting because they are, well, too heavy. The Uncompahgre puffy is a must-have in my opinion. If you're looking for a heavier mid layer, the Halstead Tech Fleece is a great option. That covers your tops. For bottoms, all I ever need is the Kanab and Allegheny for out west (I only hunt September out there). Heavier bottoms would be the North Branch Pant, which are their fleece lined, soft-shell exterior pants.
Are there advantages to using the filtration system over iodine or chlorine tabs if you have a stream or other flowing water source? Can you use it as a camp shower?
The benefits for me are a better taste and no waiting with the filter. I have used treatment tabs in the past, and still carry some as a backup, but I prefer the filter. You could use this setup us a camp shower. At night I often filter several liters of good water into the "clean" bag, and then carry the "dirty" bag full as well. I hang the dirty bag and use it "on demand" for washing up, doing dishes, etc. The line from the dirty bag has a shut-off valve, so you can use it as a "faucet".
The ground cloth/sheet that I'm using is from Gossamer Gear (search for "polycro" on their website). It's VERY lightweight and incredibly durable, when compared to your typical plastic-type sheet. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Very informative, Thank you.
I'm sorry if I'm asking a redundant question but which backpack are you using? thanks
This is a Tenzing from several years ago, but for the past few years I have been using and would recommend Exo Mountain Gear.
nice video pretty helpful for me
sorry man....just saw your link!!! well done!!!
Well done!
gun or bow?
SCHY MARK bow
What's the pack weight empty?.
cordelmar I believe that pack was 107 ounces. I've since upgraded to an Exo Mountain Gear pack: soleadventure.com/2014/08/my-2014-elk-hunting-gear-list/
Whats the weight on th Exo ?
cordelmar 76oz. (All weights are listed at the link that I sent you above.)
SoleAdventure.com How are you liking the Exo 3500 vs the Tenzing CF? I'm really liking the pack options available out there now, looking at particularly the Exo 3500 and Stone Glacier packs.
I don't have the Exo pack, I was asking Sole Adventure for the weight of the pack.Sorry
I love that pack but it's crazy expensive l they need to make a composite one instead of cf so I can buy it
Yes, it is crazy expensive. That's one of the reasons that I'm moving to a new pack from Exo Mountain Gear. soleadventure.com/2014/03/introducing-exo-mountain-gear/ Much more affordable, Ti frame, and built right here in the USA.
wat do you do with the meat once you kill it
+ginger _joker116 he has to pack it out. in colorado its illegal to leave behind meat from a game animal.
+keenan million it is everywhere.
+Bama Woodsman in the U.S. I mean. It's called Wanton Waste.
Nice video
soooooo…. how did it go? :)
You can read all about the trip report at soleadventure.com/elk
Excellent write up. Thanks for taking us along!
Brother, love your videos and really thankful for all you do. But you gotta work on not saying "Umm" every other word. It's really really distracting. Thanks
An elk is a load of meat to pack out. I've never packed out anything weighing more that 300 lbs (7 miles each way) I can't imagine hauling out an elk or moose.
THANKS BRO
missing your 2000 dollar dry suit and some tannerite...
What?? No knife?
It's in the "kill kit", which I cover just before 16:00. I have a video on the specific contents of that kit as well, so check my channel.
I didn't see a knife...?
+J Lewis In his kill kit.
no multitool
Nope. I do carry some misc bow tools that aren't included in this video, but I don't carry a dedicated multitool.
Fail, Fail Fail, you don't need a big one but something like the gerber dime or leatherman style, or even a victoronox farmer, but some form of multifuncional backup tool
Great more out of state hunters just what we dont need in Colorado
tHANK YOU,gOOD lUCK.
👍💯
good luck nice
Umm...
The only thing I have to say is........."umm"
Umm, Like watching paint dry, Umm