Getting the pack ready...

Frans · #1 09-13-2009, 08:41 PM

Did a small test run tonight. Without a few extra lbs for water, the pack weighs in at a little under 54 lbs. I'll be adding some jerky, and some game bags. I'm leaving the big lens at home, and the heavy tripod. Having dropped my own weight rather close to 130 lbs, I feel this is more than enough.

The trial run also revealed that the method of strapping the rifle to the pack that I had envisaged had one major flaw. The top strap is way too short with the pack filled to the brim. I've got tomorrow to come up with a new plan.

Tuesday I'm loading up the truck, and I'll be on my way to meeting another AO member that night. Wednesday will find us on the trail.

I'd like to say "sheep beware", but frankly I'll be happy to survive the first trek to wherever we figure main camp will be, so I can shed some weight!

Frans

B-radshaw · #2 09-13-2009, 08:55 PM

Good luck on the sheep hunt man!

shooter · #3 09-13-2009, 09:00 PM

Frans,
That packs darn near half your body weight!! Mine was 55 lbs. total last week for three days and I'm pushing 210. That about all I'd want for weight other than having a ram in there too. It was nice to set camp and start the second day with the "light" pack. Feels like you can go forever. Good luck to you on the hunt. On a side note, I talked to Dukdog this morning and his pack for 8 days was 70 lbs + so maybe we aren't sitting too bad!

mountainmike · #4 09-13-2009, 09:18 PM

Best of luck to you, keep hydrated with this hot

weather.

MM

bighorn180 · #5 09-13-2009, 09:52 PM

Good luck to ya ..i'am also headed out wednesday for 4 days.really looking forward to getting into the high country..

Albertabowhunter · #6 09-13-2009, 09:55 PM

Good luck

Sheepcrazyguy · #7 09-13-2009, 10:15 PM

Good luck, lets see some pictures when you get back.

Frans · #8 09-13-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter

Frans,
That packs darn near half your body weight!!

Yeah, it's rather unfortunate that a Mountain House meal for you weighs the same as one for me! And a clean pair of socks for size 6 doesn't weigh that much less than a pair for size 9. And so forth.

We aim to make it back to the truck Saturday night.

Can you believe my employer insists on my getting on the 6:10AM flight to Toronto on Monday morning? I tried to explain what it means having a ram down back in the sticks on Saturday around sundown. I don't think he quite got the picture, so the plan became a bit tight for time.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Frans

TreeGuy · #9 09-13-2009, 10:58 PM

Frans, good luck buddy! I'm kindda excited to see this plan come together, eh?

The boys got in from camp this afternoon and saw more goats than sheep (2 vs 1 ewe), but the weather hasn't co-operated yet. They did get snowed on twice though!

Play safe man!

Tree

Edit: It's not me joining Frans.........unfortunately.

BrownBear416 · #10 09-13-2009, 11:44 PM

good luck frans....

Be safe...

altaberg · #11 09-14-2009, 10:34 PM

alright I'm almost ready too,

My pack was an even 30kg, 66lbs after all fit in, rifle, ammo, 2l of water at this point. See the before and after pictures. I have the stove and fuel and a heavier tent though.

I was going to go without a tent but the weather report does not suggest this would be too good an idea.

The silver bullet is on the truck already too.

I've bad news for you Frans, see the little silver fuel bottle sitting beside my pack? That's yours to carry too

I don't think one quart would od the job for both of us for four (or five) days.

Lucky me I have to work tomorrow first still before I'm off.

see you tomorrow night

altaberg · #12 09-14-2009, 10:40 PM

this picture was supposed to go on there too.
the after picture after everything fit (sort of almost) in

steve · #13 09-15-2009, 03:44 AM

good luck!

slopeshunter · #14 09-15-2009, 06:51 AM

Best of luck guys!

nicholal · #15 09-15-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter

Frans,
On a side note, I talked to Dukdog this morning and his pack for 8 days was 70 lbs + so maybe we aren't sitting too bad!

Have you ever seen how that boy can eat

JKDidnt think that badlands pack could hold that much or maybe the wife dropped that ingot of lead in his pack.....lol

AL

Frans · #16 09-15-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altaberg

I've bad news for you Frans, see the little silver fuel bottle sitting beside my pack? That's yours to carry too

Oh, but then I can chuck the two little propane cans and the little stove; I'll probably end up ahead!

As long as we have enough to make some coffee besides the hot water for breakfast oats and Mountain House dinner. :-)

BTW, the heavier tent that Altaberg is carrying... mea culpa. We could have shared, but I don't sleep well on a good night, and poorly in confined spaces with other people and/or any kind of noise. That includes spacious hotel rooms with heavily breathing hunting partners, let alone small two-person tents (not suggesting that Altaberg snores!). I've learned to tolerate the soft woosh of the ceiling fan, and luckily my wife doesn't snore! LOL

So I'll be crawling into my small one-person tent, while altaberg has to schlepp a bigger one.

Well, it's about time to throw the stuff in the truck, and hit the open road. Those sheep are getting impatient.

Frans

Frans · #17 09-15-2009, 09:24 AM

Here's my pack, as you can see the rifle-strap-to-the-back system needs improving.

Frans

slopeshunter · #18 09-15-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frans

Here's my pack, as you can see the rifle-strap-to-the-back system needs improving.

Frans

Frans, I suppose if you ever needed to take a quick shot, you could just turn the whole pack sideways!

Frans · #19 09-15-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slopeshunter

Frans, I suppose if you ever needed to take a quick shot, you could just turn the whole pack sideways!

Built-in benchrest!

Frans

Stinky Coyote · #20 09-15-2009, 11:50 AM

good luck man, i'm jealous of your impending adventure, i have had two day trips so far and i'm happy to report that my repeated skimming efforts on my day pack weight has resulted in a weight that i can hike all day with so i'm happy, have not had the experience of packing for more than just day trips yet so i can't comment....i hope you get a chance to put that sako to work!

Grizzly Adams · #21 09-15-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altaberg

this picture was supposed to go on there too.
the after picture after everything fit (sort of almost) in

So, looking at this picture, I'm assuming Frans is packing all the food.

I've kind of developed a like for those electrolyte replacement drinks, instead of water. Maybe it's just me

, but I've always felt a need to have the artillery, readily accessible, in Grizz country.
Grizz:

Skinnydipper · #22 09-15-2009, 07:58 PM

Good luck guys.......nice to see a pair of Sakos heading above treeline. You guys have managed well with your weight.

altaberg · #23 09-18-2009, 03:11 PM

I' don't know if this is good or bad but we are sitting at2300m on a ridgae glassing for sheep and my bloody bberry is working.

We are having a great time but the weather and the critters haven't been cooperating.

Found some sheep trails and fresh signs but no sheep yet.

Heard elk talking all night too.

It's nice to be out though and we are having some adventures.
Now I'm going to convince Frans to go up the ridge over the mountain

slopeshunter · #24 09-18-2009, 03:51 PM

Hey, thanks for the update! Now put away that blackberry and pick up those binos.

Frans · #25 09-19-2009, 11:21 PM

I've got pictures to show altaberg's dedication to the Blackberry!

Frans

mtylerb · #26 09-20-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frans

I've got pictures to show altaberg's dedication to the Blackberry!

Frans

Hahaha, that's awesome! I'm afraid mine is going with me too, in October. I will make sure to put it down and actually hunt ... at least while it charges.

Duk Dog · #27 09-21-2009, 03:55 PM

Best of luck guys! Looking forward to the update.