Gear?

[wisconsinteacher]

Now that I am home from my trip, I have come up with a few items that I will need the next time I go out west. Please tell me what brands/styles you have that work or have not worked for you in the past.

Pack Frame
Trekking Poles
Leg Gaiters
Ski Goggles

I would like to add a few of these to my Christmas list

 

[Anonymous]

Pack frame...lots of good options. Personally, I really like the Mystery Ranch NICE frame (I understand there is a newer model with a different name). I hate external frame packs and that's the external that most closely feels like an internal. Although calling it an external in the traditional sense is not particularly accurate. I've got a NICE 6500 and a load sling that's done great for the last 6 years. I've hauled a literal ton of meat off the mountain with it.

I tried a KUIU carbon fiber frame when they first came out....some people love them, but I couldn't get along with it. Barney's and Bull Pac get good reviews from folks but I haven't used one...they are mega bucks but should last several lifetimes. For a one hunt pack... you can most likely make do with a less spendy frame...if you see yourself using the frame year after year, bite the bullet and get the best.

Trekking poles- I've got some Black Diamonds...honestly, I've seen a pile of them and I can't tell the difference in any of them when it gets right down to it. The take down features are the weak part...and you want a collapsible one.

Leg gaiters- Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles. Paired up with a good pair of mountaineering boots are the bee's knees for shallow stream crossings, busting wet brush and snow.

Ski goggles....OK, I'll give, why do you need ski goggles?

 

[Europe]

Ski goggles....OK, I'll give, why do you need ski goggles?

Cross country Capercaillie hunting in Sweden (-;

 

[6mm Remington]

Pack Frame: Not a pack frame, but works well for meat carry and it's with you all the time so you don't have to go back to the truck to get a frame just to haul meat out.
Eberlstock packs: Really like my Just One and have carried some heavy loads with it. Built in rifle carrier is sweet. The Team ELK pack is one I would look long and hard at too.
Blacks Creek: I have the Canadian and it is a great pack. I have carried all of my usual hunting stuff in there and taken out elk quarters at the same time.
http://www.eberlestock.com/M5%20Team%20Elk%20Pack.html

Trekking Poles: You can get crazy silly on prices of some of these, but Stoney Point makes a reasonably priced pole that works well. I used two of them every day when I drew my mountain goat tag. Sure help with balance and also get the shoulders and upper body helping get your carcass places and lessens fatigue.
Stoney Point Pole Cat

Leg Gaiters: Kenetrek makes a nice gaiter - quiet too
http://www.kenetrek.com/gaiters.asp

Micro Spikes: Not on your list, but for snow and wet ground these things are amazing. They really help fight fatigue too trying to get your carcass up a slope that is slicker than snot. I carry them all the time in my hunting pack. I left them at home when I shot my elk last year and I would not have fallen and broken ribs if I would have been wearing these things.
http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/

http://hillsound.com/hillsound-product/ ... pon-ultra/

Ski goggles: Sorry I'm no help there.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Ski goggles for the ATV ride back to camp in the blizzard conditions. haha

 

[tim629]

hodgeman & others: why collapsible trekking poles vs a solid one? I've never had the need for them here in the east but can see the use for out west just figure if the weak point is the joint do away with it

 

[Anonymous]

hodgeman & others: why collapsible trekking poles vs a solid one? I've never had the need for them here in the east but can see the use for out west just figure if the weak point is the joint do away with it

A few thoughts on that.

1. When sidehilling, it's nice to be able to collapse the uphill side to so you're not reaching up an extra foot or so.

2. I like longer poles when descending versus shorted when climbing.

3. nice to be able to collapse both and stuff them in a pack.

4. Nice to be able to adjust height to support a tarp.

 

[6mm Remington]

Ski goggles for the ATV ride back to camp in the blizzard conditions. haha

Makes sense and keep mud, rocks, and branches out of your eyes too!

 

[Thankful Otter]

hodgeman & others: why collapsible trekking poles vs a solid one? I've never had the need for them here in the east but can see the use for out west just figure if the weak point is the joint do away with it

Hopefully my friend Dr Mike is not reading this thread and especially not this post.

tim629,

Hodgeman nailed it, I agree with all four of his comments condensing can be important--dog sled, atv, snowmobile, canoe, ski plane, igloo, back pack. We use them when spike camping, and he is spot on with his comments about sidehilling and descending/climbing

 

[tim629]

Ski goggles for the ATV ride back to camp in the blizzard conditions. haha

Makes sense and keep mud, rocks, and branches out of your eyes too!

after walking into a tree branch last year while doing a bear drive, safety glasses are pretty much a given for me while hunting, hiking, or horseback riding in the brush, need the eyes for work and play.

 

[salmonchaser]

Trekking poles, collapsible have become a permanent part of my meat packing gear. Can't believe how much they help.
Bull packs for packing elk quarters.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OU812]

Now that I am home from my trip, I have come up with a few items that I will need the next time I go out west. Please tell me what brands/styles you have that work or have not worked for you in the past.

Pack Frame
Trekking Poles
Leg Gaiters
Ski Goggles

I would like to add a few of these to my Christmas list

Pack with internal frame, any one of the Mystery Ranch packs will serve you very well. I would also get some TAG bags for deer and elk quarters. Riding back to camp on a atv with out googles in snow or rain is not fun. Those flakes or drop hurt the eyes.

 

[Wis65x55]

I will attempt to give you some hints for ski goggle selection.
1. Lenses should be double layered. this helps to reduce fogging
2. I would strongly encourage you to look for photo gray lenses
3. UV resistant is a must!
4. Find a set of goggles that allow an individual to wear prescription glasses!
Keith