Backcountry pack question: What do you do for a day pack?

[Mark]

Just wondering what guys are using for day packs when you are pacing in on foot with all your gear for multi day spike camps? Are you taking a big pack and a smaller day pack also? My Badlands 4500 has a detachable hip pack which might work ok. Does anyone bring 2 packs in with them?

Thanks in advance!

Mark

 

[25contender]

I have always carried one pack and just compress it down for a day pack.

 

[ScottR]

I have always carried one pack and just compress it down for a day pack.

I do the same.

 

[hardstalk]

I used the blacks creek Jim horn edition for a few seasons. It had a removable small daypack. I thought that was the ticket for a while. After playing and tinkering and a few more hunts I realized compressing one pack for day mode was the most convenient. Carrying the extra weight in is pretty silly IMO. And not having the ability to carry heavier weight comfortably at any given time is a negative. If you knock something down a mile from camp it's a lot nicer to be able to get a load back without having to hike to camp, grab your big bag and then start the process.

 

[RUTTIN]

I just use the same pack compressed down as well.


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[RockChucker30]

I use the same pack for packing in and for hunting, but with a bit of a twist. This scenario is exactly why we designed the Paradox Evolution pack to use frame extensions.

Pack in with a big pack that is good for hauling weight, then compress it down and lower the frame by taking out the 4" extensions, and now you're hunting with a much smaller pack. It really helps when trying to sneak through brush.

[video=youtube_share;BBF_fIyAFas]http://youtu.be/BBF_fIyAFas[/video]

 

[Mark]

Awesome! Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback and help!

Mark

 

[Russell M.]

One thing to consider in this situation is having the means to pack out meat on the initial trip out so you don't have to go all the way back to camp or vehicle just to get your frame pack. A really good example would be a Stone Glacier with both the Solo and Approach bags. The Approach is smaller and attaches to the Solo, that way when you get to camp you can remove the Solo from the frame and slap the Approach to it. Bam, you have an awesome small day pack without a big bag that you don't need and most importantly you are still carrying your meat hauling frame with you at all times. Stone Glacier is a little too expensive for me so I got a Kuiu Ultra which is about half the cost with a lot of the same features and will become my wife's pack when I upgrade. There's a lot of other good packs out there you can't go wrong with as well.

 

[ScottR]

One thing to consider in this situation is having the means to pack out meat on the initial trip out so you don't have to go all the way back to camp or vehicle just to get your frame pack. A really good example would be a Stone Glacier with both the Solo and Approach bags. The Approach is smaller and attaches to the Solo, that way when you get to camp you can remove the Solo from the frame and slap the Approach to it. Bam, you have an awesome small day pack without a big bag that you don't need and most importantly you are still carrying your meat hauling frame with you at all times. Stone Glacier is a little too expensive for me so I got a Kuiu Ultra which is about half the cost with a lot of the same features and will become my wife's pack when I upgrade. There's a lot of other good packs out there you can't go wrong with as well.

Just some food for thought here. I did a full week out of the Solo last year, with very little in the load shelf.

 

[tttoadman]

I load 9-10 days on the Solo with dry bags strapped to the sides and not extending the load shelf. Day hunt mode at about 15# or so, and 110#+ going out that day. I will never leave camp without a meat hauler again.

 

[RANGER619]

During an elk trip i had a pack that had a removable fanny pack. I found it quite aggravating to always be shuffling stuff from the main pack to a fanny pack. There is a certain amount of gear I never leave camp without, and it was almost impossible to fit in the fanny pack. Not to mention the inability to take a load of meat out right away. Just my 2 cents, if it is even worth that

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I made the mistake once of taking a small day pack out for a day hunt from camp, found myself over a dead deer 3 miles from camp. Took three trips instead of two and from that day on I always carry my big pack cinched down. Not a huge problem but I wasn't a happy camper standing over that deer realizing the extra work I had in store just because I chose the small bag. A day hunt doesn't always mean a short distance hunt.

 

[kevin_T]

Computer my main pack as a daypack

 

[BigSurArcher]

Compressibility in big packs is a valuable feature that most pack companies seem to be putting a lot of emphasis on.

These are identical Ultra 6000s, stuffed and compressed.

 

[7stwluver]

I recently purchase do a kuiu icon 7200 and with just essentials it compresses really small. Big improvement over my eberlestock lo drag. Now I can
haul meat back if need be with a way more sturdy and comfortable pack.


Sent from NSA wire tapped device.

 

[Dakota Drifter]

I use SG Approach with Cabelas dry bags for the trip in. This might be a little heavier than the Approach plus Solo but its nice to have multiple bags when in camp. I keep food in one bag that can be hung in a tree away from camp if need be, one bag for clothes and one for camp essentials. Day use is the Approach.

 

[wapiti66]

I purchased the Kuiu Ultra 6000 this spring. Haven't had it on the mountain, just a few hikes around home, but looking forward to putting it to use soon on a scouting trip. Im very impressed with how well it compresses down for day mode.

 

[islandlaker]

How does the Kuiu ultra 6000 work as a meat hauler? I love the idea of using it as a day back but then being able to pack some meat out. Does the bag come of the frame for hauling larger quarters of deer or does it fit right in the bag?

 

[WillPower]

Many good posts, key point is to be prepared to haul meat/head/cape on initial run back to spike camp. I went to backcountry hunts in 2006 and from 06-10, I cinched my Badlands down and hunted with it. Since, 11, I am hunting 8 -12 miles deep, so I have horses arranged now, whereas I carry either a mid-size pack or a daypack, sometimes with a small pack frame that breaks down and can be assembled to pack my head/cape on my initial run back to my spike camp. I cant remember who makes the portable pack frame, but it is sweet once you get it put together. Last year, I packed my bull head/cape about 2 miles back to our spike camp using my brothers Badlands Sacrifice pack which is one of the upper mid size light weight packs. I just had a day pack with my meat bags, etc. This year, I finally drew a AZ tag, so going to carry a mid-size pack with the portable pack frame to bring head and meat out to our vehicle or camp on the initial pack out. Good luck on your hunt !

 

[ScottR]

How does the Kuiu ultra 6000 work as a meat hauler? I love the idea of using it as a day back but then being able to pack some meat out. Does the bag come of the frame for hauling larger quarters of deer or does it fit right in the bag?

A 6k cui. Bag will haul meat just fine


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