Time Tested Bivouac Gear

south@eastmans.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:35:20 +0100

I’ve gotten a handful of requests to post my gear list. Over the last decade or so, I’ve tested a bunch of backpacking and bowhunting gear in the backcountry. Some of it has stayed, much of it has not. I continue to try out every new gadget on the market that seems like it could improve my equipment list or my experience in the outdoors. What I’ve got in my pack works well for me and I feel is some of the best stuff out there on the market.

Tent:

For the last couple of years, when I’ve hunted out of a [[tent]], I’ve used the MSR Hubba. This year, I likely use the same tent on my early season hunts. I also have the HP, which I’ll use later in the year. The original Hubba has more netting in the doors, allowing better ventilation in warmer weather (see a test of the Hubba HP in the last issue of EBJ). A set of Fibraplex [[carbon]] poles will lighten my load by about 6 ounces over the standard issue aluminum ones. The late season; I have a hunt in [[North Dakota]] in October, will see the HP in use. A little warmer with the solid panel doors, it’ll resist the cold winds better too.

Sleeping bag:

Early season: I like the Marmot Hydrogen. Rated at 30 degrees, this 1 lb, 5oz bag is killer. I bought a smaller stuff sack than came with the bag from the factory. It now stuffs down smaller than a nerf football. If you are going into a hunt that you may run into early snow, but also will face warmer temps, bring along a pair of synthetic or wool thermals to boost the temp rating. For the later season I use a Marmot Helium. This 15 degree bag weighs only about 2 lbs.

Sleeping pad:

I’ve been using a Therma-rest Prolite 3 full length since they came out. I bought the stuff sack for the short version and with careful, tight rolling, it will fit in the smaller package. I usually have problems bulking out with my loads, so everywhere I can save a few cubic inches, I’m really happy to. I’m really happy with the pad, but there are a few things you need to know if you are going to use it. Never sleep on the bare ground with it. The material is really thin and even a pine needle can puncture it if it pokes it at the wrong angle. Carry a patch kit with you. The patch kit is hot melt glue that is heated in boiling water, so if you aren’t carrying a stove, you won’t be able to do a field repair to fix a leak. I’ve never had a valve go out on me, but I have repaired hole in the field before.

I might use the Z-rest this year, but the bulk of it usually keeps this one on the shelf at home. The great thing about this one is that you can use it for a glassing pad, or unroll it mid-day, flop it on the ground and take a nap.

Stoves:

If you are just boiling water to rehydrate meals, the Jet Boil can’t be beat. It boils water faster, using less fuel that the other stove out there. I can do an 8 day bivy hunt with one of the small fuel canisters that fits inside of the Jet Boil cup, boil water for oatmeal, hot choc and freeze dried, on one fuel canister!

If you are wanting to cook up some back strap, you could probably get a frying pan to balance on the top of the burner, but you’d probably be better off going with a MSR Pocket Rocket or a Brunton [[stove]].

Water Purification:

This depends entirely on where I am hunting. If I know I’ll be getting my water out of clear running streams the whole hunt, I’ll either pack [[iodine]] or [[bleach]] in a visine bottle. Two drops of bleach per liter out of the reclaimed visine bottle, 15 minutes and you have the least expensive way to treat water I’m aware of. I learned this one from the Pacific Crest Trail through hikers. Some of these guys are keeping their pack weights down to 12 lbs or less without food and water!

If I have to pull water out of a spring, pond or murky stream, I’ll use a filter. I always look for a [[water filter]] that can be cleaned in the field. I had a filter clog on me in [[Colorado]] with a replaceable paper filter cartridge (a Pur Hiker, now the Katadyn) after only a couple of gallons were run through it. The water was pretty murky pond water, but those were the conditions I was facing for my water source for 10 days. I didn’t have a replacement cartridge, so dealing with water for the balance of the week was a drag. More recently, I had my MSR Miniworks filter clog on me. That one has a field serviceable filter, but it had reached the end of its lifespan. I knew it was getting bad when I left on the trip, but thought I could get one more week out of it. Next time I’ll be smarter.

This year, I’ll be using the MSR Hyperflow. I just ordered it online from REI, it has been impossible to get locally. This filter can be back flushed in the field- no more dead filters! It pumps like a fire engine at 2.75 liters per minute and weighs less than a half pound. If you are unsure of how you’ll be getting your water, this is the method I’d recommend. This is probably the single new item I’m most excited about testing out this fall.

Backpack:

I plan on using the Badlands 4500 as well as the new pack from Sitka when it comes out. The Badlands worked out great for me last year, just about the right size for the gear I pack with me. I love the large side pouches for the spotting scope and tripod.

Optics:

I’m going to try out some of the glass from Nikon this year. I’ve been hearing rave reviews about their top end binos. I plan on using them for most of my stuff, with one hunt thrown in the middle using my Swarovski’s. That will give me a good opportunity to compare the two after using the Nikons for a while.

Tripod:

I’ve been using the Outdoorsman with a Jim White head. Hard to beat that combo, though I’d like to find something a little lighter. I don’t know if you can go much smaller in tripod size and still support a full size spotting scope. The obvious route would be to look at a carbon fiber tripod, but the weight savings isn’t as much as I expected when you are comparing like sizes.

Game bags:

No brainer, Alaskan Game Bags. You can’t beat these for weight, bulk and their quite durable. I carry one when I’m hunting [[mule deer]] or four when I hunting elk. I can fit a whole boned out buck into one bag.

Misc:

I’ve been using a Black Diamond [[headlamp]] for years now, but have just got a Petzl Tikka with an extra lense that is red. I expect to get a brighter light with newer technology and the red lense should work well when I’m hiking up to glassing spots before first light.

I always carry an extra pair of socks for each day I’m going to be away from base camp. I like to try to take care of my feet as best as I can. You certainly could just carry one extra pair and wash the dirty one, hanging them off of the back of your pack to dry. I don’t end up at water consistently enough daily to count on that option.

I carry a pair of fleece gloves and a fleece hat for windy mornings while I’m glassing. I also carry a stretchy skull cap to wear on nights when it gets cold.

For bathing, I like to use Field Bath towels. They are pre-moistened and substantially thicker than baby wipes. I figure on two per day. You can leave them out and let the moisture in them evaporate, rehydrate them when you need them if you are concerned with the extra weight. You’ll definitely appreciate them at the end of the day.

When I was at the Outdoor Retailer’s show, I came across another item that I’ve added to my pack, the Gorilla Pod. It is an ultra small [[tripod ]]that has flexible legs. It is available in different sizes to hold cameras of different weights. It is much more versitle than a standard tripod, while weighing just a few ounces. The flexible legs will wrap around a tree branch or will set up on top of a round rock. This will be a great addition if you don’t carry a tripod or want to take self timer pictures of yourself glassing while using your tripod to hold your scope

South

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Time Tested Bivouac Gear