This is my checklist for one or two day air trekking trips in the West but it can be easily modified for hunting with the addition of my optics package, game dressing kit, and a rifle. I am confident that I can handle just about anything in the lower 48 with this list.
I love the way the Eberlestock Halftrack Hunting pack rides regardless of how I have it loaded out and it gives me great versatility.
With the exception of two changes (add a goose down beanie and goose down ones from Blackrock Gear which weigh nothing but make a big difference on a cold bivy) this is as good as it gets. Seriously, I don’t care how much money you spend or where you source it, you can’t build a better system than this one.
Without food and water the pack and contents listed weighs in at 16 pounds but that includes the umbrella which won’t always be on board. Even with max food and water the pack is less than 28 pounds. Note there is no sleeping bag.
Here is the list as of 2/20/16
Pelican #1620 rolling case with combination locks
Eberlestock Hunting Halftrack backpack with rain cover
WEAR
Danner Flashpoint Merino knee socks
or Smartwool light walking crew socks
UA 9-inch boxer briefs
Under Armour LS crew neck shirt – white, black, Army brown, sage green
or Patagonia All Weather Zip T neck – grey, black
or Patagonia Capilene 3 LS crew shirt – grey, black
Arborwear Ascender pants – charcoal, olive, tan
or Sitka Gear Timberline pants – camo
Yates uniform rappel belt
REI active stretch half zip pullover – black, green
or Sitka Gear Traverse Zip T Neck – grey, camouflage
Hardcore Outdoor ball cap – orange
or boonie hat – white, tan, sage green
Sitka Gear Shooters Gloves – brown
Hanwag Mountain Light boots
or Lowa Silberhorn GTX boots
Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters – black, tan
Storm whistle on lanyard with Road ID dog tag
iPhone 5s (in snack size zip lock bag)
Zeiss Miniquick monocular
Bandana – tan, white, red, black, grey
Lip balm – Banana Boat
Black Diamond trekking pole(s) with reflective tape and snow baskets
PACK
Ruff Wear red LED strobe/marker light on front of shoulder strap
Orange surveyors tape in side mesh pocket (4 yotes or about 20 feet)
Hanz FR gloves – black, tan, sage green
Arcteryx Alpha SV mittens with down liners
Outdoor Research balaclava – black (consider switching to Arcteryx or Buff)
Patagonia Das Parka with hood, Primaloft – black
or Sitka Gear Down Hoody jacket, premium goose down – grey
Sitka Gear Dewpoint jacket, Gore Tex – grey
or Arcteryx Beta AR jacket, Gore Tex – orange
or Arcteryx Theta AR jacket, Gore Tex – black
or Sitka Gear Stormfront jacket, Gore Tex – camo
Sitka Gear Dewpoint pant, Gore Tex – grey
or Arcteryx LEAF Alpha bibs, Gore Tex – black, crocodile
Sitka Gear Kelvin pants, Primaloft – grey
Wilderness Emergency Kit with fire, signaling, and medical modules
DeLorme inReach Explorer satellite communicator
4x disposable heat packs
CRKT utility knife
Instep ice cleats
Julbo sunglasses in protective case
Bose earbuds in case
Second bandana – bright color
Therm-a-Rest ¾ length sleeping pad – burnt orange
Switch 8 auxiliary battery with USB cord (for overnight)
Costco toilet paper and baby wipes in separate zip lock bag
Spare large zip lock bag
Zip ties – 4 large and 6 small
Small can of UDAP bear spray on hip belt
Petzl Tikka XP Plus headlamp
Surefire Fury flashlight
Umbrella (for known storm conditions)
Closed cell foam sit/stove/work pad
WATER fill up when you get there
Camelbak 100 oz bladder + 32 oz Nalgene water + 32 oz Nalgene Wilderness Athlete Super Man drink (day trip)
or 2x Camelbak 100 oz bladder + 17 oz Softbottle Wilderness Athlete Super Man (for overnight)
FOOD in zip lock bags (pick from the following depending on availability/trip)
Bagel with cream cheese pack
or Taco Bell bean/cheese burros with cheese only, no sauce
or Bear claw or apple fritter or croissants
Mountain House freeze dried dinner (for overnight)
Mountain House freeze dried pak breakfast (for overnight)
Jetboil Ti stove with 1 small fuel can (for overnight) and Lexan spoon
Lexan spoon
SNACKS in zip lock bag
Nutter Butters, Fig Newtons, Oreos, salty almonds, banana chips
PRE-TRIP
Take Wilderness Athlete Altitude Advantage pills
Maintain nutritious diet and super hydrate
SCHEDULE
Friday afternoon
Fly out (on SWA Business Select Ticket)
Super hydrate all day
Rent a car – drive to trailhead area
Eat a good dinner
Get a good night sleep somewhere
Saturday
Eat a good breakfast
Drink Wilderness Athlete Super Man
Apply altitude cream and lip balm
Mark car/starting point in GPS
Send position message to contacts
Put iPhone in airplane mode
Hit the trail early
Sunday
Fly home late afternoon/evening (on changeable SWA ticket)
CHANGE OR PULL FOR WEIGHT CONSIDERATIONS