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