Ok guys, I am preplexed. I am headed to northern Alberta for a nine day Mulie/Whitetail hunt and it is already bitter cold there.

How do you pack for Nine days with a 50 lb limit on weight and a gun case?

I do have a Tuffpack guncase that I think I can get my heavy coveralls and 7-1 Parka in with my gun.

That leaves the rest in one 30' rolling duffle.

It was much easier to anticipate packing for Africa because of the daily laundry and the lack of need for heavy boots.

What say yea??

Sprig

It's supposed to be freezing every night this week...and the central part of the Province had (in some areas) more than a foot of snow. I have a farm about an hours drive north of Peace River, and they tell me so far they haven't had any snow there.

Hell, wear your favorite boots and favorite jacket and buy the rest of what you need here...there's dry goods stores everywhere, and the exchange rate is in your favor. Contrary to popular belief, we don't live in igloos or make our clothing from things we kill... ..if it wasn't for a couple of houses being in the way, I could see the Walmart from here.

What you'll appreciate most is a couple of pairs of lightweight long johns, and a decent pair of warm gloves. Work World will fix you up in no time.

Frans and Tumbleweed, Thanks for the input. Due to my size I will have to bring everything.

Sprig

First of all it aint bitter cold yet!!! Layers and layers of fleece are quite light, add a windproof layer somewhere in the mix, some good mittens, a hardhat liner, dickie (for your neck)and your boots-preferablywith an extra pair of liners. Then you'll be all set. Clothes should weigh about 25 lbs with the boots included.

have fun!!

quote:

First of all it aint bitter cold yet!!!

It certainly isn't.LOL.I couldn't help but laugh when I read that it was so cold here.It's barely below freezing.I will use the term bitter cold when the temperatures drop below -30.

Stubblejumper, You are just trying to get me to stay home.

Sprig

Ok guys I am not simple. I know you layer, etc. What I was asking was how many changes do you bring for nine days andkeep it under 50 lbs.

Bring a few undershirts, an extra middle layer and just keep using the same outer layers.

ps: I got a good chuckle out of the "bitter cold" comment too.

Cheers,
Canuck

I live in the Northeast part of Alberta where it usually hits -40 every year for a period or two.I can remember -52 but we have had some mild winters over the last few years.So cold is relative to what you are used to.If you are in a house or cabin where you can at least wash underwear by hand and hang it to dry,I would bring three or four sets of underwear as well as a few layers of fleece and a windproof shell.I would avoid heavily insulated outer garments as layers are easier to add or take off to keep warm while avoiding sweating while walking.I would go with polypropelene as a base layer for both socks and underwear.Since you consider this cold,I would take a pair of pac boots with a spare pair or liners.A toque is a good idea as well as is both a pair of gloves as well as a pair of heavier mitts with liners.I would also look into buying a box of chemical handwarmers when you arrive as they can be placed in various places to warm you up.Good luck.

Thanks Guys.

Sprig

quote:

Originally posted by bullsprig:
Thanks Guys.

Sprig

Don't let 'em scare you. You'll have a great time, and hopefully, end up with some good stories to tell.....like how, when you peed, you had to keep backing away from the icicle...

If you are moving you don't need much on.The problem is when you are standing still and that is what you are probably going to be doing alot of.Bring a couple of sets of woolen or polypropolyne long underware(the thick type).Sorel-caribou boots with a spare liner.Two or three pairs of regular socks and thick woolen socks.A pair of jeans to wear around camp and a comfortable shirt and running shoes.Bring a thick insulated winter parka with matching pants,a tuque(preferably one that turns into a mask) and warm gloves or mittens.Don't forget a bath towel(I always forget that_).

If you are hunting with a guide, your pants aren't going to get dirty anyway, If Iam tenting it up here I go 2-3 days to a set of undergarments, a couple of warm longsleev shirts, wool pants(same pair all week usually) bring lots of good socks, warm boots and a toque. Lots of guiding outfits have heated blinds for southerners anyway.

Getting ready to head down to BC for my anual deer hunt myself. Last year when I left my house it was -37 got down to my deer hunting area it was +45 dam near sweated my butt off. This year the weather looks about the same here and down south so not much of a change in clothing needed but I will throw in a pair of shorts just in case.

I used to wear toques but damn my head gets sore after a day or two of that. Any kind of fleece lined hat with earflaps attached is great. Think of the old RCMP style fur hat and you'll get the idea-they were usually muskrat or beaver now they're made of fleece. You also have to have something for around your neck. A sweater or fleece layer with a longer back that you can tuck into the back of your pants is essential. Get lots of handwarmers for sure-they are a little piece of heaven to hang onto.

the chef

Well here's a real life scenario, I went out last night at -6 C. wind was about 10 mph.

I had on:
2 layers of fleece pants-not wind proof
Felt pack boots
t-shirt
fleece pullover with nice high collar
down vest
hollofill jacket-a big fluffy one
cotton cammo jacket-no insulating qualities
Hutterite-hat with ear flaps
dickie-or a neck warmer
thin fleece gloves-so I could shoot my bow
I also brought some Indian made mitts. Wool lined with coyote outside, and I put these on later, when I couldn't bear the thin ones any more.

Now keep in mind that -6c isn't very cold at all and I couldn't move more than 20 yards without sweating with all the clothes on. So I carried them in and dressed at the bottom of my treestand. It was still pretty chilly up in a tree with a wind. I sat about 4 hours until after dark, but as it got colder out it was pretty tough to sit still. I also don't have a hood on my jacket and that would help a lot, I don't like it for bowhunting though. Another thing, if you are't acclimatized to the cold it will seem worse-much worse I think. Make sure you have a wind proof layer, that's really important. Also avoid getting tight boots, mine are three sizes too big-they suck to walk in but are nice and toasty warm. If your boots seem tight and you can't wiggle your toes it's probably warmer to take off your socks. Or buy some overboots, that's probably a good idea in your case.

hope this helps

The chef

Okay one more addition. I went out yesterday during a chinook. I could have had my rain gear with me, the snow was melting off the trees and gave me a nice shower before it was time to go home.

You really do have to prepare for all possible weather.