SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

 THE CHANGING WEATHER

In Colorado, they say if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. The weather can change abruptly and you need to be prepared for these things. The highest incidence of hypothermia occurs in the month of August. The key to dressing for the changing weather is to dress in layers. You will want to wear a T-shirt or light short sleeve shirt and have a heavier long sleeve shirt available to you, followed by a light jacket and rain gear. The sun can be intense at 11,000 feet! Sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat are essential. Our aim is to keep you warm and dry.

You should bring the following for your Summer trip:

• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Camera/film
• Insect repellent
• Water bottle/canteen
• Fishing gear
• Fishing license
• Binoculars
• Day or fanny pack
• GPS

*We will be happy to provide you with fishing gear if you would like to fish but want to travel lighter.

For Hunting Season, add:

• Game bags
• Pen/paper pad
• Skinning Knife
• Bone saw/hatchet
• Matches/lighter
• Binoculars/scope

Hunters: We would like you to sight your rifle in for 200 yards dead on. You should be able to hit a target shooting on the level, as well as uphill and downhill. This holds true for any firearm that you wish to use. Remember, caliber is not as important as placement. We operate in GMU 24 in the White River National Forest. The area can be found on the Ripple Creek quad of a USGS 7.5 minute map. There is a four-point antler restriction in this area and has been for about 11 years. There are some nice bulls out there.

Since we will be packing you in on horseback, we ask that you do not over-pack. You will be allowed one pack horse per person. The MAXIMUM you can bring is 150 pounds per person (that is a lot of stuff!), but we highly recommend keeping it as light as you can. A duffel bag no larger than an army type will be plenty for your gear. Limit the weight of your packs to no more than 40 pounds each. If your bag is not waterproof, we suggest that you line your bag with a trash bag before putting anything in it. Put your sleeping bag inside of a trash bag also. It’s no fun arriving at camp with wet gear. When you pack your coolers, use no more than 48-quart size, again not more than 40 pounds each. Please do not pack ice or water.

We have found that the crates that you can pick up at Wal-Mart fit into the panniers very well if they are placed top to top and held together with cable ties. You can pack all kinds of gear this way and it’s a great way to keep from squashing your bread! Base camp clients will be provided with all the basics needed (See Base Camp Services). For drop camps, don’t forget you will need to bring all your own cooking utensils. Drop camps are for those who are completely bringing all their own gear. NOTE: Please call about base camp provisions as this may have changed.

Packing food for base or drop camps: When you are planning your menu, try to freeze as many pre-prepared items as possible. For instance, if you are going to have spaghetti as a meal, prepare your sauce at home and freeze it flat in 2 Ziploc bags. When you are ready to pack your coolers, your pre-made items can be placed into your coolers like envelopes. You can do the same with meats, stew, or just about any kind of food you want. When they are all frozen, it helps to keep the rest of your food frozen or cool.

Try to stay away from canned goods; they are heavy and will only limit the amount of gear you can bring. We prefer that you bring as much of your food dry as possible. Mixes can be pre-measured and stored in Ziploc baggies – when you’re ready to use them, just add water to the baggie and squish to mix. If we feel you have over-packed, don’t be surprised to find some of your gear left behind. We are trying to strongly discourage you from bringing too much stuff. If you feel you really need it, extra pack horses are $125each per day.
Hunters in base and drop camps: We will be checking on you every other day and we will pack your game out for you. We will pack your game from the point of kill provided it is accessible by horse. If it isn’t, you must get your game somewhere we can get a horse. Please have your game ready to pack by quartering the animal. Game processing is available in town for about $275. Guided hunters will have full game preparation and pack-out service.

All clients will be provided with top-notch horses. Guided pack trip participants will be additionally provided with expert guides, all of your meals, a comfortable tent with cots and pads, and a great time out in the wilderness.

…more HIGH ALTITUDE TIPS
Sunburn
The sun can be intense at high altitudes, with a much higher chance of sunburn. Sunscreen of SPF15 or higher is recommended to guard against damage to the skin. Lip balm with sunscreen is a must. Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat will also help to protect eyes and head from intense solar radiation.

High Altitude Sickness
You can help protect yourself from high altitude sickness by resting frequently (especially the first days of your trip), drinking lots of water, eating normally, and limiting alcohol intake. In many cases, drinking more water than you think you need, especially at the first signs of a headache, can thwart the more uncomfortable symptoms. (See also Safety)