Ryan Lampers' early season backcountry gear list

Photo credit: Brady Miller
If you're like me watching the days quickly getting crossed out on the ol’ calendar, then you, too, are seeing those early season fall hunts fast approaching. August brings some great opportunities to get out and start chasing antelope as well as deer and elk in a few western states. Heck, for bear hunting nuts like myself there are even opportunities in August to chase big old berry eating bears in the high country during this time. Then, of course, the month of September comes along, offering more archery mule deer opportunities as well as the oh-so-coveted archery elk season.
It just so happens that my early season calendar this year will have me up in some high alpine areas chasing both bears as well as some high country mule deer. Typically, these late summer trips bring about much warmer conditions than the often fickle weather month of October. I use October as the month when my early season gear kit will start to see a makeover; usually the shelter and clothing systems see the lion’s share of the changes.
When it comes to the gear I use, weight is definitely a consideration. Relative comfort and safety is also of huge importance when choosing what gear will be taking up that precious space in my backpack. Durability, reliability and functionality are things I also weigh carefully when it comes to deciding on the gear I take. Compromises are made not just with weight, but with comfort as well. My approach is to shave weight where possible, but still maintain a system that’ll get me through almost every possible weather scenario Mother Nature might throw at me.
Here’s my personal gear list, which covers everything I'll be taking along during my upcoming early season trips.
My early season gear list
Clothes Packed In Backpack (Extra layers) | |
---|---|
Item | Model |
Rain Jacket | Stone Glacier M5 Rain Jacket |
Rain Pant | Stone Glacier M5 Rain Pant |
Mid Layer | Stone Glacier Helio Hoody |
Insulation Top | Stone Glacier Grumman Goose Down Jacket |
Gloves | Outdoor Research Versaliner |
Beanie | Lightweight Merino Wool Beanie |
Clothes Worn (Items I always wear daily) | |
Item | Model |
Top (Wicking) | Stone Glacier Chinook Merino Crew LS |
Pants (Outer) | Stone Glacier De Havilland LITE |
Base Layer | Stone Glacier Chinook Merino Hoody |
Underwear | Stone Glacier Chinook Merino Boxer |
Socks (Hiking) | Stone Glacier Ram Wool Sock |
Footwear | |
Item | Model |
Boots | Crispi Lapponia 2.0 |
Insoles | SheepFeet Full Length Orthotic |
Backpack | |
Item | Model |
Backpack | Stone Glacier Sky Guide 7900 |
Optics | |
Item | Model |
Spotting Scope | Vortex Razor HD 22-48-65mm |
Binoculars | Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 |
Harness | Stone Glacier Skyline Binocular Harness |
Rangefinder | Vortex Razor HD 4000 Laser Rangefinder |
Rangefinder Case | Stone Glacier Skyline Rangefinder Pocket |
Tripod | Slik 624 |
Pan Head | Outdoorsmans Micro Pan Head |
Digiscope Setup | Phone Skope |
Sleep System | |
Item | Model |
Shelter | Seek Outside Eolus Dyneema |
Stakes | 6 Hyperlite Ultralight Stakes |
Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra Sil (Small) |
Sleeping Bag | Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15 Degree Sleeping Bag |
Ground Cloth | Seek Outside Fearlessly Floorless Ground Sheet |
Sleeping Pad | Therm-A-Rest-NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad (Large) |
Gear | |
Item | Model |
Trekking Poles | PEAX Sissy Stix Backcountry Elite |
Gaiters | Peax Storm Castle Gaiters |
Glassing Pad | Sthealthy Hunter Glassing Pad |
Solar Panel | Anker 21 W/3 Panel Solar Charger |
Battery Pack | Dark Energy Poseidon |
Backup Rangefinder Batter | Extra Rangefinder Battery |
Satellite Messenger | Garmin inReach Mini |
Charge Cord | Micro USB |
Charge Cord | iPhone Charger Cord |
Headlamp | PEAX Backcountry Duo |
Mapping | GOHUNT Explorer Maps |
Bear Protection | Smith & Wesson M&P 10 mm |
Pistol Load | Outdoorsman Buffalo Bore Hard Cast 220 grain |
Pistol Chest Rig | Razco Gear Kydex Holster |
Ear Protection | Radians Custom Molded Ear Plugs |
Food Storage | Stone Glacier Load Cell Dry Bag |
Tape | Leuko Tape And Electrical Tap Wrapped On Trekking Poles |
Fire Starting Kit | |
Item | Model |
Lighter | 1 Bic Lighter |
Lighter | Pyro Putty Elite Rechargeable Dual Arc Lighter |
Fire Starter | Esbit Fire Starting Tablets |
Fire Starter | Black Beard Fire Starting Rope |
Kill Kit | |
Item | Model |
Carrying Case | Sthealthy Hunter Kit Sack |
Cord | 50' Z Packs Z Line Slick Cord |
Knife | Goat Knives Ibex Mini Replaceable Blade Knife |
Extra Blades | Two 60A Replaceable Blades And Two 70A Blades |
Knife | Goat Knives Nitro TUR Fixed Blade |
Game Bags | Grakksaw Game Bags |
License | License And Tags |
Sharpener | Benchmade EDC Edge |
Medical Kit | |
Item | Model |
First Aid | Sthealthy Hunter Backcountry Medical Kit |
Weapon (Bow & Rifle) | |
Item | Model |
Bow | PSE EVO XF 33" 80 lb |
Release | Carter Wise Choice Thumb |
Arrows | Day Six Gear 540 grain |
Fletching | AAE Max Stealth Fletching |
Broadhead | Day Six Gear 125 grain |
Rifle | Weatherby Backcountry Ti 6.5 RPM |
Muzzlebrake | Ti Pro Self Timed 4 Port |
Bipod | Spartan Precision Equipment Javelin Pro Long |
Riflescope | Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x 50 MOA Riflescope |
Scope Cover | Sthealthy Hunter Optics and Crown Cover |
Cook Kit | |
Item | Model |
Cooking Pot | TOAKS Cook Set |
Stove System | JetBoil MightyMo |
Spoon | PEAX Backcountry Ti Spoon |
Fuel | JetBoil Jetpower Fuel Canister x 1 |
Coffee Mug | GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug |
Hydration | |
Item | Model |
Water Purification Backup | Aquatab Purification Tablets |
Water Bottle | GSI Microlite |
Water Filter | SteriPen Ultralight UV Water Purifier |
Water Container | HydraPak 3 Liter |
Comments