Creature Comforts "In the Sticks"

[WapitiTalk1]

What do you guys take (or plan to take) on your backcountry adventures that well, is something that you certainly don't require for your 4, 6, 10, day stay? I'm not talking about the stuff you pack in your trailer for base camps, but something that you find a way to fit into your super light backcountry pack gear. Is it an IPod? Your childhood teddy bear? A flask of fine bourbon? Your great grandfather's 1 1/2 pound hunting knife? A bag of snickers bars? What is the thing that you will always make room for, even though you really don't need it?

[sreekers]

I always bring a freeze dried dessert for a victory dance after a kill.

[LckyTylr]

Snickers and M&M's.

Some days, when the bulls just haven't bugled for several days and my feet are worn down . . . my inner fat kid comes out looking for a sympathy treat.

[pointysticks]

Cinnamon jolly ranchers. And hot sauce. If it warm. Flip flops for my feet.

[BrentLaBere]

I really don't have anything as of now. I had debated about bringing a flask this year to toast the kill but last year I wasn't even able to have a beer after the pack out. Sleep was the only thing on my mind. I am sure over time something will come up.

[Moose-head]

I consider the candy bars and other junk food to be an important item to help me to replenish calories. Extra things that aren’t required are probably tennis shoes and a couple of books.

[kevin_t]

I've taken whiskey before and had a friend bring wine once. A buddy actually took in a dutch oven one time, he was a little crazy.

[Moose-head]

I've had friends bring a 6 pack of beer before. They just didn't know that they were bringing it until we got there

[pointysticks]

my one buddy justin. that crazy kid took a six pack of coke-cola with him. his pack was BRUTALLY heavy. up and over 11k feet, dropped down to a nice green valley. he didnt pull them out for a few days. he just hid them in cool water. one night it was all quiet, we hear "phfffftttttt!" of a can being popped open. we never had the heart to beg him for a drink..he put in the sweat equity..they were all his.

he used a Badlands 4800. that pack is heavy empty!!

[RockChucker30]

kevin_t packed a couple Modus Hoperandi's into the elk pee camp last year. I was thankful. Mighty thankful.

[Harmy]

Blackberry Brandy and a Crazy Creek Chair.

[JGH]

Comfort: Nothing beats a down pillow. Bulky, but not heavy.

As for drinks, I like to bring a bag of wine. (Well, I have the horses bring it). But wine is wonderful at the same temperature as a mountain spring. The same can't be said for my real addiction: diet coke. Just a touch too warm like that. Same for beer. A flask of bourbon is nice to have along. Hunting camp is a lousy place to drink to excess, and I think there is no real place for that on a backcountry hunt ... but wine does really class-up Mountain House preparations!

Comfort is important. I remember something about a 10-80-10 Rule:

10% of the stuff in your pack you don't really need.
80% of the stuff in your pack is essential.
The last 10% isn't really "needed" but makes the trip worth it. (Cameras, music, bourbon, etc.).

This year, I'll have some horses bring my camp in. A chair, an iPad, a pillow, and a bag of wine with a glass glass will fit in that 10% nicely.

[Herb]

I have some help getting gear in. My favorite is a extra pair of boots. I don't need them, but dropping the feet into a completely dry pair is awesome!! My boots don't leak, sweat and wet grass soaking my pants let's the moisture in.

A little bag of wine is good too!!

[Indian Summer]

Ipod and Captain Morgan/tang but I consider it all essential. lol

[Freebird134]

This is a pretty interesting thread. Surprised at how much stuff some of you bring! My creature comfort is the lightest pack weight I can manage---no non-neccessities for me. But I do like the idea of letting a buddy pack a 6 pack....

[elkmtngear]

Gotta have my empty wide mouth gatorade bottle......ahhh that's comfort!

[Bowhunter]

Gotta have my empty wide mouth gatorade bottle......ahhh that's comfort!

X2 on the empty gatorade bottle. I keep one in the back of my truck. It beats crawling out of the topper in the middle of the night.

[garyMichel]

I vote for the small bottle of wine for the victory celebration.

[JJ Overkill]

a bottle of black berry brandy and a bottle of cask 16 crown royal for a celebration drink ( I bought it 2 1/2yrs ago) still waiting to put my first elk on the ground and open the most expensive bottle of whiskey ive ever paid for.

[Migolito]

Small bottle of spices for the backstrap BBQ.

[ElkNut1]

I've had friends bring a 6 pack of beer before. They just didn't know that they were bringing it until we got there

LOL!! Gotta watch this guy! (grin)
ElkNut1

[ChukarNUT]

x3 on the empty gatorade bottle!! and i am also guilty of stashing a 6 pack in friends pack enroute to a high mountain lake in middle of summer! he was sooooo mad as he struggled the whole way up---but soooo thankful for the refreshing beverages. worth it!

[BobcatJerry]

Constant comment tea and Fire Ball whiskey. I 'm not a tea drinker, but the jolt of caffeine after a long day, just before dinner with just a touch of Fireball in it which is a sweet cinnamon flavored whiskey is a nice combo. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol first thing back in camp... nice little pick me up. Fireball by itself is horrible in my book, and I am a whiskey drinker. Someone brought it one time and to get rid of it, I put some in my tea. It's a camp tradition now, with the whole party. A little pint will last all week.

[planebow]

Fireball is also great in hot chocolate

[elkmtngear]

Fireball is also great in hot chocolate

Tried that for the first time about a month ago...that stuff is just TOO DARN GOOD

[WapitiTalk1]

Fireball is also great in hot chocolate

Tried that for the first time about a month ago...that stuff is just TOO DARN GOOD

Give Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey a taste.. It is also "too darn good".. May cause some late morning getups for sure.

[WindedBowhunter]

Deer jerky, PBH on a bagel and a thick sleeping pad!