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View Full Version : Tenquille Lake/Kifaru Gunbearer



Gateholio
07-22-2008, 11:29 AM
Since it is looking like we will be changing this forum to a "Pictures and Videos" forum, I'll start with my picture thread!


I picked up some new toys this year, including a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and 6500 bag. I attached a Kifaru universal gunbearer to the hip belt and shoulder strap.

Both products work great. The pack is very comfy even wiht heavy weights, and the gunbearer is fantastic. You can crawl around under blowdown, crawl up rocks, use both hands...without ever losing your rifle, or having it get in the way.

I've been trying out this gear and doing a little hiking to stay in shape for hunting season.

Here is a little day trip I made yesterday, hiked up a popular area around here called Tenquille Lake.

On the way up:
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491721_2374.jpg

Looking down to Pemberton Valley

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491723_2964.jpg

Copper Dome- There is a little can up there that people leave notes in.

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491725_3533.jpg

Approaching Goat Mtn
http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491726_3826.jpg

Gateholio
07-22-2008, 11:34 AM
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491730_5127.jpg

Sako in the boulder field

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491732_5816.jpg

Tired pups!!

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491734_6451.jpg

Old cabin, built in the 1940's, has seen better days...

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491774_7016.jpg

Gateholio
07-22-2008, 11:39 AM
Beautiful Tenquille Lake... I was kicking myself for forgetting the fishing rod!

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491778_8405.jpg

Cooling off in the crystal Clear water

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491782_9793.jpg

Meadows around the lake

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491787_1555.jpg

The Bartell Shot:
MR pack, Kifaru gunbearer (barely see it), Leica binocs, Custom 300WSM...

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491791_3073.jpg

Gateholio
07-22-2008, 11:42 AM
Heading home:
http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491798_5779.jpg

Begining desent into the Lillooet river valley
http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v296/111/96/526315515/n526315515_1491799_6153.jpg

Glad it's mostly downhill from here!:)

Flinch
07-22-2008, 12:06 PM
I have looked at a few pics of the gunbearer and it looks kind of awkward. can you give more details about it. Any more photos? I also have my eye on the MR setup with the 6500 bag. I have heard it is the best for shorter stockier frames, but on taller guys the lack of load lifters comes into play. I am 6'2" and 210 lb, so I am a little unsure without trying one.

BigBanger
07-22-2008, 12:22 PM
Looks awesome up there . Nice hike thanks for sharing . How long were you out ?

newhunterette
07-22-2008, 12:32 PM
really enjoyed your photos Clarke - looks like the pups had a great time :)

Brambles
07-22-2008, 12:43 PM
Is that a beautiful meadow or what, very nice , thanks

Gateholio
07-22-2008, 12:49 PM
I have looked at a few pics of the gunbearer and it looks kind of awkward. can you give more details about it. Any more photos? I also have my eye on the MR setup with the 6500 bag. I have heard it is the best for shorter stockier frames, but on taller guys the lack of load lifters comes into play. I am 6'2" and 210 lb, so I am a little unsure without trying one.

The Kifaru isn't awkward to me. In fact, after you get used to having a rifle muzzle a few inches away form your temple, it's hardly even noticeable. Having to keep slipping a rifle back up onto your shoulder, or carry it in your hands, is much more awkward.:wink: There are some more pics on the Kifaru site. Suffice to say, it holds the rifle firmly, but takes an instant to get it into play.

I'd call MR and ask abotu your size in relation to the packs, I know this one fits me, and I'm 6' 265lbs.:wink:

Gateholio
07-22-2008, 12:55 PM
Looks awesome up there . Nice hike thanks for sharing . How long were you out ?

Just hiked up for the day, ate lunch, cooled off inthe lake and headed home. Actual hiking was only about 5 hours. Tenquille is funny, though. You go up and down quite a bit either way on the trail.:shock:

Rock Doctor
07-22-2008, 12:56 PM
Very nice area, you got some great pics.

ChrisL
07-22-2008, 04:38 PM
Just hiked up for the day, ate lunch, cooled off inthe lake and headed home. Actual hiking was only about 5 hours. Tenquille is funny, though. You go up and down quite a bit either way on the trail.:shock:

Always wanted to do that trip. On the weekend I was in the neighborhood, on the Hope Creek FSR. Did you start at the switchback off of the HUrley (I think 15 or 16 km from the start?)

Chris.

BlacktailStalker
07-22-2008, 05:35 PM
That looks like a nice hike, great pictures and refreshing lake !
Ever spend any time behind the spotter up there ?

Good to hear the gun bearer works well, I've got one showing up on my Kifaru Longhunter Guide pack and was wondering about it.

Kody94
07-22-2008, 08:21 PM
I have looked at a few pics of the gunbearer and it looks kind of awkward. can you give more details about it. Any more photos? I also have my eye on the MR setup with the 6500 bag. I have heard it is the best for shorter stockier frames, but on taller guys the lack of load lifters comes into play. I am 6'2" and 210 lb, so I am a little unsure without trying one.

I am also 6'2 and about 220lbs at the moment (which is a good weight for me -- if I substitute 20lbs of fat for the equivalent weight of muscle mass!).

I got an MR NICE 6500 pack less than a month ago and used it for 4 days before being taken out of commission with a burn (other thread). After the first day (50 lb load) I got all the adjustments right (I was too cautious with the yoke and finally got it adjusted out enough) and it carried the load pretty comfortably. I was still wanting more adjustment in the load ascenders though, so I agree with whoever you heard that from. With it adjusted just right, everywhere else, the ascender adjustment was "just" enough....but I always had it snugged to the limit. About 2-3 more inches would have been perfect. I intend to call them this week and see if maybe I am missing something?? and if not, if there is a way to get the pack fixed to my liking.

Here's a pic of me with the pack on day 3....was quite liking it by this point, although I wish I had gone for the color that Gate's pic'd...the camo isn't as nice in person as it looks on the website.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Staggerino/MR_pack.jpg

Cheers
4ster

Gateholio
07-22-2008, 09:42 PM
Always wanted to do that trip. On the weekend I was in the neighborhood, on the Hope Creek FSR. Did you start at the switchback off of the HUrley (I think 15 or 16 km from the start?)

Chris.

There are 4 ways to Tenquille

The longest is a multi day treck/traverse from Owl Lakes

Next is the trailhead from the river, about 5-6 hours up, and about 4-5 down. I don't know if I would want to go up and down in one day. Maybe if you start early.

Branch 12 is up the Hurley, access via Tenquille Creek FSR took me 2.5 hours up, 2 hours 10 minutes down. Record up I've heard is 1 hour 40 minutes.

Finally, you can get there over a muddy nasty trail from the Birkenhead FSR. It's only about 1- 1.5 hours up, but it's boggy and gross, and you need to drive for an hour via FSR, which I find annoying.

Elkhound
07-23-2008, 08:03 PM
looks beautiful Clarke.......great place to camp I bet...........but no fires right now;)