spike camps ... what do you bring

[twoSevenO]

Want to learn more about spike camps and how you go about it. I imagine it will be mostly sheep hunters chiming in, but i'd like to hear from high country mule hunters as well :)

* What do you bring with you?
* How far from base camp do you usually find yourself when you decide you should camp and not return to base camp?
* Tarps or bivys? Anyone use one of those "emergency bivy"?
* How often have you decided to just move basecamp instead of spike camping? (I guess water is a big concern in some spots)

Thanks!

[BgBlkDg]

Most of my spike outs over the years have used a bivy and tarp with a foam pad under a Thermorest I used my first 3/4 length TR pad over Ensolite since I bought it circa 1977/78, the first model available and from MEC(yikes). I was younger and made this combo work well enough.

I now have 3 different models of original Calgary-made ID bivies, an original Unishelter, kept for emerg. situations in my MR "truck pack" with a Siltarp III, OD, a yellow eVent centerzip model for winter hiking and general use in hiking, with a Silshelter and an eVent OD model used with my two ID Pl. hunting bags.

I vary U/L tarps between these and carry a butane canister, Snowpeak Litemax Ti stove, Titan kettle and a few bits and pieces, works well in most conditions.

Then, IF, I can still do it, I have an original ID MKI Lite GT tent, among the lightest true mountain tents ever made, outstanding quality and used for treeless and buggy conditions. Tight quarters, but, will keep me together in the worst weather.

Spiking, is a sound way to go, but, pretty tough for we old guys if meat packing is involved.

[huckleberry]

In my sheep hunting day's, a war surplus reflective space blanket was always in my pack. All I needed for a couple of nights even in the snow. Not something I'd do now, but being young and immortal it worked for me.

[RiverOtter]

Once I leave the lake/river, it's all technically spike camp. LOL. If for some reason I don't have my camp on my back, it's a sil tarp and trekking poles in conjunction with an X-Therm and down bag, along with water, food and Jetboil Sol.

[swampthing]

Spike camp doesn't have to be a major undertaking. I have done these just to get to where I want to be for first light and many times these are only about 2 hrs away from the truck or quad. If Its just an overnighter I bring good food like sandwiches rather than freeze dried. I took my best goat where I could still see my pickup from spike camp. It did take me all day to climb that mountain though!

[RiverOtter]

I guess some parameters could be set, but I never consider base camp as anything that could feasibly be carried on your back in one trip. Once I leave the drop off point it's all spike camp, unless I forgo my tent and unessential gear for a summit pursuit, then I guess that'd be more of a bivouac.

[Rob]

I guess spiking out to me would be when your staying overnight away from your primary camp. In this case a sil tarp (bug dependant as they can sure ruin a nights sleep). Me and my buddy each bring our own light weight tents and in a pinch or for spiking out you could squeeze 2 in the tent. He has the BA Fly Creek ul2, I had the same but sold it and looking at the strtospire 1 . The ul 2 is about as small as you would go for 2 guys. So just leave all camp gear in one of the tents at "base camp " and bring the other

[twoSevenO]

I guess some parameters could be set, but I never consider base camp as anything that could feasibly be carried on your back in one trip. Once I leave the drop off point it's all spike camp, unless I forgo my tent and unessential gear for a summit pursuit, then I guess that'd be more of a bivouac.

I was thinking spike camp more along the lines of what Rob mentions .... away from basecamp. That is, if you set up base camp, how far do you allow yourself to hike daily from that camp before you agree to move camp. I guess you could think of it as "how close to your game do you camp?.

If some hanging valley always has bucks that come out and feed, how close to that hunting ground do you set up camp?

On one hand, the closer you are the less hiking you have to do each day. The further you are, the less likely you are to spook game.

[Rob]

Last sheep hunt we hiked approx 7-10 km from camp each day, we were seeing lots of goats and sporadic sheep. If I went back to that spot I would set up a Basecamp then take minimal for a day or two. Sheep are where you find them. I missed my stone 8 kms from camp 7 hrs later my buddy shot his about 600 meters south of camp when we were coming back.

[huckleberry]

You want to spike camp, get miles away from all the road hunters and wannabee sheep hunters. Get a good packboard, a good tarp (I hate not being able to see out of tent) a couple of pounds of raisin, cashews, and chocolate chips combined and sleep where the night finds you. You WILL find what your looking for. Did it for years, loved every minute of it. No great need for all the techi crap they sell today, could spend a week in the mountains and usually came out with a ram.

[boxhitch]

Has anyone tried a SOL Escape bivy?
combined with a down puffy and a Siltarp should be good for any siwash

Base, spike, siwash, three levels of comfort and portability

[Rob]

Not sure the weight of it but my tarptent stratospire 1 is just over 2 lbs and has a lot of room..personally I couldn't do a bivy but that's me

[boxhitch]

For those unexpected over-nighters its best to have something that stays in the day pack all the time, so smaller the better imo.
Have used an emergency mylar bag but they are almost just single-use and don't offer enough coverage imo
and forget those cheesy emergency blankets, hardly big enough to signal with let alone stay warm

[Rob]

Siltarp would be a good option as they are pretty lightweight and pack small

[ditch donkey]

i picked up a USMC surplus gortex bivy sack on ebay, not sure if it is worth using if your hunting in pairs .wouldnt replace a two man tent split between two guys for weight, but it was a cheap option to have in the tickle trunk.

[Bear Brawler]

Well, hoping to get back to our sheep hunt this year, from lake it's 7-8hrs hiking up through the valley an to top of tree line where we set up camp for a week and a half. I got in on the Giru / Kuiu Summit Shelter. Things pretty light, lots of floor space, uses to hiking poles to set up. They are going to be able to run a Ti-Stove in them also. This will be my go to over nighter for when I'm not hiking back to camp.

[HarryToolips]

So I have limited experience with floorless tents or tarps, with the military as well as the odd hike in overnight er..never had a problem with weather in my experiences, but I have never experienced a night in one in an intense downpour....so what experiences have you all had with these in a intense rain situation?? Do you find that with a good location, for example, a top of a small hill or knoll where water can't pool or run down into your area, that you stay dry?? I have a very good quality tent, but it weighs about 6.5 lbs is a 3 man, and is bulky...

[HarryToolips]

Hey what do you folks think of this:
http://www.liteoutdoors.com/product/silnylon-tarp/?gclid=CJq25_bBjtQCFVKewAodNbYHFg

And how many of you can shed some light on my question in the post above???

[boxhitch]

Do you find that with a good location........that you stay dry?The term 'dry' is so subjective )
and being relative to Murphy, who knows what will happen )
dry camps under mosquito nets to wet camps in good tents, it happens

Guess I mean, no, I can't help

[BCbillies]

For those unexpected over-nighters its best to have something that stays in the day pack all the time, so smaller the better imo.


Yup. In the pack at all times . . . that's been my approach the last two seasons for Stone's, bighorns, goat and spring grizzly. Want something that is lightweight and can withstand a solid wind/storm. So far the one man MSR Hubba Hubba NX (fly, poles and groundsheet only) has fit the criteria and is around 2 lbs. Fits two guys with packs with no room to spare. Bring down bag, 3/4 length NeoAir, pocket rocket stove, enough food for 3 days and focus on going far from base camp to find game. Got tired of sleeping under the stars, in a plastic bag or trying to bust it back to base camp each day or hiking all night with an animal in the pack. Should have done it years ago . . . may have extended the life of my body!

[Steelpulse]

I go basic camp stuff, light weight stuff, burner, energy food, power bars etc coffee is super important to me, slingshot, water, large all weather fly and hammock, for later in year a thermal mat which works well and a sleepping bag I've used this set up in hot October hunts as well as sideways blizzard overnight in November works well. Definitely upgrade some things this season

[Ourea]

twoSevenO

Here is my basic late season Mule Deer camp when I wish to be constantly mobile, IE - never camping in the same spot more than once.
My average overnight trips are 2 to 4 days.

Carbon Reflex Tent - 2.2 lbs
Ultra lite bag - 2lbs
Static V -1 lb

5lbs and I am snug as a bug in a rug regardless of snow, wind or rain.
Try sleeping under a tarp or fly with 50 km winds and pelting rain or snow.
Most guys bail in weather like that if they are not in a weatherproof camp.

I also carry a down puff jacket that compresses to the size of a softball. I will wear this in my bag if it gets cold, -5 to - 10 range.
I refuse to carry a sleeping bag that is over 2 lbs and has any amount of bulk.
I would sooner throw on that down jacket in conjunction with a minimal bag.

It is possible to have everything you need to comfortably hunt, no matter what the weather brings, with a mobile camp weighing scarcely 30lbs.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/Camp_zps9f7ln7lk.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/Camp_zps9f7ln7lk.jpg.html)

[Ourea]

You want to spike camp, get miles away from all the road hunters and wannabee sheep hunters. Get a good packboard, a good tarp (I hate not being able to see out of tent) a couple of pounds of raisin, cashews, and chocolate chips combined and sleep where the night finds you. You WILL find what your looking for. Did it for years, loved every minute of it. No great need for all the techi crap they sell today, could spend a week in the mountains and usually came out with a ram.

I agree with huckleberry on the "techy crap" to a certain point.
Too many hunting specific products are so grossly over priced, the quality for the dollar is marginal at best.

Most serious guys just love the back country and require very little amenities to enjoy days living in the dirt.

Over the years I have learned you can make life far more comfortable with little weight/volume and at a modest budget.

[Ourea]

This is why I prefer an ultralight tent over a tarp.
Woke up to quite few mornings that started like this.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/slush_zpssmxnsxvd.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/browndog100/media/slush_zpssmxnsxvd.jpg.html)

[huntcoop]

What kind of sleeping bag and pad are you guys running? I'm in the need of both for spike camp hunting in October and late November.

[Ourea]

I have been very happy with the Static V for a pad.
The air stabilization in the pad makes for little in the way of pressure points on shoulders and hips pushing thru.
Very comfortable with minimal weight and space.
We all know how tight a back gets after a few days of hard backpacking.
I find my back can release and rest stress free on a Static V

Sleeping bags (in my opinion) are subjective as everyone's metabolic rate can be different.
One of my hunting partners shivers at 0 degrees despite having a premium bag rated to -15.
I am a "warm" sleeper and seldom need a bag rated below zero degrees to sleep comfortably into -10 temps.
Granted, I do require a nice pr of heavy loose fitting wool socks to keep my feet warm in camp with frigid conditions.

Again, I am a fan of a good down puffer jacket to sleep in when things get cold.
(my current goose down puffer I found at Winners for $49.99, reg $279.)
It's lime green (could care less about color) came with a hood and is warm as can be.
(that's why I called out huckleberry's comment on overpriced "techy shit")

Another comment........a small ultralite tent will hold an internal temperature much warmer than the outside conditions and eliminate any wind chill factor.

[huntcoop]

I'll look into the Static V, some of those 4 season Thermarest pads are crazy expensive. Mind you warmth is hard to find once you're on the mountain shivering and dreaming of a $300 pad.

like the idea of a good compact down hooded jacket.

What are most of you using, down or synthetic bags?

[BgBlkDg]

I have both synthetic and down bags, four of the former and two of the latter. I bought my first good down bag in 1968 and have owned/used most of the "name" bags since then, sometimes using the same bag for months alone in the mountains.

For solo wet weather hunting, my current bag(s) is an original, Calgary-made combo from Integral Designs and they have been outstanding in really foul weather. However, I would not own a China-made ID product made after Evan sold the company.

Down bags, first choice, Western Mountaineering and for one choice, a 0*F rated model, choice depending on your build.

Valandre, is another superb bag, the "Shocking Blue" is a work of art and warm when it's nad-freezing temps in the early AM.

A REALLY fine bag is WORTH spending the $$$$ on far more than some "kewl" camo clothing or other such crap.

I have a variety of pads and tend to combine a blowup model with an EVA under pad. Works for me and an extra pound is worth it.

In the later season, a light, highend tent is the way to go, save, scrimp, buy a Hilleberg and have done with it.

[Rob]

I'm using a Mont bell down hugger which is 2 lbs and is rated to -6 . I use my exped syn mat for longer trips but can switch to a neo air 3/4 pad to save weight but not as comfy. Tent is just over 2lbs

[BCbillies]

I have two down bags (Kelty and ID). My go to bag is the original Calgary made Integral Designs down bag rated for -10 and has the Pertex coating. Have used the bag on numerous wet weather coastal hunts and it's been worth the money.

Have the full length Neo Air UL and the 3/4 UL. Have used them in all seasons but will say at -10 the UL's are a little on the chilly side. Great for 3 season use, light,.compact and no issues with durability.

[troutseeker]

I spent a night on a SAR exercise last May sleeping in one of those SOL Escape bivvy. Froze my butt off... And I had a good thermarest to keep the ground cold away! Good thing I had a lightweight dow ln jacket along.

i suppose it may save your life but you will not be comfy.

[Stroodle]

^^^^
good to know! I have one but not taken it all the way out of the package - wasn't sure I could get it back in - I might pull it out now and test it so I know if it's worth packing or not!