A headlamp and a small hand held flashlight.

Stix wrote: … Now at the ripe old age of 51, … late in life?…

I don’t have any wise words for you that you wont figure out yourself. I’m not far behind you age wise, and gee, I never thought I was late in life. 😯 Now you have me all kinked up. I like the idea that “50 is the new 40” 8)

Stix,

Unless you want to carry a lot of fuel and a stove, get a Purcell Trench backpacking grill. I have one and it works great. Nice and light.

http://www.purcelltrench.com

As a lifelong backpacker, former peddler of outdoor gear and an observer for several years of the trends in backpack hunting, I say the following at the risk of offending a few among us. Until recently, most (not all) hunters have been slow to adopt techniques and technologies that backpackers and mountaineers have been using for a long time. You may benefit from visiting the following:

Backpacking Light

REI advice on Ultralight Backpacking

The one thing that is unique to backpack hunting is the need to pack out an animal, in one form or another. This means either arranging for transport by pack animals (horses, mules, burros, llamas and yes, even goats) or using a system capable of handling very heavy loads on your back. (In some situations a game cart or bicycle with trailer can be used to advantage.)

One final bit of advice. Lay everything out in front of you when you’re getting ready to pack for the trip. Ask each piece of gear and clothing this question: “Can you do two or more things for me on this trip?” Anything that can’t answer “Yes” doesn’t get to come along, unless it’s absolutely, positively essential – like your hunting weapon of choice.

EDIT: OK, that was the penultimate bit of advice. Here’s the final: “Leave the cannoli. Take the trekking poles.” Your knees and your back will thank you, and perhaps even your loved ones if you’re going solo. Only an orthopedic surgeon will benefit if you don’t take them. Mine also serve as tent poles and monopod, so they get to come along on lots of trips and outings.

I’m no pro by any means – sounds like you have the big3 already – I bought a solo stove seems to work great but you need to sit with it unless you use fuel – been a good stove – I also bought a silk linear for my bag to help stay warm but also to keep the bag clean- good boots – have fun

If you are going alone you will need some whiskey shooters. I recommend one a night with the freeze dried meal. I find it easier to talk to myself after about the fourth night.

DK

That REI ultralight link seems like a pretty good benchmark. So much of what is necessary depends on where you are going and when. What comforts you are willing to sacrifice for are obviously a personal choice. For instance I usually have very utilitarian food when I’m backpacking but I almost always carry one flavoured coffee sachet for every day and that’s my ‘treat’. I’ve had some properly rubbish days that are recovered by the smell of a vanilla latte as night is setting in. It’s good to have a little morale in there somewhere 😉

I also carry a lightweight one man tent and found that a small tarp is essential for cooking. Sometimes I use it to extend the vestibule of my tent if possible. I cram a small daypack in my big pack so I am lightweight out of my spike camp. I only carry one quart of water and a lightweight water filter. Lots of para cord for hanging food and meat. If you are planning and hunting elk alone definitely take a saw. I carry a small folding fanno saw in my pack. I have killed elk that wind up in very precarious positions that I could have never moved alone to begin the butchering process. The saw helps remove limbs and other parts of the animal to get it into a position so you can actually work on it.

dk

Hard candy for a boost to sugar levels.

Don’t forget to pack a tooth brush.

If you know you will become dehydrated be sure to replenish salt levels.

Something to read in the evening that might double as a fire starter.

Mark.

I have been doing it since I was a kid, and that means right around 60 years of experience. One thing for sure: it is a lot easier now than it was then (despite the high mileage on the chassis). Technology can certainly be abused, but the advances in backpack gear are remarkable. I have a complete packing list I can send you if you wish. I seldom take everything on it, but the check-list approach means I won’t leave anything important at home. One odd item I never leave without, especially in Alaska: a good, long, paperback novel. If you get weathered in to a backpack tent for three days by a blizzard, it will keep you from going crazy, and you never run out of toilet paper. (Don’t read the brown pages.) Crime and Punishment actually saved my life in a bad fall, when it cushioned my head from a serious blow from a rock. (It was in the outside pocket of my backpack.) Don

donthomas wrote: Crime and Punishment actually saved my life in a bad fall, when it cushioned my head from a serious blow from a rock.

“Through error you come to the truth! I am a man because I err! You never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen.” 😉