Mark Huelsing’s 18-pound Gear List for Multiday Backpack Hunts

Mark Huelsing of Exo Mountain Gear shares the gear he packs for backpack-style elk hunting in September archery seasons. Mark uses the 3500 Pack System and has a base pack weight of 18lbs, or a total with food and fuel for a 4-day hunt of 26lbs.

Mark’s Gear List

• Pack: Exo Mountain Gear 3500
• Shelter: Nemo Hornet 2P, Polycro Groundsheet
• Sleeping Bag: Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 Quilt
• Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes AXL Insulated
• Cooking Kit:
  • Jet Boil Sol Ti
  • Light My Fire Titanium Spork
  • GSI Infinity Mug
• Water Filtration & Storage: Sawyer Squeeze Filter, Platypus 3l Hoser Bladder
• Electronics:
  • Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
  • Garmin InReach Mini
  • Dark Energy Poseidon Battery Backup
  • AAA x3
• Clothing:
  • Prana Stretch Zion Pants
  • First Lite Ultralight Wick QZ
  • First Lite Kiln 250 Mid-layer
  • First Lite Uncompahgre Puffy Jacket
  • First Lite Traverse Gaiters
  • Under Armour Fleece Beanie
  • Injinji NuWool Crew Socks
•  Footwear:
  • Salomon Quest 4D Boots
  • LaSportiva Trango Cube GTX Boots
• Hunting/Kill Kit:
  • Benchmade Altitude
  • TAG Game Bags
  • Contractor Bags
  • Flagging Tape
  • Paracord
  • Hunting Tags & License
• Miscellaneous:
  • Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow
  • S&S CL Backcountry Trekking Poles
  • Extra Release (Scott Exxus)
  • First Aid Kit (leukotape, gauze, wipes, ibuprofen, Advil PM, tweezers)
  • Bow Repair Kit (d-loop, serving, allen wrenches)
  • Gear Repair Kit (patches, etc)
  • Fire Starting Kit (matches, mini Bic lighter, tinder, firestarters)
  • Suunto Compass
  • Safety Whistle
  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Toilet Paper & Wet Wipes