For the last few of years I’ve been trying to shave the weight of what I have to carry in the mountains and think I’ve made some progress. I have replaced my pack, tent, sleeping bag, pad, stove, most of my clothing and a few other things and have cut almost 9#’s. Not including food, water, optics, what I wear or the bow/rifle I’m down to just a hair over 22 pounds for an early to mid season hunt including the pack to hike up the mountain. Food adds around 1.5 pounds per day and water depends on how available it will be.

I’m hoping to shave another pound or two in the future but lightweight, dependable gear is starting to get expensive.

So how much do you head up in the mountains with?

Kind of like you, it depends on availability of water where I'm headed and how long I plan on staying back there. I have been leaning more towards day hunts lately, but more so because of the types of tags I have been drawing lately (3 pronghorn and 1 3rd rifle CO mule deer for this year). If I'm planning on packing in for a few days in the desert, my pack might weigh 50 pounds or so, with water/food/optics. My pack is a Mystery Ranch Cabinet (5.7lbs by itself). but when only carrying a kill kit, tripod, binos, day of food and water, its likely still close to 20lbs (15-20). I have a lighter tripod that I could get serious with but I like the stability of the larger one. My entire hammock setup is around 5lbs (hammock, straps, tarp, bug net, top/under quilts). I can shave 10oz if the weather is warm by changing out my top quilt and could save a bit more for ground camping if I picked up a lighter sleeping pad than what I normally run because I get to lose the under quilt and my hammock tarp doubles as a floorless shelter that weighs less that a pound.

Ultralight gear is definitely not getting any cheaper.

I have never weighed a pack, but I'll take a guess. My day pack is probably around 20 pounds. With camping gear and several days of food and water and/or filtration stuff, it'ts probably around 60-70 pounds. I think you would have to spend a lot of money and get really serious about weight to get much lighter than that.

Years ago when I was younger, I bet my pack went 60#'s, now it averages around 25#, Only what I need, or possibly will need , no fills or extras. Food can add a bunch, so I pack high carb and some sugar snacks, couple of apples/oranges and save the the "meals" for camp, water now takes precedence and maybe one small gatorade, nothing better than crushed peanut butter crackers str8 from the pack

This is for day hunts in the Rockies, drop camp would be different but haven't done that in over 20 years.

Chasing weight loss is expensive. Biggest weight gain or lose I’ve found is knowing where water is. 3L is roughly 8 lbs +- of water. Outside of that, tent, pack, steripen and sleeping bag are big weight cut items.

Five days food, tent, 2.5-3L water, but no weapon 30-39lbs depending on season. I can get it down low twenties but better be water up top, it’s going to be a cold night under 32degrees, and food snacks are minimal

I have cut weight to much and been overly uncomfortable on the mountain. Weight sucks but loose of it comes at a price. Sleeping pad is a perfect example

In regards to gatorade, I carry some powder straws of gatorade or flavored water, and keep at least one water bottle to mix in. Recently though, I have found a product ya'll probably know, but it's new to me... it's a liquid called MIO, was originally Powerade's product. Various flavors, sure helps sterilized/filtered water, and even has a "coffee" flavor one now... very small, very light for the benefits

Depending on length of trip 35-45lbs.

I have pretty much done all I can gear-wise to get light. Always have hunted where water available at least near camp. I don’t skimp on food and basic comfort items like sleeping pad.

Via instant coffee packets and the little flavored drink packets are wonderful.