Base Camp altitude...

[Mr.BowJangles]

Hey all! Just curious what features you look for in setting up your base camp, specifically altitude. Do you camp on the ridge tops, or bottom of the valley? I am looking to set up camp in some decent shelter along with a water source near by. Also, how close do you camp to areas you are wanting to hunt? 1/2 mile? I am starting to zero in on an area and doing all the fine tuning to our hike in, camp, and hunting plan.


Thanks and have a great 4th of July weekend. Thank you to all the veterans out there!

 

[Snowcrest 6]

I set up camp down low; with the wall tent, horses, a 75yr old camp cook/dad, and everything else involved, it's just easier that way!

 

[Mr.BowJangles]

Thanks for the response.


Forgot to mention it will be an archery elk hunt middle of september.

 

[Big Tex]

I always find the elk up high and therefore set up camp up at their elevation.  Usually look for a saddle or flat protected spot below the ridge.  Proximity to water is critical and glossing is also very important.

 

[Oldcarp]

Are base camp is about the same elevation. But we hunt any where from 1/2 mile to 3 or 4 miles away. We set base camp off a dirt road. It is 14 miles off the pave road. we are spoiled at our camp. We do have a spike camp in one area we hunt.

 

[buckykm1]

It depends, if your a flatlander, I think it is better to set up lower in the 6-7000' range, it gives your body a chance to recover from hunting higher.
I also always set up in a place where I have some protection from the wind, the winds in the Mountains can be 30 to 50 + plus mph at times.

Kevin

 

[cowboystl1]

yeah id say the same depending on the state try to stay around 8000

 

[beran_10]

I find elk anywhere from 8500 to 11,800 feet. I like to camp at 10,000 ish... in a saddle between ridges away from where the elk feed and bed. Usually hunt within 5 or so miles of camp. I guess you could call our setup more of a spike camp then a base camp.

 

[nclonghunter]

I will give theobvious; easier to carry elk meat down the mountain than up.....


Base camp down low but pack camps up high..

 

[hank4elk]

Camp Hank(home) is 7500'......mesas 8k. Nearby hill's 9-10k....the Gila.
I camp below or @ same elevation as I hunt,and usually within a few miles of camp.
  I rarely hunt downhill.      Too many years of deer hunting and packing in Sierras.

 

[Mr.BowJangles]

I think we are going to shoot for 10,000' and if it starts to really bother us we will dive down deep. I would rather stay up high to locate elk and make a move from there. We'll just have to pay attention to altitude sickness and maybe not hunt real hard the first couple days and do a lot of glassing to try to locate elk and put together a game plan as things unfold. Thanks for all the responses and advice. I really appreciate it!