First post! This year will be my first out of state elk hunt in Colorado. I was lucky enough to find a guy in Arizona who was nice enough to tell me about a unit to put in for and areas to look at. I will be doing the first rifle hunt in mid October. I was super excited before going to Boise to visit family, but seeing the full draw film festival there put me over the top. I have been looking over google earth for hours, working out every day, and have slowly been accumulating the gear I will need to hunt out of a spike camp for 3 to 5 days. The thought of possible blizzards or pouring rain and lightning storms really makes you think of new gear you need, and question if some of your old gear is up to the task. I have been making my way down my list of essential gear from most important to least, but I keep coming up with new ideas of things to get. Do any of you bring trekking poles on a hunt? If I had them I would leave them in the truck and only use them if I am lucky enough to be hauling out meat. Thanks.