Which route?
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: KsRancher
12-Aug-23
Let's say you found elk at X. One way to get to them would be from the east. It's a 3.5 mile hike and you drop 700ft in elevation. The second way to get in on them is from the northwest. It's only a 1.25 mile hike, but 1700ft of elevation to climb. If spooked, the elk will go south. Which way are you going in? I have never seen anyone come in from the northwest. I have seen some people come in from the east. But never seen anyone farther in than 1.5 miles.
From: JohnMC
12-Aug-23
How can you have an elevation drop of 700 feet one-way and an increase an increase of 1700 feet the other way, when you start at the same place and the elk is at the same place? Don't seem possible?
From: KsRancher
12-Aug-23
You wouldn't start at the same place. You would either park to east of the elk and hike 3.5 miles west while dropping 700ft. Or you would park to the northwest of the elk 1.25 miles and hike to south east while climbing 1700ft
From: 400 Elk @Home
12-Aug-23
I would absolutely let the prevailing wind decide.
From: 808bowhunter
12-Aug-23
I like the downhill pack outs but if there is a maintained trail on the longer route I would opt for that if no pack trail on the steep route. Might even approach from one way but pack out meat another if found easier
From: ElkNut1
12-Aug-23
I would find other elk!
ElkNut
From: Mule Power
12-Aug-23
Regardless of where I started I would get to the same elevation as the elk and side hill toward them. It wouldn’t matter as much if thermals are rising or dropping.
From: LUNG$HOT
12-Aug-23
Not enough information given for this guy to make a solid decision. What time of day? Weather? Wind? Trail or not from both directions? I think Elknut has the best answer so far unless it’s a last ditch effort in a heavily hunted OTC unit.
From: RK
12-Aug-23
Lungshot. Spot on.
From: RonP
12-Aug-23
whatever is the hardest and least chance of success, is what i would take (and realize later).
From: KsRancher
12-Aug-23
I guessing I should have worded my question a little differently. I was just asking which hike you would rather do. Uphill hard for a short distance or slight downhill for a longer distance. Neither hike would be bushwacking thru dead fall or hard to travel ground.
From: Corax_latrans
12-Aug-23
Given my knees, I would be better off packing a heavy load up-hill than down…. Within reason, of course. But you did specify an almost flat trail on the long route….
I’ve been training on the treadmills at the gym; #30 pack and grades of 13%-14% with intervals of usually 5 min at 25%; I can maintain that at about 2.6 mph for an hour without too much trouble. Hardest part is getting enough to eat. ;)
Too bad I’m at sea level, though. This is gonna hurt some…..
From: RT
12-Aug-23
"I would absolutely let the prevailing wind decide." -400elk
Indeed.
From: buckeye
13-Aug-23
Wind direction and time of day would definitely be helpful info, I think I'd take the path of least resistance as most creatures tho.
From: goelk
13-Aug-23
Im with Buckeye
From: butcherboy
13-Aug-23
I’m with Elknut. Lol
