Alaska and Knees
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dougduey
Well-Known Member
Purchase the Black Diamond Distance Z. I used them on my mountain goat hunt on Kodiak Island 2 weeks ago, and they were wonderful and definite "must have". You don't need to get the carbon poles, these are super strong and light. The guy at REI told me he personally thinks they are the best trekking poles on the market. He used to live in Alaska and said he beat those poles up and never had an issue with them
Rhino Hunter
Well-Known Member
I'm 59 now and I hunted Kodiak two years ago for Sitka in October. I trained for months by hiking up/down local hills wearing my hunting boots and a loaded backpack trying to prepare myself. It wasn't enough. Kodiak Island terrain is very steep, rocky, mossy, and covered with almost impenetrable jungles where all kinds of vegetation is grabbing and/or poking you with thorns.
I didn't have any knee problems when I went, but I did when I returned. I fell multiple times, with a loaded backpack on, and with a rifle. I thought I was going to break an ankle or leg on more than one occasion.
I wouldn't recommend you trying it based on your described medical conditions. Unless you went in December when the deer are down by the ocean, which requires much less hiking. Whatever you do I "strongly" recommend the best/stiffest boots you can afford and some high quality trekking poles. They're invaluable! And buy some gaiters too.
I'm glad I went, survived and even shot a couple Sitka. But I don't think I'd ever do a hunt of the same difficulty level again. My right knee won't let me. I had a blast though and it's definitely a hunt-of-a-lifetime.
Good luck.
I didn't have any knee problems when I went, but I did when I returned. I fell multiple times, with a loaded backpack on, and with a rifle. I thought I was going to break an ankle or leg on more than one occasion.
I wouldn't recommend you trying it based on your described medical conditions. Unless you went in December when the deer are down by the ocean, which requires much less hiking. Whatever you do I "strongly" recommend the best/stiffest boots you can afford and some high quality trekking poles. They're invaluable! And buy some gaiters too.
I'm glad I went, survived and even shot a couple Sitka. But I don't think I'd ever do a hunt of the same difficulty level again. My right knee won't let me. I had a blast though and it's definitely a hunt-of-a-lifetime.
Good luck.
Rhino Hunter
Well-Known Member
Thank you. It's NOT a long range rifle. It's a Ruger Guide Gun in .375 Ruger w/ a Leupold VX-R 2-7 Red Dot scope. It short, loud, accurate and packs a hell of a wallop...just in case I had an issue with bears. LOL. Fortunately I did not.
We did see a few though.
Here's a pic of me and a friend that shot a "double" on the last afternoon of the last day of our hunt. Very Fun! And these two were much closer to the ocean which was a bonus!
Rhino Hunter
Well-Known Member
Thank you.
Dr. Bob Peterson
Member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2017
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Mountains with shale will be a problem if you go for sheep or mountain goat. Bear, caribou or moose should not be a problem if you can walk 5 miles with a pack on
Dr. Bob Peterson
Member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2017
- Messages
- 7
get trip insurance and global rescue
I live on Kodiak, and my knees are crap. One ACL replacement and both menisci are torn. I do a lot of strength training, particularly the legs, and it makes a world of difference. Squats, lunge jumps, burdened hiking - whatever your toture de jour happens to be. Work, work, work! Leg strength and cardio.
Trekking poles are a biiiiiig help if you use them properly. Use the tops of the poles in your palms going down hill, and plant and pull going up. Use your upper body as much as possible, it's not doing anything much, anyway. I do about 800 mg ibu twice a day, and try to empty my 100ml water bag over the course of the day.
BTW: Bears are not some malevolent monster. Most of the DLP kills are from people who panic after watching too many reality shows. Ascribing some evil intent causes unnecessary problems.
Trekking poles are a biiiiiig help if you use them properly. Use the tops of the poles in your palms going down hill, and plant and pull going up. Use your upper body as much as possible, it's not doing anything much, anyway. I do about 800 mg ibu twice a day, and try to empty my 100ml water bag over the course of the day.
BTW: Bears are not some malevolent monster. Most of the DLP kills are from people who panic after watching too many reality shows. Ascribing some evil intent causes unnecessary problems.
Sounds like you have some of the same knee challenges. The different perspectives in the post have been very interesting and helpful for me to think about and to take into account if Alaska is in my future. Trekking poles appear to be a must have.
For the bear item, I can't speak to it besides what is printed out there. One would hope that people are prepared in case something goes wrong but give them due respect as well. I haven't been in any real grizzly or brown bear areas so I am not trying to downplay the potential threat that they could pose especially given what has happened this hunting season. It has been a tragic year and feel bad for everyone impacted by what has happened.
For the bear item, I can't speak to it besides what is printed out there. One would hope that people are prepared in case something goes wrong but give them due respect as well. I haven't been in any real grizzly or brown bear areas so I am not trying to downplay the potential threat that they could pose especially given what has happened this hunting season. It has been a tragic year and feel bad for everyone impacted by what has happened.
