Alpine Hunter

I can’t sleep!  I roll over to look at my clock and it is 3 AM.  All I can think about is that big bull elk.  It’s not opening day of elk season, it is early August.  My thoughts go back to one of mother nature’s most amazing miracles, the slow but steady growth of elk antlers covered in velvet.  I have to get some sleep.  My thoughts turn to getting prepared to go on my elk hunt this fall in the Middle Fork area north of Big Creek, Idaho. We are hiking back into the wilderness and staying for six to seven days.  I need to get out to the shooting range and make sure my Remington 7MM is still zeroed in and also do some long range shooting.  I can’t wait to try my new Ziess Victory RF binoculars with built in range finder set up for my ballistic information on my 7MM.  This system is amazing, it calculates your bullet drop and lets you know how high to hold over on your target (this information shows up as you are looking through the binocular).  Do I have all of the Sitka Gear clothing that I will need? I start checking off things in my mind.  I need to get to sleep!  My Sitka backpack, where is it?  I need to make sure I have all my camping and survival gear and get it in my pack.  I need to step up the work outs the next two months.  The older I get the slower I go, it makes me a better hunter (ha!).  My Hilleberg tent is packed. Good thing as I hear the weather can get nasty on the Middle Fork during an early season storm.  I need to put some more wax on my Kenetrek Boots and make sure the laces are in good shape.  I think I will head to the Middle Fork and do some scouting this weekend and camp out for a few days.  I am tired, my thoughts turn back to that big bull elk I hope to encounter this fall and the continued growth of the majestic rack being developed in the late summer velvet.  My alarm goes off, it is 6 AM.  I look out my window, is that a maple leaf turning colors, no its just the early morning sun of August reflecting off the leaf telling us that fall is near.

By: Dale Hartsook

Prepare for your back country hunting trip with Alpine Hunter.

What is one of the most commonly asked questions here at Alpine Hunter?

Sitka Gear Sizing: what size will fit me?

Sitka Gear is designed with an athletic fit; neither compression nor loose fitting. Each layer within the hunting clothing system is intended to build on those beneath it to ensure maximum mobility and range of motion while not being cumbersome or inhibiting. The following fitting suggestions will hopefully add some insight into getting the best fit from your Sitka Gear clothing.

With Sitka Gear clothes having a slimmer fit, the following suggestions (and exceptions) have worked well for a large portion of our customers:

1. If you are on the low end of a size range, you should be OK with purchasing that size.

2. If you are on the high end of a size range, you should move up one size larger.

3. If you have particularly wide shoulders or are barrel chested, you should move up one size larger for jackets. This is very important if suggestion 1 applies to you, and to a lesser degree if suggestion 2 applies to you.

4. When sizing for pants, customers should take actual waist measurements vs. relying on jean sizing. It is quite common for jean companies to mark pant sizes smaller than they actually are. Once you have an accurate measurement, suggestions 1 and 2 still tend to work more often than not.

5. Additional layers for colder temperatures should be accounted for when choosing a size for Sitka Gear Jackets and Pants serving as outer layers. As an example, if you were to layer a Sitka Core Base Layer, a Sitka Traverse Base Layer and a Sitka Vest under a Sitka Coldfront Jacket and Pants, the first four sizing suggestions will be quite effective. If you are planning on layering additional layers such as a Sitka Kelvin Jacket and Pants underneath (or other high loft insulating layer) at certain times of the year due to extreme weather conditions, the customer should consider moving up one size larger for the Coldfront Jacket and Pants to accommodate the loft of the additional layer. This will ensure maximum warmth, while maintaining range of motion and mobility. This holds true even for forthcoming Sitka Gear 2010 products such as the Sitka Incinerator Jackets and Bibs.

6. Sitka Hats and Sitka Gloves? When in doubt, move up one size. Most have a slim fit. Essentially suggestion 1 & 2 coming into play again.

As always, if customers have questions they are welcome to call or email us to discuss Sitka Gear Sizing for their specific hunting gear needs.

Sitka Sizing Chart:

Size Range:          small          medium          large           X large
Chest:                 36” – 38”    39” – 41”    42” – 45”    46” – 49”
Sleeve:                     33”               34”           35” – 36”      35 1/2”
Waist:                 28” – 30”    31” – 33”    34” – 37”    38” – 41”
Inseam – reg         31”                 31”                 32”                32”
Inseam – tall         32”                33”                 34”                34”

Size Range:          2X large       3x large
Chest:                   50” – 53”    54” – 57”
Sleeve:                       36”             36 1/2”
Waist:                   42” – 45”    46” – 49”
Inseam – reg           32”                32”
Inseam – tall           34”                34”

Glove:                                     Medium         Large           X-Large
Circumference                  8“ – 8.5”         9“ – 9.5”      9.5“ – 10”
Length                                  7.5” – 8”         8.5” – 9”       9” – 9.5”

Hats:                            Medium/Large         Large/X-Large
Standard hat size               7 1/2                        7 7/8

Check out AlpineHunter.com for the entire line of Sitka Gear 2010 products.

High Mountain Outfitters launches second web store!

AlpineHunter.com is a new division within High Mountain Outfitters LLC.  This new hunting gear store will focus on the needs of the professional guide and dedicated alpine hunter that spend their time in the high country in pursuit of big game.  Alpine Hunter offers products from Sitka Gear, Kenetrek Boots, Havalon Piranta Knives, Integral Designs, Rab Mountaineering and Outdoor Gear, Darn Tough Socks, Fenix Lights and many more quality hunting gear brands.  We are currently updating the site with all of the 2010 gear.  Please check back often to see all of the new and exciting products for your outdoor adventures.