Odd-Ball Uses for a Kifaru Pack

[Timberline]

Because we carry so little gear, rambling hunters and backpackers are generally forced to make everything do double or triple duty. For example, a walking stick becomes a ParaTipi tent pole, a foil freeze-dried food bag become’s a collapsible drinking cup, etc.

Of particular note, I think, are all the backcountry uses for a Kifaru backpack, besides comfortably carrying all manner of stuff. It can also be used as a pad, prop, pillow and a whole lot more.

<span style="color: #000099">I wonder how long a list we could make </span>of practical uses for a Kifaru pack – besides packing things - when far from the roads?

I’ll start the list off with two such non-carry uses. I often use my Kifaru packs as SHOOTING RESTS. Lying prone with a rifle or handgun rested over a Kifaru pack is nearly as good as a shooting bench.

I also occasionally use my Kifaru packs as a GAME PROP for photographs. When stumps, rocks or logs are scarce, a Kifaru packs fills in to get the animal’s head off the ground. See photo.

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<span style="color: #000099">What odd-ball uses DO YOU HAVE for your Kifaru pack when hunting or backpacking?</span>

[Sawtooth]

1. Chair for glassing. Chair for napping. A chair. These were in the old days. I now have a field chair.
2. Sleeping bag cover for tarping or unplanned bivy. It only covers the foot section of the bag.
3. Rifle rest.
4. Stovewood hauler. I can fit at least 2 days worth of stovewood in a Late Season, WAY more than that in a Longhunter. This is especially handy when you're camped above timberline, and need to drop 500-1,000 feet to gather dead krummholz or willow, and then haul it back up to camp.
5. Water hauler. See #4.

[Brotzie]

I've found my Kifaru stuff is SO water-resistant that I've used my small pod as a washbowl. Found this out the hard way when my CamelBak burst in the slot pocket in my Zulu... Only noticed when some of the water sloshed over the top, and the leakage was so slow that I managed to use the tube part to just slurp out a substantial part of the water direct from the pocket.

[poel]

I don't really consider this oddball, but some might. Here is a large Pellican case with geophysical instruments bungeed on the cargo chair of a CB Longhunter Guide. Lunch, raingear and other essential toys go inside. Works for me.

[Kevin]

I use the cargo chair for an ice chest holder while fishing.

Cold beer on the river is a good thing.

[Sawtooth]

Now there's a thought, Kevin! Smokepole...you have a cargo chair don't you? Would you mind packing a 12-pack of Fat Tire in to our mutually favorite high lake this coming summer? I'll clean your fish...

[CCH]

It's been mentioned before, but my Late Season with cargo chair gets used as a kid carrier fairly frequently.

Sawtooth, Kevin's pack will fit at least a case of Fat Tire. Don't sell him short like that.

[Brotzie]

Does using the pack stays as splints count too?

+1 on kid carrier! Anyone used an EMR as a kid's bivy bag? [img]/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Michael Aos]

I had my Scout set-up as kind of a "bug out bag" (BoB), and got in the habit of tossing it in the vehicle whenever I went anywhere.

Kind of fell out of the habit though.

Mike

[Pilgrim]

Poel,
Good lookin pack!