These kind of threads get me pumped up cuz it seems like only the diehrads do this type of hunt anymore.

It is the only kind of hunting I do out west. All DIY on public lands and in some of the roughest territory you can find. I would suggest you limit your pack to 60 pounds for a 5 day hunt (including rifle). It all depends on how rough the territory is though. I hunt in central Idaho and it's tough enough packing 60 pounds in on your back.

Buy the best gear you can afford. There's a reason it costs more. It's probably lighter and better constructed. I hunt with two other guys, so one guy carries the tent and the other guys carry other camp essentials. We use a katahdin filter bag and we pack in those 5 gallon collapsible water containers. The day before we hunt, we pack everything in and filter 10 gallons of water.

As for the area, it doesn't have to be wilderness. I would look for a low density of roads and trails though. We pack in about 3 miles from the end of the trailhead and never see anybody.