thanks for all the advice! I am packing as we speek and will be leaving soon on my first elk huntI have been dreaming of this day for years. I am 39 and read one of dads Outdoor life magazines when I was 12 or 13 about the mountains and have whanted to do this since.

Here is hoping you have some fun.....well, you are elk hunting, of course you will.

I use some Rocky boots and usually cover them with a thin layer of mink oil to make sure they are waterproof. For pants, I will wear my cammie fatigues--sometimes with long underwear if it is cold enough (my legs and feet don't seem to feel the cold as much). For my upper body I will use a wool and polypropylene layer of stuff underneath my insulated jacket. Has worked fine for more than a few cold CO seasons.

What part of CO are you headed to?

I am used to hunting in deep snow and in cold weatherfor both elk and sheep.I will no use any wool as it absorbs moisture and gets heavy and is not great at blocking wind.I prefer a layer of polypropelene,then layers of polar fleece,then a goretex layer.I wear schnee boots and gaitors over them.The goretex does not absorb water,so it stays light,and it is totally windproof.If dressing this way keeps me warm and dry in the Alberta rockies,it should keep a person warm and dry anywhere.