I went through the same thing as I started hunting coyotes at night in southern Utah where the terrain is a mix of desert with rocks everywhere, cliffs, washes, brush and the foot of the mountains. I needed something for when I'd park the Jeep and get out and walk several miles to either not spook anything or because you simply couldn't drive there. I could easily be 4-6 hours out of the vehicle, so a resupply there is not really an option. For added difficulty, all hiking and climbing is done in pitch dark with a PVS14.
I also didn't want to look like I was going to war with the coyotes and needed something that wouldn't wear me down in the middle of nowhere, at night.
Initially I was looking at something like a universal chest rig but after thinking it through, the top heavy weigh distribution and fact that I will be climbing and crawling doesn't sound so hot with everything hanging off my chest in the front, let alone the back strain.
I went with a war belt setup. It distributes weight a lot better on your hips and I am able to carry everything I need besides a small water pack, on the belt.
You were looking for something close to this I think, from my left to right:
- VTAC Brokos belt
- HSGI inner belt
- 1 pistol mag pouch
- 2 AR shingles next to each other (not stacked)
- Roll up dump pouch
- ATS SO Med Kit (the real small tear away one, think its the special operations one or something like that)
- TT E&E Pouch with batteries, power bar, chemlights, minimal maintenance items (coiled Dewey 22cal rod, sawed off plastic brush, 22cal brush, few patches, tiny oil capsule), 3 small baggies with a few pills in each (tylenol, ant-acid, tramadol), sharpie. Total this thing weighs next to nothing as everything is very minimalist.
- Safariland holster on GCode duty drop mount with a Spartan CQC tucked behind it
Other than that I only have a Source Hydration hydration backpack on. Any GPS/calls/misc can go in my cargo pockets.
All this, together with my carbine is pretty light weight considering what you are bringing with you.