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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Mar 10, 2010 - 03:10pm PT
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Just go old school
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Slakkey
Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
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Mar 10, 2010 - 03:34pm PT
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I have a Mountain Hardware South Col that is 4600 cu. In./ 75 Liters/ 3 Lbs 13 oz that is good for Alpine climbing / backpacking trips of this type. You might check one of these out.
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jsb
Trad climber
Bay area
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2010 - 03:55pm PT
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Fantastic! Thanks for the suggestions. I dig all those packs. :)
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Slakkey
Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
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Mar 10, 2010 - 04:06pm PT
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I also have a granite gear Vapor Trail 3600 cu in. / 59 Liters / 2 Lbs 5 Oz. Pate is correct in that fit is important. both the packs I have fit me well. It also comes down to how much gear you plan on taking. The Vapor Trail is a good pack and I can get it under 30 Lbs. It really can come down to how much gear you plan on taking. However often is the case people pack more than they actually need.
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jsb
Trad climber
Bay area
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2010 - 04:25pm PT
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Thanks, eKat.
Although, I'm not a fan of those water packs. I used one of those during a Matthes Crest + Cathedral Peak linkup and I found out all the water had leaked out by the time I was halfway across the Crest! Luckily, there was a lot of fresh snowmelt that I could drink. So that's a big downside for me... plus, you have to be careful about keeping them clean right? I'm sure I'd mildew the crap out of one of those things in like a month. :)
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Mar 10, 2010 - 04:43pm PT
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I second Pate's suggestion for the Gregory Makalu Pro. Awesome pack! Lightweight, carries well, lots of space with an expansion sleeve on top.
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
CA
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Mar 10, 2010 - 04:58pm PT
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Gregory has the most excellent/best designed hip belt and suspension system on the market. most of the "hotels" (packbags) on the back are too complicated for my liking, but that is not as important as excellent materials and workmanship, and superior carry and suspension design.
Too many people buy a climbers pack for backpacking, If you are only going to be on trail, an external frame pack carries easier than an internal frame, the pack should last you many years, don't buy one for a single trip but consider what your combined use will be over the long haul, or if, eventually you will have a pack for on, and off trail....
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aguacaliente
climber
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Mar 10, 2010 - 05:30pm PT
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I often do not use a water bladder, but I have a water bottle easily accessible, either in a side pocket of the pack that I can reach w/o taking it off, or a simple bottle holster that I attach to the waist belt, or sometimes I take a small water bottle and just put it in the cargo pocket of my pants (or jacket pocket if it's cold). Taking off the pack every time I want a drink would be a nuisance.
There is a trend toward lightweight packs - I use a Granite Gear that is nice - but they could get uncomfortable with heavy loads. If you are carrying both camping gear and a full rack, you may want a beefy suspension.
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jsb
Trad climber
Bay area
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2010 - 09:33pm PT
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haha... yeah, i'd love a cilo pack. too bad most of the weight savings would be coming from my wallet!
but maybe those packs are just marketed toward the wannabe everest summiter, for whom money is no object.
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reddirt
climber
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Mar 10, 2010 - 09:55pm PT
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I too have an older Gregory Makalu Pro but use it for longer trips.
For 2-3 day weekend trips I use a Gregory Z pack (version 1)... they have lost some volume since the initial model.
I had an ultralight Mountain HW Superscrambler but my partner jacked it. 50L, under 2.5 lbs. ridiculously light (& not quite as burley).
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aguacaliente
climber
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Mar 10, 2010 - 09:58pm PT
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The super-expensive Cilogear packs are made out of super-expensive fabric (Dyneema and mega-super-Dyneema), to shave every gram I guess. The versions made out of boring old nylon are fairly reasonably priced, especially given they are made in the US by someone you can talk to on the phone. That said, I don't have one, I bought a big pack used from my local gear shop's rental department.
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jsb
Trad climber
Bay area
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2010 - 10:01pm PT
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hey pretender,
cool. that looks pretty reasonable. how much stuff can you fit in it?
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Mar 10, 2010 - 11:17pm PT
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paging Frog...
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the pretender
Trad climber
Quartz Hill, CA
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Mar 11, 2010 - 10:17am PT
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I just picked it up in December (back then they were $195) so I have only had it out on a couple of overnight ski trips where it worked fine. Even though it is listed at "45 liters" it will expand to something like 70+ L, so it can carry some stuff. I plan on using it on several 3-5 day sierra climbing trips as well as a 10 day backpack with one of my kids this summer.
Best part is that it cinches down real nice for a daypack and you can remove the stay, pad, and hip belt if you want to go superlight. It also seems to have a narrower profile than my previous packs (Gregory) which allows your arms to swing back unimpeded.
Here are a couple of other reviews:
http://mountainproject.com/v/climbing_gear_discussion/gear_review__cilogear_v25_45l_worksack/106090992
http://pullharder.org/2009/10/21/gear-review-cilogear-45l-worksack/
Plus, as some else pointed out, they are made in the USA, and if you call them someone will answer the phone - probably the owner.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Mar 11, 2010 - 12:04pm PT
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Those Golites look pretty good. Simple. Can't beat those prices. Anyone used them? How is the durability? Backpacks can be so friggin fiddly with all the straps and sh#t.
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