Backpack suggestions for winter backpacking / ski touring

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NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 30, 2016 - 12:30am PT
Many great suggestions folks, turning up stuff I hadn't seen on my own.

Norman, how easy is it to re-stuff the back liner pad that doubles as ground pad after you take it out of the Cold Cold World pack? Do you have to empty the pack to do it?
Contractor

Boulder climber
CA
Sep 30, 2016 - 06:10am PT
North Face Banshee 65- 3lb. 10 oz.
Super comfortable, sits tight to the body for movement.

Arc'teryx Alpha 30 ltr.- 1lb. 8 oz.
Water proof.

I prepack all my climbing gear, snacks and all (ready to climb) in the 30 ltr. which happens to slide perfectly into the main compartment of the Banshee. This eliminates the time consuming rummage sale, gear sort at base camp.

There is plenty of room left for all the other gear in the Banshee and the two packs combined, weigh less than many 65 liter packs

I recently used this system at Whitney (East Buttress). It was so nice to pull the Arc'teryx out at 5am on climb day and throw it on.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 30, 2016 - 09:38am PT
Hey gang, I suppose I would't use all of that stuff in a typical trip (e.g. maybe no climbing gear when I have a synthetic bag and double ground pads, but maybe yes? depends on partners and variability of the weather and duration of the trip), but it's not out of the question and I wanted this to be by biggest pack to cover any conceivable adventure that fits in my present life. I don't want to be the Imelda Marcos of backpack collectors.

I pulled the trigger on the Cool Cool World Chaos pack this morning- getting a fabric change to red to make it easier for my companions to look back and spot me wheezing and coughing up a lung when they are already at the top of a ridge. I asked about the shovel flap/pouch, and he wasn't inclined to make that modification (and I wasn't certain enough that I want it to press the issue with a waive of cash).


Thanks for all the feedback. I'll be sure to report back after the winter on how it works out.
Spiny Norman

Social climber
Boring, Oregon
Sep 30, 2016 - 09:51am PT
Norman, how easy is it to re-stuff the back liner pad that doubles as ground pad after you take it out of the Cold Cold World pack? Do you have to empty the pack to do it?

It's a lot easier to get the pad in and out if the pack is relatively empty. The pad is a reasonably snug fit into its pocket. But if it's too hard to get in and out you can shave a few mm off one side of the pad with a single edge razor blade and straightedge.

On my Valdez, that narrow but 3/4-length pad is exactly 90 grams, BTW.
Contractor

Boulder climber
CA
Sep 30, 2016 - 01:49pm PT
Rack of doubles
Slings
Harness
Climbing shoes
Chalk bag
Helmet
Misc associated gear

Total- 25 liters



hooblie

climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
Sep 30, 2016 - 04:41pm PT
if this would be too much lashed to your new pack, i don't know what to saythe jensen pack was a perfect match what with the zippered access on the anterior side.
no sweat and no soak seat, and in a lot of terrain better behaved than a puppy
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 30, 2016 - 06:37pm PT
I wouldn't need it or want it with skis, but a little turtle-shell sled like that would be awesome for snowshoe trips to get down hills quickly and have fun sliding.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Sep 30, 2016 - 06:45pm PT
NA a 3 to 5 day backcountry ski tour? Good god man do you know how to suffer? I typically go light as I can with a plastic credit card these days. All those "most miserable" nights and morning wake ups realigned my thinking about backcountry winter travel :^)

Anyway Nut all I can say you'll need a quiver of packs just like skis, it's a specialized world bro. Having a pack that is designed for skiing is a good thing for comfort and for access to skins, avy gear etc. Change overs are time killers, specialized gear can help with efficiency in the mountains.

Pasadena eh? My old stomping grounds, started at PCC in 1969 and went north, drop me a PM if you find yourself in the Tahoe Sierra this winter, we can compare notes when roaming about....

Charlie D.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 30, 2016 - 11:00pm PT
may there be snow and may it be good.

Charlie, I'll keep you in mind for this winter if I end up with a free weekend when Batrock is already booked up. I'm jonesin' for the mountains in any season, cant wait to immerse myself in the immensity and majesty of it all again.
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
Oct 1, 2016 - 09:23am PT
+1 for cold cold world,
Rugged simple, bomber, and no gimmicks,
Best out there imho!!!

Made in the USA by a climber!
Enough Said!
bobbiew

Social climber
Albany,NY
Oct 11, 2016 - 03:09pm PT
Im probably not an expert like many of you but for a backpack I am partial the the Outdoor Master 50L. Its cheap, light and strong. I cannot wait for ski season!
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Oct 11, 2016 - 03:38pm PT
Its cheap, light and strong.

Nice first post, recommending a zippered book bag for a back country ski trip
splitclimber

climber
Sonoma County
Oct 11, 2016 - 05:39pm PT
Hoots has good recommendations.

I use an osprey aether 70, mostly because I got it on sale, it has a snowboard carry and can still compress down when day touring from basecamp. I do like that I can fit most stuff in the pack and not hang sh#t off it.

I've found that what is most important is that the pack will comfortably carry the load. some of the smaller 50l packs may not have enough padding if you really load it up in mid-winter and bringing all the sharp sh#t, especially when you need to put the skis/board on the pack too, which is never fun.

Contractor - I like your system. I'd rather tour with a smaller pack, but haven't worked out a two pack system to efficiently do it.

Spiny Norman

Social climber
Boring, Oregon
Oct 12, 2016 - 07:54am PT
I've got nothing against Osprey stuff — it's very well-designed and one of the best packs I ever had was one of the old US-made Osprey alpine packs.

But for the same money or less than an Aether 70, if you want a bigger pack with an internal frame, you could get an impeccably-constructed pack with any customizations you might want, made to the highest standard by a climber and guide right here in the USA: Tuttle Outdoor Equipment Conness.

Just another alternative.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Oct 12, 2016 - 08:17am PT
Hey gang, I suppose I would't use all of that stuff . . . . . . I wanted this to be by biggest pack to cover any conceivable adventure that fits in my present life. I don't want to be the Imelda Marcos of backpack collectors.

I pulled the trigger on the Cool Cool World Chaos pack this morning- getting a fabric change to red to make it easier for my companions to look back and spot me wheezing and coughing up a lung when they are already at the top of a ridge. I asked about the shovel flap/pouch, and he wasn't inclined to make that modification (and I wasn't certain enough that I want it to press the issue with a waive of cash).


Thanks for all the feedback. I'll be sure to report back after the winter on how it works out.

the pack must be due any day now? I'm wondering about the turn around time 9/30 was the post date for the quote above. I hope you post your 1st impressions, before and after a full try out.
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