Ice Climbing Backpack

I am interested in getting a pack that is well suited to carrying ice tools and such on approaches, long and short, to the frozen fun. If such a thing exists, I want a pack that can carry my rope vertically on the back, instead of flopping around horizontally under the lid throwing me off balance while navigating a steep boulder field.
Whats the best ice climbing pack out there?

Osprey Variant 37 is very good as is the Cilogear 30L, 40B, or 45L depending on how much you like to carry. I can fit crampons, tools and a skinny rope on/in all of these.

I've been happy with the Deuter 45+ Guide. Had a few too many thrills but nice fit/suspension system and nice thick fabric for tossing around in the alpine and ice world.

Doug Shepherd wrote:You should definitely check out Cilogear Backpacks . You just missed them at the community night in Boulder where the whole line was on display. Sometime this year Bent Gate will start carrying them, but for now they don't have a Colorado presence

. With the adaptable strap system, you could easily run some long straps across the back of the pack to keep the rope attached. Honestly though, it's pretty easy to fit a rope in most of the bags and/or strap it on top while keeping it in balance. The bags have won multiple awards and in my opinion have the best ice tool/crampon attachment system on the market (which has now been copied by many companies). PM me if you'd like to get some more detailed info and maybe check the bags out here in the near future.I second the cilo recommendation. I have the 30L and 60L, have climbed with both on (and with waaaay too much in the 60L), and both climb well. The adjustment options on these packs are awesome. I basically turn my 60L into a 40L for most days.

And, you can get cilo packs here in Durango (at Backcountry Experience), so there is currently a CO presence for the brand.

-ben

Jim Amidon wrote:I've been happy with the Deuter 45+ Guide. Had a few too many thrills but nice fit/suspension system and nice thick fabric for tossing around in the alpine and ice world.

My buddy has this pack and he likes it. The helicopter rescue signal card has gotten brittle and fallen out but, no big loss.

When I think Mammut,I think ropes... although; I have a Mammut Ice 45 and I love it. I tried some Osprey packs and found they were heavier and didn't carry the weight nearly as well as the Mammut.
I don't know much about Cilo Gear, I heard Kelly Cordes saying they make great stuff a few years ago. If you get a chance to check them out It's probably fortuitous.

I also have a Mammut backpack, it is the smaller(Face 22)and it carries better than any other pack that I have had, I want to go with a bigger Mammut but still have a lot of life left in my Black Diamond Ice pack but I really am impressed with the Mammut stuff.

I'm not sure who has them in CO, but i have used Wild Things packs since 82 and they have always been durable and good, no frills features

Wild Things Ice Sac: I had an older one of these. Loved it but the shoulder straps were way to wimpy. I've been told that the current model has an improved suspension. Minimal structure, just a foam framesheet that can be used as a bivy pad.

Mammut Flight 35/Ice 45: Excellent packs, very good suspension and fairly light. I have added straps & buckles to carry my crampons on the outside of the pack between the tool shafts.

Having a rope on the back of the pack will be a lot of weight a good distance from your back. Too awkward for my taste.

Cilo Gear makes amazing packs I would go for one of those. Very climbing specific. The 40B is the best ice pack I have used yet.
Dallen

I have a CiloGear and love it! That being said, I am surprised that no one has mentioned Cold Cold World.

Although it would be a close call between two very different packs, IMHO CCW edges out CiloGear for the best / most durable backpacks on the market today. Randy, the owner at CCW will work with you and customize your pack any way you want it, and his prices are very reasonable. Search around this forum and Supertopo, and you will see a lot of great things being said about CCW.

Edit to add that the folks at Cilo are also totally cool and easy to work with. With either Cilo or CCW, you will get a great pack!

Ill throw in another vote for Cilogear. Ive got there 40L and 40B worksacks and really want the 20L.

The tool holders on them rock, compressability is wild, carry nice enough, and I can most always fit my rack, thin rope, water, clothes, helmet, ect in it with the poons and tools on the outside.

Graham is a good guy to deal with too.

One caveat about the CiloGear 40B -- not too good for those with long backs. Only comes in small and medium. The 45 comes in a large, though. Other than that small caveat, I love Cilo Gear stuff -- and the non-Dyneema models are not that much more expensive than mass-produced packs.

Cilogear 100%. i use my 30L for everything. if you pack the kitchen sink, go for the 40 or 45L. Graham stands behind his product and is awesome to work with.

PTR wrote:One caveat about the CiloGear 40B -- not too good for those with long backs. Only comes in small and medium. The 45 comes in a large, though.

+1 on the 40B being a bit too short if you take a long in most other packs. The 45 is great however!

I've used Cilo Gear, Cold, Cold World, Wild Things and Osprey.

My experience with Cilo Gear is an inconsistency of quality but carries well if not overloaded.
Same thing with Wild Things but the quality is better and they are more versatile.
Cold, Cold World is an improvement over BOTH Cilo Gear and Wild Things with excellent quality and with the added option of talking with Randy (the owner, designer etc) directly to customize your pack.

Osprey carries the best and has great quality. I like the stiffer frame. I can still climb alpine routes comfortably with all the three sizes and overload each size and each pack still carries well.

All are good brands. Try them all for sizing.

cold cold world is the way to go. i've had my valdez for 13 years and it is still going strong

I thought Randy might be gone ! Real good stuff

Is price a matter? For me it is and man are those CiloGear packs expensive! I have a Camp campack x3 600 and love it. It's light, has big mesh pockets on the outside (I hate having to take my pack off for snacks on a long climb) and has enough straps and loops to keep your stuff on. For approaches you could probably put your rope on vertically if you want with the loops, but personally I put the rope in the pack and have other stuff on the outside, like crampons over the axe handels, wearing my harness (don't mind walking in it at all), waterbottle in the mesh pockets etc etc.
I guess the only thing I can complain a bit is that it's not very durable when it comes to tight chimneys on rock climbs, but other than that I see no reason at all to splash out so many extra bucks for a CiloGear pack.
Campack x3 600

Doug Shepherd wrote: How many CAMP (or similar ultralight) packs are you going to have to buy in that time frame if you use your pack consistently? Hell, how many ultralight packs in a just a couple years of hard abuse? My bet is more than enough to make you wish you had saved a bit of money and bought a more durable and well-made pack to start.

Well, it really does depend on what you want to use it for. Sure, a CiloGear sack might withstand the chimney and cave abuse a little better than my Campack, but I wouldn't place bets on it. I took my pack through hell and back, and it's my fault alone. Since then I've replaced it and have avoided taking the new one on these types of excursions, and it's still as good as new. I can't see it breaking down at all for normal use. The topic is "ice climbing pack" and this is what I now use it for. For rock climbing where I anticipate chimneys I'll take my old taped up Campack. Taking it through a cave was just plain stupidity, as it would be for a CiloGear pack too.
I did suggest this pack if price is a matter. If you take care of it and dont drag it through chimneys and caves it'll be fine. And I really do like those big elastic mesh pockets on each side. I'd miss those with the CiloGear pack.

MarcDurant wrote:Mammut Flight 35/Ice 45: Excellent packs, very good suspension and fairly light. I have added straps & buckles to carry my crampons on the outside of the pack between the tool shafts.

Dumb question: I haven't seen these packs in person, just pics on the web -- are crampon straps easy to add, or did you have to do some sewing / alteration ?

Go CiloGear or Cold Cold World

Tough as hell,
Well thought out,
And these are a good example of someone taking their passion and making a living out of it and doing it better than anyone else.

You will pay a little more for them but I've had my Cold Cold World Chaos pack for ten years and you cannot kill them!