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how do y'all haul your gear?

Original Post
Brandon H - SC · · Jackson SC · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 30

Does anyone have any good recommendations on climbing friendly gear bags or backpacks?

I have two scenarios where I struggle with hauling all my gear.

1. taking the lead rack and at least a 70m rope with me to climb outside. (sometimes two ropes depending on group size)

2. I run a local climbing wall so I have to haul massive amounts of gear back and forth to that every week

I just recently wore a hole through the side of my duffle bag from hauling my rack. Help?

clay meier · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 350

do you have to climb with the pack on? I use the Black Diamond Anarchist or Revelation to haul my gear to the climb. If I have to climb with a pack on I walk to the base of the climb with my harness and helmet on and the rack hanging from my harness and the rope backpack coiled. Then I climb with a bullet pack for snacks and water and shoes.

Brandon H - SC · · Jackson SC · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 30

thanks guys,

I just meant general transport and organization of rack etc... I hate climbing with a significant pack on me

Jon H · · PC, UT · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 118

If you just need to get a bunch of gear from your house to your car to the base of the climb (irrelevant whether it's a crag or an artificial wall) just buy any old 50L backpacking pack. Go for cheap and heavy duty. Something like an older Gregory or Osprey.

Alternatively, you could get a high quality expedition duffel bag made out of burly fabric. (Side note: I actually have a couple North Face and Patagonia expedition duffels for sale on the Gear Swap board) and those will last forever, but probably aren't the right choice for hiking gear into a climb. However, they're the bees knees for storage, transport, flying with gear, etc.

Greg Gavin · · SLC, UT · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 888
bevans · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 0

mini haul bag. easily the best option if you are talking about a cragging bag with normal-ish crag approaches and you use it heavily or are wanting a bag to last for years.

here's what I use. works fine on longer approaches too...but is obviously not an alpine pack. carries quite well for what it is...but it ain't a backpack.



but that's too small for what you are looking for by the sound of it. i do carry a full triple rack, two pairs of shoes, food and water, and a rope. If you have more than that, there are a bunch of options out there.
Brandon H - SC · · Jackson SC · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 30
bevans wrote: i do carry a full triple rack, two pairs of shoes, food and water, and a rope. If you have more than that, there are a bunch of options out there.
nah thats about my typical load...

thanks all for ideas!
Brandon H - SC · · Jackson SC · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 30
Greg G wrote:http://runoutcustoms.com/Packs.html Sick design!
that is sick
Ian Stewart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 155
Brandon H - SC wrote: that is sick
It's also only 31L, which will be way too small for your needs.

Me, I just use my Osprey Aether 70 pack that I picked up from REI for about $130 a couple years ago (wait until there's a 20% off on their clearance site and stack the discounts). It wasn't made specifically with climbing in mind but it carries a bunch of stuff and it carries really well/comfortably. I don't like having to pack very efficiently so I like having something that just swallows all my gear.
Steve86 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 10

I'm assuming you are talking about two different bags....

As far as scenario 1 goes, if you aren't actually hauling it (i.e. aid climbing) the pig style bags, while burly, typically carry like crap compared to a pack with an actual frame/decent suspension. I've got a bunch of different packs ranging from day packs to grade V haul bags and this has been my experience. I don't have personal experience with the cilogear bag but
I've got a mutant 38 which uses a frame sheet and often wish I purchased the variant 37 as it has actual frame stays.

From your description of what you are looking for, I second buying a ~50L backpacking style pack. It's going to be a lot more comfortable to carry a heavier load and as long as you don't abuse it or haul it up a wall it will last you a long time.

As far as scenario 2, what's a massive amount of gear? Depending on how much it is and how far you are taking it/over what kind of terrain (parking lot, trail, etc) my immediate thought is to get an expedition style duffel bag like TNF base camp duffel or equivalent. Basically they are duffel bags made of similar material as haul bags.

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

for "hauling" in the city ... do what every other smart person does ... get a bag/container/suitcase with wheels ....

unless you want it to be yr strength training ;)

Eric Krantz · · Black Hills · Joined Feb 2004 · Points: 420
Brandon H - SC wrote: taking the lead rack and at least a 70m rope with me to climb outside. (sometimes two ropes depending on group size) Help?
What's the group carrying?
Phillip Tearse · · Denver, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 80

whatever you do, dont get a mini haul bag. I always laugh at those people. why on earth would you use a minihaulbag as a cragging specific backpack? they are excessively heavy, have zero frame and are pretty damn uncomfortable. Pretty sure people just like to pretend they they have done or could do a bigwall because they have a 'real' haulbag. Just get a larger comfortable pack and use it for all of your weekend warrior needs. I used to be in the camp of 'must have specific gear for ALL THE OCCASIONS'. Single 80L arcteryx bag I've had forever works great, is super comfy, and always has room.

John D · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 10

I'm not quite sure what your needs are, but I've used my haulbag when guiding (I have a yates fat sac but they're all pretty decent) It carries horribly, but I could carry 4 ropes, the rack, and all the harnesses pretty easily.

The good things about a haulbag are that they're super durable, huge, if/when you decide to try a big wall you'll already have it, and they're great luggage for checking on airplanes.

The bad is they carry terribly, they're not cheap, and depending on what size you get, they can be a bit bulky.

EvanH · · Boone, NC · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 10

I don't know why you'd have to have a 50L+ pack for day cragging. I use a BD Axis 33L pack and it carries everything I need for a day at the cliff.

Full doubles rack
10-15 trad draws
12 quickdraws
Misc carabiners
Cordelettes
2 pairs of shoes
Harness
Helmet
Water
Lunch/Snacks
Guide Book
Point and shoot camera
Headlamp
First Aid kit
70m rope (strapped on top)

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
Phill T wrote:whatever you do, dont get a mini haul bag. I always laugh at those people. why on earth would you use a minihaulbag as a cragging specific backpack? they are excessively heavy, have zero frame and are pretty damn uncomfortable. Pretty sure people just like to pretend they they have done or could do a bigwall because they have a 'real' haulbag. Just get a larger comfortable pack and use it for all of your weekend warrior needs. I used to be in the camp of 'must have specific gear for ALL THE OCCASIONS'. Single 80L arcteryx bag I've had forever works great, is super comfy, and always has room.
The only, ONLY, reason I got haulbag was because I was sick of tearing holes in my cragging pack while scrambling around at Vedauwoo. If I'm not climbing there, I use an actual pack. I try to avoid being seen though, because I'm still *that guy*.
Ethan Henderson · · Washington · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 602
Brian Scoggins wrote: The only, ONLY, reason I got haulbag was because I was sick of tearing holes in my cragging pack
+1

I'm hard on my soft goods. I somehow put holes in packs, jackets, pants etc and have no idea how I do it. But having a haul bag has saved me from ruining another pack =)
Ian Stewart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 155
EvanH wrote:I don't know why you'd have to have a 50L+ pack for day cragging. I use a BD Axis 33L pack and it carries everything I need for a day at the cliff. 70m rope (strapped on top)
If you're like me and don't like strapping ropes to the outside of your pack, you'll need the extra space.
Brandon H - SC · · Jackson SC · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 30

lots of valid info guys... thanks for the opinions!

John D · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 10
EvanH wrote:I don't know why you'd have to have a 50L+ pack for day cragging. I use a BD Axis 33L pack and it carries everything I need for a day at the cliff. Full doubles rack 10-15 trad draws 12 quickdraws Misc carabiners Cordelettes 2 pairs of shoes Harness Helmet Water Lunch/Snacks Guide Book Point and shoot camera Headlamp First Aid kit 70m rope (strapped on top)
The OP is taking groups out, when you're guiding it's unbelievable the amount of gear you have to take. I usually have 4 or 5 ropes a full double rack, and 10 or so lockers. And sometimes I'm stuck carrying 10-12 harnesses, plus my own lunch and water. Try fitting that in a 33L pack.
Steve86 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 10
EvanH wrote:I don't know why you'd have to have a 50L+ pack for day cragging. I use a BD Axis 33L pack and it carries everything I need for a day at the cliff. Full doubles rack 10-15 trad draws 12 quickdraws Misc carabiners Cordelettes 2 pairs of shoes Harness Helmet Water Lunch/Snacks Guide Book Point and shoot camera Headlamp First Aid kit 70m rope (strapped on top)
That seems to be a lot of stuff for a 33L pack. My full trad kit is similar to that and I fill my mutant 38. In my mind the extra ~12 liters gives you the ability to put the rope in the bag (or carry a second rope) while also giving you the versatility to use the pack for weekend backpacking trips/alpine adventures. You won't always need the extra space but if you are just going to get one pack the weight penalty is worth the versatility.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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