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I'm looking to buy a crag pack. Suggestions?

CVRIV · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

Thanks guys. I'm going to look into it. I have no problem buying a climbing bag as oppose to the another Condor.

I don't plan on ice climbing, ever. LOL. Im a rock dude straight up.

Tyler Willcutt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 0

My favorite pack for any occasion is the Creek 50.

My favorite perks of the Creek 50- It has a haul bag bottom, which means it stands up on it's own while packing it. This is especially helpful when it's muddy outside, no more laying your bag on the wet ground and letting the entire bag get soaked. If it does fall over, it's totally waterproof. An amazing feature that pays for itself if you've got a big hike and a thunderstorm rolling over. It carries well enough for a full Moab rack but is compact enough to not look funny walking into the gym with it. Full zip for the main compartment as well as the front (smaller) compartment. You can quickly unzip and grab what you need vs dumping all your gear out to find your tape at the bottom of your bag stuck to clif bar wrappers. I've had my Creek for a full year and it's been through it all. Still looks brand new.

Check it out here:
blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

Fink Fink · · Jackson, WY & Bozeman, MT · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 239

Roll top Miura 50, how I love thee. Unintended design bonus: doubles as a crazy creek-esque chair in a pinch at the crag.

Daryl Allan · · Sierra Vista, AZ · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,040

I have an earlier version of this one and even this one is discontinued and I love it. Literally nothing has broken or torn yet. Can't say enough good things about MHW and how well their stuff holds up.

backcountry.com/mountain-ha…

Andrew Shoe · · Graham, Washington · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 25

Depending on whether it's trad or sport, how long the approach is, and how long I'll be out (how much food for the day) I switch between my smaller sized Metolius haul bag and my BD Epic 45. The epic 45 is a bit overkill for a day of cragging but it works. I'd recommend BD's axis pack as an alternative for just day cragging. BD's packs are tough, efficient, and well thought out.

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
bearbreeder wrote: to the OP .. if u want something thats useful later on get an well built alpine pack ... it aint limited to the crag ;)
If you can only afford a single pack then this is passable in the short term. However, high quality alpine packs get destroyed cragging. The only packs I've had that stood up long term to routine cragging were either archaic 500d+ packs that suck for lightweight alpine and packs designed specifically for cragging.

I've seen you state several times that any pack will do. While that is true short term, if you crag enough you'll end up spending more money replacing alpine packs. Maybe you're definition of "well built alpine pack" is different than mine but in this day and age that class is occupied by sub three pound -50L packs.

My "crag pack" happens to be the MOST useful pack I own and is used the most. If I were to calculate price per useage it would also be the least expensive. Or, maybe your gear doesn't wear out because you don't don't take enough wippahs with Asian princesses? Either way, Miura 50 for the win!

;)
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Ray Pinpillage wrote: If you can only afford a single pack then this is passable in the short term. However, high quality alpine packs get destroyed cragging. The only packs I've had that stood up long term to routine cragging were either archaic 500d+ packs that suck for lightweight alpine and packs designed specifically for cragging. I've seen you state several times that any pack will do. While that is true short term, if you crag enough you'll end up spending more money replacing alpine packs. Maybe you're definition of "well built alpine pack" is different than mine but in this day and age that class is occupied by sub three pound -50L packs. My "crag pack" happens to be the MOST useful pack I own and is used the most. If I were to calculate price per useage it would also be the least expensive. Or, maybe your gear doesn't wear out because you don't don't take enough wippahs with Asian princesses? Either way, Miura 50 for the win! ;)
Theres a MH scrambler in there somewhere

Its lasted a few years of constant cragging, multi and breeding beahs

Cleaning out durty beahs

When it wears out ill just buy another on sale for ~70 maple syrup dollahs

Course i wont look all intrawebz cool and yuppie with a dead bird like u

;)
Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
bearbreeder wrote: When it wears out ill just buy another on sale for ~70 maple syrup dollahs
What's the conversion for maple syrup dollars to bagged milk Loonies?

bearbreeder wrote:Course i wont look all intrawebz cool and yuppie with a dead bird like u ;)
Its a burden I will somehow find a way to live with.

Whip on, Sistah!

;)
rogerbenton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 210
SRB25 wrote:BD axis 33 is on sale for $79 on gear coop or The Clymb. Also saw arcteryx pack on sale somewhere in my search. If you go through active junky your get an additional 10% cash back too.
Bingo.
Or if you can find one cheap used here on MP like I did do that.
I'm sure the BD demon is as great as everyone says but the axis has way better suspension and rope/helmet storage solutions as well.
rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526

I too have had alpine packs messed up by cragging. Bushwacking through holly in Red Rocks did a number on one of them, but it was already suffering from punctures caused by gear.

If you do go with an alpine crack, I'd recommend getting a smallish canvas shopping bag to put all your metal gear in. You load the canvas bag with your gear and then drop it in the pack. The canvas keeps all those pointy metal things away from the high-tech tissue paper used for alpine pack fabric nowadays.

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

How many pointy objects do climbers usually carry for "cragging"?

I can only think of one ... The nut tool ... Well a wirebrush if ur in squamish =P

Generally climbers dont carry pointy or sharp objects exposed .... Theres these things called ropes and slings that dont react well to pointy objects

Get an pack with 210+ denier nylon or gridstop with thicker bottom ...

Its not like everyone (most folks) who is not using "cragging" packs are destroying them in short order

some of these "cragging" packs have mesh pockets, others have a multitude of zippers ... and we all know that mesh and zippers are two things that have a nasty tendency to fail ... so to say that some of these cragging packs are more "durable" is quite interesting

Cragging packs, fancy rope bags, and PASes are the new rage these days ... Theyre the best way for manufacturers to seperate folks from their moolah without providing any real climbing benefit

;)

rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526
bearbreeder wrote:How many pointy objects do climbers usually carry for "cragging"? I can only think of one ... The nut tool ... Well a wirebrush if ur in squamish =P Generally climbers dont carry pointy or sharp objects exposed .... )
I wasn't speaking of sharp pointy objects. I've had holes in my fancy Cilogear pack appear next to cams, for example.

bearbreeder wrote:...to say that some of these cragging packs are more "durable" is quite interesting...


...and true. As it turns out, I've dragged my Miura 50 through almost the same set of conditions for the same number of years as the Cilogear pack (a very nice pack by the way), and the Miura looks almost brand new, whereas the alpine pack is riddled with holes and small tears. (No mesh in the Miura, but the zippers are in perfect working order. I'd be much less optimistic about the zippers in the new Miura, because they go around vulnerable corners at the base of the pack.)

On top of that, the Miura is one of the most comfortable packs to carry I've ever owned. All that said, I agree (and have already said) such packs are luxuries one manage just fine without.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

small little holes? ... bahh

just use a touch of seam grip and a nylon patch ... sure it wont look as pretty, but it wont affect anything especially with gridstop fabric ... it doesnt need to look pretty at the crag

if you have a "cragging" jacket (not one of those fancy UL poofays) or tarp ... simply wrap the cams in that when you put it in the bag

whether folks get a cragging pack is absolutely up to them ... but theres plenty of other gear you can buy that actually make a difference or is multipurpose with the same moolah

;)

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
rgold wrote: I wasn't speaking of sharp pointy objects. I've had holes in my fancy Cilogear pack appear next to cams, for example. ...and true. As it turns out, I've dragged my Miura 50 through almost the same set of conditions for the same number of years as the Cilogear pack (a very nice pack by the way), and the Miura looks almost brand new, whereas the alpine pack is riddled with holes and small tears. (No mesh in the Miura, but the zippers are in perfect working order. I'd be much less optimistic about the zippers in the new Miura, because they go around vulnerable corners at the base of the pack.) On top of that, the Miura is one of the most comfortable packs to carry I've ever owned. All that said, I agree (and have already said) such packs are luxuries one manage just fine without.
The Miura is the single best carrying pack I've owned in all weight categories. The padding in the bottom is to prevent exactly what you described. The repetitive abrasion from dropping your pack in the dirt just destroys nice alpine packs. There are a few pack out there that have similar features but none carry as well as the Miura.
Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
bearbreeder wrote:small little holes? ... bahh just use a touch of seam grip and a nylon patch ... sure it wont look as pretty, but it wont affect anything especially with gridstop fabric ... it doesnt need to look pretty at the crag if you have a "cragging" jacket (not one of those fancy UL poofays) or tarp ... simply wrap the cams in that when you put it in the bag whether folks get a cragging pack is absolutely up to them ... but theres plenty of other gear you can buy that actually make a difference or is multipurpose with the same moolah ;)
When you replace your MH pack after 3 years for another $70 ($140 total) I'll still be using the Miura I bought for $180. Not only will my net cost be close to yours but I won't have to deal with carrying that POS MH pack or fixing it. The long term economics of the cheap option rarely equates to a net savings when extending over the life of the superior product and considering the qualitative user experience.

Wippah on with your cheap self!

;)
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Ray Pinpillage wrote: When you replace your MH pack after 3 years for another $70 ($140 total) I'll still be using the Miura I bought for $180. Not only will my net cost be close to yours but I won't have to deal with carrying that POS MH pack or fixing it. The long term economics of the cheap option rarely equates to a net savings when extending over the life of the superior product and considering the qualitative user experience. Wippah on with your cheap self! ;)
Well if you actually used yr gear a bit more there ray ...

But then again perhaps you dont have the same kind of roadside cragging we have out here ... Ran up this gumby crag yesterday

Roadside cragging

Moah roadside cragging

If u really feel the need to justify yr dead bird pack on da intrawebz then thats up to you

My "shittay" MH pack has lasted 3 years and will likely last a few more

For some reason i think youre the type that will buy a new "cragging" pack well before yr miura gets barely used within a few years... And gloat about how great it is on the intrawebz while barely using it

;)
Daryl Allan · · Sierra Vista, AZ · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,040
bearbreeder wrote: My "shittay" MH pack has lasted 3 years and will likely last a few more )
Same here.. I think i'm on yr 4 or 5 w my MH Trad (model is "Trad") pack. Tons of bushwhacking, drill/hammer/bolting hw humping, the works. It's almost always over stuffed but somehow manages to stay intact.

What area/route is that Bear?
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Daryl Allan wrote: Same here.. I think i'm on yr 4 or 5 w my MH Trad (model is "Trad") pack. Tons of bushwhacking, drill/hammer/bolting hw humping, the works. It's almost always over stuffed but somehow manages to stay intact. What area/route is that Bear?
Its a nice little road side crag we have out here ...

Theres supposed to be tasty yaks at the tope but we never found any

Yak peak, coquihalla bc

The classic gumby climb on it is a doozy !!!

Yak check 5.9, coquihalla, bc

mountainproject.com/v/yak-c…

No doubt if we brought cragging packs we would have finished much faster in record time !!!

But then we dont have REAL cragging like other folks here ... Just our poor yuppie hipster roadside climbs

;)
Daryl Allan · · Sierra Vista, AZ · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,040

lol.. well it looks amazing. When I come visit, I'll be sure to bring my trustafariapack.

Top Rope Hero · · Was Estes Park, now homeless · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 1,150
rgold wrote:Bearbreeder is right. Throw your stuff in the Condor, whatever that is, and be done with it. A crag pack is a luxury, an indulgence, an accoutrement for the modern yuppiebag climber, an expensive and not especially successful attempt to make cragging just a tiny bit more efficient, Your money is almost definitely going to be better spent on something else. But...sorry... I do love my (no longer available) Miura 50.
HAHAHAHAHAAAAA...wrong.

Now...I WILL admit that good marketing can often lead to a bad purchase. And I'd be the first to say avoid frivolous buys.

But I myself bought a Miura 50 six years ago and I cannot sing enough praises for this bag, sewn on the thighs of virgins in Valhalla. Why is it NOT a "yuppiebag indulgence"? Because it's tough as tanks and fits like my skin. Carries elephants, but feels like dust. And I've marched this bag around the planet for five straight winters and from the looks of it, it'll last me fifty more.

The key to a damn good crag pack, says I, is that it weathers the daily abuse of dragging and dropping at the crag and never complains. THAT, to me, is what differentiates a "crag pack." Regular ol' backpacker and/or school backpacks are, generally, engineered with weight saving in mind. So? So they may work great for a while, especially if'n you're dainty and kind to them. But sooner than later you will need to replace it.

DON'T let those who would argue spending your money on better hexes or what. A crag pack IS essential gear. And for my money, I want a bag I won't have to replace every three years. I want a bag I can literally toss around and drag around and throw down at the base of some granite nasty and not think twice about it sliding off a steep perch or out of the tree I'm hanging it in. Toughness--absolute tough-fidity. That's what for me makes the purchase a necessity, and not a luxury. In the medium to long term, you're gonna be much, much happier (AND the more fiscally conservative) if'n you get the pack that's gonna last.

Again, if'n you're always super careful with your pack, then maybe this isn't a big deal. But I'm not all that careful with my pack, and in a world where I can buy the gear that lives up to my standards, I don't have to be. That Miura of mine is going to outlast the roaches, and I couldn't be happier that I threw down the bones to buy it.

One other consideration. Your everyday backpacking/school type backpack...they generally aren't engineered to carry a lotta weight COMFORTABLY. (Bigger, overnight-type backpacker packs excluded.) So? So when I'm cragging, I'm usually within an hour of the car. Which means I throw that light-is-right mentally out the window. I bring the camera, I bring that brick of a guidebook. I bring lots-O-water and tons-O-food. I bring a puffy, I bring the blahblahblah... Not to mention that I always bring my own rope and rack, too, because I'm usually projecting and don't wanna abuse my partners' equipment.

You get the point. Again, I don't know for this Condor thing...but? But I says that a "good" crag pack (as opposed to the lean and light alpine pack I carry for sending in the attic) not only takes abuse, but carries a fat load. And carries it well. Yah, You could prolly put fiddy pounds in that thing...but will it transfer that weight well to your hips/center of gravity? Will it snug close to your body, making heinous approaches safer 'n' sane? Will it cut through your shoulders and sag off your back, making for a miserable approach? Or will it ride relatively unnoticed, leaving you fresh 'n' ready for your assault on gravity...

In addition to AALLLL of that, I personally like having a crag pack specifically sos I can always have it packed, ready to jam, hiding in my truck and always ready to pull out and march for those after werk sessions.

Anyways...that's what I say. Keep the Condor if'n you like. You WILL be judged on it, but fuck all them. However, I still say invest in a good, GOOD crag pack--whether they market it as that or not. It IS equipment and there IS a reason they make high-end models. They DO make a difference. All of it does.

So. My suggestion. Get ye to eBay and find a Miura 50 AND be prepared to spend twice the retail price. I myself wouldn't part with mine for all the handjams of Indian Creek.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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