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Best climbing and Ski Touring Pack?

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

^^^^

I had never heard of Tuttle before, so I went to the link you provided. I don't know if it's my computer, but the website looks screwy because some images cover the text. Also, didn't see an address or phone number anywhere on the Tuttle website.

Jason4Too · · Bellingham, Washington · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

I have a Cilo 45l work sack that has seen many days in the mountains and for those that want a basic and simple tube it's pretty solid and light. That said, the suspension doesn't fit my shoulders very well, the straps shredded one of my favorite jackets, the brain smacks me in the back of the head unless the main pocket is full, and I like more pockets and access options for a ski touring pack. It's better as an alpine pack than a touring pack.

I've replaced it with a Mammut Trion Pro 50+7 and think the extra weight is very worth it. I love back panel access in a ski pack so I can lay the pack down in the snow, get anything I want out of it without anything else touching the snow. Maybe that's a specific issue with PNW snowpack and the amount of water in it but it's something I won't go without in a ski pack. It also makes a break crag pack since I can just drop my entire (double) rack on a sling in through that opening, zip it up, and move on to the next climb. I've also climbed ~10 pitches of 5th class rock in this pack and found it to be decent but obviously not as good a little leader pack.

For quicker day tours that don't require glacier gear I carry a Jones Higher 30l pack that's been ok.

George W · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 6

I've been quite happy with my Osprey Variant 37 in black. I've hauled it up and down dozens of peaks, many days at the crag, and a few short backpacking trips. It's quite burly with a great carry system. It'll do everything you want it to, as that's what I've been using it for this past year.

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419

Frank PS,
This edit is ten hours later and. . .merde!
Wow now I take it back I can not reach Toegear!?

I know the site looks rinkydink but the products are bomb proof and they will do custom work

When I tried to call just now

there was no answer or answering machine!?

That is a bit too rinkydink dink even for me.

I'll call tomorrow and let them know
.( yikes - I think the wife mailed my pack out today. I don't see it here)

Here is the info - cut and pasted :

TUTTLE OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

HOME | HIP PACKS | SCHOOL PACKS | TECHNICAL PACKS | DUFFLE BAGS
AMP COVERS | CLIMBING | EMS | STUFFSACKS | CUSTOM | CONTACT UStoe logo
CONTACT US
T.O.E.
toegear@sbcglobal.net
www.toegear.com
209-358- 1057

No answer?

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

Michael, I'm sure Tuttle makes great haul bags. And I personally use a FISH Atom Smasher for my crag bag, so trust me, I agree with you completely.... but we're talking about dedicate ski-mountaineering backpacks here. Not burly crag bags. Not a single one of the items you mentioned is anything remotely close.

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419

Right I know,
and have clearly missed that point,

although the Toegear Logan, & the Connessas well as the Wild Country Andinist
and the Mystery Ranch packs as well as
others, posted, are standard for back country patrollers.

They are tasked with more than touring.
so I guess it is very much a weight vs durability thing.

I also used a Granite Gear Coulier II
Way back along time ago in Utha.
There is a used one for sale that I wish I had bought
Instead of the BD stone 45
But I will not be ski touring any more
With all the choices - there is a right pack for every use,
The trick is finding the right balance of $$ , weight and durability.

The reason that I cross posted this
was that I wanted to vent my frustrations that the once reliable
Black Diamond, is churning this generation of climbers.
Selling gear that seems engineered to fail, so guaranteeing
That you have to buy another pack in a year or two.

For a weekend warrior it is not that big a deal but if your out there
More or less daily the cheapness could be dangerous,

Everything going into the mountains should be as full strength as possible.
And that is what I went and looked at then posted it here.

Philip Burnett · · Ogden, UT · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 313
Salomon S-Lab X Alp 20

Just purchased this for the same reason after going through a few BD models, A Cilo Gear pack, a HMG Ice pack, and a few others. So far I think I will like it better than the other packs even though the rope will now have to go on the outside of the pack.
kevino · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 0

How wide of skis are you using? I found I had a hard time just getting my 87 underfoot to slide in paired together

Morty Gwin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 0

Cold Cold World

This is the bag you are seeking. Custom just about anything you want. I carry fat skis, poles, ice tools, crampons ..have gear loops..everything. They sewed extra stuff for me and custom fit my frame for less than most bags. Pro work, very trim..lightweight, tough fabric with removable foam bivy pad.

coldcoldworldpacks.com

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419
Maureen Maguire wrote:Cold Cold World This is the bag you are seeking. Custom just about anything you want. I carry fat skis, poles, ice tools, crampons ..have gear loops..everything. They sewed extra stuff for me and custom fit my frame for less than most bags. Pro work, very trim..lightweight, tough fabric with removable foam bivy pad. coldcoldworldpacks.com
Right now on eBay I can't seem to get the link to come up but it's a Chernobyl 50L
I wish I had waited or could justify it iOS under $150 looks good. .,.
Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419
Maureen Maguire wrote:Cold Cold World This is the bag you are seeking. Custom just about anything you want. I carry fat skis, poles, ice tools, crampons ..have gear loops..everything. They sewed extra stuff for me and custom fit my frame for less than most bags. Pro work, very trim..lightweight, tough fabric with removable foam bivy pad. coldcoldworldpacks.com
Cold Cold World Chernobyl 50 L backpack

Starting bid:US $75.00
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Seller : alczak13 (906 ) 100% Positive feedback
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Item condition:
Used
Medium-sized (3000 cu. in. (50 Liters) pack ideal for one to two day alpine climbs or day climbs in the winter. Lightweight design, durable material,classic legendary quality.
Removable/extendible lid
Underlid pocket for small items
Padded hipbelt with gear loops sized to work as holsters
Ski slots
Fixed quick-release crampon straps
Removable 23"x24"x 3/8" foam backpad
12-14" overfill extension sleeve
Internal hydration pocket with hose exit port (bladder not included)
Older style tool tubes hold medium ergonomic tools ( Cobras, Vipers, etc.) and straight shaft.

Time left: Time left:5d 16h Sunday, 10:50PM

Starting bid:US $75.00
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Right now on eBay I can't seem to get the link to come up but it's a Chernobyl 50L
I wish I had waited or could justify it . . . . under $1oo looks good.

.,anyone want go buy a BD .Stone 45? $100 takes it .

I am fully jelly!!
. .oops
I shouldn't have pointed it out.
Also
if your looking at eBay and see the red 23 pack (no maker)@$49
may be "The REAL, ? Yosemite pak " by FROG?
That and the Wave products green monster are the two after the CCW
Chernobyl
kevino · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 0

While looking for larger packs I came across this guy, which looks great.

backcountry.com/mammut-spin…

T340 · · Idaho · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

I have the CCW Chernobyl as well as the Valdez. Sweet packs, even totally "stock", as are mine.

GLD · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 83

I've had two BCA alps 40 packs (one was an RMA replacement of the other) and both have needed to be fixed extensively. I don't particularly like this pack. They double wall in weird unnecessary placements and the straps aren't sewn securely. The tool carry was improved but isn't great.

I don't know how their avy airbag packs ski, but the non airbag packs I don't really enjoy.

Ty Falk · · Huntington, VT · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 280

Greg G nailed it. I use either a 30L or 45L Cilo Gear W/NWD pack for climbing and skiing in the Wasatch & Tetons. Sometimes even the same day with the same pack. With the D rings that allow you to move the ski carry straps around it is really quite versatile. With the larger pack I occasionally use the frame sheet but 95% of the time I just use the bivy pads. Typically I do not use the brains on the packs. I have no problem without having separate avalanche gear pockets. If you are organized you can pull out your probe and shovel just as fast than with separate pockets.(I had my gear out before others in my Level Three Avalanche exam who had ski specific packs.) The middle of the bivy pad makes a great place for a flat blade shovel. With the 45L I have done everything from afternoon cragging to three days in the alpine with the same pack. Don't waste your money on the cheaper cordura version for skiing if your boot packing alot since your edges will destroy the pack in a few days. I have had both packs for several years and they look like new. I would highly recommend cilo gear packs in the W/NWD. +1 for being handmade in the pnw!!

AlpineIce · · Upstate, NY · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 255

I've been very happy with the Lowe Alpine Alpine Attack

Jason4Too · · Bellingham, Washington · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0
Ty Falk wrote: Don't waste your money on the cheaper cordura version for skiing if your boot packing alot since your edges will destroy the pack in a few days.
I think I have around 100 days of ski touring on the cordura version and only got one cut in the side from an edge. It was easily patched with Tenacious Tape and Seam Grip. I have another 20 or so days of cragging when I stuffed a double rack inside and dragged it around Squamish granite with no real issues.

There's also an accessory shovel pocket that's available from Cilo that I have used a lot. I wouldn't stress about getting the cheaper pack if it's what fits the budget and the rest of the feature set fits your needs.
Ty Falk · · Huntington, VT · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 280
Jason4Too wrote: I think I have around 100 days of ski touring on the cordura version and only got one cut in the side from an edge. It was easily patched with Tenacious Tape and Seam Grip. I have another 20 or so days of cragging when I stuffed a double rack inside and dragged it around Squamish granite with no real issues. There's also an accessory shovel pocket that's available from Cilo that I have used a lot. I wouldn't stress about getting the cheaper pack if it's what fits the budget and the rest of the feature set fits your needs.
Were you boot packing lots of those 100 days? Two of my buddy's destroyed the cordura packs in a season from ski edges on the sides of the pack. I have done 3 years on the w/nwd packs with at least that much winter use and the sides where my edges hit look like new.
Jason4Too · · Bellingham, Washington · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

I did my share of boot packing but usually not more than 4 miles of carrying skis in a day, more than that and I'd rather go rock climbing. :)

I was always very careful not to pack anything hard against the side of my bag where it would rub against the ski base and I also usually carried my skis with skins on them cut wall-to-wall for a little extra protection. Most of the time I carried A-frame style but for short carries or traverses on steep snow I'd carry them strapped base-to-base on one side of the pack or the other. Very rarely would I carry them between the shovel pocket and the main body of the pack but that happened a few times too. I always made sure they were strapped tight and didn't move at all while being carried.

Perry Norris · · Truckee, CA · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 45

Wild Things Andanista is a good cross over pack, although it doesn't carry fat short skis that well. But I it is simple, durable, light, weather tight, and skis and climbs with the best.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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