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What size pack do you climb with?

Original Post
Tyler Smith · · Buena Park · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 10

I'm just curious on what size pack you guys climb with when doing
multi-pitch climbs? Also do you and your partner both carry a pack while climbing or do you carry one pack between the two of you, and who ever clean's carry's the pack?

Graham Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

It really depends on what sort of climb (ice? alpine? rock?) I'm doing, but generally if it's just a day climb I'll probably carry a ~ 30L pack for ice and alpine stuff, if it's rock and less than 5 or 6 pitches I probably won't carry a pack. If I decide to carry a pack it might be a 10L running pack with a bladder in it, or a superlight 20L pack. Basically the smallest thing I can get away with.

Tyler Smith · · Buena Park · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 10

Sorry I should of been more specific. Trad climbs that are in the range of 5-8 pitches.

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

I use this pack:

rei.com/product/778466/rei-…

Holds my approach shoes, water, jacket, food, and other assorted items. Only 10 oz.

bag · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 0

No pack. Clip your water bottle and tiny stuff sack with extra layer to your harness.

T.C. · · Whittier, NC · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0
FrankPS wrote:I use this pack: rei.com/product/778466/rei-… Holds my approach shoes, water, jacket, food, and other assorted items. Only 10 oz.

This is exactly what you want. It also has a drawstring that opens with one hand.
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Great looking pack for day climbs. I like the colors it comes in.

jack roberts · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 0

Rope
Rack
Shirt on my back

Attach the small rainjacket, pint water bottle, and approach shoes to your harness

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

I've always used the Silo 18 for multipitch. I would highly recommend it!

Silo 18

Robert Buswold · · Northglenn, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 80

That REI Flash looks pretty great - and the price is right too! Thanks for the info.

JohnWesely Wesely · · Lander · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 585

I would never use a pack for an five to eight pitch climb. Are you crazy?

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

if you are carrying a pack for a typical 5-8 pitch route, then you are probably doing something pretty wrong.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
slim wrote:if you are carrying a pack for a typical 5-8 pitch route, then you are probably doing something pretty wrong.
I think it's personal preference. Not right or wrong.
Auto-X Fil · · NEPA and Upper Jay, NY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 50
FrankPS wrote: I think it's personal preference. Not right or wrong.
Word. I started carrying a light pack so I can have a water bottle, cliff bar, and windbreaker at belays. I can easily clip that all to my harness, or shove it in pockets, but a super-light pack like the Flash 18 (I made my own, similar pack) keeps that stuff out of the way much better.

We aren't taking about a 30L pack with stove, shell, two bottles, shoes, etc. like some gumbies haul along. Just moving a few items you have anyway onto your back.
Felix Duvallet · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 165

Another vote for the Flash 18, it's really the perfect size for climbing and very light. Durability is pretty good. For alpine rock, I like to use it as a large stuff sack inside my pack, and take it as summit pack for the climb.

Definitely have a look at REI's video.

smassey · · CO · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 200

Most guides I know will carry something small, like the BD Bullet(16L), for a few essentials. It's small enough to be easily stowed in a crag pack. For routes that have a walk-off where you're not handily returning to the base, something like a BD Hollowpoint(20L), or my favorite, the 30L CiloGear Hauly cilogear.com/30lwallbag.html is really nice. You can fit an average rack, etc. inside and strap a rope on top. They both climb well. You get used to climbing with a pack, but many times it's not necessary. Depends on your preference.

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,665

If I am going to climb all day on something and am going to bring a pack, the BD bullet is my choice pack because it is small and more importantly, narrow enough not to interfere with any movement or using my shoulders on a wall should I choose to. I haven't climbed with the other 15-18 packs mentioned here but if they had chest and waist straps, a haul loop (chimney's, you know), durable enough to survive a haul, and a narrow width, I imagine they'd be just fine. Take a good hydration bladder in it- worth the extra bucks for sure. I don't like the Nalgene and Camelback bladders and valves. I like the Dakine ones much better. They have less crappy taste to them (new or used), are easier to clean, have a larger gauge hose, and better shut-off & bite valves.

Eric D · · Gnarnia · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 235

No pack for 5 to 8 pitches. Clif Bar in a cargo pocket. Headlamp in the other cargo pocket. Maybe some water clipped to my harness, maybe approach shoes clipped to my harness. That's it.

Tyler Smith · · Buena Park · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 10

Well I'm a beginner trad climber, so until I get more experienced I like to climb with a pack. Also Im sure it takes me a lot longer to climb 5-8 pitches than most of you experienced trad climbers. I've looked at the Rei flash 18, my only concern was the durability of it. Other than that it looks like a great little pack.

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

I've had a bunch of packs but I currently have a Marmot Kompressor I bought here. Probably the best I've had to date that matches the OP's requirements. I've used it on long multi pitches with multiple mile approaches. Best $25 I've spent in a long time.

Ed Wright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2006 · Points: 285

Each climber should carry his own little pack. I use the Mountaintools Jet pack, but there are several other goods available.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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