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Replacement for Patagonia Ascensionist 35 backpack
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I´m looking for recommendation for a replacement to my Patagonia Ascensionist 35 backpack that is starting to wear out. I´m using the pack for ice climbing, alpine and will use the new pack for summit pushes of 6000 m peaks. I have been pretty happy with the Ascensionist 35. It can swallow a lot of gear, the packable volume must be significantly over 35 liters. The downside is that it can interfere with looking up (but I probably wont be able to get away from this since im short) and that the waist belt is not removable. It can also be a little fiddly to pack since the extendable-snow-collar-thingy. I mostly climb with Nomics and want a carry system for ice tools that works well and is secure. |
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Patagonia will prob give you a new pack. I've had 3 ascensioist packs, only paid for the first one. They should be warranteed... |
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I have an Ascensionist as well and am eying on the Tupilak series for my next pack |
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I had a problem with looking up with my CCW chaos. Trimming down the top of the back panel fixed it for me. Obviously, if I overstuff the pack too much, it will still interfere with a helmet. The joys of being short. Love CCW packs, especially the ability to have it customized to your specifications and that they are made in the US by a serious climber. For the size you want maybe a valdez in dyneema with the Chernobyl-style tool holders? |
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Patagonia will repair or replace your pack
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MH Alpine Light HMG Prism |
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Ive had that pack for years. It was sold as a 40l but it is definately a 35slish liter pack. I need to replace mine with something bigger for colder alpine shenanigans. Its just not big enough for 6k m things for me. Never had a problem looking up with it tho. Probably getting the arcteryx 40l because it can expand a bit more. |
Ira OMC wrote: It has been warranteed once :D I could try it again, but I cant have the pack failing on me on an expedition. Rab Latok 38L Mountain Pack looks like it could be nice. https://rab.equipment/eu/rab-latok-38l-mountain-pack ALPHA FL 40 BACKPACK also looks good https://arcteryx.com/se/en/shop/alpha-fl-40-backpack Aaron Liebling wrote: Yes, being short has it´s shortcomings. I hope I dont have to go custom and since I´m in Europe, American made does not make me feel warm inside. I however need to pay custom and taxes... |
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Go with the Alpha FL, you won't regret owning one, it's a masterpiece for it's intended use. |
Wictor Dahlström wrote: Can't speak from experience but from a materials perspective the alpha fl beets this in pretty much every respect. The face fabric is 240d instead of the 400d in the alpha fl, the LCP ripstop is also superior to the spectra. The back panel will eventually wear out faster as it appears to be knit instead of the same as the face fabric. (this isn't correct, according to the video its a woven 420d, really weird place to add weight imo) And no extendable collar of note on the rab either. All for 100g more than the arcteryx pack. |
Wictor Dahlström wrote: ME Tupilak Also could check ukclimbing for euro specific advice. "Best 35 liter climbing pack" thread comes up every 3 months, they're all good. Blue ice is probably best if you ski a lot. |
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https://us.blueice.com/pages/backpacks#mountaineering Makes bad ass, simplistic, alpine packs, carries tools well and is rather low profile when climbing (my experience from the 18L Dragon to the 45L warthog). That said, if you really want a pack and a true alpine one and done (singular guy banging out bad ass handmade, custom gear) go with Alpine Luddites. The wait is worth the price and quality. No big name company can possibly touch what John is doing with a perfectionist mentality towards packs. Take your time with your order, he will take his time assuring that you get YOUR pack. High end, tailored to you packs. My 45L from him has handled Indian Creek racks+ rope, remote ice trips w/ lengthy approaches etc. That gent' absolutely creates what the big names chase in innovation. Worth the coin, worth the wait. alpine-luddites.myshopify.com |
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I have the Tupilak 30+ and the 37+. Best alpine packs I've ever used. I barely touch my Alpha FL anymore. |
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fyi - the old alpha FL packs are smaller than their listed size |
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Thanks for all the input. I´m wondering if I could get away with the new Alpha FL 30l. It might be a tight fit since I actually use my current packs capacity regularly, but it would be nice to climb with. The Blue Ice Warthog also looks good. |
Wictor Dahlström wrote: The new 30 is a 30 liter pack that extends to 37. The old 45 was a 32 liter pack that extended to 45 so they're similar in size. I have both, I think they're perfect for a day of alpine climbing and/or a very light overnight kit. The new 40 is a 40 that extends to 52. Source: https://www.thealpinestart.com/2020/11/14/comparison-review-arcteryx-alpha-fl-packs/ |
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Yes, I agree with Mike's assessment. The new (2nd gen) Alpha works also for the alpine with a light overnight kit. Also, the website https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/alpha-fl-30-backpack shows an updated pack, i.e. 3rd gen. The alpine start comparse 1st gen with 2nd gen packs. The 1st and 2nd generation did not use the Hadron material that is now used in the 3rd generation pack. The backpack also got even more expensive. Edit: It seems just the European price skyrocketed from 160 to 260 euro for 30l pack and from 200 to 290 euros for the 40l pack. |
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I found a bargain on the 2nd gen Alpha FL. I´m a little tempted to go for the 30l 2nd gen. Would that be a bad idea? Is it better to have the 40 l? |
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Regarding getting the 30 l, remember that these packs are very minimal and have no side compression straps or ways to add much extra to the outside. I'm in the small but not insignificant minority that doesn't really like the alpha packs. The body of the pack is definitely bomber, but I don't like the roll top extension collar, the annoying clip on the rope strap, no way to A frame skis, and they basically don't carry weight that well (the lack of load lifters and a non padded waist belt is noticeable to me whenever I have my overnight kit). For people that only want the lightest pack, this is a good option. And, if the OP could live with the way the Ascensionist carried weight (slightly worse than the Alpha), the Alpha will feel like an upgrade. But since someone already linked to the Alpine Start's review of these packs, it is somewhat notable that that author has moved on to Mountain Hardware Alpine light packs, as I have too. The MH ALs just carry so much better than the Alphas and have a few extra pockets and compression straps that make them nicer to use. https://www.thealpinestart.com/2022/01/16/mountain-hardwear-alpine-light-35-50-old-vs-new/ I would say that the MH AL 35 last generation (Dyneema) is the perfect replacement for the Ascensionist 35. The durability of the fabric (Xpac) on the new ALs concerns me (but I don't know anything about fabrics so feel free to flame me for my ignorance). |
Rexford Nesakwatch wrote: Thanks for the input. I now leaning towards the Alpha FL 40 2nd gen since I dont want the pack to extend higher and I don´t carry skies. I wont carry heavy loads in the pack so that is a non issue. |
Wictor Dahlström wrote: My second ice season with the 2nd gen, initially had the Alpha FL30 but wasn't quite large enough for my usage so I returned it for the FL40. If I had a bargain on the 30L I may have stuck with it. For winter I fit a 70M rope inside plus helmet, crampons, full size harness, liter bottle, belay parka, shell, gloves and mitts, snacks, etc. There are 2 small lash points on either side plus 6 in the bungee cord if I wanted to attach extra items. I really like the pack but wish a few items were different: I haven't used the extendable roll top collar, I tuck it down inside, out of the way. I also haven't needed it as I haven't done an overnight with it. Not a fan of the plastic hook on the top compression strap. Too much fiddling to get it to work sometimes. Also wish there were different ice tool straps for the handles. Picky, I know. Shoulder straps are good enough, wish the waist belt had option of removable padding. It's super light and so far very rugged. And the 40L hasn't been in the way swinging tools. |
