Hey all,
I've got a question - has anyone done any backcountry snowsliding with an external frame backpack? Here's why - I'll be doing some 1 night camping in the backcountry this season. So, skinning/shoeing out all day Sat. and then bringing it back in on Sun.. I've purchased a 4 season tent (a Eureka Alpenlite XT), have the good folks over at Enlightened Equipment making me a "comfortable at -20" down quilt (when I wrote them to ask about it they responded "Um, we've never done that before. The baffling might be an issue." But, after some thought on their side they agreed to do it for me.) The last big item I need to get is a humungous backpack. I'd like to avoid purchasing an internal frame pack I'll only use 5-7 times a year if I can get away with it. I just don't like the idea of something sitting around taking up space like that. If I buy a huge 90+ liter or 5000+ cu in pack for my external frame I can at least lie to myself and say I have an expedition sized pack for year around use. If I buy an internal frame it will be for winter use only. I'll never haul that much in an internal frame pack any other time of year. Winter camping is different than other seasons. The tent is certainly heavier but you need the huge size because your bed and clothing are comparatively huge. Of course, you are hauling more food in the winter but you carry less water because it's all around you. At least, that's what I'm being told. So, I want use my Kelty Cache Hauler frame and slap on one of the massive packs available for it. The question becomes the safety and useability of an external frame pack while snowsliding. Any experience? Insight?
I've got a question - has anyone done any backcountry snowsliding with an external frame backpack? Here's why - I'll be doing some 1 night camping in the backcountry this season. So, skinning/shoeing out all day Sat. and then bringing it back in on Sun.. I've purchased a 4 season tent (a Eureka Alpenlite XT), have the good folks over at Enlightened Equipment making me a "comfortable at -20" down quilt (when I wrote them to ask about it they responded "Um, we've never done that before. The baffling might be an issue." But, after some thought on their side they agreed to do it for me.) The last big item I need to get is a humungous backpack. I'd like to avoid purchasing an internal frame pack I'll only use 5-7 times a year if I can get away with it. I just don't like the idea of something sitting around taking up space like that. If I buy a huge 90+ liter or 5000+ cu in pack for my external frame I can at least lie to myself and say I have an expedition sized pack for year around use. If I buy an internal frame it will be for winter use only. I'll never haul that much in an internal frame pack any other time of year. Winter camping is different than other seasons. The tent is certainly heavier but you need the huge size because your bed and clothing are comparatively huge. Of course, you are hauling more food in the winter but you carry less water because it's all around you. At least, that's what I'm being told. So, I want use my Kelty Cache Hauler frame and slap on one of the massive packs available for it. The question becomes the safety and useability of an external frame pack while snowsliding. Any experience? Insight?
Comment