In Search of the Perfect Lift skiing/Side Country Backpack

[54-46]

Have a North face Off Chute 22 that might work for you. See: http://www.trailspace.com/articles/2...html#northface

PM if you want more info

[Abol98]

Reviving this thread as I'm zeroing in on a new dadpack. I mean daypack. And great deals on the web right now. You know that Seinfeld episode where Kramer carries a briefcase to the office just for his crackers? That's me on the hill. Maybe y'all are too young for a Kramer reference... nevermind.

Anyway, this will be an airline carry-on, store kid gear in bad weather, but primarily be my companion for a Mountain Collective/Alberta/BC inbound bucket list this year - Apsen Highland Bowl, Kicking Horse Terminator Peak, Banff Delierium Dive, etc. Just needs to carry the basic safety stuff... but my 'want' list is: hydration sleeve in the shoulder strap (I live at sea level. Water is life.), A-frame ski carry, goggle pocket. I MAY throw my digital SLR and a small lens in there on occasion in a protective case, so I don't want to go smaller than 20L.

I'm looking at the Black Diamond dawn patrol 25L - seems to tick the boxes and nothing bad about being able to add the avalung later.
Other candidates: Dueter Freerider 26 (hydration tube is external though), the Patagonia Snowdrifter 20L or the Dakine HeliPro 24L. Amazon has sick deals on the Gregory Targhee 26 in obnoxious orange too.

Any reccomendations for 2017-18?

[jckstein]

TNF Guide Vest

/thread

[Abol98]

TNF Guide Vest

/thread

When used as an airline carry-on, I think that's the referred to by TSA as the ISIS Martyr Pro (26 Virgins Edition).

[mrkbrnblm]

Arent those suffocatingly warm and a pain to take off and put on? Maybe good for heli or cat or zero-work sidecountry?

NVM the vest rec... Shoulda read the whole post. As others noted, vests and airplane travel don't mix well.

If you're looking for a backpack, I'd highly recommend the smaller Mammut Nirvana pack.

[jckstein]

When used as an airline carry-on, I think that's the referred to by TSA as the ISIS Martyr Pro (26 Virgins Edition).

had to wear mine through the Buenos Aires airport coming back from Argentina cuz my ski bag was overweight. not a good look..

[steveski]

I'm looking at the Black Diamond dawn patrol 25L - seems to tick the boxes and nothing bad about being able to add the avalung later.

You've nailed it and answered your own question. I have a BD dawn patrol 25 and have used it for patrolling, airline carry on, and most recently a diaper bag as I just joined the dad club.

[Hs326]

The Gregory Targhee is on my shortlist, comes as both 26 and 32 liters, aswell as a 45 i think.

[N3vrast]

Thule Upslope...

[Abol98]

I pulled the trigger on the Dawn Patrol. That Targhee 26 is still on Amazon for like $60 though - looks solid and the Blister reviews were good. Thule looked interesting too but for the same price as the Dawn Patrol, might as well have the avalung interface.

I wanted to be sure the BD pack accepted wide skis (saw one confused reviewer on amazon) so I emailed them, and they responded right away. Took that as a good sign.