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walkinfool 
Group: Members
Posts: 1
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 08 2012, 1:18 pm |
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I'm gearing up over the off season and am looking at a High Sierra internal frame pack. Any experiences/opinions on gear from them? Other suggestions if money were no object? Other suggestions if I was looking for more of a good value? Thx.
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| Post Number: 2
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TigerFan
Group: Members
Posts: 2014
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Oct. 08 2012, 1:29 pm |
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Difficult to make recommendations without understanding what your needs are beyond "a backpack". How much weight will you be carrying? How much volume do you need? Do you have a budget?
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Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
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| Post Number: 3
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10525
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 08 2012, 1:34 pm |
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I can confidently state that if money is no object and you know exactly what you want, it's time to step up to a custom pack from Dan McHale. www.mchalepacks.com
Perfect fit, incredible craftsmanship, only the features you want, exact volume needs, and none of the features you don't want.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 4
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bigredd
Group: Members
Posts: 31
Joined: Sep. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 08 2012, 10:01 pm |
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Try sierra trading post for Gregory Z65 at $139. Unfortunately they exempt Gregory from their frequent 35% off discounts and free shipping.
I just bought an Osprey Atmos 65 at a local shop with a 20 off sale. Was also considering the new Gregory Savant 58, but decided on the Osprey. Could have save a few $$ buying a Gregory Z65 at STP, but the personal attention, measuring and trying on numerous packs was worth my business. My torso size is 19 1/2" right between medium and large for most brands, so trying several on is invaluable.
Really like the comfort of the Osprey Air Suspension System, and the Great Lifetime Warranty sealed the deal.
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| Post Number: 5
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steved2
Group: Members
Posts: 9
Joined: Jun. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 2:54 pm |
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If money is no object, take a look at Aarn Body Packs, Cold Cold World Packs, or Figure Four Packs (full disclosure: I have a financial stake in Figure Four and work there).
-Aarn has a unique "pack" design that allows attachment of large counter-weight bags to the front of the backpack, placing the center of gravity over your hips, rather than behind. The pack also suppose to maintain the pack's center of gravity over the hips even when moving side-to-side.
-Cold Cold World has made bomber packs for the harshest conditions for many years and as I understand it can make tweaks and custom modifications to the pack.
-Figure Four follows a similar path of Cold Cold World, focusing on fit and freedom of movement, something that most packs restrict due to their frame designs.
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| Post Number: 6
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leadbelly2550
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 4:04 pm |
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I would need more information to make a recommendation. It's unclear how much weight you plan to carry. by "off season" I assume you don't winter hike.
generally, whatever you choose has to fit you comfortably and carry the gear you plan to bring with you. i would figure out the volume of the backpack you already use and look for a similar size this time around, unless you are planning to either shrink your gear or take longer trips in the future.
Once you know the weight you plan to carry, that will help narrow the field somewhat. a few comments on the suggestions above:
-cold cold world makes great backpacks. I own and use one. They are extremely well-manufactured and should last for a long time. they are not "internal frame" backpacks in the true sense of the word, however, because the only "frame" they have is a folded piece of closed cell foam. That is because they are alpine backpacks, designed and intended primarily for rock and ice climbers. it would not be my choice for traditional backpacking because to effectively carry weight, you have to be very careful and focused about how you pack them - due to the lack of a rigid frame to transmit the load to your hips.
-when someone says McHale, these are truly backpacks for which money is no object. McHale will cost several hundred dollars, minimum, and are custom-made to fit you. they will last for years and are beloved by many.
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| Post Number: 7
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eggs
That's sofa King assume
Group: Members
Posts: 4237
Joined: Nov. 2007
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 5:49 pm |
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If the OP has an off season that is winter then they are not ready for a McHale pack.
I'm a three season backpacker, fall, winter, and spring
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Eggs
Home of the egg
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| Post Number: 8
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| Post Number: 9
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eggs
That's sofa King assume
Group: Members
Posts: 4237
Joined: Nov. 2007
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 6:00 pm |
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I doubt anyone that is not ready for winter backpacking asking about a High Sierra backpack is ready to spend $1200+ on a pack.
That is all just trying to get the thread back into reality territory.
Though he did say if money was no object. So I could be wrong. Lets wait and see
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Eggs
Home of the egg
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| Post Number: 10
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scroat
Group: Guests
Posts: 168
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 6:15 pm |
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That brings me to another point. Is it prudent for the average Joe to spend $1200 on a backpack? Dunno. Could buy a sweet MR for half that and have beer and cartridge money left over. Hmm, you do the math. Sorry Moose, but your stuff is pretty spectacularly priced.
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| Post Number: 11
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scroat
Group: Guests
Posts: 168
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 7:45 pm |
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The fact that I may or may not know Moose simply means I know Dan McHale makes backpacks. That hardly qualifies me as a troll, now does it.
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| Post Number: 13
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| Post Number: 14
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jmarklane
Group: Members
Posts: 218
Joined: Jul. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 10:01 pm |
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Who's "moose"?
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| Post Number: 15
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10525
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 10:18 pm |
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Moose is Dan McHale.
In regards to pricing, you don't have to spend $1,000 to own a McHale pack, at least the last time I checked. Also, Dan makes packs for any and all seasons. There are no special requirements to own one other than to know you are taking it seriously and are willing to spend a bit more to get the pack of your dreams.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 16
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jmarklane
Group: Members
Posts: 218
Joined: Jul. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 10:30 pm |
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Thanks, Tigger. I just didn't get the troll suggestion based on knowing who Moose is. I figured there must be some history that, being new here, I wasn't in on.
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| Post Number: 17
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scroat
Group: Guests
Posts: 168
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 11:17 pm |
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Dude, calling someone a troll makes you look pretty childish. If you want to play in the bigboy sandbox, you'll need to bone up on your interpersonal skills.
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| Post Number: 18
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| Post Number: 19
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scroat
Group: Guests
Posts: 168
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 11:29 pm |
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Shame on you for calling me a dick. I thought better of you.
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| Post Number: 22
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scroat
Group: Guests
Posts: 168
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 11:39 pm |
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(toesnorth @ Oct. 09 2012, 11:34 pm)
QUOTE
(scroat @ Oct. 09 2012, 11:29 pm)
QUOTE Shame on you for calling me a dick. I thought better of you. Sorry, but you're new here and you've been acting like one. I didn't even register here for two years after lurking and then I tried to keep a low profile and kind of test the waters even though I have been backpacking longer than most on this forum have been alive. It's kind of a family and you get a sense of who knows their $hit and who just blows hot air. If you stick around long enough you will learn a lot from veteran backpackers and new enthusiasts who know their stuff. We're all here to learn and share. Some of us, like me, are just old and cranky. 
... I get the old and cranky part.
I've been a climber, backpacker, hunter and hiker for over 40 years, so save it for the choir sister.
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| Post Number: 23
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39589
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 11:40 pm |
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Sound of rulers being drawn.
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| Post Number: 24
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toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2500
Joined: Jan. 2007
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 11:44 pm |
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(scroat @ Oct. 09 2012, 11:39 pm)
QUOTE
(toesnorth @ Oct. 09 2012, 11:34 pm)
QUOTE
(scroat @ Oct. 09 2012, 11:29 pm)
QUOTE Shame on you for calling me a dick. I thought better of you. Sorry, but you're new here and you've been acting like one. I didn't even register here for two years after lurking and then I tried to keep a low profile and kind of test the waters even though I have been backpacking longer than most on this forum have been alive. It's kind of a family and you get a sense of who knows their $hit and who just blows hot air. If you stick around long enough you will learn a lot from veteran backpackers and new enthusiasts who know their stuff. We're all here to learn and share. Some of us, like me, are just old and cranky. ... I get the old and cranky part. I've been a climber, backpacker, hunter and hiker for over 40 years, so save it for the choir sister.
Okay, you're THE expert on everything (in your world). How cool for you. Now you should learn to play well with others.
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"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
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| Post Number: 25
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scroat
Group: Guests
Posts: 168
Joined: Oct. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 09 2012, 11:46 pm |
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You first
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| Post Number: 26
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| Post Number: 27
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FamilyGuy
Group: Members
Posts: 5096
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 10 2012, 12:25 am |
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Second the Mchale. And the Mystery Ranch filled with beer, some of which I will gladly donate to everyone here so that we can talk about more pertinent things like the pending NHL strike.
I read the original question(s) the same as Scroat. And in his defence, he was called a Troll. How should he react?
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"This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time."
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| Post Number: 28
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
