gear question

[caverspencer]

A couple of years ago I went for a canyoneering trip and one the guys had a very nice set up with his packs.

What he had was a hydration pack on top and a sort of waistpack below it. The waist pack had a full shoulder suspension (it was not a fanny pack) but was situated just below the hydration pack.

These were two individual packs and it was really slick because he could drop the lower pack that had his camping gear (stove, bag, bivy, food) and keep the hydration pack on for side trips and day hikes.


I am looking for something similar for my Kings and Gilbert hike this summer and hoping someone here could help me out.

Has anyone heard of such a thing? If you could send me a link that would be very appreciated.

[caverspencer]

ah ha I think I figured it out...

Its a lumbar pack such as this: http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=27&categoryId=4&subCategoryId=3&subCategory2Id=0

with an added strap such as this: http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=146&categoryId=4&subCategoryId=3&subCategory2Id=0


NOW the question is what do people recomend? Are lumbar and hydration packs typically purchased in a set?

[Jaxx]

I have one of those packs that you are talking about, i think. It doesn't really look like the ones that you posted. I bought it from a local guy who made them in his garage about 9 years ago. My uncle used to mow his lawn. I will see if I can get any info off of it and let you know.

[caverspencer]

I was able to get in touch with the guy who i saw using it. True North is the brand and they were originally made for firefighters but have a recreational line as well which is what he uses.

http://www.truenorthgear.com/technology.php talks about the suspension

Here is one the packs he recomended http://www.truenorthgear.com/product_detail.php?path=3_1&p_id=34

the trick is finding the biggest pack that you can carry a hydration pack above. Its a shame they dont make a set that would work together.

[mudjumper]

So, what sort of shoulder pack is small enough to fit above that?

And for the record, think that truenorth pack is pretty cool looking, but what advantage does it have above a regular shoulder pack?

What if you went the other way, and got a 2,000-ish cu. in. shoulder pack and then a hydration pack that is lumbar form-factor. Like the Camelbak Flashflo.

Russ

[caverspencer]

sorry about the slow reply...


Actually I decided I would probably just go with something like an REI UL Flash http://www.rei.com/product/747522?vcat=REI_SEARCH (its only 9 ounces) and stuff it inside my normal big pack.

My UL Flash should show up soon and I will test it out on a few day hikes and see how comfy it is.

[mudjumper]

I've seen that pack and thought the very same thing. That would be great for summiting, or side trips. There's not much to it, but for that sort of thing, I don't think you'd need much.

I'd love to hear how that pack works out for you, particularly, how it handles a filled hydration bladder.

Russ