Nothing like heavy metal and heavy ropes stuffed into a pack to make you wish you聮d taken up light-packing instead of rock climbing. Who gets to carry the 200-footer? Maybe it聮s better to take two 160-foot eight-mils. Either way, that stuff really adds to the poundage.
Gregory Whitney
Whitney
You need a pack with a really good suspension, as my guess is the load will be in the 60- to 70-pound range. I聮ll recommend three:
Arc聮teryx Bora 80 ($375; www.arcteryx.com): It聮s not a huge pack, but it聮s big enough for your trip (just shy of 5,000 cubic inches in the medium size). The Bora 80聮s first-rate suspension won聮t sag under a big load, and it has plenty of adjustments for good comfort. It聮s complete with a lower sleeping bag compartment, hydration-bladder pocket, and plenty of exterior tie-on points, so you聮ll have lots of places to lash ropes and other climbing gear.
Gregory Whitney ($339; www.gregorypacks.com): The Whitney is a little larger than the Bora 80 at 5,400 cubic inches. It has more organizing options, with two large side pockets and a large back pocket, compared with the Bora 80聮s single, large back pocket. But the design is also a bit more complicated, leaving some people to prefer the Bora聮s cleaner approach. That said, the Whitney聮s highly adjustable suspension, organizing options, and ample external lash points make it an excellent backpacking/mountaineering pack.
Lowe Alpine Contour 80+15 ($239; www.lowealpine.com): This is about the most pack for the money on the market. It聮s sturdy and roomy (4,900 cubic inches, plus an extendable lid for overflow), with a comfortable harness system that can handle big loads. Plus the Contour boasts lots of packing-friendly features such as plenty of pockets and lash points. If you聮re on a budget, this is the pack for you.
The votes are in: , including the year’s hottest backpack.