Kelty White Cloud History Site...COOL!

Very cool history of the Spectra packs for those interested:

http://www.weasel.com/gear_kelty_spectra.html#intro

BF

Be nice if they could find a way to dye Specrtra. Bet that then there would be a lot of pack fabricators that would use it B/C they KNOW there are those of us who'd ante up the $$$ to buy it. White is "my color" only if I'm joining the ski troops.

I use Spectra core line on my sea kayak. Very strong stuff - obviously, if it's 5X stronger than Kevlar, which is what my sea kayak is made from.

Eric

bf2:

Thanks for that site. I will keep my eye out on craigs list and garage sales here in Denver and snag one if I ever see one up for sale. That site certainly let's me know what I'll be looking at/for.

I have a white spectra McHale backpack but it is not white anymore. Looks more like the color of a dirty white goat, but boy is it a great backpack.

Denver Craigslist is where i picked up my Cloud for $20.00

BF

$20! What a steal. You ever see another one come up on c.l. here and they won't deal with an out-of-towner, let me know and I'll snag it.

(I was going to put "snag it for you," but I've got this feeling it would get conveniently lost in the mail to Oregon. Just kidding. ) (BTW, where's jimshaw on this thread?)

Where is JimShaw indeed! I was figuring there would be a link to pictures JS had posted.

If you got one of these, could you soak it in a bucket of tea to dye it a dirty brown color?

Tango

Where is JimShaw indeed! I was figuring there would be a link to pictures JS had posted.

If you got one of these, could you soak it in a bucket of tea to dye it a dirty brown color?
__________________________________________________________
Who?

no you can't dye spectra, it doesn't even get dirty cause when it gets rained on or sits in the snow, the dirt falls off.

I bought my white cloud (with blue trim) in 1988, and I ordered it through REI to get a 10% rebate. It was $500, had a real titanium stay and I had serial number 40. Later I bought another one from a climbing shop of the same age - I sold it too a backpacking buddy who still has it, and I am trying to get it back.

The water proof lining came out like dandruff (waterproffing didn't stick to it tooo well either) on all of my gear, but Kelty gave me a new cloud 6500 modular pack. Wow the original white cloud was one piece and weighed 51 ounces. The new one can be used in a 29 ounce state, or beefed up including moulded plastic back stiffener. The waist bands are replaceable, the pockets easily come off as does the top pocket and it has an optional winter piece that holds a shovel and maybe a jacket. DEFINITELY AN E TICKET.

Jim

tango61:



Just put it in the flooding Sabine. After a day nothing -- probably not even Spectra -- could keep from turning brown.

weasel.com is my site.
There is far more info about spectra packs, and kelty spectra packs.
See http://www.weasel.com/gear_pack.html for an index of all my pack reviews. You will note that 5 different kelty spectra packs are for sale.
Not for $20 however.

Spectra can be dyed grey. Not worth it in my opinion.
When my packs get dirty, I wash them in a bathtub, and that
takes almost all types of dirt off.

And how do we contact the owners of said packs?
I'd like to buy the Mistral.
BF

Near the bottom of every page on my site, 5 lines from the bottom, is a link to send me email.

Look for "If you have comments or suggestions, Email me at..."

I own the 2000 vapor--I have loved this pack--I only use the main bag--no attached pockets. In the desert sun a white pack is just the thing to have--keeps your food much better--does not pre cook it.