Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Just got shipping info from Zimmerbuilt on my new winter capacity bp. 33 oz. he said final weight, had originall told me maybe 3 lbs. My old Epperson pack comes in at over 5 lbs. Looking forward to the weight savings and a top loading winter pack, not having to deal with dang zippers. Hoping I didn't give too big of dimensions as it looks deep. I can just compress it I guess. Duane
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Rick, from what my research showed, similar to my SMD Starlight pack. Padded straps and belt, with load lifters, Chris said it should take 30-35 lbs. I weighed most of my winter stuff in my old pack and my bear canister for Fall trips. With a couple quarts of water I believe, came to 38 lbs., so I will be close. Some trips I don't take a shovel or shoes, especially in the Fall before snow camping. I can measure and fit my gear into boxes to figure capacity, but it will come down to actually getting the new pack. I'm stoked, just on the weight savings alone. I'd post a pic or two, but don't know how to move a picture from an email to a post. Duane
Duane host your pictures on photobucket or some other photo sharing site then it's easy to post the pictures here. I would love to see your new pack. Didn't you also get a z- packs arc blast?
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The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Well, when I get the pack, I can take a few pics, as Chris just sent a bunch of photos to me via email. I'll see if I can get one too with it loaded, I'm curious as to if I'll have spare room. I was worried both ways, too much volume, or too little. Yes, this Spring I picked up a Zpacks Arc Blast pack, it is working out great for week long summer trips. 17 oz. Duane
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
The first pic with the shoes is stuffed. I was hoping that would be sufficient. Dang bpers. I'll get one up tonight to see if it shows better, it is a sideways shot from this weekend, just have to resize it. I was thinking today that at the time my biggest worry was would I be able to get a couple old stoves like a Optimus 111, or Primus 41 etc. in the pack. Whew, it will work. Almost in panic mode if I couldn't bring a classic or two. Duane
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
The pack is about 31" high, at what point I have not checked yet. 10" deep, plus the front pocket is 2" deep X 11 wide and 17" high, the side pockets are the width of the packs depth and 12" high. My bear cans easily fit into it, so I can get a few old classic stoves in it for solo snow camping. I was more concerned about gear required for Fall trips, where I have to pack a weeks worth of food and possibly a canister. Duane
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
I'll start using this in early Oct. for five day or longer bp trips, making sure I have enough clothing and food, temps by then would be in the 20's. Temps here in CA can get below zero F. Just keep a stove running in the AM to use as a hand warmer. Had the pack out for the first time this last weekend, using my WM Apache 15F bag, booties and my winter tent, no extra ccf pad under the new XTherm. Only 28F Sunday AM.
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Bulky stuff like a vest and syn jacket fill gaps and I had my down booties as I hiked in with trail runners, did not want cold feet in the AM while fixing breakfast. With two stoves, fuel bottle and a quart of water, low 30's maybe. I have the capacity to carry gear for a week Fall trip, as then I'd only have one stove and no booties. I can use the elastic cord in front of the front pocket to stuff a windshirt or something that won't fall out. The top "Y" strap has lots of room to stretch out. All the straps have way too much length, but then I can cut the excess off sometime when I've used the pack a few times to see what my needs are. I wanted a pack this big due to maybe having to use a bear can or for Jan. trips, my 5F bag, booties etc. One shoulder strap dug me a tiny bit, I made some adjustments and that helped. More in order I'm sure. Hugged me very good, no load on top of my shoulder, just to the front and hips. Bear hug. Duane
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
I took a chance getting this for heavier winter trips, but so much of my stuff is down and I went to much lighter mattress/pad for sleeping on snow. But. I'll add back a few old stoves to use close to home on overnight trips. On group trips like to Yosemite, I'll stick to one stove or two light ones as we usually snowshoe in a ways to Dewey Point. With my lighter pack and the lighter pads, I've gone down maybe 4 pounds. Duane
Chris is pretty amazing, a week of back and forth e-mails, finally settling on a design, then sent my payment last night to wake up to a e-mail saying he will have it built in a week!
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The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.
It was added, I like pack lids. It is out of the XPac material while the rest is DyneemaX. I was shooting for simple, so I opted to go without compression straps. I find I rarely use them anyways. Also since I sized this pack to my gear the load will be pretty consistent.
_________________________
The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
You'll notice right away that Chris gives you extra material in his straps. I only have a single compression strap on each side for use in the shoulder season where I don't have quite so many down items. After this winter, I should be able to shorten most of the straps, shaving a little weight. Did he give you the weight? Duane
29oz and he said the straps are all long and can/should be trimmed when I get it adjusted to me, saving another oz or two. Main pack is 3100 cu in, the back mesh is stretch mesh( I love gossemer gears' mesh) and standard mesh on the side pockets. I asked for only one hip belt pocket because on all my packs I usually only use one.
Edited by rockchucker22 (12/17/1310:19 PM)
_________________________
The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.
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