Cragging packs

My apologies to the OP but this and the related comments were difficult to ignore.

I don't typically get called a liberal, but are you shitting me?

"Dana Gleason is a cool dude", not in my opinion, he ain't. YMMV. people say worse about me.

"I threw the bipod down on the rifle and readied for the shot. Randy called out the range at 510 yards. The wolf was on the move, and we yelled to stop it from disappearing into a draw.

“I got him,” the cameraman said.

I settled the crosshairs, and began squeezing the trigger. At the report of the rifle, the wolf disappeared into the draw.

“You smoked it!” Randy yelled.

I wasn’t so sure. The wolf came up out of the draw, and we could see it had been hit. We shot again, and it went down quickly."

A lazer called 500 yard shot and obviously not a clean, human or "quick" kill.

I do a lot of shooting and know what it takes to make a 500 or a 1000 yard shot. I don't call killing anything at 500 yards hunting. More like a video game. No honor or respect there. I also know what is considered ethical hunting. Dana Gleason didn't get my business as Dana Designs. I didn't particularly like his work. Not that it matters. He sure as hell won't now. But WTF is up with you guys supporting this kind of stuff?

If I weren't cheap, it sounds like a Miura 50 would do it for me. Until I find one on sale for $150, though, I've narrowed it down to:

Mammut Neon Gear 45 (one MP member noted a durability issue, though) other than that, gets great reviews - and I love the included rope tarp that cinches down with a drawstring. Possibly a less comfortable suspension (waist belt is just webbing).

Mountain Hardwear Splitter 38 (m/l size is 42L) also includes rope tarp, but a basic one.

Both have tons of dedicated stash/pockets for shoes, chalk bag, etc. I don't like the daisy location on the Neon, but can add something to make a centered one. Wish I could check them out in person first.

REI in town doesn't carry any to check out in person. MH and Mammut can be found for ~$120. If anyone has handled/used/molested more than one of the above and can compare/contrast, that'd be cool. Will see if any of the smaller stores in town carry any of these this weekend if I'm in town.

Back to your off-topic thread.

i really like the splitter.

pros-
-plenty room for all your stuff and it's well organized.
-burly as hell- big zippers, strong material, very abrasion resistant, very slow to show wear.
-decent suspension, the waist belt is well padded, really gets the weight off your shoulders.
-can be had on the cheap (got mine N.O.S. on ebay for $70)

cons-
-not the lightest bag
-beware the sizing - i'm 6'1, and the 42L feels a touch too big. rides a little low on the waist. i'm used to it now but it was uncomfortable at first.

only other gripe is that there is only one outside compartment for stuff you want to get to quickly but mine is a 2009 model and i think they changed that with the new ones.

i'd gladly pay ~$120 for it again if this one disappeared.

Ben B. wrote: So if you found out Peter Metcalf was a cougar hunter, you'd toss all your BD stuff in the trash?

Peter probably won't return Dane's phone calls anymore.

rogerbenton wrote:i really like the splitter. i'd gladly pay ~$120 for it again if this one disappeared.

Thanks for another review - I ordered one this morning. Looking forward to no longer wearing out my backpacking backpack.

I don't really think people should be shooting at wolves, but if you grew up in Wyoming or Montana you would have a very different view of wolves. Anyways, I have a Mystery Ranch Pack and while I really like the way it fits and the features it provides I don't really feel as though it is as burly as MR claims, or the price suggests. If I was to do it over I would have paid half as much to get an Arcteryx Miura 50, helped the Philipinos that sew it provide a better life for their children instead of providing work for spoiled Bozeman students.

ultraliteoutfitters.ecrater…

Ben B. wrote: So if you found out Peter Metcalf was a cougar hunter, you'd toss all your BD stuff in the trash?

Their are a lot of reasons to throw BD stuff in the trash.

MH super scrambler 30L had the old model until it had holes in the bottom but the new material is bomber

and yes you can fit a doubles rack, 12 quickdraws, harness (a beefy one at that), food, two nalgenes, jacket, headlamp, phone, wallet, etc in a 30L. Put the rope on top and your set. Considering I wouldnt say im a pro at packing I can see all of this MAYBE fitting into a 20L but it would be tight tight squeeze

mozeman wrote:MH super scrambler 30L had the old model until it had holes in the bottom but the new material is bomber and yes you can fit a doubles rack, 12 quickdraws, harness (a beefy one at that), food, two nalgenes, jacket, headlamp, phone, wallet, etc in a 30L. Put the rope on top and your set. Considering I wouldnt say im a pro at packing I can see all of this MAYBE fitting into a 20L but it would be tight tight squeeze

100% NOT trying to be a jerk here, but I would love to see you prove that in photos. I find at least 40L to be required for the equipment you describe, and would happily learn any tricks that would allow me to go with a smaller pack.

NC Rock Climber wrote: 100% NOT trying to be a jerk here, but I would love to see you prove that in photos. I find at least 40L to be required for the equipment you describe, and would happily learn any tricks that would allow me to go with a smaller pack.

I have the 30L MH Scrambler. I can fit everything described above, but I choose to wear my harness instead of packing it. Doubles to BD 3.5 and one #4. And it doesn't require any special packing techniques.

I used to have a sub 1lb mec travel light pack that was supposedly 19 L but probably more like 25. I could fit a 70 m rope, rack, harness, shoes, a jacket, hat, gloves, first aid kit, sunglasses, guidebook, compass, headlamp all inside with a helmet and ice axe strapped to the outside. Unfortunately it got thrashed against the rocks.