Organizing gear

The way I organize a pack can be described generically. Ultimately, I want to keep the heaviest objects close to my spine and mid-high in the pack. So, I put fluffy things like a sleeping bag or other soft stuff that I won't need in short order near the bottom. This also helps to pad the material on the bottom and resist abrasion. I also organize things in order of need e.g. 4 months out of the year a puffy and/or rain jacket are on top, otherwise they're on the bottom. Regarding climbing gear, I try to sort in order I put it on e.g. harness on top, rack, then shoes, etc. Water is critical and bladders are ideal for their position/distribution of weight, but I don't like dealing with them and often favor bottles. So one goes in the bottom and one on top. I hope that helps.

I realize this is sport climbing but, I like to have things accessible in the order that I'm going to use them. From bottom to top :Rope on the bottom for the weight, gear (cams, screws, draws, etc.) harness, extra base layer, extra gloves, helmet on top, crampons/ice tools on the outside For easy access when you need them on the approach.

On the harness lives: personal anchor tether, belay device, self-rescue stuff, and any other odds and ends (I like to keep a few lightweight lockers on the harness)

draws and runners get racked on a cheap tied webbing sling that I don't mind leaving behind to bail.

Rock protection also goes on it's own sling like the draws
helmet on top or clipped to a shoulder strap

As far as stuff going in the pack, I don't really have a specific pattern. Just make sure you don't have loose items floating around. If your pack comes unzipped while your hiking, you don't want a single thing falling out on it's own without you noticing. Instead you want a bunch of stuff falling out so that it makes a loud noise and/or you feel it.

Also, I like to have water, snacks, and a rain coat easily accessible from the pack

Michael Kilts wrote:.... I suppose that the heavy stuff at the bottom would have to be pretty heavy. .... I can see how this may be much more useful with distance backpacking though.

That's what keeps coming to my mind in writing / reading about keeping the weight low (I'm an advocate) - it comes more from multi-day backpacking when you are pushing your limits on what you can carry for hours on end. And its' helpfulness is less so for a short hike to and from a crag in one day; heck, for a really short hike (definition of sport climbing?), you can almost just carry everything in a basket on your head. ;-)

Bill Lawry wrote: heck, for a really short hike (definition of sport climbing?), you can almost just carry everything in a basket on your head. ;-)

Hahahah seriously I've yet to hike more than 10 or 15 min to get to a sport climb. Quickest approach I've had was maybe 2 or 3 min. I ought to sell my bag and use the Money to weave a sport basket hahah

Daniel T wrote:I usually end up carrying my 55/65L pack when I go climbing (I'm also usually carrying my lady's stuff in my pack).

How do you fill a 65L pack with two people's worth of sport gear?? Are you bringing multiple ropes? I carry a double trad rack, rope, and gear for the day in a 45L..... That pack size seems excessive. Pretty sure, one person's sport gear including the rope can fit in like a 25-30L.

In terms of packing the bag for sport climbing, I'd put rope either at the bottom or on top outside. Draws, chained into a set of twelve next, then misc gear like slings, lockers etc racked on a 12" sling next. Then harness, shoes, then food. The harness and shoes form a good divider between gear and food. Water goes in a camelback in the pocket.

Alex James wrote: How do you fill a 65L pack with two people's worth of sport gear?? Are you bringing multiple ropes? I carry a double trad rack, rope, and gear for the day in a 45L..... That pack size seems excessive. Pretty sure, one person's sport gear including the rope can fit in like a 25-30L. In terms of packing the bag for sport climbing, I'd put rope either at the bottom or on top outside. Draws, chained into a set of twelve next, then misc gear like slings, lockers etc racked on a 12" sling next. Then harness, shoes, then food. The harness and shoes form a good divider between gear and food. Water goes in a camelback in the pocket.

I didn't say the pack was full. But it's what I have so I use it. I also use this pack for 4 day backpacking. As others have said the approaches are usually short so I'm not too sorried about how much I'mm carrying and I tend to over pack.

~70M Rope, in rope bag)
~Shoes (2x pairs), usually stuffed on the side of the rope bag
~Climbing hardware, everything is clipped to a single length sling, I sort it out prior to climbing
~Harness(2x), chalk bags(2x), long sleeves, wind shells, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat.
~Water bottles (1L and 2L nalgenes) are put in side pockets of the pack
~Snacks on top of clothes
~Belay glasses
~Helmet (2x)

top cap of pack:
~guidebook
~sunglasses
~car keys (verbally confirmed with partners they are in the top pocket)

Here is the Link to the backpack. I might actually be smaller as I am usually synching down the straps quite tightly.