Climbing+backpacking

Looking for the best ways to carry climbing gear while carrying backpacking gear. (Rope, draws, harness, tent, food, extra clothes etc). Just buy a bigger pack? Strap the rope to the outside of the pack?
Just thinking about taking a 3 day climbing/backpacking trip.
Thanks!

I can usually fit everything just fine in a typical 65L backpack with climbing gear. One person carries the rack in the bottom of their pack and the other takes the rope. Just go a little bit lighter than you normally would, strap the rope to the top of your pack, and curse yourself for not buying lighter gear.

Yeah, the closest thing you could attribute it to would be alpinism, which is typically either done in a day or two, and if it's got planned bivies they are usually going to be pretty miserable i could imagine this being a fairly pleasant experience in the summer but certainly not at this time of year. Rope would sit on top kept in place by compression straps, i would say a ultra light tarp would be a necessity my money is with MLD's super tarp definitely worth importing it. Split the packs by climbing dedicated and backpacking dedicated, so rack in one pack, tarp and stove in the other pack, and if you are doing all this alone i dunno wtf your plan is.

If you're doing it alone, you don't need any climbing gear besides shoes, lol.

s.price wrote:Some specifics would help. How big is the pack you have now? What are your climbing goals? How many people will be in your group? The better the info the better the answers.

I have a north face 65L pack right now. I have 2 others coming with me. Climbing goals would just be to hit up a few spot routes. No trad rack.

If you're going for 3 days, not carrying a trad rack, and splitting it between 3 people, you shouldn't have a problem fitting it in a 65L pack. If it were me, I'd split it like so:
Each person: personal scene, helmet, harness, sleeping bag, pad, etc.
One person takes the rope
One takes the entire rack of draws and cooking scene
One takes the tent
Food split evenly between all three

Obviously the ease of fitting all that into a 65L pack depends on how much extra stuff you're taking.

50 Liter Pack (BD Mission 50)

8 day Wind River Trip

In the pack is:
70m rope
Single rack to 3, including set of nuts, 6 alpine draws
harness/belay device/couple of lockers
climbing shoes
20l climbing pack
Spare clothes/Layers
Sleeping bag
Pad
Personal stuff (1st aid kit, tooth brush, coffee cup, bowl, spoon)
My half of the food
Fuel Canister
Rain fly for tent

Outside the pack:
Approach shoes
Helmet/chalk bag
Alite chair (in crampon pouch)...So worth it...

Partner had virtually the same kit but instead of rope, he had the stove, tent body, #4 cam and cribbage board.

It does sound manageable, three people and no rack.

If you are still concerned - even mildly, suggest the group agree on how to split up group gear. And then carry all on just an overnight somewhere. Could be invaluable for tuning things up for the main trip.

Have managed this a few times: 7 days in the High Sierra, Clyde Minaret, Ellingwood Ledges, multiple routes in the Grand Tetons, Ptarmigan Traverse, etc.. ... although these mostly included multi-pitch trad. I am finding that I REALLY enjoy this mix of backpacking and climbing. Still, when carrying "the kitchen sink" I also plan to spend more than one night in any given camp site.

I would suggest going as light as possible with your backpacking gear. Look at the ultra light backpacking philosophy and gear. It's very easy to get your base weight ( all gear except foo, water, and what clothing you're hiking in ) to be under 12 pounds for three season outings. For reference I'm a big guy and my three season base eight is nine pounds.

Once you get your base weight down you'll have more room for the comparably 'heavy' climbing gear. You'll need a sturdier pack however in the 4,500 ci range. Stay away from the UL frameless packs, they won't be able to take the load of the climbing gear.

Awesome! Thanks for all the suggestions.