My climbing pack?

I have gotten a number of emails asking me to be more specific on my own climbing pack design that Randy sews for me @ Cold Cold World.

These are the specs off the Spectra Ripstop version of the Ozone:


Pack weighs in at less than 1.5 #. Material is Spectra ripstop. Shoulder harness is off a full size CCW pack for the extra padding required on heavier loads. Some where above a 35L in my 21" back size.

Pack weight goes up as you add material weight.  Same pack in the red ballistics nylon shown in the pictures is 2.5#.   Better weigh your own pack if the maker published the weight.  I found one of the current manufactures a full 1/2#  heavier than advertised on their "2 LB" 210d Dyneema Ripstop, 30L sack with a 17" back panel.  I use a quality digital postal scale which seems to help.  My packs have a 21" back panel and the weights published above are those pack's actual weights in Spectra and Ballistics nylon.  No gimics.

(details)
Custom sizing (which everyone should do if it is available to you)
custom pattern originally based on the Ozone size but with a bigger more oblong bottom
2 liter+ water bottle size top pocket
2nd zippered pocket in bottom of the lid with key holder
Zippers reversed on the pockets for use on hanging belays
pull down shoulder straps instead of "pull up"
main bag has a zippered "guide book" pocket...I use it for food and a head lamp generally
covered lid buckle which protects it while being hauled
removable foam pad
oversize shoulder straps for the extra weight when required
Perlon haul loop which is easier to clip on and off the anchor in difficult stances
dbl strap patches on lid  (which I have yet to  use but couldn't live with out)
dbl rope straps across the top of the pack, attaches ropes or tools just as easily
dbl bottom
10" extension with draw string
lid is extendable and or removable
bar tacked daisy chain on the bottom of the lid strap

There are no other attachment points on the pack...everything including, helmet, tools and crampons go inside the pack.  You are forced to pack light.

I generally climb with the pack without the lid.  If the lid is attached, it is likely stuck down inside the pack while climbing.

I've been using this "same" pack for years in many different and seemingly unlikely places.  Randy's version is the best of those packs for my own use.

Sitting on a similar sized pack, during a quick ascent of the West Buttress of Denali in the late 70's, using three pin skinny skis below 11K.

Bottom pattern shape we ended up using for more comfort and volume is the larger orange pack.   Shown with an earlier smaller CCW prototype.

Final pattern for the bottom panel of these packs.

Internal, 8" x9"  pocket in the main sac.  The higher, second zipper is the foam pad pocket.

Sewn on Ozone lid and an the extendable lid version I prefer with Velcro showing on the right.

Loaded and slightly extended, with tools strapped across the top under the lid.  The tools also easily fit inside the pack as well...as hard as that may be to believe.

In all the pack is very simple.  But it is the detailing and attention to details when it is being sewn that makes the pack so awesome for my own use.  The internal pocket for a bit of food or gel and a head lamp as an example,  the extra thick, full size shoulder straps, the easily accessed and manipulated haul loop, the clean design when you need to haul, the easy extendable or removable lid, the small unpadded wings to give extra support on the hip belt when needed with heavier loads.
 
who, what and where:
 
Randy Rackliff  @ Cold Cold World  603 383 9021
 
http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/