New Pack at Golite

“WingdingO, did it get there?

Mine was shipped on Monday afternoon USPS and arrived Thursday. Your's can't be far behind, if it's not already there.”

“no, not yet. the old pack is packed and in the truck ready to go. I'm going to catch a few hours sleep here at home and then head off to the sierras at around 4 am.

What day did you order yours Geezr?

I ordered some rain pants from Golite before and it took them over a week to come.

The anticipation is killing me.”

“Wing, I ordered it Saturday, the 14th. I believe it was late afternoon/early evening. On Monday I called to confirm and they said it would ship that afternoon. Arrived Thursday the 19th.

I'm working today, but if there's time when I get off I plan on dragging out the gear and loading it up. Space won't be a problem though. With the extension collar there is ample room. I'm doing it just to see how it feels with a load and what it looks like.

Hope your's arrives today. OK, off to work. Enjoy the day.”

“Well what's the verdict? I am very interested in your thoughts about it. Thanks.”

“Tango, I'm impressed. I loaded it with approximately 25 lbs. and it seems to perform well. Granted, I wasn't out for a week long trip. The stitching seems very adequate and the pack is spacious. I think as long as one remembers it's weight recommendations you shouldn't have any problems. I hope to get it out tomorrow for a 3260'climb, 10 mile roundtrip to Grass Mountain.”

“That sounds like a fun trip Geezer!

8)”

“Mine isn't here yet. I ordered it on the 13th. I guess I better contact Golite.”

“CMB, here's a link to where I'll be going tomorrow. The first 24 photos are of a hike Weezr and I took a week or so ago and the last 12 were taken on the way to Grass Mountain last Thursday. I had to get back for an oxygen shut-down at the hospital that evening so we were forced to turn back before reaching the summit of Grass Mountain. Weather permitting, we'll be doing it tomorrow.

Quinnebaugh Meadows/Senia Creek”

“MAN THAT PLACE LOOKS PIMP!!!!!!

8O”

“Who's that Bob guy? ;-)

Nice pics. I love waterfalls. The sky is so blue in your last pics did you use a filter on your camera?

Thanks for the info. I am very interested in this pack.”

“awesome pics! looks alot like the cloud peak wilderness where we went this summer.”

“Man that place looks so cool I miss being in Montana I want to go back again!

Soon!!!!!!

8)”

“My trek pack came yesterday. It's soft and floppy, not like my stiff Arc'Teryx. I packed my sleeping bag, tent, bear canister, and thermarest in it and wandered around the house. It seems to work okay, but that's not a full load. I'll report back when I get it weighed down some more.

It only weighs 2 lbs and 1 ounce.”

“wingdingO, glad it arrived! I found that once it was fully loaded, it fit the contour of my back well. I know some folks place their pad inside againt their back when using other models of Golite packs. However, those models have no back pad at all.

By the way, I enjoyed your "fall colors" thread and I'm on my way to check out the photos again.”

“A rolling paper is the most packable lightweight smoking tool.

Golight it and gosmike it.”

“That should be...
Golight it and gosmoke it.”

“Hey bud--

No jumping in line.”

“I took the Trek Pack (size small) on my 8 day solo trip to Isle Royale. Other than having to be a little more thoughtful of the packing in order to maintain some support to the pack, there was no real difference from my Gregory 4200 cubic inch pack except weight. The external pockets actually added some better organization. IT WAS AWESOME!!! I packed 35 lbs (incl. food & water) and it handled the load just fine and with comfort. At 2lbs it allowed me 5 more lbs of food!

The only drawback. I don't think it will last as long as my other pack. But for the price and the utility, its a fantastic value!”

“And just think what's the price of saving your knees!?”

“dhutch1, thanks for the field test report. Probably the first "REAL" test I'm going to be putting mine through is the Grand Canyon, next spring. My knees are already shot and shaving any weight will be an aid. Like you noted, 4 lbs less will enable me to take more much need water.”

“Sounds like a good pack! I'd love to see one.

WingDing - are you going to the Sierras this weekend? I will be doing a day patrol at San Gorgonio on Saturday.”

“I'm bringing this back up for you. To answer your question on the other thread . . . yes, the pack weighs 2 lbs 3 ozs in a large. As I stated, I haven't had much of an opportunity to use it but so far I'm impressed and the girl who's making my G4 says the sewing is more than adequate.”

“Phil: I didn't get out this past weekend. When's the next time you'll be out in the San Gorgonio Wilderness?

I haven't had a chance to try out my trek pack. This weekend I'm car camping and day hiking in San Jacinto, so I won't use it. Columbus Day weekend I'm heading to the Sierras unless the snow ends up closing access roads, so I'll finally get a chance to try out the Trek Pack.”

“WingDing - I am in the SGW on October 12...if they don't close the forest like they did in the Angeles!!!

Interest day though because we will be helping with a "geological event." (I detailed it on the SGWA message board). I will be starting at 7 a.m. and patroling the route that follows the Forsee Creek trail to John's Meadow, the trace trail to Manzanita Flats, and the San Bernardino Peak trail to the Washington Monument (by San Bernardino Peak). My partner and I are supposed to be the last ones down and sweep the trail for stragglers. We don't think a lot of the people will make it. Other volunteers will be on other trails. Consequently, I have no idea when I will be done.

If they close the forest, then the event may be cancelled. However, it has been cooler and it is raining here where I live.

I really have my eye on that pack...looks good. My torso is 17.5 inches which is a "small" according to their charts.”

“I finally took my new Trek pack out this weekend. It was really comfortable. It took me a little practicing at home to figure out the best way to pack it, but it worked great on the trail this weekend. I ended up putting my thermarest (without air) up against the back on the inside and it added support. I was able to carry 27 lbs without a problem. I think it should be able to handle a few more pounds without causing me any pain.”

“http://community.webshots.com/photo/52390621/52396016gVrNsj

http://community.webshots.com/photo/52390621/52395996FgBltz”

“wingding - Nice pics. Who were you with?

How many pounds max would you think your pack could carry comfortably?”

“Sure looked like a weak hipbelt for that size pack.”

“Didjfan: The hipbelt just doesn't have padding, but I guess I have enough padding on my body that I don't need much on the hipbelt. The hipbelt didn't dig in, slip or do anything annoying.

Phil: I think it could carry 30 lbs or maybe a few pounds more. I was out with Trailtrekker, Trailbunny, Mtflyer, Polar Bear, HPhiker, Elulofs, and Scot. They hang out at this site:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socalhikers/site.”

“wingding -Thanks for the info. I'm a member of that yahoo group but haven't looked at it for a while.”

“WingdingO, how'd the hydration system work out? I know it's compatible with a Platy, is that what you used? I have both a 70 ml and a 100 ml CamelbaK that I'm hoping will fit ok.”

“My 2 liter Platypus fit good, but so would one smaller or one a little bigger.”

“I just ordered mine! I ordered a medium I hope that is not too big for me! I will be trying it out next weekend!”

“Which Golite did you order?”

“The new trek bag it's 2# 8 oz. It's larger than their other bags with more outside pockets. The medium has a total of 5600 cu. in.

Trek Pack”

“Looks good. A little heavier than the Gust, but more convenience. You'll be surprised how much better you feel without a 6 lb. monster pack.”

“My Trek in small works great (I have a 15 or 16 inch torso depending on who measures it). They are actually lighter than they advertise. My small is only 2 lbs 1 ounce. It helps to put your sleeping pad on the inside against the back when you pack it. I just put it in folded and uninflated.

I'm packed and ready to go.”

“Wingding0 where are you going? I hope the medium is not too big for me, I am about the same size but I just wanted those extra cubic inches! If not I'll just send it back and go for the smaller size. Never thought I'd ever say that ;-)”

“Don't send it back. The extra space will come in handy for winter hiking.”

“Steve Hiker, no I meant if it doesn't fit my torso length, it might be too long for me. If it's not comfy, it's outta here!”

“I'm going on the TT Sierra trip this weekend.

When I pack the small for a weekend trip I have lots of extra room. I don't think room will ever be a problem because with the pack limited to 30 lbs or less I can only put so much stuff in it. I haven't weighed the pack for this weekend, but last time I used it I had about 27 lbs including water. This weekend, I'm carrying a little less water, but a little extra warm clothes; so it'll be about the same.”

“Are these packs really comfortable? Doesn't your back sweat like hell w/o something keeping the pack off your back? I like the Gust but I'm very suprised it doesn't have a sternum strap especially since it's designed for climbers as well.”

“The trek has all the standard backpacking straps. It just doesn't have a rigid metal frame. I've only been out with it once, but it was really comfortable.”

“I only wish they would make smaller sizes for those of us that have shorter torsos. It's hard enough finding a pack that fits, but then it ends up weighing a ton. Something like this would be perfect for me..... I have a 14.5 inch torso, but unfortunately, they don't come that small.

Does anyone know if you can special order one, and if so, how much it would cost to do that?”

“The only thing I need a 5000cuin pack is for winter camping. Looking at my Excel spreadsheat of winter pack items and weight, I don't think I could get my winter packweight down enough to make for a comfortable pack. However, replacing my Terraplane-X would shave 4-5lbs off my packweight. But then there's still all the winter clothing I don, and my winter boots on my feet which make for almost 50lbs (pack, food, doned clothing, boots, etc). So would another 4-5lbs make a difference to me when I finally get to camp? Would I be able to feel how much more energy I have by not having those extra 4-5lbs? Seems almost negligable...I truely have to wonder!?!?”

“Coyote13 there are some sites that have packs custom made to your measurements. There is an old thread here that listed several of these sites. I search and let you know if I find it.”

“Tango- I have the gust and really enjoy it. Is your pack waterproof? Just curious. I have my eye out for somthin new! Yo bear!”

“Thank you very much, tango. I'm trying to go lighter, but it hasn't been easy for me. I don't want to spend a lot of money on lighter stuff, either. I know I'll have to "bite the bullet" on some of the lighter items, but I'm trying to watch my budget at the same time.

Any info you can find for me, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again! :-)”

“dON'T WANT TO SPEND LOTS OF $$$???

tHOSE PACKS ARE CHEAPER THAN THE HEAVY HARDCORE ONES.”

“Then I suppose I'll consider myself VERY lucky that I found my Kelty Coyote 4500 on sale at REI. It's regularly priced at $130.00. I got it for $99. I suppose I could afford one of these kinds, but my first priority is to get a better sleeping bag, a few odd and end items, and THEN I can look into a lighter pack. I just want to look at my options, and make an educated decision. Not to mention the size factor: it's THE most important thing for me to look at, before considering the purchase of it. I hate being so small in stature. Oh well!”