The Auspex Has Landed.

“3 lbs, 7 oz., 4200 in³ (69 liters).

... along with two 'accessory pockets' (700 in³ and ~9 oz. for both (11.6 liters)) until I'm fully weaned off the 6000-inch knee-killer.

There's one up on eBay as we speak.

OR... get a Chase MasterCard with "Outdoor Priviledges," and take advantage of the one-time 35% discount at SnowLeopard.com... then cut up the card, <>. Cost without shipping, etc.: $169.”

“Since the Auspex already has net side pockets, do the other side pockets mount above those and will the net side pockets still be operational with the others in place. I have a 1995 REI Rising Star pack and it has the same packbag as the Auspex. In fact, Mountainsmith copied it after REI since REI came out with it first. I have detachable side pockets for mine, I modified from an old Wilderness Experience pack, but they hold 1000 c.i. each and cover the net pockets since they go from top to bottom on each side. I also made a 900 c.i. net pocket to attach to the back of the pack to hold my fishing waders. I rarely use the side pockets since the volume at 4100 c.i. with the packbag is usually enough. My pack weighs 3 lbs. 12 ozs. and is one of my favorite packs. I don't miss the lack of bottom zipper access. It won't work in winter though because my winter bag doesn't fit in the bottom, but for everything else it's nice.”

“There's a little bit of overlap... the side-pockets over the net pockets... but it looks to be just and inch or two. They're still quite usable -- you just have to 'squeeze past' the side-pockets a little.

The one semi-concern I have is that the top pocket is pretty small and I like to put my platypus at the top for a gravity assist. It's going to be a tight fit, but I can avoid filling the platy Completely full, I s'pose.

This is going to be a Great improvement. The 10-year-old Gregory weighs almost 8 lbs. empty! (and I think it's closer to 7000 in³ than 6000) It has access to the s-bag compartment, as well as TWO huge vertical zippers (serious overkill I never used anyway).

Four pounds off my packweight in one swell foop! Then the decrease in volume will enforce some discipline in cutting back, also. I'm going to try to get out for an overnight test run next week... I can't wait!”

“Do they make a collapsed lung version?!”

“lmfao phaed!


he'll actually have to go outside to use it.....”

“Very funny, asshole.”

“As the Mountainsmith website is down right now, they people at the company suggested I go to the SnowLeopard.com site for info on the products. All I can seem to find is Snow Leopard Technologies, a company that deals in robotics. Can someone paste the URL for SnowLeopard.com so I can look at some Mountainsmith gear?”

“Sorry bout that, Tilt. I was just teasing.”

“Where can I see this backpack?Like I need another one?

8)”

“retugo:

it's http://www.thesnowleopard.com”

“Tilt: Congrats. I also switched from a heavyweight bag (A Lowe Alpine ContourIV, and before that a 1973 TNF external frame bag) to the Auspex and it was quite a change.

Glad you found a great deal!”

“Thanks, pedxing. I'm there.”

“For the Chase credit card tip, days after I alread got a new credit card!! Oh well, maybe I can do a 0% balance transfer.”

“Sorry about that overreaction. Stratdewd just hit one of my hotbuttons. Thanks to that world-class ankle sprain and a few other screw-ups, I've been off the trail for over two years and it hasn't helped my sunny dispostion At All. The pneumothorax thing was small potatoes... It only set me back a few weeks.

What can I say? Car camping and dayhikes just haven't done the trick. I've got to get OUT!


I think this Mountainsmith is going work just fine. Those aluminum stays look like they mean business. I just finished chopping all the extra straps, buckles and junk off the 'accessory pockets'. Now I can at least FIND the zippers! (and I think I just saved another half pound)

I don't know what the deal is with the Mountainsmith site. I only got through once or twice after trying something like 15 times in the last few weeks.

That deal with Chase is pretty slick... It's 35% off your Entire first order and 15% thereafter. I was all over that site looking for more stuff!

(if you include a sale item, they simply take the percentage from its full price)

I AM going to whack that card into tiny pieces very soon, though, because the percentage rate sux big time.”

“You'll be happier when you get out there. Have faith!”

“There's too much concrete and WAY too many streetlights around here to suit me.

Faith? Not another Religion thread PLEASE, LOL”

“dern tiltie, didn't know you had a bum hoof. sorry man, i can totally relate. remember awhile back i hurt my ankle real bad...well it's still not better yet. i never did goto the doctor. i got a brace to wear at work and it really has helped it heal up better. but i keep hurting it when i'm coaching baseball. OH! then there's 7 games a week, plus practice all day saturday.....hell man, my pack has spiderwebs on it......”

“Yeah, those ankles can be a royal... you-know-what. I had two different docs look at it and both said that classic line "It might've been better you had broken it." I'd never seen anything quite like it... something bigger a softball But smaller than a vollyball with green and purple swirls...

I guess I should've taken a picture!”

“ewwWWwww.....man, no wonder you're so cranky......”