Heavy load expidition pack

I've done plenty of backpacking from generic external frames from my youth, a much coveted Mountainsmith from my college days, Large ALICE and even a High Speed Gear Inc. modified Large ALICE during my Infantry days (and still being used), a little experimentation with Arc'Teryx, Gregory, Lowe and a couple of top-end REI brands and now, Kifaru. I own several Kifaru packs, with their EMR being the largest. As most already mentioned, you really need to figure out how much you plan to be carrying and what type of activities. Some of the light-weight packs are great for the trail, but if you're going to be packing into the back of vehicles, having it tossed around, carrying off-trail where it's much more rugged, you'll need a tougher pack that won't rip or blow out on you.

I know Kifaru's packs are overbuilt and weigh more than typical packs when empty, but their suspension is one of the best I've used. I've carried our Army ALICE rucks for several years...they plain suck, especially with anything over 40 pounds. I've done several "road marches" with my Kifaru EMR loaded over 100 pounds, and the suspension/waist belt makes it much more comfortable than carrying 60 pounds in my modifed large ALICE. I know there are other packs in the same category of Kifaru (Arc'Teryx is one), but my experience with Kifaru both from a civilian backpacking perspective and military use has been exceptional. Never had one fail on me yet, and some of my mil packs (Zulu and Pointman) have been overly abused outside of hiking or roadmarching with them (stepped on, sat on, thrown in and out of helo's and fixed wing aircraft, crammed in the back of trucks, pulled, pushed, smashed...). I can easily give Kifaru a thumbs up on a dependable, robust, flexible, and comfortable pack system.

ROCK6
 
miguet said:
McHale is the finest I've ever used. Costly but worth it.
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And it's been to Australia, spent a year in Iraq, been though Amsterdam, London and Dubia many times.

Looks like it will be going back to Iraq next month...

The Mchale has served me well...
It is usualy one of those two handed throw it in the air and get under it loads too...80-100 lbs.

Thanks...
Chuck
 
Here's a good account of a 1000km unsupported expedition in Alaska with ultralight gear: http://www.ryanjordan.com/2006_arctic/

I would go with the Kelty external frame pack to carry heavy loads and odd shaped items. It will be cooler to wear than any of the internal frame packs and a much better buy for the size.

Too bad you can't cache some supplies at intervals and save the suffering. The folk that do transcontinental hikes (American Discovery Trail for one) cache water and supplies in the desert sections. Study the accounts of thru hikers on the Pacific Coast Trail and the Appalachian Trail to see how they plan for calorie balancing, replacing shoes and other wear-prone gear, and changing gear as seasons change with a long hike.

If I were going to do it, I would look to Andrew Skurka for examples-- the guy is a hiking machine. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/andrew_skurkas_great_western_loop.html
 
I'd start with Mystery Ranch. Any unreasonable load I have to carry goes in my Dana Designs Astralplane (back when Dana owned his own brand name). Unfortunately, it will be an investment, especially with shipping to Australia, customs, etc.

Marmot now makes the old Dana Designs patterns (or did until the last year or two). I don't know how the quality compares, or if they still carry heavy loads as well. I mention them because it's a global corporation (owned by Salomon, if I recall) so you might find them easier. They also discontinued many of their Dana-style packs to redesign the line, so you might find something on closeout.

Gregory is good - I have one of their smaller packs that I use for everything and it has held up well. Their larger packs get good marks, but I have no personal experience.

The old Mountainsmith packs were good, so Kifaru (run by the guy who started Mountainsmith) might be an option.

Something else to consider - instead of a pack, get a load frame. Then you can lash whatever ugly mass you want to it, including duffel bags, boxes, cans, etc. This might be a better option than a huge expedition pack for your extended base camp scenario.

Examples:

http://www.mysteryranch.com/site/nice_frames.php

http://www.kifaru.net/MGomniyoke.htm
 
Tohatchi NM said:
Unfortunately, it will be an investment, especially with shipping to Australia, customs, etc.
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I hope it's an investment that pays off, I have one arriving today. Not cheap by a long shot but if it works and is comfortable carrying a load for a week+ then it should be worth it. Shipping wasn't cheap due to bulk but customs only becomes an issue once you hit AUD$1000.
 
apsilon said:
I hope it's an investment that pays off, I have one arriving today. Not cheap by a long shot but if it works and is comfortable carrying a load for a week+ then it should be worth it. Shipping wasn't cheap due to bulk but customs only becomes an issue once you hit AUD$1000.
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hehe-- you will wear out before the pack does-- they are the definition of "bombproof" gear. :)
 
The to best pack companies I know of are both custom: Kifaru and McHale. They both have different models and are quite expensive. The McHale bayonet can be made smaller or huge and almost all Kifaru models can add many pockets and piggyback other packs. Both are solid, solid and very adjustable to keep the weight off your shoulders and on your hips where it belongs.
The Arcteryx Bora and several other commercial packs are quite good
But nothing really compares for very heavy loads IMHO
 
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