Loading your Pack

[MustardMan]

I'm really liking the Mystery Ranch CrewCab system I bought last year. With the majority of the load carried in separate load cells or dry bags, it's easy to sort gear and get to anything without having to unpack lots of other stuff... it solves the age-old difficulty of backpacking: the thing you need now is always at the bottom of the pack.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

Another similar option is the Molly Mac pack - it's basically just a molle frame with a backpack suspension system, so you can strap on all kinds of stuff sacks, gear, pouches, etc. It's pretty crazy versatile.

http://www.mollymacpack.com/

 

[desmobob]

Yup... the idea of "modular packing" is convenient on the trail and even makes it quicker and easier to pack.

I picked up a couple of sets of the inexpensive and very light weight dry bag assortments and they really help in organizing (and protecting) things. I label them in big letters with a permanent marker --"Cooking gear," "Socks," etc..

I also depend heavily on Zip-Lok bags for keeping stuff organized (and dry).


Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I picked up the cheap dry bags from Wal-Mart and did the same thing: label the contents. I mean heck, they are cheap, if I want to change contents, i just use a new set!


Packing the pack itself, I go heavy at the bottom, light at the top. I learned to do this when I lived in New England. We had a lot of water around us -- a reservoir, brooks, rivers, etc, often with big rocks to use when traversing. I learned it was a big advantage to have your center of gravity as low as possible -- it makes you far more stable.

Maybe the higher-CG, less stooping approach works on flatter land, or nice, prepared trails, but ont he rough terrain I like, its better to have a low CG when scrambling.