Shining Rock Wilderness, N.C., an amazing new survival pack, and perfect weather

stingray4540 said:
So, were can you order version 2.0?
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Stingray,

I think it's already available. Best option is to call the Oregon Firearms Academy and ask for the newer version. I do not know if the old version is being phased out, but I think it is.

Mapper, yes, that's the beauty of this pack. It is designed to "look like just a pack," but it is really packed with features. It's a perfect stealth pack that way.

Here's their contact info:
Office: (541) 451-5532
In order to visit with a member of our staff you are welcome to
call the office between 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday-Friday Pacific Time.
 
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Dang, I hate glowing reviews of relatively expensive items from people whose opinion I highly respect :grumpy:

:D
 
PB Wilson, zippers are always a concern of mine. These are extremely heavy duty, and notice the straps on the sides of the pack (where the axe handle is held). These straps take a lot of the stress off the zippers - again, very well thought out. Plus, they are tight enough to hold the compartment closed even if the zipper did happen to blow out.

I wouldn't carry that much for a real trip. But carrying it in training speeds up the process of getting in shape and makes a regular hike a like a walk in the park. Plus, I want to be ready for whatever comes my way, and good physical conditioning is the first line of defense.
 
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tonym said:
70lbs no fatigue:eek: Were you wearing it;)

I am on my first full day of not smoking, so maybe after a few months I'll be able to say that also:thumbup:

If you find yourself up here, and want to get out, let me know bro.
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Tony, fatigue from having 70 lbs on your back is natural. Fatigue from an ill-fitting or poorly designed pack is additional to the weight. This pack eliminates the additional fatigue by distributing this amount of weight superbly.

P.S. Congrats on not smoking, bro. It's the first step to getting into cardiovascular shape!
 
The owner of OFA and co-designer of this pack, Dan Abbott, can get his WASP open, recover his AR, load to Transport Mode, and zip up his WASP and move out in under 2 minutes. That's outstanding.
 
A shot of me huffing and puffing at 6,040 ft elevation -- the summit of Tennent Mtn, where the plaque is located:

toptennant.jpg
 
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If you want a more scenic impression of this area and can't visit, I highly recommend renting the movie "Last of the Mohicans" with Daniel Day Lewis. The panoramic cinematography does a nice job of capturing the majesty and the essence of it. (It was filmed on location in Western N.C.).
 
According to Dan at OFA, these packs are designed by and manufactured here in the USA by people who make really hard core gear for the various federal three-letter agencies. This same quality gear is in service literally around the world. The actual maker has never gone main stream or “commercial” as he is a custom bag/pack designer and solves problems. Dan gives an example: when the Secret Service Presidential Detail needed a fanny pack that can be carried under their suit but will allow them to repel themselves and the President down 7 stories, the same guy who makes the WASP made it. And that is what they are carrying today…yet in the photographs you can’t tell they're wearing it.

Also from Dan: "I’m saying this because people are worried about blowing a zipper…it isn’t going to happen. These are the best YKK zippers you can buy and we’ve hard core tested them. About our warranty. Basically we don’t have one…if the pack fails in anyway we’re going to make it right by fixing it or replacing it. If something happens to the bag we re-assess it, re-engineer it and make it better thus Version 2."
 
Great review of the pack and pictures Brian. The WASP pack seems to have the same YKK zippers that Kifaru uses and I will tell you that there are few backpackers that could abuse the pack enough to cause failure...period. I've stuffed both my EMR, Scout and Pointman to where I was jumping up and down on the pack and pulling the zipper at the same time. These are not your typical zippers.

I really like the idea of the weapon's compartment...

A well designed pack with quality suspension will really make a big difference in carrying loads over 60-70 pounds. My Kifaru carries 110 pounds more comfortably than my ALICE will at 40 pounds. Weight is weight, but when it's distributed properly, it makes a big difference on stability, endurance and stress to your back.

ROCK6
 
Rock,

The weapons compartment is so well-padded on both sides, that you can try and try but can't feel that anything is in there.

One of the things I like about this pack is that the length between the waist strap and shoulder straps is set just right. Too many packs are designed with them "too far apart" making it hard to adjust the load for good balance and distribution. That's fine if you're 7 feet tall, but not for the average person. Of course, a big factor in any pack is knowing how to pack it properly to maximize the weight distribution.
 
Thanks again Brian; I read off the site / forum that they were looking at a version 2 with removeable side pockets...that would be a good option. Looks like yours has two back pockets??

Did you get any spec's when you bought it? The forum said it was ~4000 cu inches yet some argued more like 3500 cu in.

ROCK6
 
Rock,

My pleasure!

More like 4000 ci with version 2. I think the argument that it was 3500 ci was because of inadequate packing, plus, they didn't take into account the three zippered pouches and the weapons compartment space. The side pockets are still an option with Ver 2.

I'll be taking it out with an AR-15 type rifle next weekend (I'll have the company of our esteemed new firefighter, JackBauer24, who will supply the rifle since mine is in CT), and work with it on weapons deployment, etc. Kind of recreating scenarios in which this design can be used effectively under duress.
 
OK Brian, Now I need one of those bad boys myself...The WASP and the pack...LOL Did you say get fit for work...Call me Dude...When are you coming home ???
 
Brett, brother, I was just thinking about calling you today! By the way, the WASP IS the pack: Weapons Accessible Survival Pack.
 
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