NB:Actual colours available may differ from those shown here.
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Mountain Expedition - The Big Alpine Solution
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Monster sized, yet fully compressible mountain pack designed for big approaches to remote peaks and multi-week ski traverses in the mountains. Fully featured with a versatile alpine racking system, advanced abrasion resistant design, quick bag access zip and removable top cover / bum bag module. Equipped with the Synchro-FORM Hi-Load harness system for the best possible, most comfortable, dynamic load carrying.
Mountain Expedition
This pack is probably the most versatile, big-trip alpine backpack available. With features closely mirroring the Lost World canvas model, the Mountain Expedition bag instead uses high-tenacity, ripstop polyester for excellent snow shedding, minimal water absorption by fabric yarns and reduced weight. When you need extra capacity for big approaches or even just a short hop into base camp this pack has it. How often have we seen ice climbers, tele-skiers and snow boarders heading out onto the Main Range in Kosciuszko National Park with gear dangling all over the outside of inadequate packs? Once the carry-in is done, the Mountain Expedition bag can be stripped down and fully compressed to firmly hold just the essentials for day ski touring and ascents. The thick, 3-D pads on the Synchro-FORM hip harness can be quickly detached leaving just the slim-profile but still effective and dynamically comfortable hip plates for load carrying. Alternatively, these plates can be swivelled up out of the way to completely clear the hip area for harness wearing. Further weight reduction can be achieved by detaching the top cover and rolling down the bag throat, dry bag style. In this mode, and for other times, instant access is provided into the pack bag by a long, heavy-duty, PU coated side zip. Managing clothing layers and gear requirements on the go, couldn't be simpler.
The generous top cover is scalloped to improve look-up head clearance and can be easily adjusted vertically when really absurd loads need to be carried. When you do detach this module from the pack (a quick job) simply extract the built-in hip straps and it becomes an effective, comfortable, 13 litre capacity waist pack. Located on the underside, an expanding 3-D zipped pocket is the place to carry bulky clothing layers in bum-bag mode. Externally, the shockcord lacing on the big 'camera' pocket and the compression straps adjacent to this pocket also serve for attaching extra stuff if the situation demands.
The pack bag itself has many unique features. Of course there is complete alpine racking for ice tools, crampons, snow stakes, snow shovel, skis and skins. To reduce weight and improve abrasion resistance we have chosen a special, 600 denier bulked filament nylon Kodra for external reinforcing layers. Its high-density weave is a substantial improvement over the ubiquitous 1000 denier version. In addition, the base of the Mountain Expedition incorporates a layer of closed-cell foam. The resiliency provided by the foam dramatically reduces abrasion damage.
The triple, side-compression straps are circular (you get a 2:1 force advantage), progressively inclined and removeable (and able to be used for any number of emergencies). The straps now work from stress relieving fabric side carriers so webbing has been eliminated from main bag seams. The compression strap geometry is designed to work best on a relatively empty pack bag. The bottom straps draw up the base, and so on upwards.
Hip side-stabiliser anchor buckles have been integrated with the double-layer bottom side pocket spiders - which serve multiple functions. They accept snow stakes or the tails of skis carried high. Apertures are provided so skis can be mounted lower with tails inclined backwards so as to not smash into your calves. Towards the back the 'spiders' run out to form a pocket for a snow shovel blade (as the picture shows). Use the back panel shockcord tail to grab the shaft. Notice the reinforced webbing loops across the side bottom pockets. Use them as temporary holsters or attachment points.
The Synchro-FORM harness used on all our big packs deserves a page of its own. To understand just how many advantages this system delivers make sure you look it up.
Options and Accessories
If you require hip pads with a longer reach, size Large pads are available and can be exchanged for the standard Medium size fitted (provided these are not soiled or worn). If you are particularly slim and require smaller reach hip wings both the standard medium hip pads and medium hip plates need to be changed to size Small. (Small pads do not fit on the standard medium length plates).
The Mountain Expedition pack can be fitted with our universal side pockets, supplied in pairs. They mount on the side compression straps. Mount the pockets so the outer band of our circular compression straps runs over the pocket. This will stabilise it nicely.
Look also at the webpage on pack liner bags. The use of a waterproof pack liner makes the Mountain Expedition suitable for use in the wettest environments.
