Canyoneering Packs

[rcwild]

Metolius is working on a line of packs for canyoneering, based on their haul packs. They will be available in two or three sizes and will likely retail around $100. Canyoneers who have tested the prototypes gave rave reviews. Comfortable to carry, drain well, super tough.

Other canyoneering packs to consider include those made by Petzl. They are tough and drain well, but are a bit small for canyon trips longer than Grade III. Petzl also makes a line of larger-capacity caving packs that can easily be adapted to canyoneering.

My own canyoneering pack is made by Resurgence of France, made of hypalon (the same material used to make whitewater rafts). The model I have is large enough for Grade IV and V canyon trips. Resurgence will accept orders via email.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/resurgence/catalogue/catlg_c.html

Many canyoneers still make do with nylon packs. Unfortunately, nylon -- even the toughest cordura -- will not hold up well to abrasion. If you do choose a nylon pack, you may as well buy the cheapest one you can find. It makes little sense to invest a lot of money in a pack that won't hold up very long anyway.

[Special K]

I'm a newbie at canyoneering making my first trip to Zion this month--particulary Mystery, Orderville, Pine Creek and am looking at possible packs like this smallest of the SealLine packs:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=10217&memberId=12500226

are these not a good idea due heavy abrasion?

[rcwild]

The packs you refer to were originally conceived as "portage" packs. Dry bags with shoulder straps to carry gear while portaging a boat.

I've had some personal experiences with two different packs; one made by SeaLine and one by Vaude. Both had good suspension systems, so they carried fairly well. These types of packs require you to carry wet gear (i.e. rope) on the outside. Through abrasion, holes developed over time in both packs.

I was in the middle of a canyon in France when the Vaude pack began to leak. Stepping out of each swim became a major chore with a pack full of water. I had to open the top to pour water out.

The SeaLine pack survived a couple years of my abuse -- after I made some modifications. I cut holes in the bottom of the pack and installed grommets. The waterproof material does not absorb water, so the pack did not gain weight when wet like nylon packs do. Gear that had to be kept dry was carried in a smaller dry bag inside the pack. Wet gear was carried inside the pack. I also inserted a rolled-up piece of ensolite foam to add padding to the back and, along with a couple compression straps, help keep the load vertical on my back. Without the foam and straps, the load tended to settle to the bottom of the pack and throw off my balance.

[sonnylawrence]

I'm a newbie at canyoneering making my first trip to Zion this month--particulary Mystery, Orderville, Pine Creek and am looking at possible packs like this smallest of the SealLine packs:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=10217&memberId=12500226

are these not a good idea due heavy abrasion?

Pete Frickland (in charge of product development for Cascade Designs/MSR, they make the Sealine packs) and I tried two prototypes in Zion this summer. We trashed one in Keyhole/Pine Creek. Pete opted to cut holes in his day pack and use it in Imlay instead of the Sealine prototype. So, no, they weren't so good. In short, they suck.

The prototype was made of more durable material than previous ones. However a person would have to make the various modifications Rich notes in his post in order to have a decent pack.

[Spatulator]

I just looked through a CAMP catalog and noticed that they are making a couple of canyoneering packs as well. Don't know anything else about them, but you could probably find out online.

-Zach

[johnswelchvi]

I've noticed some nice looking packs by Edelweiss (http://www.advancedbasecamp.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=47172). They don't seem too available in the US though. Any experience?

John

[rcwild]

Advanced Base Camp is their U.S. distributor. Anyone who buys from ABC should be able to get a pack for you. Try Outdoor Outlet in St. George. Ask for Bo.

[rcwild]

Last rondy Chuy brough some packs for me from a company in Mexico called Sierra Verde. Euro style. Quite nice with good drainage. A bit small for a long-day canyon, but working nicely for the canyons here in Costa Rica.

[charlybldr]

I just looked through a CAMP catalog and noticed that they are making a couple of canyoneering packs as well. Don't know anything else about them, but you could probably find out online.

-Zach

I have a Camp canyoning pack that is very similar to the Millet Eaux Vives. Heavy red vinyl with mesh sides. Nice pack.

[mtngoat59102]

I've noticed some nice looking packs by Edelweiss (http://www.advancedbasecamp.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=47172). They don't seem too available in the US though. Any experience?

John

I own a couple canyoning packs from Edelweiss and so do some of my friends. The designs are simple and functional but the materials are not durable. YMMV. After seeing and using what is readily available in the US market I think Imlay Canyon Gear and Petzl's line are the best thing currently going. However, that is only my opinion.

[Dwayne27]

right now- i have one of the big yellow resurgence packs. it is a great pack- drains water very well, it sits well on my back and is extremely durable. however, after a recent trip through some short north wash canyons- i am going to look in to one of those smaller modified metolius packs. looks like they'll do the job. the resurgence is just too big and heavy to make sense to me taking it through shorter canyons

[ddpettin]

I have the Metolius "rope bag" modified by Canyons & Crags and really like it!!

http://www.wildernessadventures.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=226

It holds 200' of 9.2 rope and my harness. It has a zipper pocket in the hood to hold a compass, headlamp, & a few snacks. It also has a daisy chain sewn into the front, great for clipping your helmet or whatever else. And finally is has two side pockets. I put webbing in one side and a few water bottles on the other side. The only thing I wish is that the side pockets were a bit wider as it is difficult to pull things in and out. It is a great short canyon pack/bag! Not sure how durable it will be but so far so good!

[chowjusky]

I have the Metolius canyoneering pack: http://www.wildernessadventures.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=225

It's a great size and has good drainage. However, I do have a couple of gripes with it. Both the shoulder straps and the waist belt have minimal padding and on a daylong trip they end-up chafing and being uncomfortable. Also, the pack only has one extra pocket in the flap. Personally, I would like to see some kind interior mesh pocket to save me from fishing in my pack for gear that has shifted to the bottom.

One big plus is that the exterior of the pack makes an excellent canvas for my wife to draw all over and 'personalize' my pack with cartoon characters! :shy:

[BrianH]

Looks like it's been a little while since there have been any posts here. I'm looking to replace an Imlay 40L Pack with something more durable. Any new developments to mention in Canyoneering Packs? Advice?

[Kirk]

I'll put in another vote for Resurgence. Pricey, but if you are going out and expect a lot of abuse, it's well worth it. Capacious zippered lid, grab handles both inside (use pack as rope bag and clip inside with lid open) and outside the lid, solid gear loops on the inside, sturdy vinyl coated mesh sides, lots of drainage rivets in the bottom, much better padding than the Metolius, gear loops on the pack straps, durable Hypalon construction.... can you say "sold"?

I replaced my Metolius with the Resurgence and am VERY pleased. Even bushwhacks nicely. One comparision I cannot make is with Imlay, as I never owned one of Tom's packs. Several of my pals own them though, and like them a lot.

For the frugal option, take an older, well-used pack, get a rivet punch from Home Depot and put several large brass drainage holes in the bottom (and a few in the pockets, if any). I had a medium-sized North Face bag that held up through a couple seasons of abuse. Got very good use out of it.

IMHO - YMMV!

[rcwild]

I have another shipment of Resurgence packs on the way. Got word they shipped from France today.

Price is $275. Part of the price is the Dollar-Euro exchange rate. Resurgence packs are not much more than Imlay packs and will outlast them by 5:1, so a much better value long-term.

[bretmaverick999]

I have another shipment of Resurgence packs on the way. Got word they shipped from France today.

So they should here for the Zion Rondy, right?

[rcwild]

So they should here for the Zion Rondy, right?

Hope so. Ordered four. Two are already sold.

[84x4bronco]

you may consider one more sold. i made it through two packs this season. the stat-pack blew out after 4 canyons, and... well... canvas and cordura just dont do so hot in sandstone.

if you dont want to pop for a pricey pack, my kelty redwing pack with a bunch of rivets in the bottom has been an outstanding pack, minus the mesh side pockets.

[rread]

I have a resurgence pack that I bought from Rich, and I have abused the heck out it, and it still looks great. Highly recommend it. Thanks Rich, going to get one for Jantzen soon. Maybe you can let me buy another one from the Zion Rondy.

[BrianH]

Rich:

I guess you can count on another one sold. It sounds like the Resurgence is for me as well. When do you want payment?

[bretmaverick999]

Sounds like 3 of the 4 Resurgence packs are already sold. If I remember correctly you had one at the 08 Arizona rondy. I really liked what I saw - without a doubt the most durable pack I have seen.

At that rondy I enquired about getting a couple of minor changes made (without seeing one I don't remember what they were) and I believe you said it might be possible. Assuming I can see one sometime, how likely is it that you can get one made with some minor modifications?

[bretmaverick999]

The link in the first post isn't working, and Google wasn't much help. Can you point me to an updated link?

[TommyK]

As a competitive Adventure Racer I've tried many different types of packs over the years in attempts to find the best, lightest, most comfortable pack. When I got into Canyoneering 2 years ago I realized all these ultralight packs just wouldn't cut it in a canyon environment.

After a lot of trial and error, it seems that there really isn't one pack for all conditions, but a few great ones out there that can be used for multiple applications. When I first started doing canyons I got one of the Petzel packs and it's a great pack, but like any it has it's limitations. It's extremely durable, and drains like no other, but it's not the most comfortable on long days and especially long approach hikes like we have in Arizona. With just shoulder straps, the weight distribution isn't the best.

After checking out a few of my friends Imlay packs this year, I decided to get one (Heaps 50L) before our trip through Imlay this summer. Due to the wildfires on the West Rim, we hiked up from the main canyon to Potato Hollow carrying 50 LB packs and I was amazed by the level of comfort and weight distribution of the Imlay pack. While it suffered some slight abrasion on the trip through the canyon, it wasn't anything that concerned me.

So, in my opinion, I guess it really has to do with the types of canyons you plan to do. The petzel is great for short canyons (less than 6 hours) with minimal gear, but when moving up to long canyons and especially carrying lots of gear like drysuits and multiple ropes, I've got to go with the Imlay.

Hope this helps.