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PortageKeeper
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Before last fall, I had seen many of the CCS line of packs, but until that time, I hadn't seen the Ruck Sack. A friend (that has lots of CCS items) and I paddled together on a trip. As soon as I saw his Ruck Sack, I knew that I wanted one. I already knew that the quality was there, but what I really liked was the size of this pack. Normally I carry a GG Solo, and a Duluth Day Pack. On five to ten day trips these packs are basically bulging. Packs shouldn't be bulging. Once they turn into a ball, it's time to re-think. This pack is sized between a day pack and a small canoe pack. It's not too big to use as a day pack or too large to be able to carry it across with the canoe, but it does have capacity.
I decided that since they are called Cooke "CUSTOM" Sewing, that I would customize this pack so I could use it as my day pack on portage clearing trips. I asked Dan for an axe sleeve for my GB axe, a pocket to hold a 1 liter Gatorade bottle and a map pocket that I could access without opening the pack. I also asked him to leave off the hip belt, as I would be cutting it off anyway. I hate the extra straps that aren't needed.
The pack arrived yesterday, and I am VERY pleased with it!
The axe sleeve works great, and Dan even put a lash tab at the top where I made my own strap with side release buckle to hold it in, if the pack tips. Where I wanted the water bottle pocket, he actually put a side compartment with a waterproof zipper. This is a plus since I can also use it for camera etc. The map pocket is as I needed, though I may sew a short velcro closure in the center as added insurance.
Again, the sizing is going to be great for my needs. I always carry the day pack standing up behind me in the stern, and I don't see a problem being able to do that with this pack. Having storage in the lid is going to be great for all those little things that one wants access to during the day. I'll have plenty of room for my small bear can, rain gear, extra layers, tools, first aid, tp etc. in the main compartment.
Some had asked me to post photo's once it arrived...
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fitgers1
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Very nice pack. They do fine work.
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KevinL
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Yes it looks great....I want one!
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kanoes
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quote jeroldharter: "Nice. I am going to Canoecopia for the first time Sunday. Does CCS and other manufactureres have much merchandise for sale there?"
oh yes
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rookie in 03
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Another beautiful job by CCS. Going to have to compliment Dan tomorrow.
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whiteh20
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Nice job PK. I had my axe pocket put on the front of the pack. I really like your design with the map pocket on the front. 
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jeroldharter
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Nice. I am going to Canoecopia for the first time Sunday. Does CCS and other manufactureres have much merchandise for sale there?
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mc2mens
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Nice! I have an off the shelf CCS Rucksack and love it.
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JoeWilderness
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quote kanoes: "quote jeroldharter: "Nice. I am going to Canoecopia for the first time Sunday. Does CCS and other manufactureres have much merchandise for sale there?"
oh yes"
CCS will be unvailing at least 2 new products at Copia this year too.
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JoeWilderness
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"Sweet!"....same color as mine too.
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jeroldharter
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I hope some of the goodies are still available on Sunday.
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PortageKeeper
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Yes, the pack normally comes with a hip belt standard. I didn't want one, as I know that it's unnecessary to me, with the amount of weight that I plan to carry. If I were planning to use it solely as a food pack, or heavier gear pack, I may have had Dan leave it on. I just didn't want yet another strap snagging something in the canoe when I went to pull it out.
My experience is that a lot of these packs that do not have a rigid frame, tend to eventually sag anyway, putting the weight back on your shoulders. If I planned to put any substantial weight in a pack like this, I would add something for a rigid frame. Corrugated plastic cardboard works very well for this. It is very light weight, and sturdy, and will easily fit in the sleeve with the back pad.
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ducks not signed in
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They do come with hip belts. Having it not put on was one of the "customs" that Portage Keeper had Dan do when making his pack. I'm "assuming" and Portage Keeper can correct me if I'm wrong, that it's a small enough pack that he wouldn't use it anyways.
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Sobi
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Portagekeeper or Anyone I guess, why do these packs come without hip belts? What am I missing here? I wouldn't even consider a pack unless you could displace most of weight onto your hips.
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Sobi
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Appreciate the clarification. Hip belts do tend to snag the canoe and such. Happy portaging!
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bumabu
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His work is amazing.
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ubbenholdthekraut
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I heard that they were custom made packs that carry bear barrel's/Vaults. I believe there is a 30 and a 60 L version.
Not sure about other products....
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jeroldharter
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Yes, the 30 and 60l barrel bags looks very nice. I did not play around with them, but it looked like the pack would work best if you kept the barrel in it all the time as it was a snug fit. I mightbe wrong though.
I did pick up one of the Rucksacks in blue which is very nice. They told me it is carry on size for flights so I am going to use it as my only luggage for an upcoming trip.
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PortageKeeper
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quote JoeWilderness: "quote kanoes: "quote jeroldharter: "Nice. I am going to Canoecopia for the first time Sunday. Does CCS and other manufactureres have much merchandise for sale there?"
oh yes"
CCS will be unvailing at least 2 new products at Copia this year too.
"
Did anyone get to see what these two new products were?
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HowardSprague
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Nice, but where's the ##@#in' i-Pad pocket?
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PortageKeeper
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quote HowardSprague: "Nice, but where's the ##@#in' i-Pad pocket?"
I ordered my Alumacraft with the iPad built into the dashboard. ;)
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HowardSprague
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Hey PortageKeeper - did you see we're on the cover of Cliff's new book? really.
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BWPaddler
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Sweet!!
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tg
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I didn't realize Cliff wrote "Canoeing for Dummies";)
(Joe will know I'm kidding, hopefully Howard doesn't take offense)
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PortageKeeper
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quote HowardSprague: "Hey PortageKeeper - did you see we're on the cover of Cliff's new book? really."
I will have to check it out. He wanted to use Nibi's 'night time, in front of the fire' group photo from last years Chad Lake trip. He must have changed his mind when he saw you in this one.
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HowardSprague
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quote tg: "I didn't realize Cliff wrote "Canoeing for Dummies";)
(Joe will know I'm kidding, hopefully Howard doesn't take offense)" Haha - love it!! :)
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PortageKeeper
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quote tg: "I didn't realize Cliff wrote "Canoeing for Dummies";)
(Joe will know I'm kidding, hopefully Howard doesn't take offense)"
Boy, I don't know about that. Howie's a real serious guy.
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ducks
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That looks great w/ the add ons! Now I want to bring him both of my daughters' pink rucksacks and have him put on the water bottle pockets.
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Merganser
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Its all the details and Dan thinks of everything. Nice looking pack.
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BigZig
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quote JoeWilderness: ""Sweet!"....same color as mine too." +1
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pdidy
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This is the next Pack I buy. I already have the #2 canoeist and love it and I have been dreaming of this pack for a long time. Will pull the trigger before this years trip.
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