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campnfish
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02/17/2019 05:28PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Im looking for a solo pack to go along with my CCS pioneer, curious about a traditional internal frame backpack, something i could put in the front of my northwind solo and carry my bear vault and other gear. Also something i could portage with a canoe if needed.

For Butthead if he reads this or others that trip with it, are you still using the Nimbus trace access, if so i believe it has a front panel you can open, how do you water proof the contents with something like this? do you only carry items that can get wet, do you have individual dry bags, etc. Or, Do you just use a contractor bag and tie it on the panel side or the top end. Also, would the Nimbus Trace be to big to bring along on a solo with a CCS pioneer, can it be compressed down or should i look at something smaller than a 60l?

Im well aware of all the portage packs, and the CCS rucksack is in the running, but id like to hear more about traditional backpacks others may be using for solo trips and what they like about them.
 
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MagicPaddler
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02/17/2019 07:40PM  
I use a Gossamer Gear pack that my food goes in and I carry it with my canoe. Much lighter and fits better than a canoe pack.
 
02/17/2019 07:43PM  
campnfish: "

For Butthead if he reads this or others that trip with it, are you still using the Nimbus trace access"


Nimbus Trace Core, I have 2 of them, a small frame with woman's belt/straps, and a regular with large male parts. I could part with either or both, I have too much stuff around. I often use a 25L waterproof bag over my Ursak and cooking gear, the orange bag. A tarp with rigging and first aid kit one side pocket, REI flex-lite chair and odds /ends in the other. Very sturdy and comfortable frame, I've never aproached it comfy weight limit. It is the pack I carry when carrying the canoe.
My current favorite main is a Nimbus Trace 60L, both use the same frame design and parts.
Either can be sized much smaller, I have used the Core as a day hiking pack. I've worn the CCS line but prefer a framed pack belt setup with torsos over 18 inches.
If your going to Copia I'd bring it along for a look see.

butthead

PS; Both have been discontinued but the Trace may still be in stock. They had a few when I stopped in last year. And forgot to mention the Core can hold 2 450 Bear Vaults or 1 500 and a 450 riding high, 1 Garcia. But a blue 30 L is too wide. bh
 
02/17/2019 09:32PM  
I often use one of the Exped Torrent packs as my second pack I carry with the canoe. They're waterproof and come in several sizes.
 
campnfish
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02/18/2019 09:00AM  
Butthead, the Nimbus Core is interesting, if you took the lid of the Trace 60l would they be the same height?

Also, i wont be at Copia, but i am in the twin cities suburbs and would be curious on price on the regular size Trace Core, maybe shoot me an email on what you would want.

Boonie, the torrent is a nice pack.
 
02/18/2019 09:58AM  
Nimbus Trace Access 60, 85 would be the same height as the Core if the lid is removed (frame is interchangeable).
On closeout currently, GG Outlet
Email on the way.

butthead
 
02/18/2019 12:14PM  
Like MagicPaddler I use a Gossamer Gear Mariposa.

It's light (~32 oz) and handles midsized loads fine. But I travel pretty light, comparatively. If you put 45 - 50 or more pounds of food/gear in it, you'd want a more robust suspension.
 
02/18/2019 12:33PM  
For solo I use an Osprey talon 22 ( Osprey is an awesome company who really stand behind their product) with my Kondos Outfitter special. However I'm going to start going really light this year and have one pack and a dry bag that can be combined for a one trip portaging.
 
02/19/2019 09:36PM  
Without looking, I think I have the rei flash. Handles 40-45 lbs well. I use individual dry bags for things that I want to keep dry.
 
Troutbum77
member (26)member
  
02/19/2019 10:15PM  
I've carried a dry pack from Simms for years and it's starting to wear our. When it's finally dead I plan to purchase the Sea to Summit Fly 35L Dry Pack. Check it out here.

I use Granit Gear packs for backpacking and they're awesome. But for paddling I want a pack that's a little more roust and is designed to work in wet conditions.
 
02/21/2019 09:35AM  
I used my Osprey Kestrel 38 for solo paddling last year in a Prism and it fit fine, worked well. Honestly I think any small backpack that you like should work fine. It's best if it doesn't have too many doodads that can catch on load/unload, and it's best to make sure it doesn't interfere with lifting or lowering the canoe. Of my various packs I chose the Kestrel because it's tiny and it doesn't stick up high so I knew it would fit anywhere and wouldn't interfere with portaging.
 
Atrain
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02/21/2019 12:18PM  
I use an Osprey Atmos 65AG, and i line that with a 55L dry bag (Leader Accessories). Great pack, rides great, and fits everything I need and can single portage. I typically have my rain cover on it and then lay it in the boat rain cover down so the straps dont get soaked and chaff when portaging.
 
campnfish
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02/21/2019 03:26PM  
I was wondering about this if the Osprey rain covers are water proof or just resistance, if the pack is sitting in the bottom of the canoe like you said in the water.
 
02/21/2019 04:31PM  
"Waterproof" is a dangerous term but my Kestrel's cover has always seemed to keep it dry. Note of course that backpack rain covers don't seal shut - so they absolutely don't replace a dry bag. I put my clothes, sleeping bag, and other things I need to keep dry in dry bags inside the pack.
 
bwcasolo
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02/23/2019 07:19AM  
butthead: "Nimbus Trace Access 60, 85 would be the same height as the Core if the lid is removed (frame is interchangeable).
On closeout currently, GG Outlet
Email on the way.


butthead "

ken, so the nimbus trace , either size, top off, will work with canoe portaging, top on will not? thanks.

 
02/23/2019 07:43AM  
Curt,
I have not used the Nimbus Trace on portages with a canoe, I use it as my large primary pack. The top/lid would need to be removed (it is designed to take off and be used as a fanny pack). I have carried the Core on 10 trips with the canoe overhead.

butthead

 
02/23/2019 02:55PM  
When I'm solo without my dog I use this to carry with the canoe. CCS Wanderer

Mine's in olive green and it will hold two nalgenes on the sides. It's simple, strong, and fits up front real nice.

 
campnfish
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02/25/2019 08:09PM  
TominMpls: ""Waterproof" is a dangerous term but my Kestrel's cover has always seemed to keep it dry. Note of course that backpack rain covers don't seal shut - so they absolutely don't replace a dry bag. I put my clothes, sleeping bag, and other things I need to keep dry in dry bags inside the pack. "



Tom, Do you see an issue with the Kestrel 48 and carrying a canoe, its only an 1" taller than the 38, i believe.
 
OCDave
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02/26/2019 10:02AM  
campnfish: "Im looking for a solo pack to go along with my CCS pioneer, curious about a traditional internal frame backpack...

...

Im well aware of all the portage packs, and the CCS rucksack is in the running, but id like to hear more about traditional backpacks others may be using for solo trips and what they like about them."


I have followed this thread but, restrained myself from commenting because I am a bit confused. If the CCS Rucksack is in the running, what is your attraction to an internal frame backpack. The framed backpack is certainly advantageous for hiking trips consisting of several miles per day but, will be disadvantaged when squeezing into the confines of a canoe. The addage of "Do one thing well or several thing poorly" applies. If you are seeking a backpack for distance hiking, make that your priority. If it happens to fit in your canoe then consider that a bonus. If you are seeking the best pack to squeeze into a canoe, the frame itself sould be a disqualifier.

My hiking backpack is the ULA Catalyst. While it would work fine as a pair to my CCS Pioneer pack (the Catalyst fits in my Northwind Solo) I don't take it. The Rucksack is better suited to the abuse inflicted from canoe tripping. The Rucksack features more robust fabric and retails for 1/2 the price of my Catalyst. There is nowhere I would fear grabbing, yanking or lifting on the Rucksack ( I lift my loaded Cataylst only with the grab handle). For a bag to fearlessly toss, drag scuff or hang the CCS Rucksack is the sensible choice.

A less sensible choice I have made is using Cuben Fiber dry bags. I have $40-$60 stiched and taped, velcro closure dry bags that do exctly what a $1 trash compactor bag does equally well.

Good Luck,
 
02/26/2019 01:30PM  
I obviously do not agree with the "canoe pack is best". Never noticed the wear and tear in comparison to backpacking use, so that ia a non-issue for me. I solo almost exclusively and never had trouble fitting any of internal frame pack (CT Torrid2, REI Traverse Haute Route, several Granit Gear), in my Advantage, Another non-issue for me.

I have no problem with the choice of a "canoe pack", just do not understand the common reasons stated not to use an Internal frame backpack.

One thing I find is a proper fitted frame pack sure is more comfortable on long portages.

butthead
 
campnfish
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02/26/2019 02:14PM  
Dave, i was looking for something i could use for hiking and canoe travel to replace my 20 year old hiking pack that i've taken for years. I tried a 30 liter barrel and vapor harness for my food and some misc items last year and i'm not sold on it yet. So i started looking at a new Pack i could bring with my pioneer pack and leave the barrel at home when solo. The ruck sack is a consideration but i would need to get a new pack for hiking as well, so i wanted to see if i could combine the two as i have in the past. As i stated at the beginning i understand what a portage pack is and why some like them, thats great, but i was really looking for backpack specific thoughts from those that already travel with something other than a portage pack.
 
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