Small pack recommendations?

[RachelV]

So in anticipation of a trip to Tucks in a few weeks (May 3rd -- anyone interested in meeting up? ), I'm looking to buy a small ski-carrying pack that I can throw some extra layers and lunch in.

I'm not sure what size to get -- I want to avoid a huge pack that has 435 straps hanging off of it. It seems like around 1000 cu in is about the right size. Here are a few that look good to me:
https://www.backcountry.com/store/DAK0574/DAKINE-Heli-Pro-20-1200cu-in.html
https://www.backcountry.com/store/DAK0581/DAKINE-Pilot-Pack-1000cu-in.html

Will something around this size be big enough for easy day trips?

I've never used a pack for hiking at all, so any other general recommendations are also appreciated.

 

[jaydog]

I have a Camelbak Hellion, which is about 1400 cu in, that I use as my patrol pack. Has enough room for all my medical supplies plus snacks and even dinner if I'm going to be dining in the patrol shack. (It's a small area with no backcountry, so that's actually small as patrol packs go) I also know some patrollers who use the Dakine Heli-pro packs- but those are larger than the Pilot, I believe. The pack I use for a day of general in-bounds skiing (IE no need to strap skis to the back) is 300 cu in, and it fits an extra layer, snacks, spare goggle lenses, camera, hydration bladder and wallet and keys if I'm doing X-C.

 

[liquidfeet]

So in anticipation of a trip to Tucks in a few weeks (May 3rd -- anyone interested in meeting up? ), I'm looking to buy a small ski-carrying pack that I can throw some extra layers and lunch in.

RachelV,
I have no idea what size my hiking backpack is, but when I bought it I made sure I could hang skis on it. It's probably big in comparison to what you are looking for, but not big enough to hold a tent. I'm doing Tucks for the first time this weekend, April 26.

Can't wait. No, I'm scared. Well, I've wanted to do it for a while anyway, and there's an opportunity I can't turn down. So this is it, scared or not. Life is an adventure, but only if you show up. It's my goal to show up Saturday morning, early, to hike up with a group of people whom I don't know, and do the best I can to keep up with them on the way up. I'm not worried about getting down. It's the up that concerns me. I could be wrong on this one.

I'll keep this thread on my radar, and if I actually do make it up to the Ravine, with all my gear, and then ski down it, and like the experience enough to want to do it again, I'll pm you and maybe we can meet up on the date you mentioned.

You need room in the pack for all the water you need (more than you think), and lunch, and a change of clothes, plus first-aid and so on. Plus you gotta be able to hang them darn heavy skis and BOOTS on the pack as well. And the helmet. Best of luck. There's two ways of hanging the skis on the pack that I know of --- in an A-Frame configuration, with bungee cord holding the tips together at the top, and skis attached to the left and right sides of the backpack; OR skis clamped together as usual using the brakes and hung on the back of the backpack on a diagonal. I think people decide which configuration to use based on which one most effectively protects their calves from being bumped by the tails of the skis. The boots are usually clamped into the skis for the haul up the mountain. And I suppose for the haul down too, if the Sherbourne trail is non-negotiable because of melted snow.

In any event, you have to ski down the ravine with the backpack on your back, if you have no one to take care of it. I've never skied with a backpack. The balance problem may be interesting.

It looks like the Sherbourne trail, which is the skier's preferred way down to the parking lot after all this climbing and life-risking skiing on steep steeps in the bowl, may be pretty darn hard to ski down at this point this season since the snow is melting fast. Unless you're wearing your mud skis. I'll post a trip report after this weekend.

Best of luck!

 

[ski diva]

RachelV,
I'm doing Tucks for the first time this weekend, April 26.

DEFINITELY post a trip report!!!!

 

[Little Lightning]

I can't make recommendations on packs but buy one that fits your shoulders. An ill-fitting pack can be very uncomfortable.

Here's advice from REI

https://www.rei.com/learn/Camping/rei/learn/camp/howdayf?vcat=REI_EXPERT_ADVICE_CAMPING

I'm very narrow in the shoulders and am very happy with Osprey packs. They have them for snow sports but I went with a general pack that I can use for hiking.

 

[liquidfeet]

Go to a specialty store, like EMS (my recommendation - they are real outdoor people there) or REI (they hire people off the street who don't know their stuff), and get a clerk who has done Tucks before. That way you'll get the very best advice. The pack should feel good with all that weight on it. That's the biggest issue. Plan on spending $$$.

 

[RachelV]

Thanks everyone. Liquidfeet - can't wait to hear how your trip goes, and would love to meet up with you up there on the 3rd if you're up for it! I'm really excited.

 

[playoutside]

Good luck to you guys. It's a nice hike and beautiful. And after you ski it, you'll have bragging rights for the rest of your life!!

Several years ago I did the hike up to Tuckermans with some friends who skied it. The hike and sitting on lunch rocks and watching everyone was enough fun for me. The pack I leant one of my friends worked great for the A-frame carry method. The pack was from LLBean and had open slots behind the side pockets. The tails of the skis went into the slots and then he just hooked the tips together with a bungee or maybe a ski strap. This config with the boots in the bindings was evenly balanced for the hike up.

Have a blast! Post pictures please!

 

[liquidfeet]

Update: Just found lots of posts and pics of Tuckerman's. Got very disheartened. Posted here my doubts (since "edited" out -- so glad that option was still open). Then discovered the posts I'd been reading about the current conditions were from 2004!!!

DUH.

 

[Pequenita]

Update: Just found lots of posts and pics of Tuckerman's. Got very disheartened. Posted here my doubts (since "edited" out -- so glad that option was still open). Then discovered the posts I'd been reading about the current conditions were from 2004!!!

DUH.

Lol. No worries. I'm jealous that it's just a jaunt up to Tuck's for you. It's like a mini expedition for me to get up there...and then who knows if the conditions are even right. Hope you have a blast!

 

[Quiver Queen]

Dakine "Girls" Heli-Pro--terrific!

 

[mtnbikegirl]

Dakine "Girls" Heli-Pro--terrific!

Me likey.

 

[liquidfeet]

I'm going to start another thread about Tucks ski/board trips
(my trip and trips by others,
as well as thoughts from those who wish to go.)

Check it out:
Tuckerman's Ravine in General Skiing.