Osprey sacks?

Peewiglet said:

In particular, are they as water repellent as Macpacs? (I know it
shouldn't really matter, but I'm just wondering.)

Macpacs aren't particularly more water repellent than most other packs,
but because of the cotton in the Aztec fabric the seams tend to
self-seal when they get wet (like ventile and cotton duck). I think
they're the only folk using that sort of cotton/nylon/goop mix so aside
from seam sealed packs like the Craghoppers and Ortlieb ones (and I
think some new Berghaus ones) nothing else will behave quite the same in
the wet.

Even so, it's best to use liners to compartmentalise wet and dry stuff
inside, and IME the base of my Ascent does let in /some/ water. They're
not waterproof, despite claims I've seen that they are.

Finally, I'm quite surprised whenever I find someone with a sadder case
of rampant gearitis than I've got myself, but you're /way/ ahead of
me... There's actually not a huge amount to choose between one good
rucksack and the next these days, and you've already got a good one
(well, several). Spend the money on something *really* useful, like a
ticket to Norway and DNT membership!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peewiglet <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I've read quite a lot of good things about these nice sacks. What do
Osprey owners think of them?

In particular, are they as water repellent as Macpacs? (I know it
shouldn't really matter, but I'm just wondering.)

Can't comment on water performance, but...
I expect you have seen the new Atmos range which is going to be avaiable
early next year:
http://www.outdoorreview.com/TRD_10_168crx.aspx
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/2878/v/2/sp/33263769890
1328523252
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-
bin/backpackinglight/new_lightweight_backpacks_announced.html

Cotswold are apparently going to be stocking the 35L but not the 50L.
Osprey's office is just down the road from me (Bournemouth airport), and
they have said if I like the look of the 35 I can go to the office to try
the 50 (its not a retail outlet, just their office). I will probably take
them up on this as I don't want to buy something unseen and I am having
trouble finding anything lightweight locally.

I did have a go at the local Cotswold as to why they carried so many
climbing sacks (Dorset not being known for its mountains) and so few for
backpacking (we are at one end of the 600 mile SW coast path). I don't
think I made any impression though as their stock is determined
nationally.

John

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 09:09:22 +0000, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Macpacs aren't particularly more water repellent than most other packs,
but because of the cotton in the Aztec fabric the seams tend to
self-seal when they get wet (like ventile and cotton duck). I think
they're the only folk using that sort of cotton/nylon/goop mix so aside
from seam sealed packs like the Craghoppers and Ortlieb ones (and I
think some new Berghaus ones) nothing else will behave quite the same in
the wet.

I see.

Quoted message said:

Even so, it's best to use liners to compartmentalise wet and dry stuff
inside, and IME the base of my Ascent does let in /some/ water. They're
not waterproof, despite claims I've seen that they are.

Absolutely: I still put everything in a waterproof bag. Still, though,
I'm interested to know how particular types of sack perform because
when I take my excellent, light little daysack, which makes no attempt
to be waterproof, the waterproof bags themselves get quite wet on
rainy days, and in a tent I suppose that could be a bit of a pain.

Quoted message said:

Finally, I'm quite surprised whenever I find someone with a sadder case
of rampant gearitis than I've got myself, but you're /way/ ahead of
me...

:-)) I certainly love kit...

Quoted message said:

There's actually not a huge amount to choose between one good
rucksack and the next these days, and you've already got a good one
(well, several). Spend the money on something *really* useful, like a
ticket to Norway and DNT membership!

Not to worry: I'm just gathering info at the moment. I'm planning to
sell some redundant kit on Ebay when I get round to taking pics etc,
and I may then think about getting a sack for longer backpacking trips
(as my Pursuit's not big enough for that).

Or at least that's my story.... ;-)

Actually, I'm being really good at the moment: no kit purchases for
ages (well, except for the Exped Down Air Mattress the other week, as
I *have* to solve the sleep problem). I've not even bought my Tilley
yet: it's on my Christmas Prezzy list. I'm saving my spondoolies for
the Anquet GB North, to help me plan my Scotland walk. Which reminds
me...

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

Peewiglet said:

Not to worry: I'm just gathering info at the moment. I'm planning to
sell some redundant kit on Ebay when I get round to taking pics etc,
and I may then think about getting a sack for longer backpacking trips
(as my Pursuit's not big enough for that).

Then why not use your Ascent, which is a fair bit bigger and has a more
elaborate harness better suited to heavier loads? You're really not
trying, are you? ;-)

Quoted message said:

Actually, I'm being really good at the moment: no kit purchases for
ages (well, except for the Exped Down Air Mattress the other week, as
I *have* to solve the sleep problem). I've not even bought my Tilley
yet: it's on my Christmas Prezzy list. I'm saving my spondoolies for
the Anquet GB North, to help me plan my Scotland walk. Which reminds
me...

Nah, ticket to Norway and DNT membership would do you better IMHO.
Aside from anything else the huts have mattresses so you can get some
sleep, and because you don't need to carry a tent and sleeping bag you
can go backpacking with your Pursuit.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Peewiglet said:

Not to worry: I'm just gathering info at the moment. I'm planning to
sell some redundant kit on Ebay when I get round to taking pics etc,
and I may then think about getting a sack for longer backpacking trips
(as my Pursuit's not big enough for that).

Then why not use your Ascent, which is a fair bit bigger and has a more
elaborate harness better suited to heavier loads? You're really not
trying, are you? ;-)

<PW blushes, guiltily, having been caught out....> :-) I must dig
it out this evening. I'm not sure whether it's an Ascent or something
else: I have a memory like a sieve. It's a big red one, anyway, with
(I think) a big black bit at the bottom where the sleeping bag
generally goes.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Actually, I'm being really good at the moment: no kit purchases for
ages (well, except for the Exped Down Air Mattress the other week, as
I *have* to solve the sleep problem). I've not even bought my Tilley
yet: it's on my Christmas Prezzy list. I'm saving my spondoolies for
the Anquet GB North, to help me plan my Scotland walk. Which reminds
me...

Nah, ticket to Norway and DNT membership would do you better IMHO.

What's DNT membership?

Quoted message said:

Aside from anything else the huts have mattresses so you can get some
sleep, and because you don't need to carry a tent and sleeping bag you
can go backpacking with your Pursuit.

Hey.... I like that idea! Seriously - it sounds good. I've only ever
walked in the UK.

Do you do cross-country skiing over there? I almost went on a
cross-country skiing holiday arranged by a shop in Ambleside many
years ago, but in the end I did something else instead. I'm rather
sorry: it might have opened up whole new vistas for me.

I don't think that shop is there any more. It used to be in (what I
think is called) Lake Road i.e. on the left going up the 'hill',
before the cinema. It was a great shop, with really enthusiastic
owners, and there was always a selection of the most interesting kit.
That's where I got my lovely Silvaa sighting compass, all those years
ago. Sigh... 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 11:18:08 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>
wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Nah, ticket to Norway and DNT membership would do you better IMHO.

What's DNT membership?

Oooh, I see!

http://www2.turistforeningen.no/codeland/info_pres_main.asp?ID=10

Looks pretty exciting...

Are you a member, then?

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

Peewiglet said:

Do you do cross-country skiing over there? I almost went on a
cross-country skiing holiday arranged by a shop in Ambleside many
years ago, but in the end I did something else instead. I'm rather
sorry: it might have opened up whole new vistas for me.

XC ski touring my main reason for being in DNT, though Roos was a member
long before me, she used to go walking in Norway with her family when
she was a kid and they stayed in DNT huts.

No reason not to start XC skiing this year if that's what takes your
fancy. I'll be out near Lillehammer in a month doing some track skiing,
and we should be over for a tour sometime March/April. The main company
for XC ski holidays is probably Waymark, but they're not the only game
in town. Friends of mine work for the Telemark Ski Company, and having
met their groups I can say that the clients I've met have seemed very
well satisfied. http://www.telemarkskico.com/ DNT run tours of various
levels themselves, so you're not limited to UK based companies but that
is a good place to start.
Companies typically do multiple leveles, including for novices through
intermediates up to experts.

The hut system is amazing, and well worth trying out whether you're
walking or skiing.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 08:52:44 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I've read quite a lot of good things about these nice sacks. What do
Osprey owners think of them?

In particular, are they as water repellent as Macpacs? (I know it
shouldn't really matter, but I'm just wondering.)

i took an aether with me when I hiked the AT.
it took a lot of abuse. very strong.

the newer models (2003+) are better than the old ones,
the old models would pop the stays out of the frame. ouch!

2003+ ones are fine tho.

I did notice they are very narrow backpacks. Id give
it the thumbs up, but I switched to a Gregory and I
like it just as much.

One thing I LOVED was the way the ospreys waist belt
tightened. that was great.

-- Dark Fiber --
[FAQ] Write Your Own Operating System
http://www.mega-tokyo.com/osfaq2
3x3 Eyes Fanfiction Archive
http://www.mega-tokyo.com/pai

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Do you do cross-country skiing over there? I almost went on a
cross-country skiing holiday arranged by a shop in Ambleside many
years ago, but in the end I did something else instead. I'm rather
sorry: it might have opened up whole new vistas for me.

XC ski touring my main reason for being in DNT, though Roos was a
member long before me, she used to go walking in Norway with her
family when she was a kid and they stayed in DNT huts.

No reason not to start XC skiing this year if that's what takes your
fancy. I'll be out near Lillehammer in a month doing some track
skiing, and we should be over for a tour sometime March/April. The
main company for XC ski holidays is probably Waymark, but they're not
the only game in town. Friends of mine work for the Telemark Ski
Company, and having met their groups I can say that the clients I've
met have seemed very well satisfied. http://www.telemarkskico.com/
DNT run tours of various levels themselves, so you're not limited to
UK based companies but that is a good place to start.
Companies typically do multiple leveles, including for novices through
intermediates up to experts.

The hut system is amazing, and well worth trying out whether you're
walking or skiing.

just to add to that. you really don't need to go with an organised
tour. the hut system is as easy to navigate as the London tube. you
might not want to walk alone, it being winter and all that. walking in
the mountains with a big organised group, is somewhat against the
spirit of walking in Norway. you want to enjoy nature alone, etc. the
big groups also take over the huts.

in the 'peak' winter season a number of the routes are marked with
twigs. you'll find a map showing these routes and the dates they're
marked on the DNT web-site.

/ot

Quoted message said:

just to add to that. you really don't need to go with an organised
tour.

Quite so, though if one is new to ski touring, which was really where my
group-based comments were coming from, it would probably be A Bit Silly
to learn it all the hard way with nobody else along! If at least
someone is up to moderate speed with ski touring then not an issue
though: Roos did her first tour last year with me as token Experienced
Person, and I'm certainly not anything like a BASI instructor.

Quoted message said:

the hut system is as easy to navigate as the London tube. you
might not want to walk alone, it being winter and all that. walking in
the mountains with a big organised group, is somewhat against the
spirit of walking in Norway. you want to enjoy nature alone, etc. the
big groups also take over the huts.

For walking I'd certainly want to avoid bigger groups: these are very
good points. Also, avoid Easter, when it's all a bit packed.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

John Yale said:

Can't comment on water performance, but...
I expect you have seen the new Atmos range which is going to be avaiable
early next year:
http://www.outdoorreview.com/TRD_10_168crx.aspx
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/2878/v/2/sp/33263769890
1328523252
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-
bin/backpackinglight/new_lightweight_backpacks_announced.html

Ooh, no I'd not seen that. Many thanks! 🙂

Quoted message said:

Cotswold are apparently going to be stocking the 35L but not the 50L.
Osprey's office is just down the road from me (Bournemouth airport),

Lucky you!

[...]

Quoted message said:

I did have a go at the local Cotswold as to why they carried so many
climbing sacks (Dorset not being known for its mountains) and so few for
backpacking (we are at one end of the 600 mile SW coast path). I don't
think I made any impression though as their stock is determined
nationally.

Whenever I go into a walking shop - well, that's to say what I've
habitually regarded as a walking shop - I'm met by staff who speak to
me as though I must be a climber. I understand (theoretically, at
least...) that lots of people enjoy climbing, but I'm disappointed
that the staff don't seem to walk, and therefore they can't offer any
advice on/enter into facinating discussions about tents, backpacking
sacks, mattresses etc etc. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's
been my experience over the last few months in a whole range of shops.
</rant>

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:44:01 GMT, Stu <[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

i took an aether with me when I hiked the AT.
it took a lot of abuse. very strong.

the newer models (2003+) are better than the old ones,
the old models would pop the stays out of the frame. ouch!

2003+ ones are fine tho.

I did notice they are very narrow backpacks. Id give
it the thumbs up, but I switched to a Gregory and I
like it just as much.

One thing I LOVED was the way the ospreys waist belt
tightened. that was great.

Very helpful - thank you v. much!

Hiked the AT? Very impressive! How long did it take you? What did you
make of the experience overall?

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 11:54:12 +0000, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

XC ski touring my main reason for being in DNT, though Roos was a member
long before me, she used to go walking in Norway with her family when
she was a kid and they stayed in DNT huts.

No reason not to start XC skiing this year if that's what takes your
fancy. I'll be out near Lillehammer in a month doing some track skiing,
and we should be over for a tour sometime March/April. The main company
for XC ski holidays is probably Waymark, but they're not the only game
in town. Friends of mine work for the Telemark Ski Company, and having
met their groups I can say that the clients I've met have seemed very
well satisfied. http://www.telemarkskico.com/ DNT run tours of various
levels themselves, so you're not limited to UK based companies but that
is a good place to start.
Companies typically do multiple leveles, including for novices through
intermediates up to experts.

The hut system is amazing, and well worth trying out whether you're
walking or skiing.

Many thanks! That really does sound very interesting!

I've never skied at all. It XC difficult to pick up?

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

Quoted message said:

Looks pretty exciting...

Are you a member, then?

Have been...

Its another world.... The huts make it easier, but the hills are
real. A nation covered in spikey bits or plateaux choose your
poison, most similar days effort to a day on the Ben or bigger. Some
technical, many with gobsmacking scrambling
Drop dead gorgeous scenery

Oh the skiing is not bad either...

Richard Webb

(RJ Webb) said:

Its another world....

:-))

Quoted message said:

The huts make it easier, but the hills are
real. A nation covered in spikey bits or plateaux choose your
poison, most similar days effort to a day on the Ben or bigger. Some
technical, many with gobsmacking scrambling
Drop dead gorgeous scenery

Oh the skiing is not bad either...

It sounds wonderful... I particularly like the idea of the skiing. The
scrambling is probably too scary, the way my head currently behaves
when heights appear.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 18:34:00 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:44:01 GMT, Stu <[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

i took an aether with me when I hiked the AT.
it took a lot of abuse. very strong.

the newer models (2003+) are better than the old ones,
the old models would pop the stays out of the frame. ouch!

2003+ ones are fine tho.

I did notice they are very narrow backpacks. Id give
it the thumbs up, but I switched to a Gregory and I
like it just as much.

One thing I LOVED was the way the ospreys waist belt
tightened. that was great.

Very helpful - thank you v. much!

Hiked the AT? Very impressive! How long did it take you? What did you
make of the experience overall?

Loved it! i ended up doing between 800+900 miles in 3 months. The
reason, I found a fiancee. My hiking parter 'xena' and I are getting
married in america next year.

she lives next door to shenandoah NP. about 20 minutes from the at
in virginia...

so we'll finish it sometime...

you can check my journal at http://trailjournals.com/cactus
and my photos at http://mega-tokyo.com/gallery/at04

thinking bout the PCT... 🙂 hehehe...

overall, I LOVED it. Best thing I ever did.

another brit, Cheers also found his other half (Grace)
and they are now married and live in America.

-- Dark Fiber --
[FAQ] Write Your Own Operating System
http://www.mega-tokyo.com/osfaq2
3x3 Eyes Fanfiction Archive
http://www.mega-tokyo.com/pai

Stu said:

Quoted message said:

Hiked the AT? Very impressive! How long did it take you? What did you
make of the experience overall?

Quoted message said:

Loved it! i ended up doing between 800+900 miles in 3 months. The
reason, I found a fiancee. My hiking parter 'xena' and I are getting
married in america next year.

Fantastic! Many congratulations :-)

Will you live over there, d'you think?

Quoted message said:

she lives next door to shenandoah NP. about 20 minutes from the at
in virginia...

Quoted message said:

so we'll finish it sometime...

Very best of luck with the rest of it 🙂

Quoted message said:

you can check my journal at http://trailjournals.com/cactus
and my photos at http://mega-tokyo.com/gallery/at04

Brilliant, thanks - I've bookmarked them for later in the weekend.

Quoted message said:

thinking bout the PCT... 🙂 hehehe...

That would be an adventure...

Quoted message said:

overall, I LOVED it. Best thing I ever did.

another brit, Cheers also found his other half (Grace)
and they are now married and live in America.

This sounds better than dating agencies! More people should walk 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

Quoted message said:

It sounds wonderful... I particularly like the idea of the skiing. The
scrambling is probably too scary, the way my head currently behaves
when heights appear.

Lots of lovely plateaux to explore then.. Just stay clear of the
coast, thats were it gets "interesting". Dovre or Rondane will give
lovely long trips across the tundra with big 'Gorm type hills to go
at.

Plenty of other similar areas from the south coast upwards.

Richard Webb

(RJ Webb) said:

Quoted message said:

It sounds wonderful... I particularly like the idea of the skiing. The
scrambling is probably too scary, the way my head currently behaves
when heights appear.

Lots of lovely plateaux to explore then.. Just stay clear of the
coast, thats were it gets "interesting". Dovre or Rondane will give
lovely long trips across the tundra with big 'Gorm type hills to go
at.

Plenty of other similar areas from the south coast upwards.

Many thanks! I'm definitely going to look into this.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \