Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Winter Access Forum What pack in winter

Winter day pack suggestions? Nice options to have:

1. A place for axe, crampons, helmet
2. A place for snow shoes
3. A place for mountaineering boots so that approach shoes can be worn until the boots are necessary

Thanks for any suggestions.

James
Check out the Osprey Variant in 37 or 52L. Curt has both and loves them. We have run into several rangers and SAR team members, as well as other hikers who own and swear by this pack.
Stacy

Great, thanks Stacy!

+ 1 on the Osprey Variant 37. Just picked one up for a little over $100 and tested it out on Snow Creek last weekend and it stood up to the abuse. Thing is bomber and elegant.

Great, will look for that one and try it out. SC, one of these days.

EOMC SALE

Hah, I think the pack held up better than I did on Snow Creek, that is one heck of a climb.

+1 for the Osprey. I have 3 different Osprey packs and they are tops. The Varient will be the next pack I buy. Right now for single day I'm using an Osprey Atmos 35.

Hey Snaps10 - check out the sale at e-OMC (link in above post)...Variant 52 $158.95 / Variant 37 $143.60 Sa-weet deals!

I just picked up an Ariel 75 a couple of weeks ago, Can't wait to try it out next weekend in Little Lakes Valley!!!

Stacy

How does the Variant 37 fit? I can wear a large or medium pack although I technically measure in the lower end of the large range.

I can't find the Variant in local stores so if I might have to order online. Should I go for the large or the medium? Thanks for the help.

I'm 6'6" and the large fits me well, but if I was any shorter I would say that it would be too long. If you're shorter than I am I would entertain the idea of a medium, especially if you don't have a long torso.

Hope this helps. My suggestion would be to order both so you can be sure about the fit if you're still on the fence.

Cool, thanks SJ

You're going to want to go for a Med.
I'm 6'2" and wear a Large with a Med. waistbelt.

Picked up a medium Variant 37 can't wait to try it out. Has a lot of room maybe enough for overnighters too.