This is a design I have had in the back of my mind for over a year. I finally took the time to build a prototype just to see if it would work.For a long time i have been getting requests for a ski pack with a opening back panel, like other ski mo brands offer. These designs have never made sense to me for several reasons: the lack of a functional back pad, the lack of load control, a zipper on your pack in hot weather. I can see why people like it the full access but on the harness side of a pack didn't work for me I build a lot of packs with the side access zipper, many with the dedicated ski carriers. I had always thought a zippered opening pack panel would work better than a single zip for access in an emergency. I wanted to not only make avalanche tools readily accessible, but everything else in the pack, yet not take away from proper carrying ability. I am not the first to have a design like this. Lowe alpine used to have a smaller hatch opening on their Specialist packs series, but was too small to be useful and it had way to much velcro.What's Different:the hatch is two full length #10 YKK utrek water resistant zippers. there is a G hook at the top, and dual compression straps, to take strain off the zippers when closed and packed full. over the opening is foam stiffened velcroed flap with a pull tab. on the back side of this panel ,inside the pack, is a sleeve for your shovel handle and probe. there is a sewn in sling for your shovel blade so it can be immediately deployed when you tear open the hatch. this panel is easily uncliped to get at your gear inside the pack. there is one internal compression strap to keep your pack from exploding when opened on it's side. The 2 pocket lid is sewn on in the back. it can be stuffed into the pack for more helmet clearance. it's not big. The Set Up:volume 40-50L. this sample , which I built to personally use, is built in Ultra 400/200. it has dual ice tool carriers, short tool attachments daisies with Voile Nano straps( available for any pack. just tell me), sewn on ski carrier slots for Voile straps. I'd put more on but only had one black in stock. 2'' webbing waist belt, fully 44"x11" bivy pad. flat pocket on the underside of the lid. full snow skirt.For a dedicated skimo pack I'd leave off the ice tool carriers, ad a single ice axe loop, line the lid underside pocket with fleece for your goggles.I'd add loops for external helmet carrier if wanted. It can easily come with a removable padded hip belt if prefered. I prefer 2" seat belt web for winter specific packs. the padded Alpine belt does give you the option for adding storage pockets on the belt. snowboard straps and/or diagonal carry is an option of course. the only issue is the pack length. to fit a probe it needs to be a certain length, so shorter torsos , less than 15", may have issues with a ski helmet. it can be made in a smaller volume, down to 35L, the trade off is the hatch will be narrower and the shovel blade will need to go against the front panel(furthest from your back). like all of my packs, these are custom fitted and design details optimized for each customer. base price includes the Ultra TX fabrics, custom harness and padded belt fitting, the pack as shown but keep in mind you don't have to take the dual tool sleeves and the flat pocket under the lid will be lined with fleece for your goggles. Every "base model" is just a place to start the conversation of what you need. We can talk over the phone, visit in the shop or meet up and go climbing. There are a lot of options for designing a pack and we work through the list together. I like to have a conversation early in the process, just to get us both thinking about your pack and you are free to change things up until final payment and I start making your pack. features in common to all my alpine packs included in the base price: custom fitting: back length, shoulder strap spacing, shoulder strap width, made to measure padded hip belts, in 3 styles Ultra UHMWPE woven fabrics in multiple weights from Challenge Sailcloth full length foam back pad packs set up for technical climbing/backpacking/ ski mountaineering choice of webbing size/colors choice of trim fabrics/colors How to order: place the item you want in the cart schedule phone, zoom or in person design meeting pay the $100 design/consult fee. this is applied to final cost of the pack. watch the snow fall open email that your order is up and visit/call/zoom to finalize pack/bike bags/etc. pay final invoice wait 4-6 weeks to get your gear! The current base price will be kept up on the website, but the $100 doesn't lock in the final price. It may change between when you get on the list and I get to it. I have no idea what Tariffs will do to material costs. Costs: cost for the finished pack will vary, with $1150 being the base price with all the custom fitting and standard options. Once we have a phone/zoom call or shop visit sorting out the details and any extra options or fabrics that add to the base price. the pack deposits are non refundable. Custom: You can see some of the most popular custom options here. this is where you can get on the waiting list and schedule a design/fitting call.
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