Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Ray Way backpack redux


I misjudged the 3000 cube RayWay backpack with the test load, which was towels and non camping weights.  When reloaded it with my RayWay Alpine quilt and everything else I used for the High Divide hike in the Olympic Nat'l Park, the pack carried well, though just a touch of the bottom wanted to ride on my derriere.  The load of about 22 lb behaved borne by shoulder straps alone or shoulder straps with hip belt.  I walked thus for six miles on mostly level terrain two days ago, and today up and down hills. The backpack and my back were both wet with sweat.  It's going to stink sometime.

Load order:  quilt on the bottom, Six Mood Designs Lunar Solo tent, tent footprint, Hyalite inflatable pad, down jacket, warm shirt and long johns, bag with stove/fuel/spoon/matches/cup/saucepan and bear can with food on the top.

Front pocket:
gloves, rain wear (skirt, pant legs, maybe a simple jacket?), insulated hat, arm warmers and leg warmers.

Side mesh pockets:
  1. umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, bug dope, ID.  
  2. first aid pack with fire starter, head lamp, TP, compass knife, tent stakes,Pack Towel, emergency reflective blanket.
Trekking pole handle tied to shoulder strap, tip placed into loop of cord somewhere low like the Osprey Aether packs but for a much better price.

Sept 4, 2013
Revisions for JW 3000 version of the Ray Way 3000:  Use Cordura as part of the side pocket, as branches will catch and tear the mesh.  Bottom will be square not round.  Overall pack length will be longer but without the full length of the silnylon tunnel/collar above the pack.  Whole pack fabric options beyond coated ripstop nylon, which wears poorly.:

  1. 400 Denier cordura (Seattle Fabrics)  or  
  2. 400 x 300 Denier Nylon/Polyester Mini Diamond Ripstop (Seattle Fab) 
  3. 400 D Cordura (Rockywoods $6.40) 
  4. x-pac (DIY gear supply)


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