Lexington
FNG
Last Winter I got pretty serious about doing some hunts in Alaska and one of the main requirements for Fly-Out operations is that you limit your gear to no more than 50lbs.
I started to do the math: why buy 8-10lb packs designed by Barneys and Mystery Ranch, where with new carbon fiber technologies there are more than adequate options in the 3-4lb range!?!
This started to lead me down the ‘ultra-light’ path, and through lots of research I found Kurt Racicot’s company “Stone Glacier” out of Bozeman, MT.
I wanted a pack that had:
- Functional Load Lifters
- Minimal weight (less gadgety pockets, zippers, elasticity stuff)
- A load-shelf so I didn't need to carry the meat inside the bag itself
- That was designed for hunting conditions, not rucking around military munitions
- Could comfortably carry up to 100lbs if necessary
Kurt is a sheep-hunter – and it doesn’t take long to figure out that he is serious about traveling as light as possible. And it makes sense: when you spend days & weeks every year traversing Up/Down the mountainsides, crossing frigid rivers , glassing distant ridge-lines then moving to close the distance, you need to conserve every ounce of energy for the hunt in-and-of-itself, and it doesn’t make sense to waste that energy on hauling around additional weight.
I purchased the Solo Pack last March.
Since that time I’ve backpacked in and hunted Bear (4days), Archery Elk (6days), Mule Deer (4days).
Its also been used for packing Pronghorn, Roosie Elk quarters and a Coastal Blacktail.
Here is my review.
Yes, it is a positive review. This is a great pack.
The Solo Bag + Krux Frame:
When the deliveryman handed over the box, it was comically light.
SERIOUSLY, did I just buy some kind of flimsy daypack?!?
My initial concerns were to make sure I adjusted the straps correctly and fit comfortably into the hip-belt. I’m 6’1” and 215… size 36-38” pants (depending on brand) and barrel chested. Things just don’t fit me normally, unlike you skinny guys built for running and endurance, I’m built to stay in the fight.
I watched Kurt’s YouTube videos and got it loaded up with 40lbs of sand. Took the kids out for a stroller ride around the neighborhood and by the time I was back had decided the pack was a ‘keeper’. Its Light, Comfortable, and it moves with your body – the suspension system is years ahead of other pack makers and the weight rides evenly distributed across your hips.
In particular, I like the packs narrow design – it stays in-line with where you are headed and you don’t run into issues with it catching on branches or other foliage.
The 3300ci forces you to streamline your packing – and, don’t kid yourself about they style of hunting you will be doing with this pack.
I’m talking barebones.
For a 5-day backpacking early-season hunt, I was just barely able to fit everything in (ex-puff layers which I didn’t need for this Sept. hunt).
The most I had the pack loaded up to this Fall was 80lbs, it carried that weight without any issues and I was as comfortable as to be expected.
Here are some of the accessories I purchased:
Lumbar Pad
I purchased it, but quickly realized I didn’t need it.
Me thinks most guys are overly sensitive to this, but the hip-belt structure that Kurt’s designed is really solid.
Weapon Sling
Used this on my Bear and Mule Deer trips – it works great and keeps your gun secure but still accessible.
Never had an issue with accidentally releasing it – overall is a great design.
Access Bag
I purchased this for my Spotter, Tripod and binos (when not around my chest). There is enough room for my First Aid Kit, some snacks and other items you might want to keep accessible.
Load Cell Dry Bag
Functions as described. When its full of meat, it fits perfectly onto the load-shelf .
CONCLUSIONS
Think about it this way:
1. Bush Pilot drops you off on distant gravel-bar and you proceed to hike into mountains.
2. Once at general location, you setup your camp and start spotting for Rams…
3. When desired quarry is located you leave basecamp to pursue your trophy.
4. Upon successful stalk, you tag and bag trophy and pack’em back to basecamp (will probably be raining and dark for this part of the hunt).
5. Rest for a day where you flesh, cape and rest up for final push
6. Pack up entire camp + Sheep Horns, Cape and Meat and head back to original gravel bar to be picked up by said Bush Pilot.
The Solo bag is designed for this kind of hunt and will get the job done.
While this is a more extreme example of what the pack can do, it's more than applicable for Western Elk and Mule Deer hunting too - in most situations guys are either Horse-Packed into drop-camps or hike-in on their own, then operate in a predetermined area where you know there is a water source, glassable country and decent game populations.
But be aware of the seasons and gear necessities.
I use a synthetic puff layers and a Ultralamina Sleeping bag and need for room for later-season hunts.
For this I just picked up the Terminus bag off the Classifieds.
I will be running the Solo bag for my Aug/Sept/Oct hunts, then transition to the Termimus for High-Country/Snow conditions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.
Either way, the Stone Glacier system is my “go-to” for packs and packing.
[Pic of my Hunting Partner & some Western Scenery...]
I started to do the math: why buy 8-10lb packs designed by Barneys and Mystery Ranch, where with new carbon fiber technologies there are more than adequate options in the 3-4lb range!?!
This started to lead me down the ‘ultra-light’ path, and through lots of research I found Kurt Racicot’s company “Stone Glacier” out of Bozeman, MT.
I wanted a pack that had:
- Functional Load Lifters
- Minimal weight (less gadgety pockets, zippers, elasticity stuff)
- A load-shelf so I didn't need to carry the meat inside the bag itself
- That was designed for hunting conditions, not rucking around military munitions
- Could comfortably carry up to 100lbs if necessary
Kurt is a sheep-hunter – and it doesn’t take long to figure out that he is serious about traveling as light as possible. And it makes sense: when you spend days & weeks every year traversing Up/Down the mountainsides, crossing frigid rivers , glassing distant ridge-lines then moving to close the distance, you need to conserve every ounce of energy for the hunt in-and-of-itself, and it doesn’t make sense to waste that energy on hauling around additional weight.
I purchased the Solo Pack last March.
Since that time I’ve backpacked in and hunted Bear (4days), Archery Elk (6days), Mule Deer (4days).
Its also been used for packing Pronghorn, Roosie Elk quarters and a Coastal Blacktail.
Here is my review.
Yes, it is a positive review. This is a great pack.
The Solo Bag + Krux Frame:
When the deliveryman handed over the box, it was comically light.
SERIOUSLY, did I just buy some kind of flimsy daypack?!?
My initial concerns were to make sure I adjusted the straps correctly and fit comfortably into the hip-belt. I’m 6’1” and 215… size 36-38” pants (depending on brand) and barrel chested. Things just don’t fit me normally, unlike you skinny guys built for running and endurance, I’m built to stay in the fight.
I watched Kurt’s YouTube videos and got it loaded up with 40lbs of sand. Took the kids out for a stroller ride around the neighborhood and by the time I was back had decided the pack was a ‘keeper’. Its Light, Comfortable, and it moves with your body – the suspension system is years ahead of other pack makers and the weight rides evenly distributed across your hips.
In particular, I like the packs narrow design – it stays in-line with where you are headed and you don’t run into issues with it catching on branches or other foliage.
The 3300ci forces you to streamline your packing – and, don’t kid yourself about they style of hunting you will be doing with this pack.
I’m talking barebones.
For a 5-day backpacking early-season hunt, I was just barely able to fit everything in (ex-puff layers which I didn’t need for this Sept. hunt).
The most I had the pack loaded up to this Fall was 80lbs, it carried that weight without any issues and I was as comfortable as to be expected.
Here are some of the accessories I purchased:
Lumbar Pad
I purchased it, but quickly realized I didn’t need it.
Me thinks most guys are overly sensitive to this, but the hip-belt structure that Kurt’s designed is really solid.
Weapon Sling
Used this on my Bear and Mule Deer trips – it works great and keeps your gun secure but still accessible.
Never had an issue with accidentally releasing it – overall is a great design.
Access Bag
I purchased this for my Spotter, Tripod and binos (when not around my chest). There is enough room for my First Aid Kit, some snacks and other items you might want to keep accessible.
Load Cell Dry Bag
Functions as described. When its full of meat, it fits perfectly onto the load-shelf .
CONCLUSIONS
Think about it this way:
1. Bush Pilot drops you off on distant gravel-bar and you proceed to hike into mountains.
2. Once at general location, you setup your camp and start spotting for Rams…
3. When desired quarry is located you leave basecamp to pursue your trophy.
4. Upon successful stalk, you tag and bag trophy and pack’em back to basecamp (will probably be raining and dark for this part of the hunt).
5. Rest for a day where you flesh, cape and rest up for final push
6. Pack up entire camp + Sheep Horns, Cape and Meat and head back to original gravel bar to be picked up by said Bush Pilot.
The Solo bag is designed for this kind of hunt and will get the job done.
While this is a more extreme example of what the pack can do, it's more than applicable for Western Elk and Mule Deer hunting too - in most situations guys are either Horse-Packed into drop-camps or hike-in on their own, then operate in a predetermined area where you know there is a water source, glassable country and decent game populations.
But be aware of the seasons and gear necessities.
I use a synthetic puff layers and a Ultralamina Sleeping bag and need for room for later-season hunts.
For this I just picked up the Terminus bag off the Classifieds.
I will be running the Solo bag for my Aug/Sept/Oct hunts, then transition to the Termimus for High-Country/Snow conditions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.
Either way, the Stone Glacier system is my “go-to” for packs and packing.
[Pic of my Hunting Partner & some Western Scenery...]
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