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| selecting &
modifying a canyoneering pack |
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- Some criteria for a good canyoneering
pack, whether you are looking to purchase
a new pack or simply looking to modify
a pack you already own:
- Lightweight (but
not ultralight)
Durable
Draining (see below)
Simple (avoid complicated suspensions
& extra pockets)
Climbing rated (we've used buried
packs as emergency anchors!)
Compact
(Your multi-day backpacking pack is too
large - think smaller)
Comfort (you
want a pack that actually carries well,
not a vinyl sack with shoulder straps)
Some packmakers that design packs that
meet most or all of these criteria:- Imlay
Canyon Gear
Petzl
Metolius
Resurgence
(French)
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 Packs:
Petzl Alcanadre, Imlay Canyon Gear Kolob |
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Customizing:
Before there were specialized canyoneering
packs, we had to modify the packs we had.
Most canyoneers starting out will want to
do the same.
Pick a pack around 1500-2500 cu. in. (30-40
liters). This should be large enough to carry
the gear you'll need for most technical canyon
day trips.
Add some grommets to the bottom of the pack
to allow water to drain out. Also add grommets
to any pockets or area that can trap water.
Grommet kits are available at most ACE hardware
stores, use size #2. Reinforce the fabric
before cutting the holes with Aquaseal. |
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The more grommets the better! |
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What you don't
want:
- Packs with lots of external pockets &
zippers - when these pockets are full, they
abrade easily against canyon walls and ruin
your pack prematurely. Zippers need to be
big and well covered by a flap.
- Completely waterproof packs - nice in
theory, they are probably only appropriate
in low-abrasion canyons outside of Utah
- as soon as a hole is worn in the waterproof
exterior, the pack is worthless.
- Packs that are too big, or have sophisticated
suspensions, or are expensive - too cumbersome
and too easily shredded. Sorry, you'll have
to find another use for that old Dana Terraplane!
- Ultralight packs - great for fastpacking,
bad for canyoneering. Cordura & hypalon
are good canyon pack materials. Lightweight
Nylon and SilNylon, not good.
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 ICG
Leprechaun Pack in action in a scrapy
Powell slot |
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Additional considerations
Carefully pack your pack. The area
around the bottom takes the most abuse, so
put your drybag with soft clothes in it down
here. Load hard objects away from the walls
of your pack, as the canyon walls will wear
holes where these rub. Patch your pack regularly
so that you don't rub holes in your drybag
and have a bad day.
Rope
- Will the rope clip easily to the top of
the pack?
Water - Is there
a hydration sleeve and hose hole in the pack
body, or an accessible compartment for water
bottles?
Padding - Is
the pack foam closed-cell and non-water-absorbing,
or open cell & sponge-like? Is there adequate
pack structure for the loads you wish to carry?
Profile - Is
your pack streamlined and slender, or does
it have unneccessary plastic toggles &
straps and pockets that protrude to far for
narrow places?
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Rope Bag, water bottle, drainage, check check
check. |
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| All material © Cerberus
Canyons, LLP 2004-2005 | Disclaimer
| Contact
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