Mt. Whitney in 14 hrs!
Written: Sep 03 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A durable, day or overnight pack - that's lightweight, comfortable, and full of storage options.
Cons: Accessing the bag's main compartment often, only 3 strap clicks away, can be a nuisance.
The Bottom Line: Surprisingly comfortable and full of storage options. Don't let the "technical" and "adventure racing" descriptions dissuade you. I chose this pack over the Arc Teryx Bora 40 and Osprey Aether.
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| mperkins14's Full Review: Advent Pro Backpacks by Gregory Mountain |
First, let me begin by saying that I spend way too much time scoping out gear, comparing and contrasting comparable items - before I make the final decision to buy. It drives me crazy - but hunting down the right stuff is half the fun. Sorry if this review is a bit lengthy - but this pack really does offer quite a bit - and I was very pleased with its performance.
I actually stumbled upon this pack mistakingly at an REI store - as I had decided to purchase an Arc Teryx Bora 40 pack. However, they were out of stock. The REI salesperson referred me to the Gregory Advent Pro, which I'd never even considered. Yes, a pack had escaped my wandering eye. His sales pitch was the bag's silicone impregnated, 30 denier fabric - which is ultralightweight - but tear resistant. In short, Gregory calls it their "G fabric." The sales guy punctured it with a pin and it resealed. Cool! I thought.... but I'll probably be putting it thru more of a beating than that! We'll see. One thing I didn't like at first - was the neon orange color of the pack - but it also comes in black - which is rarely found in stores. After a little digging on the internet, I purchased the bag in Black online for $99 plus S&H. I figure this was pretty good, compared to the $150 retail at REI. (nothing against REI - i've also gotten great deals there as well).
So, I bought this pack for a day hike ascent to the summit of Mt. Whitney. I wanted a pack that wasn't too heavy or cumbersome - and would work well with my body - as I'd be climbing nonstop for hours. This pack was a joy -- due to the lightweight materials, including the breathable mesh back panel and well-padded waistbelt. The shoulderstraps are contoured and foam padded - and never felt like they were cutting into my shoulders. This pack out of the box felt like it was already broken in. The bag's mesh back panel is well padded and breathable - which helps reduce moisture build-up.
Now, as for the gadgets - it has too many to mention, especially straps, bungee cords, and loops. At first, it was distracting - but Gregory really sorted it out well - and you realize all the bells and whistles have their logical rhyme and reason. The hipbelt has zippered mesh pockets on each side which are easily accessible and a good place to store $$, lip balm, a small pocket knife, munchies, etc. The bottom part of the pack is almost independent, and a great place for an extra fleece - or sleeping bag that's been well compressed. Also this being the bottom - the exterior is made of 210 denier Cordura nylon fabric for extra abrasion protection. At the back of the pack is a large mesh pocket that can hold shoes, dry food, or other bulky gear. Atop the pack is the usual storage pocket - commonly found on other packs - and then there's a hydration pocket (including two ports) that allow you to store two 70 ounce reservoirs, or one 128 ounce reservoir. This is a really nice feature. If you still need more water (as I did) the pack has side mesh pockets which are large enough to fit a 1 quart sized Nalgene water bottle in each pocket. This is nice, because a lot of packs out there have skimpy side pockets which won't allow these water bottles. One more thing -- the pack has two large exterior loops at the very bottom -which can accomodate a sleeping bag or rolled up rain jacket, tarp, etc. I've often noticed that many day packs - don't come with these loops - which are super beneficial.
Ok, I have to mention that i packed this bag to the hilt - maybe 30-35 lbs. and it handled the weight well.
I cannot attest to the durability of the "G fabric" but can mention that I took the pack off several times and it scrapped rocks all along the trail - and no punctures so far. Also, it never rained - so I can't attest to the dryness and/or its water resistant ability - but the nylon and G fabric look to be able to repel water just fine.
WHAT DID I NOT LIKE? Well, once the pack is closed and all (3) straps are clicked shut - it can be a hassle to undo them again and reach for something quickly. If you're going for something often - I'd recommend putting it in the storage pocket on top - or in one of the mesh panels alongside for quick access.
And yes, it took my group of 3 friends 14 hrs. (round trip) to hike and descend Mt. Whitney, a total of 22 miles. This is not great time - if anything, I'd say its average. 8 hours to reach the summit from the Portal trailhead and 6 hours to return. Soreness in your legs is an understatement!! Enjoy!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mperkins14
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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