My Review of EMS Packable Pack

Originally submitted at Eastern Mountain Sports

Need an ultralight back-up backpack for emergencies? Stuffs down to the size of a grapefruit.

EMS Packable Pack

Mixed

By Adam from Buffalo, NY on 1/15/2012

 

3out of 5

Pros: Cinch cord, packable, Hydration bladder pocket, Lightweight, Water bottle pockets

Cons: Durability, No sternum strap

Best Uses: Climbing, Gym Bag, Carrying small loads

Good value. I use the pack for everday use, heading to the rock gym, for carrying a jacket while cross-country skiing, but not as a summit pack, etc. After a few months of moderate use, the top loop ripped off on mine and I'm definitely wishing it had a sternum strap. I'd look for a Marmot Kompressor on sale instead -- sternum strap, ice axe loops, compression straps, etc.

(legalese)

Holiday Valley - 1/7

Spent the early part of the day on Saturday at Holiday Valley (trail map), trying cross-country skiing for the first time.  It was a mess—40 degree temps for two plus days leading up—but good to get out.  Went out with the Buffalo Nordic Ski Club and ADK-NFC, with a potluck after.

We took the lift from the Tannenbaum lodge up to the top of mountain and skied west through a pretty muddy patch of the cross-country trail (which was technically closed), after having a false start down the Tannenbaum slope.  (A little scary for a guy who's never skied at all.)  We then met up with the rest of our group who had skied up the mountain, went around Spruce Lake and then headed off a back snowmobile where there was much better snow.

Except for the more rutty snowmobile ruts.  Several wipe-outs later, I'd gotten a world better and had hotspots on my feet to testify to the learning curve.

Anyway, what a slow winter.  Thinking snow. . . .