Hi all, I thought I'd share some photos of a pack I just built. I constructed it based mostly on my Zimmerbuilt ZB-2 Schmidt but reduced the volume a bit, eliminated the frame and added a few things. I took it out on a 2 day 25 mile trip this past weekend. It carried well. I may replace the straps though. The downward weight was pretty well transferred to the hipbelt, but I had to keep the straps pretty tight to keep the pack close to my back. The pressure on my chest was concentrated on the inside edges of the straps. I don't know if that's because I got the angle of attachment wrong, the straps are too far apart or because my straps are too curved. I copied the straps from a Gregory Z55 that I have. I'm thinking of making a new set of straps with for 'J' curve than 'S' curve. Another issue that I can't fix is that I think the torso could be a hair longer. Anyway, here's the pics: 
Here's some "in progress" pics: 
Oh yeah, 16.25 oz.
