Mountainsmith Ghost is back

Interesting, although I don't recall the older version being nearly as weighty.

You are correct – that is why the original version was called the Ghost. 50L and just over 2lbs. This one is more like the Uncle Fester.

The one I have is 2.58 lbs. But very comfortable to wear, my base pack weight is around 15 lbs. When you need to load up on water and food is when the ghost is good, it handles 35 to 40 lbs very well. It's my go to pack when I carry my packraft. The paddle blade ends fit in the side pockets.

http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=328&categoryId=50&subCategoryId=0&subCategory2Id=0

The frame is new. The original has loop of fiberglass in the bag for support. The pockets on the hip belt are a nice addition.

Ouch – moving the center of gravity away from the body is a 'No No.' At the weight this is neither a lightweight pack and clearly not an UL pack.

It's a 1/2 pound more than a Pinnacle, but I lot more confortable. You are right, it's not the original. This new pack is more like my wildland firefighting pack were the load is on the belt and the shoulder strap are more like suspenders than load carriers.

"It's a 1/2 pound more than a Pinnacle, but I lot more confortable."

?? It is a 50L pack and the Pinnacle is a 70L pack. It is also 3lbs, 15oz (Manufact. Spec) v.s. the Pinnacle @ 2lbs, 2oz. Or are you referring to a different 'Pinnacle.'

Absolutely hideous in every regard. Why bother even keeping the Ghost name? People are stupid, but I don't think anyone's that big of a sucker to think that this is some updated and improved reincarnation. The original Ghost is just that…a fleeting spirit of what used to be an amazing pack

A mere specter of the real thing.

I purchased my beloved Mountainsmith Ghost in 2004 — the year I started backpacking — and I'm still using it and loving it.

I was so looking forward to the revival of the Ghost, especially because my old Ghost, which I still have, had the back padding so warn down that the pack can only be used for short periods… I've relegated it to my earthquake emergency pack. But what a fantastic design it was… unlike this awful monster. What in the world were the designers thinking?!?

I was comparing my original ghost at 2.58 lbs to the pinnacle, which I have both. Not the new one. Have not seen the new models specs.

My beloved Ghost – circa 2004 – 35 oz. (2lbs, 3 oz) per my digital scale
The current imposter – 63 oz (3lbs, 15oz) per MS website

>>> Ouch – moving the center of gravity away from the body is a 'No No.' At the weight this is neither a lightweight pack and clearly not an UL pack.

I completely agree. I don't know why companies are doing that these days. Osprey started it, and now other companies are copying them. They should just call it an external frame pack, and let people decide if they really want an external or not. I'm not against an external frame pack (it has its advantages) but generally speaking, people moved to internals for a very good reason.

"Osprey started it, and now other companies are copying them."

Deuter has been doing it for years before Osprey, but I think Osprey really pushed it out to the masses. However, IMO Osprey only does it slightly (a couple of inches off the back), whereas Deuter and now Mountainsmith take it to an extreme. I had an old Deuter and it was so far off my back that not only was the center of gravity off, but packing the main compartment was severely inhibited by the awkward shape.

My Exos on the other hand, feel's pretty good.

Now back to this abomination…It actually could have been an awesome pack if they K.I.S.S. If they only added hipbelt pockets to the old Ghost, and kept the dimension Polyant VX-21 nylon, and maybe upgraded the hipbelt and lumbar as they've done in this current model…man that would be perfect.

Instead we get this useless "double" panel loading feature ( 2 separate compartments, and a vertical zipper pocket on the exterior…who really needs that much organization? The thing looks like a 6th grader's Jansport schoolpack)

and we get a trampoline back with torso adjustability. The designers were either lazy, cost efficient, or both…the heavier adjustable torso negates the need to produce different torso sizes as seen with the old Ghost MT and LT models.

Osprey had a pretty big curve in their earlier models, but lessened it with the newer ones. Specifically, I'm thinking of the women's Aura packs.

They reintroduced the whole Mountainlite range and while I agree the New Ghost is Toast they do have some light stuff which has never been their forte witness the insignia. My old Ghost is so comfortable that it spoils me for anything else.

who take the name of The Ghost in vain. This thing is an abomination.

Anybody here own one of the original gray Ghosts?

The Scream looks interesting: 25L, 15oz, removable 1" waist belt, real side pockets, etc. Looks like it could be subjected to a little surgery for those who want lighter. Looks like a good Ion replacement.

http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=331&categoryId=50&subCategoryId=0&subCategory2Id=0

"Anybody here own one of the original gray Ghosts?"

As mentioned, I only started backpacking in 2004 — the Bronze Age. I know there were earlier Ghosts in blue color. But gray? Do tell more!

I do believe an LT off of E-bay supposedly one trip in the Grand Canyon.

"I know there were earlier Ghosts in blue color. But gray? Do tell more!"

I think it's more gray than blue, but what would I know, I only own one. Then again, my eyes aren't what they used to be and mine is pretty well used/faded…..

When blue dims into gray…
Can the end be far away?

"When blue dims into gray…
Can the end be far away?"

:0(

A cynical thought just occurred to me: You didn't PhotoShop that on me, now did you?