HMG Porter with ski carry modifications: anyone have one?

"Seems like the ski edges could saw through unprotected cuben pretty easily if you had a gear bulge in the pack in the wrong spot."

Time will tell…

From the article Into the Gray, available to Members.

So I assume from the pic that is a pack that was not modified specifically for ski carry.

Anyone have pics of the Dyneema reinforcing?

The three compression straps provide such a stable platform for the skis that I'm not too worried. After two years of doing it that way, there is still no visible wear.

That's good to know. Some of our backcountry forays involve crawling through alders, salmonberries, and serious brush where your skis constantly get hung up and reefed around. Even my current burly ski packs (incorporating hypalon patches, heavy cordura, etc) have scuffs and wear. I have very limited experience with cuben and I'm just not sure what to expect when it comes to how it plays with metal edges.

I had this done to my 3400 ice pack with full W/NW Dyneema. I think if you're doing a lot of spring skiing with long approaches like in the PNW, than its a great addition. If you'll only be carrying skis like that a few times a year, than I wouldn't bother. Part of the beauty (and water resistance) of the porter comes from its simplicity and minimal stitching. There are fewer seems to tape on the inside. My ice pack with the ski straps and a hydration port is a bit more complicated on the inside and requires more seem taping. The seam tape was starting to look a little messy after a couple of pack rafting trips, so I reinforced it with cuben and duct tape.

I used my previous ice pack to carry skis a-frame style for CO spring skiing and a few PNW peaks/volcanos last summer, without much of an issue. The real benefit of the ski straps is that it makes loading the skis into an A-frame much much easier. So basically if you ski a lot, specifically with long spring approaches with trail runners, it could be worth it. On the other hand, if you're ski mountaineering, and taking your skis on and off/boot packing/cramponing, its pretty easy to rig something together for a diagnol ski carry using the daisy chains on the porter. Sorry, I don't know if this is much help. I'll try to get a pick up loaded later. Regardless, its a great pack.

edit: just realized you live in Alaska. Yes, of course, get the ski carry system! (and trade in that split board for a nice light AT setup:)

Has anyone tried carrying skis in the A-frame mode with an HMG Southwest? I'm wondering if the side compression straps are strong enough to handle skis on a short-term basis.

Bumping an old thread.
Can anyone speak to the durability of a non ski modified porter for durability while carrying skis? Since the 4400 is the heavier fabric I thought maybe it would be durable enough for occasional multi day trip with skis but would love some real world feedback.
Thanks