Classic External Frame Project

What kind of pack is this one?

I have no idea who the maker is as there are no identifying marks. Should be a fun weekend pack with a few modifications such as a more comfortable harness system and integrated back pad. All the YKK zippers are still functional. I even found a couple sierra cups inside as well, one AL and one Stainless.

That looks like an old Alpenlite pack made in Claremont, CA. That pack was, in my humble opinion, the highest refinement of the external frame packs. Even better than the old Kelty's. In the old days you got frames made out of aircraft tube, skillfully hand welded by Americans. Now you get plastic crap and a line of BS that plastic is better. Please use it before you start modifying it. Congratulations and good find!

(I used one for a several years until the guy that actually owned it realized I still had it and took it back! Can't trust anybody it seems:)

Maybe consider getting some smaller alum rod and bending it. The stuff I'm talking about can be bent with your hands but it's rigid and flexible. Then for the main pack attach a cuben stuff sack. Then get a webbing hipbelt. At this point you probably are not going to use anything off the old pack… you could get it down to 14oz I imagine.

Well, I think at 3 pounds, save it and use it. 3# is about where any external pack should be and plenty rigid enough for 70-80 pounds (military packs being somewhat more specialized.) They never seem quite right with 20 pounds in them.

The bend in the frame at the bottom looks like it is intended to push the bottom of the pack backwards and thereby help lean the top forward for better balance of the load?

I like the look of this pack and would choose it over any comparably weighted internal frame that I'm aware of.

I'd be reluctant to modify it without some current usage to refresh the memory of what worked and didn't work about it.

Looks too nice to hack up.

Have you tried it as is?

I'm certainly not looking to convert this pack to 'UL' by any frame modifications.The weight is just fine and for an external frame I would say it is already 'UL'. I like the frame and pack. Any belt and shoulder strap mods will attach by the existing frame mounts either by pins through existing holes or wrapping around the frame. To carry this I will need a more comfortable harness system. I do appreciate the fact that this may be an American made product. I also still have functional Outdoor Research and Jansport bags from 25 years ago with 'Made in USA' tags.

Edit: 'Outdoor Research' lumbar bag is actually 'Outdoor Products'. Not sure if it is the same company.

Hey it's an Arc blast!

:)

Well, that's a neat-looking backpack and some good numbers on the weight. This could be a cool project!

Wait, who in their right mind uses an external frame pack?

It is, in fact, an Alpinlite.

Good pack. I preferred the Jansport D3 as the rigid wings on the Alpinlite had no give, unlike the "live wings" on the Jansport.

It looks like an Alpenlite frame, but not the bag. Look closely at the outside of the frame and you can see holes in it where the bag should be attached, and it looks like the area around the holes are discolored from a bag that was once mounted there.

I do question the weight (36-38 ounces on a bathroom scale). I had checked a couple out in the early 70's and they weighed the same as my Kelty with the upgraded hip belt, around 54 ounces depending on the size.

Another problem with the alpenite is the belt frame, which must be closely matched to the size of your hips (the aluminum frame section isn't adjustable). When I tried them in, they were all too big for my hips… So I passed and kept what I had.

Thanks for the input guys.

Nick, good observations. I enjoyed reading your write up on the Kelty pack and the vintage equipment trip report.

A quick search brought up an old ad for the Alpenlite and does indeed show the pin holes as attachment points for the bag. To bad it is not all original. I was not able to find any stock photos matching the bag.

I'm going to see if I can find a more accurate scale for the weight although the alternate bag may contribute to the weight discrepancy. There is a sticker on the frame that says it is a medium and the width of the frame at the hip belt is 14" which is about where I am at. Again, I think this would be fun for a weekend hike. I really like the 'stand up' feature of the frame.

Actually, the ability of the back to stand up on its own was one of the deal-killers (other than hip belt fitment) for me. A hiking staff and an external pack are easily converted into a nice back rest.