Using an Ultralight Frameless Pack in Winter

Can you fit all of your winter gear in a 38L pack is the question? Can you carry if comfortably is the next question?  Last weekend I went on a 2 night trip using a ULA Circuit pack, I removed the suspension hoop and the stay. With all of my winter gear for this specific trip, including food and water I was around 30 lbs. That was with my winter tent. I also had snow shoes and shovel strapped on the back. It was heavy and definitely as heavy as I would want be. It carried comfortable for me, even more comfortable when I was wearing the snow shoes and had less food!! I would not have been able to carry that with a 38 L pack.  I guess its all relevant to the gear you are using and packing and the “winter” conditions you plan on heading out in.

As dirtbag mentioned, we experience different winter conditions based on geography and trip goals. Can your pack handle the weight and volume to meet your goals? If your pack can handle the weight, compression sacks will help wrangle the volume of winter insulation down to more manageable sizes than with just the typical stuff sacks. You should be able to play with your setup. If it all fits, load up and do a shakedown trek to see how the pack handles…

Weight is not as much an issue as volume. I’ve carried 30 pounds of mostly water in the little Burn on a desert crossing and it was comfortable enough (knowing the water weight would be going down by the hour was solace). Will try compression sacks.

One expedient could be to strap the winter shelter (Ultamid 2) to the top, which would free up room inside the pack.

If given the choice, would you strap the shelter to the top of a lighter, smaller pack or stick with the heavier, larger winter pack? Or stick the shelter inside the pack and let the rolltop stay open at top, waterproofing the opening with a small MYOG cover? Or are there ultralight attachment systems for these occasions?

Time for a McHale…

Have you thought of using a light weight pulk in addition to your pack?

I’m using a 55 liter MLD Exodus, which has substantially more volume than the Burn, but a weight penalty of about 2 ounces for slightly more girth and volume in the longer length of the roll top. Still lightweight in my book, but sufficient volume to handle additional clothes and goosedown. MLD Duomid in a side pocket, snowshoes strapped to the top. 4 or 5 days of food and remain below 25 pounds.  Couldn’t do that with a 38 liter pack, but this setup works just fine.