I live in the PNW and much of my late spring and early summer activity consists of long dayhike / scrambles where I desire to carry an ice axe, helmet, and crampons. These trips usually involve scrambling up to 4th class, crossing hard / steep snowfields, but not any 5th class climbing with a rope (and therefore no pack hauling).
I have an alpine pack for actual climbing (Cilogear 30L) which I like for appropriate use, but I’m seeking something a little smaller for daytrips – I really value the carry of a pack that is filled “just right”, and am not a fan of cinching down a larger pack too much. I’d also like one or more external mesh pockets. Finally, I’d like a decent external crampon carry. What I typically do is start the day with the crampons inside the pack on the approach, but sometimes they’re coming on and off a few times, and would like a convenient external store.
My desire for an external stretch pocket or two rules out a lot of the smaller climbing – oriented packs (such as the BD Speed 22, Patagonia Ascensionist 25).
I’d appreciate suggestions in the <30L range for such a “full feature” daypack.
