Ned_Flanders Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 I am looking for a good pack for climbing/ski-mountaineering, one that is large, but does compress. Does anybody have any experiences with the Andinista? Or any other recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 no zone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 i've had an andinista for a few years. it has held up well, but i am reluctant to take it cragging all the time b/c it is light. the top lid does flop around a little, but i take it off for actual climbing and leave it at camp. the foam pad is quality. the shoulder staps slip a little, but not enough to be a big deal. overall, i like it alot, but if you are looking for a pack to also use cragging, i'd get something a little tougher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned_Flanders Posted June 11, 2003 Author Share Posted June 11, 2003 I think the nozone might be too small for what i want. Also looking at the osprey aether and arcteryx bora series, but the bora stuff seems way to heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 I think my girlfriend has the aether, ifs the bright orange one. Half the straps or totally useless and could be cut off. Poor head clearance. But it seems to fit her narrow torso and carries weight well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa_Eagle Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 I have the Osprey Ceres 50. I just used it for a two-day trip on Baker (we were planning on three), and it worked great. I've also used it for dayhikes where I had the thing cinched down to almost nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 I have used the Andinista for several years. It has little in the way of padding, which is nice in the winter but is a pretty harsh ride in the summer. It is no-frills for sure. So far, one of the zippers has busted off and one of the shoulder cinch straps has ripped out. Other than that it works well. However you will find me taking my Lowe Alpine Attack 50 more often just for the comfort and gadgets like a Platypus thing. The andinista is also overpriced in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 cold cold world is pretty functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodchester Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 I have heard some good things about the Aether. I would look at the ArcTeryx Khamsin 62. Let us know what you decide and why. It is always good to hear what others are thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolyn Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 Im curious of those who have used the andinista... I recently received a Granite Gear Alpine lite for a very small amount of cash. Its a similar design to the andinista. Ive only had a chance to use it craggin' thus far. Ive found with the back being so soft (the pad is the stiffest part), it tends to bend a lot and flop over some. Ive packed and repacked it different ways. Because its so floppy it winds up putting a lot of weight on my shoulders. Ive considered attempting to put some stays (sp) inside the pad. Im not quite sure if it will help. Worth a try, though. Do those of you with the andinista find floppyness to be an issue? Is it better when you pack it with a stiffer objects? SOme have told me its not meant to carry the weight I have in it. However, it IS a climbing pack, so it really shouldnt be a problem carrying just my climbing gear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 Andanista compresses like a champ. Yellow pack used for overnight and day trip.... If you are craggin remove the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crack Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 i used an andinista for many years -it's a killer pack, super tough for how lightweight it is and with lots of great features as advertised...but: 1) the top pouch -fits poorly on the pack, especially when it actually has weight in it...never could figure out why WC didn't design it to fit snugger -i hardly ever used it and i enjoyed having the clearance as well. 2) i thought the removable foam pad to be worthless as a sleeping pad -too narrow for my shoulder blades, too thin for any comfort - 3) i used my andinista for everything, and only that pack as i swore by it...i finally did a trip using a different pack with a real suspension system and that did it for me -it's strictly a minimalists dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 I dig my Dana Alpine. I think the extra weight with a real suspension system is worth it if you're carrying a heavy pack. My dos centavos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 I do it with a Khamsin 38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 If you want something light then check out the Cold Cold World packs. I have the Chaos, which is about the same size as the Andinista. I looked extensively at the Andinista before buying the CCW. I got mine at Marmot in Bellevue. The foam pad is much larger/wider so may be a bit more useful than the Andinistas. I also think the lid is much better designed - yes, you can remove the Andinista lid but having a pocket for stuff you need in a hurry is useful. The Chaos has compression straps (no fancy zips). The CCW is fatter whereas the Andinista seems to get very tall as you load it up, I'm not sure it would be very comfortable or stable fully loaded, although it does carry more. The Andinista is lighter, although I'm very suspicious of manufacturer's quoted weights. This GORP review is also interesting. There's some opinions and stats for capacity/weight etc. Not that I would use either of these packs in the Cascades. I used mine up North with big loads and thought it carried OK even fully loaded but then I haven't used a framed pack in years. Other stuff worth checking out is Serratus. If you need a pack larger than the Nozone and you're going to carry heavy loads then you might be better off with something with a frame. Just make sure that it has reasonable compression straps and that the hip belt isn't too bulky to get in the way when climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshK Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=15001&FOLDER<>folder_id=587843&bmUID=1055522900396 I have one of these and I am *very* happy with it. great size, very light (ligher than an arcteryx khamsin 52 or 62) and good featuers, all for $100 real dollars. I used it on a 5 day trip and was quite happy with the comfort. It carries well and is quite useable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleblebleb Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 I really like my Andinista. The lid is quite nice - two *big* compartments, easy to rig as a fanny pack, and nice cut-out for the helmet. When the climbing starts I put it inside the pack, so no flopping around. But if you used it with the compression zippers closed then it is too large. There is an inside compartment for a foam pad but the one that comes with the pack is rather crappy. I threw that out and either roll a ridgerest inside the pack or put a folded 3/4 length thermarest where the foam pad was. If you put your water bladder in the pad compartment then the water stays warmer and the pack feels very comfortable against your back. I had to learn to appreciate the rigging on the outside of the pack, but it is perfect for crampons, tools and helmet. It's kind of neat to be able to take/put a tool from/in a holster without taking the pack off. Methinks it would be really cool if Jon & Timmy came up with a way to link all these gear posts to the (not very popular) gear review database... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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