osprey ceres 70

[thelawgoddess]

anybody used this pack? i've had some referrals to osprey and am looking for a good big pack that's not too big. as in, i want an expedition-style serious ski-touring pack for small people. there's no way i could huff a 90L pack full of crap around no matter what.

[btowle]

I have the ceres 50 that I use as a summit pack. I can look up with a helmet on and not have it hit the pack, it has a lot of places to stash stuff (crampons, shovel, ice axe, etc). This can be a problem while bushwacking though.

 

I ski with it and find it really comfortable. The pack has three basic diameters depending on how you connect the straps that cross from one side to the other. Then you can fine tune to keep your gear spread out close to your back. You probably have to see this to understand.

[JoshK]

curious...what do you need an expedition size pack to ski-tour with? Are you planning on really long tours? I can't imagine skiing with an expedition pack on and having any fun.

[thelawgoddess]

frigid-weather multi-day tours where i also might need to haul loads of climbing gear. i just don't see a 50L pack as being big enough. you think a 70L will be too much? i had a 62L that i used to use for glaciated volcanoes but i never used it for more than 2-3 day trips.

[JoshK]

Hmm...well, I'm kind of a fan of small packs. I just figure it forces me to pack light and small. I did our 4 day inspiration-forbidden traverse in a khamsin 38.

 

I guess I was just curious cause I can imagine doing much skiing with such a large pack. I guess you were thinking more of approach traverses to climbing objectives huh?

 

I really like my seratus icefall. I think it's a bit smaller than you wanted tho. At only $149 canadian it's hard to beat on price!

[thelawgoddess]

yeah, i want a big one that compresses smaller when i don't need to fill it ... which is something osprey packs are good at doing. i like small packs, too, and i have a couple of 30-35L ones - but they're really not made for heavier loads and can't hold everything i need.

[2morehours]

I have this orange pack and use it a lot for what you're talking about. The contoured geometry makes it seem smaller than it is, but it fits great for climbing and skiing. Like most other Ospreys, the shovel/axe/gearloops etc... organzation is awesome. It does have an offshore look and feel to it, I was initially weary of the durability of the seams/materials but so good so far. It has tiny carbon (i think) struts that I think are as much to keep the form of the pack as they are for distributing weight. That said, it carries a load pretty well. Reasonably priced - The best pack ever? No...but I would still recommend it

[Kiwi]

The what pack? Oh that? Yeah, I have that pack.

 

I really like it. It was the only pack besides the Bora that fit me really well. I got it because it was lighter (and cheaper). The shovel pouch is very convenient. Like 2morehours mentioned, the organisation is nice. It had all the gear loops and pockets I need. (1 for axe, and 2 for tools)

 

I only have two gripes. There's no side access, but that's a personal thing. Also, the sleeping pad loop at the bottom is REALLY small. I can barely fit the Z-rest in it.

 

As for compressibility, I rarely use anywhere near the full 70 L; usually 50-60 L. It compresses really well. You can straight-jacket the pack if you have a small load.