Backcountry Access Stash Alp40 Backpack - 2440cu in - 2007 BCS

Lots of room to fit all the required gear for a day tour or light overnight to a hut. The shovel blade pocket is a great feature as well as the full side sleeve for shovel handle and probe. The daisy chains give lots of options for strapping gear to the pack. The one improvement I would like is a better ice axe attachment system. Even with the daisy chains, I haven't found a good way to attach the axe to the back of the pack. I prefer the way it is done on the BD Revelation.

I have a 2005 model that I am still using today. It doesnt look like they changed the pack much at all, except for eliminating the diagonal ski carry which didnt work anyways. This pack is versital for powder touring, to technical climbing and functions well in all. The construction is bomber, I have had no malfunctions or repairs on my pack and have abused it well.

For a year or so this is a good pack. I really like the thought to design features such as the skin/shovel pocket w little drain, belt pockets for snacks or skinwax, the integrated drink tube. BUT - boy did this thing wear down quick. The worst was the material that forms the side walls of the pack. This got ripped both by ski edges and by Fritschi brakes whenever A frame carrying skis for summer touring. Required lots of duct tape patching. Simply making this a reinforced cordura would have prevented the issue. Other items that failed included one of the anchors to top comp strap that is needed for ski carry, and the general stitching around the skin pocket zipper. I'd give up a few extra OZ if it gave me more than a year of working durability.

I really do love that pack. It totally rocked for about a year of more common abuse, then I wore it for 47 consecutive days in the desert, however. Not good - but surprisingly better than the condition of my mates' packs. Presently, the fabric has degraded to the point where industrial thickness hand sewn patches (heinous striped fabric from scraps bolts at desert fabric stores) are the only thing holding anything in it (the entire original bottom is gone), most of the compression straps have ripped out, creating gaping holes into the main compartment, and nevermind any of the zipper sealers.... Although plenty of on-the-go patch jobs have produced a pack that now only partially resembles its original character (was it yellow?!?), the remaining portions of the pack are still functioning and as comfortable as a pack gets, and the insulated water system is extremely efficient at keeping water from boiling! Super sad to see this old friend retired, so maybe I'll just throw a few more stitches in and go with it for another season, despite how much it makes me look like a total dirtbag. Someday, I'll buy a new BCA pack, and use it just the same. Seriously great piece of gear.

At first I thought this pack was great; light, good hydration system, good pockets, good amount of space. But after a year it is destroyed. The cheapo zipper pullies have all ripped off (one on the first day of use) and there are now numerous holes in the light yet delicate fabric. Perhaps the owner should not take it rock climbing in the summer.....but I'm a bit disappointed in the durability after one year. Perhaps not a good value for the price.

I think this pack is great. One complaint is that there is no handle on the top of the pack, something i like to clip the rope into, or to clip it easily into a belay anchor.