Kelty Red Cloud Backpack - 5000-6650cu in - 2009 BCS

The Red Cloud is not really a climbing pack but will work in a pinch. The top lid comes off so you could shed some weight and bulk if you need to. The fabric is water resistant but not water proof. It'll shed water for a while but if you plan on being in the rain a lot, get a pack cover, it's worth every penny.

I have about the same torso length as you (around 23)and find that the Red Cloud 6650 adjusted to the max length works for me . You'll definitely max out the torso length but it will work. This is a BIG pack. If you're not going for a multi-day backpacking trip, I'd recommend a smaller pack like the Red Wing 3100. Hope this helps.

For 15 year old scouts (like myself) this is a great pack however, it IS a bit heavy i just came across this pack today at the scout store and it felt like a GREAT pack.

If you are willing to spend a bit more i would suggest an Osprey pack, maybe the Aether 70 or Aether 85 if you need the extra space.

The Red Cloud is a great pack for scouts. It has an adjustable torso range and will put up with years of abuse. The other pack you should take a look at is the Kelty Yukon: http://www.backcountry.com/kelty-yukon-backpack-2900-3000cu-in The Yukon is one of the most popular scout packs in the Kelty line.

55-60 lbs is going to be the comfort limit. You can load much more but it won't be comfortable. Hope this helps.

It's very comparable. Like the Contour, the Red Cloud has an adjustable torso range, top and panel load, double aluminum stay internal frame, sleeping bag compartment and extendable top lid with spin drift collar. The bonus you're getting with the Red Cloud over the Contour are the side pockets. Hope this helps.

Depends on how long your expedition is and how much cold weather gear you need. I assume you'll also have to take a stove, but if you're going for two weeks or more, I'm not sure you'll be able to fit all of your food and fuel in here along with everything else. If you're travelling with a friend and you can split up group gear, then yes, it would work.

And for your "rather large sleeping bag," invest in a lighter one and smash it down in a compression sack.

Yeah dude for sure. A 60m rope, small tent, and sleeping bag probably will eat most of you internal room in this, the rest going to food and clothing. The brain of the pack should hold the rest of your essentials. Then that bigger front pocket should swallow shoes, chalk, trad rack. The smallest size is 82L, and since a general daypack is about 35L, and holds all your climbing gear, imagine the extra room. Try this, throw all the non-climbing gear in your standard daypack, if it all fits, then take that size of pack and double it, and you got what size you need for what you described.

Get them from Kelty directly. 866-349-7225 or warranty@kelty.com

yeh that is what i was thinking, but i was more concerned about not being allowed through security with it if its too big, and was trying to avoid having to shell out the arm and leg that it costs for checked bags these days. also, with it being new, I would like to avoid it getting destroyed as tends to happen with many checked bags.

It might be a stretch to get on the plane. You could always check it at the gate if it won't fit in the overhead compartment.

It's an awesome pack to have...it was the first one I ever bought and still use it regularely. However, if you want to hike through, you may want to consider a smaller pack. You probably won't be carrying a tent for most of the time, will have regular food and water pickups, and will be traveling light. No need to carry a 6lb pack if a lighter one would work

I bought this pack a few years ago and love the way it rides. I used it in Philmont two years ago and plan on using in 2011 when I do the AT.
It can be over packed so watch your weight and gearlist.

Have a great hike.

Jim

My personal idea for this pack and the AT is this... you can easily thru-hike the AT with a pack half the size and half the weight. The beauty of the AT is that you have road crossings quite often, which means many different places for re-supplies: grocery stores, post offices, smaller outfitters. You don't need to carry a pack that is this large. Yeah, it's cheap and large, but you'll be wishing you got another pack before you even make it out of Georgia.

My suggestion: one of the more popular packs on the AT would be the Granite Gear Vapor Trail - rides like a king, extremely comfortable, easy to set up and use, and easily large enough for your AT needs:

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Granite-Gear-Vapor-Trail-Backpack-3300-3900cu-in/GRG0014M.html

Best of luck!

This pack is very good for any backpacking trip. Plenty of room for all your essentials, comfortable & the price is right. I really like detaching my lid for day hiking. Go for it dude & have a great A.T. trip.

Give the warranty department a call: 800-535-3589. They should be able to help you.

This is the 2009 model.

It's water resist, not waterproof.

Use a 3m 44gal trash bag to line the pack.

The Red Cloud is not waterproof. Use a pack cover to keep it dry. They're light weight and inexpensive: http://www.backcountry.com/store/KEL0149/Kelty-Backpack-Rain-Cover.html
This would be a great pack for a trip to Thailand. Lots of space for your stuff and the removable hood turns into a hip pack. You can load the pack from top or through the back panel so getting at your stuff in the middle of the pack is a breeze. Have fun on your trip!

Fits waist up to 50 inches.

Kifaru Backpacks makes a rifle sling that is a universal set up and is a quick-draw for hunters and military operators.

On the 2009 model you can slide a rifle/fishing pole behind the side pockets into the mesh water bottle pockets. When not in use a velcro section closes off that access so you can have extra pockets behind the side pockets perfect for maps or other flat items.

First of all, I have an older model of the Red Cloud, but there are straps that are oriented horizontal or parallel with the ground when wearing the pack. These straps could be used to secure a rifle bag or scabbard to the pack over one of the side pouches.

I personally would NOT recommend this. I would suggest a custom sling over strapping to a backpack in most situations. This would prevent damage from force applied to the rifle when strapping the pack, and it would be easier to access.

There are two pockets unlike what my predecessor said. Located on either side of the pack the mesh pockets are large enough to handle nalgene bottles.

Yes, left side in the picture.

Maybe you don't have a mental picture of how big 85L is. There is room for a decent sized child in this beast. And yes, the water bottle pockets are accessible.