Awesome pack - but with modifications and not for smaller women

By jel2725401 Ranked #558 - Winter Packs November 16, 2010

I just received this pack in the mail and have spent the last many minutes figuring it out! Keep in mind that I will most likely use this pack for 80% lift-accessed skiing and %20 side/slack/backcountry use. If I was planning on any more BC use, I would definitely return it for it's main drawback: the ski-carry system. (and also because it's pretty small for a bc-use only pack)

The pack comes with a tag saying it will accommodate skis with up to 135mm tails, yet as peckmann1731028 describes below, this is NOT TRUE. The loop on the pack actually measures 115mm long, but that's assuming your skis would be paper flat. I honestly can't imagine how anyone's skis (that you'd buy for BC skiing within the past 4 years) would fit through these loops.

But that's okay, because it's still a bomber pack. Seriously durable zippers, fabric and buckles, and looks pretty waterproof too. The shovel pocket fits my life-link shovel perfectly. Ice axe carry system is nifty. It's pretty low-profile, good for lift-riding. And it fits me perfect- I'm 5'6" (maybe taller) and 135lbs. But if you are any smaller than me it probably won't fit. Ladies with smaller shoulders might have trouble too.

I love the pack, that's obvious. So I found a way to carry my skis vertically (instead of a-frame). This design might only work for gals with 100mm and wider skis. Take the smaller of the two extra straps and attach it to the bottom ice-axe buckles. Take the longer strap and buckle it into the top ski-carry straps. Even with a fully loaded pack + shovel, I was able to cinch these two straps tight enough for a stable load. It's not as sleek looking as their a-frame method, but it does the job. Might use an additional tele-ski strap if there ends up being too much sway, but I'm pretty sure it will work.

View Details: Ortovox Haute Route 32 Pack - Women's - 1952cu in

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