idea for a backpack - for halfway extreme environs

Hi there folks,

I have a friend who recently did a 3 day 130km hike in the mountains of one of the -stans (ex USSR) going up and down mountains. Because of the extreme nature of the weather and the area (which is truly only half-extreme - I mean we're not talking about K2, Everest Antartica or even NYC! ) they took pictures only with a small iphone or other P&S. It is very obvious - though still breathtaking views.

I fell in love with the idea and possibly next year will be joining them or another group.

The major issue here is the hiking, but I would feel quite the poor excuse of an amateur photographer if I couldn't think of a realistic way to also carry gear!

So anyone have experience with such a situation? a best type of backpack for some very aggressive hiking, climbing, etc?
BTW - if there is one that is water proof - that would be cool too.....

Maybe the F Stop Satori EXP or Tilopa BC? I had one and took it to the Yellow Mountains in China, it was great. Carried lots of both camera and non-camera gear and was very comfortable after days of hiking.

Depends in how much camera gear you want to take. I used to just carry a body and two lenses while backpacking (I have since switched to micro 4/3 for backpacking and if there are areas where I want to use a dslr I make a return trip with that gear). I'd just put the camera and extra lens in a dry sack and set that at the top of my pack, which is just a normal hiking backpack. Normally, while hiking, the camera would be attached to my packs shoulder strap via the capture clip.

If I'm going hiking with more gear I use my clik elite venture 35. Holds a ton of camera gear and has enough non-camera space for a couple days. The only down side is that that much camera gear is heavy and the pack it's self is not light either (the reason I switched to micro 4/3 is I'm trying to go ultra-light)

So how much gear are you planning on taking?

You might want to check out the new r180 bag from MindShift gear. I'm in their field test program and have an r180 en route to me right now, should arrive in a couple days.

http://www.mindshiftge​ar.com/

That's a cool bag. Pricey though.

CincyTriGuy wrote in post #16142695
You might want to check out the new r180 bag from MindShift gear. I'm in their field test program and have an r180 en route to me right now, should arrive in a couple days.

http://www.mindshiftge​ar.com/

Keep us updated on your thoughts of this bag please

3 days and 130km - you will be carrying gear, spare clothing, food, water, stoves, tents, sleeping bag etc, and doing 45km a day (which is a reasonable distance a day - 4.5kph for 10 hours - the average male human walks at 5kph, but at the end of the day, with a heavy pack, it will be less)
You will want a proper hiking/trekking pack with a proper suspension system, properly fitted for your body, and good boots.
A chest pod (like the Kifaru Koala, or similar) or one of the chest mounted camera carriers (pretty sure lowepro and Thinktank make them) will carry your camera, and lenses, having them on your chest, or mounted to your packs waist belt means you don't need to stop and take your pack off for every photo, saving time.
A "lift kit" connecting to the "shoulder lift" straps on your pack will help get the camera packs weight off your shoulders, onto the pack's stays, and down onto the waist belt (where most of the weight should be)


Personally I would go as light as possible even carrying a G1X or G15, or switch to a micro4/3 system to aave weight instead of a proper SLR (or as your friends did, just my phone).

Sirrith wrote in post #16140061
Maybe the F Stop Satori EXP or Tilopa BC? I had one and took it to the Yellow Mountains in China, it was great. Carried lots of both camera and non-camera gear and was very comfortable after days of hiking.

thanks - i will check those!

gremlin75 wrote in post #16140663
Depends in how much camera gear you want to take. I used to just carry a body and two lenses while backpacking (I have since switched to micro 4/3 for backpacking and if there are areas where I want to use a dslr I make a return trip with that gear). I'd just put the camera and extra lens in a dry sack and set that at the top of my pack, which is just a normal hiking backpack. Normally, while hiking, the camera would be attached to my packs shoulder strap via the capture clip.

If I'm going hiking with more gear I use my clik elite venture 35. Holds a ton of camera gear and has enough non-camera space for a couple days. The only down side is that that much camera gear is heavy and the pack it's self is not light either (the reason I switched to micro 4/3 is I'm trying to go ultra-light)

So how much gear are you planning on taking?

you bring up some really good points here. and to tell you the truth - right now I don't know. The idea of a mirrorless or even a good P&S is attrative for the weight considerations indeed. The other thing I worry about is the weather sealing, which may cause me to get an older 1d series camera, and then 16-35II? plus 24-105? (i think they can be weather resistant together...though not 100% abot that) but it would be a weighty proposition.

CincyTriGuy wrote in post #16142695
You might want to check out the new r180 bag from MindShift gear. I'm in their field test program and have an r180 en route to me right now, should arrive in a couple days.

http://www.mindshiftge​ar.com/

those look quite interesting. thanks for the heads up.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #16142874
Keep us updated on your thoughts of this bag please

yes, please

Echo63 wrote in post #16143336
3 days and 130km - you will be carrying gear, spare clothing, food, water, stoves, tents, sleeping bag etc, and doing 45km a day (which is a reasonable distance a day - 4.5kph for 10 hours - the average male human walks at 5kph, but at the end of the day, with a heavy pack, it will be less)
You will want a proper hiking/trekking pack with a proper suspension system, properly fitted for your body, and good boots.
A chest pod (like the Kifaru Koala, or similar) or one of the chest mounted camera carriers (pretty sure lowepro and Thinktank make them) will carry your camera, and lenses, having them on your chest, or mounted to your packs waist belt means you don't need to stop and take your pack off for every photo, saving time.
A "lift kit" connecting to the "shoulder lift" straps on your pack will help get the camera packs weight off your shoulders, onto the pack's stays, and down onto the waist belt (where most of the weight should be)

Personally I would go as light as possible even carrying a G1X or G15, or switch to a micro4/3 system to aave weight instead of a proper SLR (or as your friends did, just my phone).

thanks for the above. actually, the trek that my friends did - they went with an experienced guide and each night they wold bunk in one of the local villages. Another one of the personel would take personal effects from village to village during the day while they hiked. Even with all that, because of the terrain and the changing weather conditions, indeed they did not finish in the 10 hours you listed above. but, it is a "spoiled" way of hiking! but since this will be the first time I would take such a trip (and it isn't sure just yet anyway) I am still going to look up all the things you mentioned above since you sound much more experienced than I!

anyway - thanks all for the ideas and the further clarifications. It really helps!

Ounces matter. Altitude matters. Weather changes fast.

I'd go with a lighter camera that's less bulky. Mountains don't move too fast to need blazing focus and the light is aplenty. In the evening you'd need a tripod.

If you've never done it before, try walking 50k. What's the altitude?

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #16145423
Ounces matter. Altitude matters. Weather changes fast.

I'd go with a lighter camera that's less bulky. Mountains don't move too fast to need blazing focus and the light is aplenty. In the evening you'd need a tripod.

If you've never done it before, try walking 50k. What's the altitude?

so very true. the altitudes of where my friends were was up to 4200m but they averaged between 1500-3500m. In my neck of the woods we don't have anything so grandiose, so my 50km would be quite anemic in comparison, but if the question is *IF* I can do it... the answer is yes.

ceriltheblade wrote in post #16145487
but if the question is *IF* I can do it... the answer is yes.

In terms of perparedness, the question is if you've done "it". Shoes need to be broken in, socks need to be right, moleskin needs to be pre-cut.

Have you BEEN at altitude at all? 4k+ is where it can get serious.

If you haven't done it and don't have access to mountains, you can do the same 50k just in 8 hours instead of 10 and with more weight in the backpack.

But to answer your question as to the backpack: figure out the volume of the stuff you're carrying and get a good backpack which matches your body type from any of the major brands: acrteryx, osprey, deuter, tatonka...

I've never seen mindshift gear stuff, but I'd never consider it for hikes with elevation change. 2.5 KILOS for a 30 liter backpack is just too heavy. My cheap heavy 80 liter pack weighs under 3 kilos.

I'd get one camera, one lens of mirrorless variety or lighter. The way I like to carry cameras when hiking is to attach the strap of the camera to the shoulder strap of the backpack and leave it there. If there's a good chance of me tripping, I double up the camera strap and wrap it around so that the camera doesn't take a full swing if I fall down. (the strap is just 2-3 inches) I generally don't put the camera away, because I'd rather risk breaking it than carry it without being about to access it (not use it, not get pictures). If I do put it away, I wrap it in a fleece to save weight and bulk.

I hiked up half dome in Yosemite with a Deuter 32L hiking backpack.....

http://www.backcountry​.com …92-11e2-9dea-001b2166becc

With a camera insert bought off of eBay....

http://www.ebay.com …_trksid=p3984.m​1497.l2649

Worked great. And I actually use this bag/insert combo for racetracks and all hiking, which is a decent amount. You can still fit a water bladder in the back of the bag, as well as supplies under the camera insert that you can get to from the bottom zippered portion. As for the amount of gear that will fit, last weekend I had my 400mm DO and 70-300L lenses with my 7D, and it fit perfect. 3 lenses will easily fit facing down if you don't have something as big as the 400 DO with you.