Gregory Tarhee 45 Ski/Mountain Backpack for Hiking//Photography Use - A Review

I have been looking for a true hiking backpack for use as a photography pack for a while. Most photography backpacks in my experience are not really designed to carry a relatively heavy load for long periods of time. On the other hand, most hiking packs aren't designed with the photographer in mind. To that end, I decided to look for hiking packs that could be modified for photography use. To do this, the packs neeeded to have the following characteristics:

1. They needed to be true hiking packs, i.e. had the support systems to allow for carrying relatively heavy loads for long periods without discomfort
2. They needed to be rear loading to enable someone to put the pack on the ground, retrieve the photo gear and put the pack back on without getting one's back dirty
3. They needed to have adequate room above the photo gear to accommodate other daily gear - a ziploc back with a lunch and or snacks, and a jacket, rain shell, etc. for layering.

After a lot of reviews and searching on the web, I settled on the Gregory Tarhee 45, a ski/mountain pack. It seemed to fulfil all the 3 criteria listed above.

I'm not going to talk at length about the virtues of the pack for hiking/mountaineering/​skiing. These can be found on numerous reviews online by googling the name of the pack.. I will add a few here below, as well as a Youtube video of how the pack can be used for backcountry skiing and mountain trips.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=v4rs9oRoVLI

https://thebigoutside.​com …ry-targhee-45l-snow-pack/

http://www.backpackgea​rtest.org …%20Nancy%20Grif​fith/#LRPT

In particular, there is a review of the pack being used precisely for what I wanted it for - as a photography/hiking pack. Here it is:

http://www.highwaytour​collective.com …ist/photographe​rs-daypack


Well, on to my review.

I ordered the pack from campsaver.com. I paid $125 for it, which seemed reasonable when compared to "photo" packs for similar use.

http://www.campsaver.c​om/gregory-targhee

It is listed for $140 but you can find coupons floating online that will give you a bit of a discount. Just google for it.

I also ordered a photo gear insert from eBay. This one:

http://www.ebay.com/it​m/171752477625

It cost me about $19.

The pack is great. It really is designed for backcountry ski trips as well as mountain rescue, etc. and it has all kinds of doodads, tieoff points, etc. for carrying skis, snowboards, snowshoes, poles, avalanche rescue gear like shovels, etc. etc. You can watch the video and read the dedicated reviews for all that stuff. I don't think I'll use half that stuff, but certainly snowshoes may come in handy for hiking in winter.

Here is a photo of the pack:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/L1Uv​V9

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LR36​YK

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LNvK​m5

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LV6z​eG

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LNvK​9b

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LNvL​wm

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/L1V7​th

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/L29W​cB

kinda looks like the tripod is going to sag alot, was this a problem?

I hadn't cinched the straps tight in the photo, so I think it will be fine. However, this isn't a camera backpack. It is a ski/mountain pack being used for. Camera gear, so the straps were really meant for lashing down skis or ice picks, so it is not going to be perfect.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18126076
I hadn't cinched the straps tight in the photo...

Yea I realized that, and I understand Gregory doesn't make photo packs, never would want a photo pack. I've just always found unless the bottom of a tripod leg can get stuffed in a pocket or mess pocket they seem to sag and loosen over time on the trail so the pack doesn't ride right. Again my comment was more of a question as I'll be looking for a new pack soon. My other question is how much other stuff can you pack in it? Multiple water bottles, lunch, heavy jacket, rain gear, etc...?

archfotos wrote in post #18126606
Yea I realized that, and I understand Gregory doesn't make photo packs, never would want a photo pack. I've just always found unless the bottom of a tripod leg can get stuffed in a pocket or mess pocket they seem to sag and loosen over time on the trail so the pack doesn't ride right. Again my comment was more of a question as I'll be looking for a new pack soon. My other question is how much other stuff can you pack in it? Multiple water bottles, lunch, heavy jacket, rain gear, etc...?

Good point. I plan to get a molle pocket and attach it to see if I can rest the tripod feet in it to give it a bit more support. There was plenty of space for me to stuff a fleece jacket, a water bottle and a ziploc with some granola bars above the ICU. I also plan to add an external water bottle pouch. I think the setup is fine for a day hike. I don't think I would do a backpacking trip in it, as the pack isn't really set up to carry sleeping pads, bags, tents, etc.

I've been looking for a good solution to the hiking backpack/camera problem, as did you (read in your other thread). I've been using Clik Elite and had both the Voyager 35 and more recently the Contrejour 40. Now looking to replace the Contrejour as it's begun to fatigue.

This seems like a good option on the pack, but I don't like the extra steps to fishing out your photo gear, especially if the pack was full of clothes and other. Did you consider an Fstop ICU or similar? The ICU you chose seems cumbersome, but maybe not since the pack has that pocket on the bottom. I've got a few more lenses than you and don't think that ICU is gong to cut it.

Glad it's worked out for you. I'll definitely keep this pack in mind as I move forward.

Sorry to revive an old thread..

Did you ever find any bags that had rear panel access that were not snowsports bags? Alternatively, how does this bag fare in warmer weather hiking? I'd imagine the back panel doesn't breathe very well.

The only rear panel bags I've found are this one and the Osprey Kamber, both of which are also snowsports bags.

Ok, the thread is revived so I'll give it a go

You seem to be one of the few who has used a Clik Elite Contrejour. I have a Contrejour for more than seven years and I'm also looking for newer options.

However, after trying out and buying several dedicated hiking backpacks I keep coming back to my Contrejour. My best shot until now is a Deuter Guide with a Mindshift Multi Mount Holster and Beta Shell lens cases.

When we're talking about serious hiking, you really need rugged inserts, with strong walls to protect your gear. Not only from impact but also from the personal things in the backpack. When hiking in nature things can get rough. All those weak inserts don't protect the gear, they sag. I've worked with the famous F-Stop ICUs and gave up on them. The Tenba BYOB bags are a bit better but not strong enough.

So, in the end nothing beats the concept of the Contrejour. It has some drawbacks though. Your personal things are stored at the front, they are not close to your body making them feel much more heavy. And you can't adjust the suspension system that much.

However, your gear is totally safe and glued to your back. And as a plus, I can easily ride my mountain bike with it, for over 65 miles.

The best part, it gives you fast access while hiking making it ideal for wildlife and bird photographers.