Huandoy group, Peru
Where it comes from
My first climbing trip to the Andes I was 17 years old.It was the first time I was outside the US. I was on my own. Peru and Bolivia felt like the wild west. The misery of revolution was in the air. My first time to 6000 meters. My first time to experience martial law, water cannons and being on the wrong end of a gun.I didn’t want to return to school. That trip was life changing, or more life affirming.
The mountains were big. They were empty of other climbers. Unlike my previous summer climbing in Alaska, 4 legged animals, llamas, carried loads to base camps at 16,000 ft. I had bought my first mule bag for this trip. That bag lasted 8 years of hard use between South america, life in the Alps and years of being my main bag living the van life before it was a thing in the American West.
Like many items I build, they came as requests from customers to fill a requirement they couldn’t find some place else. The Expedition duffle request came in to fit a Paris sled on Denali. It needed to be reasonably light, wide and low,and tough as possible. So, I built one. Then requests came in for more. I built a few more. Then Outside magazine puts them in their 2023 gear guide. That was a mistake on my part.
I am glad to say I have built all of the white Ultra duffles this past week and starting on all of the Black ones late next week . all backorders are being filled. it has been dozens of bags. There are a handful in all three sizes available for at once shipping. no waiting. well, black bags are 10 days out. white ship on Monday.
These bags are all built in Ultra 400 TX fabric with a second bottom layer in Ultra 800 TX. #10 ykk zippers with storm flaps. compression straps with metal G hooks to handle any stomping on by yaks or donkeys. They feature full length daisy chains for lashing gear onto them or strapping into a sled.
The 45L uses the water resistant zipper and has normal handles and a removable shoulder strap. it fits as a carry on.
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in other shop happenings:
I finished a pack making class with Coleman today. He came to visit from Hood River, OR. he works as a designer of motocross bike bags for Mosko moto, who paid for him to come learn from me. very cool cross over. He built this great New Day Rising pack over 2 1/2 days.
I built the same pack during coleman’s class for a customer in Switzerland.This one has Voile strap ski carriers and internal pockets for avalance shovel, probe and snow saw.
Local ski guide and pro photographer Alexandra Roberts came by pick up her custom alpine Dump pack. Her pack also has a fanny pack top pocket/ padded camera case for use on assignment. She just returned from guiding a woman’s trip in Japan.
I finally got to build another New Day rising in the laminated woven UHMWPE UX10 fabric from X pac. Final weight with lid and padded hip belt in the 30 L version is 26 ounces.
Ran into Doug Ferguson, owner of Mountain Skills in New paltz, NY while out climbing this week with my wife. Doug has 85 days of ice guiding in this season. He’s been using this pack i made him for 3 years now. I highly recomend him for local guiding. I love seeing him out climbing.
last, there are small numbers of ice screw bags, chalk bags ,crampon cases and t-shirts available. once there gone , it will be next winter.
More soon.
JC
alpine luddites is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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