spring dumphi everyone,it’s the end of April, yet spring feels out of reach. I often forget that I live so far north. I can still see snow in the Whites from my window. The ski runs on Cannon are still visible. there are no leaves out. I have been working outside 6 days a week for the first half of the day, bucking and hauling trees, clearing fields of black locust saplings, planting another 30 trees( apples, apricots,hickory, peaches,plumb) in the orchard rows. I have yet to wear shorts. Both chainsaws are at the hospitial. Once they are back I am spending a couple days chipping all my brush piles from the last 2 years for mulch for the trees. hopefully before black flies hatch.
This was for Ed . It was one of the oldest outstanding orders i have had, like from Ouray, CO. He had originally sent me his old Wild Things Ice Sac and I think a Dana Bomb pack to rebuild. The dana was easy enough, but his ice sac was trashed. It took him years to decide what to do. We eventually met in person at my event amundsen sports in February, and decided to build a new ice sac. He told me to make as garish as possible, so dunkin donuts colors it is.
Built just like the original: 16 oz ballistics, canvas back panel, exact same pleated lid, same 2” seat belt web belt, sewn on lid crampon straps, ice axe loops. Changes from original : removable foam back pad, a sternum strap, front daisy chain, regular rear handle.
I personally loved my WT’s ice sac, the generation after this model, and I carried it for years and eventually wore it out hauling on walls. I decided to offer this as one of my classic packs, alongside the other WT’s Ferny I already offer.
these will be batch built, like all the other classic packs. You still have to wait, but not as long as a custom pack.There is no customization on the classic packs.
Expedition duffles : these have been a huge project, with dozens built. I only have the black 135 L duffles left to build and that will be in 2 weeks. all 100L black have shipped. there is one second for $350 and one regular available for asap shipping.
Classes: classes are filling up for the summer. I only have time to tech 2-3 days a month. after 3 years I had to slightly increase the cost as materials and shipping are much more expensive than 3 years ago. I will be asking Rosanna if we can can do another class in Wales, UK for spring 2027. Latest mother/son class photo:
And now for something different: The Old Stone Trade in NYC. They had emailed me months ago asking if they could sell the Black Crag pack for an upcoming spring collection. My initial reaction was no. Then I started reading about all the other craftspeople they represent, and while feeling out of my league, I decided to say yes to a very small amount of packs. They have to wait like every other order. i finally realized it’s no different than ordering a pair of limmer boots.
Speaking of New York City, I will be back in the city next week at NYC velo East Village store on Thursday if any customers want to meet up.
travel packs : I have built two very custom travel packs recently. if you see the customer wearing the grey and red one, please steal it and send it back to me. he canceled his credit card within a day of it being shipped. I fucken hate this. It put me in a sour mood for a week. he’s a veterinarian who works in the tropics. With AL being a subsistence business this really hurts. I make very little profit on one off custom packs. if i charged all the hours I work on a one off pack they would cost more than I could stomach.
The Blue one went to South africa with a black 100L duffle. this one was based on the Face Nord, but greater depth.
These are always custom projects. there is no real off the shelf design. When I travel I tend to be less organized and if it’s more stuff that can fit in my messenger bag it’s packing too much. I really work to get my head around very organized people.
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