Would like to hear from Pinnacle owners who use their packs for winter trips. I want the extra volume for winter, but want to make sure the pack can handle winter use well.

I was discussing this very topic with Philip at Sectionhiker.com when he was reviewing the Osprey Variant 52 and comparing it with his Cold Cold World Chaos pack. Philip by the way does very thoughtful and helpful reviews. He mentioned the importance of good load transfer, a crampon pocket for crampon teeth, a floating lid, etc. All good things, but they come at a cost in weight. However, sometimes extra benefit is worth the extra weight. Doug on the BPL Staff has used his Pinnacle for winter, with crampons attached with teeth pointed out.

Now I haven't seen anyone carry skis with a Pinnacle, and it's not a ski specific pack like the Golite Pursuit and other ski packs, but I'm wondering how you have it set up for winter and how it's worked for you.

Where do you carry your snowshoes?

How do you secure crampons if you use them?

Where do you carry your snow shovel (a real metal shovel for avy safety, not a Snowclaw)?

Do you find the support sufficient for extra winter weight? Do you add additional back support for the extra winter weight, such as an aluminum stay?

Do you carry skis on this pack and if so how do you secure them?

Any tips for making this pack work well for winter use?

Edited by mountainwalker on 02/19/2011 19:40:53 MST.

I just bought a Pinnacle and haven't had a chance to use it yet but the best was I've seen to carry snowshoes is how Hendrik from hiking in finland does (in the side pockets lashed down with the compression straps.) http://www.hikinginfinland.com/2010/02/gear-talk-golite-pinnacle-2010-backpack.html

In my opinion, the Pinnacle is really not suited for winter hikes that require a combination of the following: snowshoes, crampons, trekking/ski poles, ice axe, skis.

Personally, I favor packs with a more alpine- or ski-specific design for winter hiking. Cold Cold World, Mystery Ranch, CiloGear, Backcountry Access etc.

I think storing snowshoes in the pack pockets of the Pinnacle is a poor solution if you're in a situation where you'll need to switch from snowshoes to crampons with any frequency. You'd abrade the pack with snowshoe crampons quickly. Plus, needing to go inside your pack and dig around for crampons is a no go. Switching traction aids is already a big pain - there's no need to make it worse (i.e. take longer in low, low temps in the exposed, windy places you're likely to need crampons).

This website has a few pics of snowshoes mounted.



There are the two "compression" straps on both sides that work very well for securing things. You can also switch the straps so that instead of clicking together along the sides, they wrap around the back of the pack and clip together along the middle of the back (if that makes sense).

I have not used my Pinnacle with crampons or an axe, so I can't comment there, but the volume is entirely sufficient for my past winter hikes in Michigan.

This thread has a pic showing the axe loops that are present on the jam and pinnacle

Edited by HechoEnDetroit on 02/20/2011 10:09:46 MST.

I disagree with Dave here. For day trips, where I'm not sure what conditions I'll encounter, I'll often take both the XC skis and my Northern Lites Backcountry snowshoes. The snowshoes fit nicely in the Pinnacle side mesh pockets, front tip down and crampons facing outward, and secured with the compression straps. It's easy to trade the skis for the snowshoes, and the skis can be pretty well secured by just the compression straps. My snow shovel fits in the front pocket. A couple of ice axes could be added as well. I don't take crampons, but they could easily be carried in a crampon bag that goes inside the pack. I agree that there are better, dedicated packs to do all these same things, but I doubt that any of them are lighter. More durable with better carrying capabilities perhaps, but not lighter. So what I am saying is, yes, the Pinnacle will work.

>>I disagree with Dave here.

Fair enough. I think we're talking about very different types of trips though. I do mostly peak bagging type hikes. This might be why our opinions. differ I've never been very pleased with the combo of UL packs and snowshoes though. I've tried, but just never found a pack that was comfortable and carried my my gear securely enough.

I'm using the Osprey Kode 38 for day hikes this year. It's okay, not great but works.

I think I'm going to switch to a Cold Cold World pack. I can use it for snowshoeing day trips and cragging in fairer weather.

For winter camping. I use my Osprey Aether 75. Not UL, but it carries really well for me. And I got it super cheap. And I can use it for heavier canoe trips outside of winter.

Whatever works.

Edited by Ramapo on 02/20/2011 11:16:22 MST.

Steve O, the snowshoes in that photo are not mounted. I'd say that they're dangling. Dangling precariously. As in poorly secured. If you snagged a tree limb with the top of the snowshoe you'd blow out the side pocket for sure and probably rip the snowshoe off.

You want something more like this:



Also, if you use the Pinnacle's (or similarly designed packs') compression straps to attach your snowshoes, you'd better have the pack stuffed totally full, 'cause your compression straps stop being compression straps and start being snowshoe attachment straps. That pack in the photo will now carry like a sack of rocks. And poorly packed rocks at that.

Having an accessory strap or two (and means of attaching them to the pack) is a better option for snowshoe carry: you don't have to sacrifice compression to get your snowshoes on the pack.

Edited by Ramapo on 02/20/2011 11:26:54 MST.

the Pinnacle should make a great winter trip pack (w/ their typical high volume loads), but I don't think it will fare as well if you're needing to strap a lot of stuff to it- not really designed to do that

there are several packs designed to do just that, the rub is they will be at least double (probably closer to triple) the weight, but that might be weight well served

fortunately a shovel (and occasionally snowshoes) is all the additional carry needs I have :)

>>the Pinnacle should make a great winter trip pack (w/ their typical high volume loads), but I don't think it will fare as well if you're needing to strap a lot of stuff to it- not really designed to do that

Yeah. Thanks. That's what I was trying to get across, but you said it better Mike.

I guess my preference is for heavier packs that you can strap crap to.

I have carried a Pinnacle on a couple of trips and my trusty Jam and dozens of winter trips. I have been able to put the back of the showshoe in the side pockets and attached them very securely using the compressions straps. You can always have a full pack, especially in the winter. Don't pack your bag and other gear in stuff sacks, let them expand.


Jam2 with Snowshoes on Sides