Anyone can tell me what those loops on the bottom of the packs are for? Similar, but smaller loops can be found on GoLite Jam and others.

I can't see when and where they would come in handy. They are too far from torso to use for attaching sleeping bag or mat.

http://www.rei.com/media/zz/400b5da9-cbdd-49a8-b661-59fcc4c7e8d5.jpg

thems ice axe loops. handy for trekin poles sometimes too.

holding trekking poles or ice axe

you can see here

http://sectionhiker.com/how-to-attach-an-ice-axe-to-a-backpack/

Edited by annapurna on 05/02/2012 11:18:25 MDT.

Short roping small children or drunk or otherwise slow partners like Adan Lopez.

Thats it Wizner. You asked fer it. Me and yous gonna have to settle this mano a mano. I propose a race. Once i get all healed up and my guts sewed up tight, i wanna race you up baldy. drunk. Loser gets them there loops named after them. "Craig Loops", has a nice ring to it if you ask me.

The recommended approach to securing an ice axe works well for trekking poles, too.

I have used the ice axe loops for securing a tripod on occasion as well, though lately I've been using one of the bottle pouches and the compression straps along that side of the pack instead.

Some packs have a small loop centered on the bottom of the pack for adventure racing tow harnesses.

http://www.wegoteamlink.com/default.asp

So it's not for clipping my Nalgene bottle and carabiner to?

^^^ It's funny because I see that all the time.

:)

Um, I'm probably overlooking something here. It seems to be that, unlike an ice ax, which has a nice hefty head, trekking poles have no such thing, so the best a fellow can do is just pass his poles through that lower loop then figure out some way to keep them from sliding through and out?

Pass just the tip through the loop. Keep the scree basket ABOVE the loop
Twist the pole 360°, closing the loop around the pole tip.
Secure the pole handle towards the top of the pack.
The scree basket on the pole will keep the pole from sliding down and out of the loop

Jack, twist it until the loop is tight. It helps to put the loop around the cup or handle.

Well yeah, if I'd thought to keep the scree baskets on my trekking poles I would not have thought to ask the question.

[starts digging around in gear closet, wondering if he threw them out . . . ]

Edit: But wait -- Eugene provides the answer for those of us who have been left bereft of our scree baskets.

Edited by JackElliott on 05/02/2012 16:11:33 MDT.

If your trekking poles are long enough, just a twist or two in the ice axe loops should do the trick even without the baskets, most likely, as long as you secure the top reasonably well.

"Adan Loopez" works too.

"Pass just the tip through the loop. Keep the scree basket ABOVE the loop
Twist the pole 360°, closing the loop around the pole tip.
Secure the pole handle towards the top of the pack.
The scree basket on the pole will keep the pole from sliding down and out of the loop"

+1 SOP.

I think I will turn my loops into fanciful dangling dreamcatchers now that clipping my Nalgene is inappropriate. I sure will miss that bottle whacking me in the back of my legs with every stride. ;-p

I'll post the Dreamcatcher tutorial in the MYOG thread if anyone wants to follow.

Anyone?

I though the bear bell hangs there... now I have to rethink the whole rig.

Don't believe that ice axe stuff. They're for guying yourself out so you won't get blown over in high winds. Be sure to use strong stakes, though.