Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

YODO

Re: [TomAiello] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Easily managed to load my beefy Gargoyle with Troll 245, my Colugo2, and a G3. I forgot to take the plugs out of the intakes on the WS before loading it, so it could get a bit smaller. Removing leading edge foam and loading them seperately down the sides could maybe net you some extra space as well, but as loaded, everything you might want to hide fits inside the bag. The pic showing the bag open was before loading the helmet.

All up weight is 27lb.

Once backpad inserts, stays and hip belt are removed, it quickly rolled and folded down to roughly the size of a loaf of bread. The foam backpad inserts are pretty stiff, and resist being rolled or folded, but I was able to get them into the sides of the leg wing area, and the rolled up bag and belt and stays went down the center. I’m not experienced in flying a WS with gear stowed in there, and I know my C2 isn’t optimized for this. May try a skydive with it loaded to see how it flies. The backpads could also be tucked away behind my back inside the suit, more securely if I had one of those fancy stashbag zipper pockets like my SausageToo.

I dunno how to post images directly so I just made an IMGUR gallery.

https://imgur.com/gallery/coQuV0z

Y.O.D.O.

Colm

Re: [YODO] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

awesome pictures! Thanks. Do you think you could strip the hip belt or other things, and get the back flat enough for a typical stash pocket on a rig?

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

Colm

Re: [TomAiello] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

TomAiello wrote: Can't as in 'won't'? Or can't as in 'anatomical impossibility'?
Anything is anatomically possible if you're brave enough!

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

YODO

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Probably maybe? The shoulder straps have padding sewn in, and all the buckles and cinches add bulk as well. It certainly won’t flatten out as well as a bare bones stash sack. I don’t have a pocket on my rig or else I’d try it out.

Depending on the hike intensity and duration, you may be able to get away without one or both of the backpads and stays, but they definitely help manage the load.

My one single gripe is that it doesn’t have a cinch cord in the top of the bag, so there has to be some amount of material left for you to roll for closure. Stuffing an open rig and canopy inside will take up a lot more space, potentially making stowing the WS and helmet a little more work after the jump, at a time/place you may be trying to GTFOQ. My dealer noted that if I needed more capacity, it would be simple to add material to the top of the bag. It definitely wasn’t built with BASE in mind, but it checks enough of the boxes for me, and functions better as a backpacking bag than a BASE specific stashbag might, so it saved me from buying two bags.

Y.O.D.O.

TomAiello

Re: [YODO] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

YODO wrote: My one single gripe is that it doesn’t have a cinch cord in the top of the bag...
You can add that pretty easily. All you have to do is sew a piece of tape (or tubular webbing, if you want it more durable) around the top rim, and run a piece of cord inside it. You could do it on a home sewing machine.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

DFR

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I have a Granite Gear Virga 2 which has been great. It can get a little tight with a winguit and full weight rig though. I ended up cutting off some padding to lower the bulk. Only real downside is ots slow to stash with a small mouth at the top. An easy fix would be adding a zipper down the back.

I also had their Crown 60 which required cutting off the back foam and part of the waist belt foam but it held a little more. Same issue with the narrow mouth but same fix works.

I have a Simond Alpinism 55 Ultralight pack but it seems that is discontinued. That one I got used from another jumper and have been really happy with as they already sewed a zipper down the back and it has nice gear loops on the side for ice axes and ropes and shit. I've taken it on 10+ hour approaches and its comfy. You might be able to find one used.

https://www.granitegear.com/virga-2.html

https://www.granitegear.com/...n2-60-pack-2660.html

https://www.amazon.co.uk/...cksack/dp/B008H2ENXS

Colm

Re: [DFR] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Granite Gear seems to have a 30% off sale right now, too. Not bad.

Can you fold yours down to fit in a typical rig stash pocket?

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

DFR

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Colm wrote: Granite Gear seems to have a 30% off sale right now, too. Not bad.

Can you fold yours down to fit in a typical rig stash pocket?
Hmm I want to say yes with a tight fit. Let me look for the bag tomorrow and I can try. There's a chance my gf took it out of town this week so it may have to wait till Saturday.

TomAiello

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Are you going to be in Twin Falls anytime soon? I have one that we built that I'd like to show you.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

Colm

Re: [TomAiello] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Unfortunately, not for a while... (I'm not keen on traveling nowadays even if I could get there)

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

« Previous Page