[Philmont] Pack Size

Good observation, Don. Reason is probably that the externals
typically are much less expensive to buy AND offer more flexibility
in adjustment for size, as a youth grows. But if you can afford it,
and if you feel you will not outgrow the more limited adjustment the
internal offers, most prefer the internal for its superior carrying comfort.

I used to carry a Dana Astralplane (now under the Marmot name),
around 7000 cu in. Huge. Never needed that much. (Well, maybe if
doing a 3-month NOLS expedition.) Now I carry a Dana Terraplane,
around 5500 cu in, and it's quite adequate for a Philmont trek. I do
have extra pockets, attached to the shoulder straps and at the waist
(called the "wet rib" I think) for water bottle, compass, map,
notebook & pen, do-dads (dare I say GPS).

Julian Love

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Donald S. Roberts" <donald@hummellawfirm.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 08:19:44 -0700

From: Pete Swiggum
> This is only an educated guess, but I would think between 2/3 and
3/4 of the
> backpacks that you see on the trail at Philmont (or on any other
trails, for
> that matter) are internal frame packs between 5000 and 7000 cubic inches.

I was on a trek in 2005. I actually do pay attention to this, as I have been
trying to help the scouts in my troop understand that internals are a great
alternative (we had all externals when I joined the troop).

I would say that 80% of the packs on the backs of the youth were externals
in the crews we saw. The rangers all had internals. The crew adults were
about 50-50.

Hardly anyone sells externals these days (and for good reason), but it
looks like all the externals are being sold to scouts :-)

Don Roberts
05, 03

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Received on Fri Sep 15 11:47:28 2006