Which Avalung?

[Wharf-Rat]

Hey folks,
with Xmas around the corner i am trying to decide which Ava-Lung pack to purchase....

the pack will be used mostly for solo day tours, and the occasional multi-day hut trips. (2-3 days, 4x per season on avg)...
I pack all the clutch gear, minus ice axe, ropes, etc...

usually just extra layers (puffy), tool repair, avy gear, food,

Which pack should i get?
thanks

[James]

Well what one puts in their pack varies by individual as does the description of extra layers and tool repair. I would also hope you carry some other things. I am not saying this to judge what you are carrying but more so that you can fit what you really bring. I have the Covert and think it is perfect to slightly small for day trips. For hut trips I think you would have to bump up to the Anarchist and even then the sleeping bag and a few other things will have to go on the outside. I had one of those but sold it a few years ago because it was just to big for the day trips and was not the best pack to strap things to the outside.

[Edgewood]

Not sure why you would need the Avalung for solo day trips.

I have but rarely use the stand alone Avalung.

[dschane]

Yeah, I too have the Covert and it's perfect for day tripping. I think it would, however, be too small for a multi-day trip.

[dschane]

Not sure why you would need the Avalung for solo day trips.

To enjoy the last 30-45 minutes of one's life, of course.

[Quadzilla]

Well unfortunately you need two packs for what you want to do unless you like to carry alot of extra pack most of the time when you don't need it. For me, and I rarely do any overnite or multi day trips, I still use two packs. My serious pack is a BD Convert Avylung pack. It is most certainly big enough to carry all avy tools and all the essentials for a strong day trip without overkill and alot of unnecessary weight. I also have a meadow skipping pack that is what I use for day trips without avy danger and light weight. I think for you the Convert would satisfy day tripping in avy terrain with a group.

[Wharf-Rat]

Not sure why you would need the Avalung for solo day trips.

The solo use of an AvaLung....Ya, does seem a little ridiculous. I am not always solo (60% of the time), I just wanted to up my BC safety gear and cant afford an Airbag...Just figured an Avalung would be a good purhcase to make this season.....

As for what i put in my pack i was vague because i just didn't really feel like listing the extensive amount of **** i put in my pack, all the way down to the fine particulars....I do travel with more than a puffy and screwdriver....

Any thoughts on the Outlaw, online it looks like it could be a good size for daytripping and hut trips...

For the Hut trips, all i really need extra from the day tripping is the sleeping back, thermarest, stove, fuel, water filter, more clothing, down booties, and extra food, probably other things i am forgetting...

Would the Convert BD pack be able to fold down good to be packed up in a higher vol. expedition pack?

[bergbryce]

Get the Bruce Tremper model.
It will do a better job saving your life.

[tele.skier]

Not sure why you would need the Avalung for solo day trips.

I have but rarely use the stand alone Avalung.

THIS ^^^

I have an avalung pack. I don't remember which one it is. It's useless without a buddy to dig you out.... so don't waste your money on an avalung if you want it for solo travel. Save your money for a Air bag. * I think Randy on turnsallyear is selling his 'never deployed' airbag pack in their "gear for sale" forum. The airbag could still save you if you are going solo and you make a mistake getting caught in a slide.

[James]

You would use an avalung for solo day trips because even gear whores like me don't have solo a day trip pack and a partner day trip pack.


I think the Outlaw would be overkill for most people as a day use pack but only by a little and not near big enough as a hut trip pack. 2 more liters at 32 is not going to make a hut trips pack for most people.

I could easily put my Covert (Convert??) in an expedition pack for hut trips and used to do it this way when I only had one ski pack. I think it would best to strap it to the outside but you can figure what's best for you.

Basically I agree with Quad. Two packs is best but remember when I was in your shoes and had only one ski pack. If I thought back and had to choose between having the small day pack and strapping it to my expedition pack for hut trips or having my Anarchist for hut trips and liveing with a oversized pack for day trips I am not sure which I would choose but probably the later.

[Wharf-Rat]

You would use an avalung for solo day trips because even gear whores like me don't have solo a day trip pack and a partner day trip pack.
If I thought back and had to choose between having the small day pack and strapping it to my expedition pack for hut trips or having my Anarchist for hut trips and liveing with a oversized pack for day trips I am not sure which I would choose but probably the later.

James, Thanks man....

Great call...

I am gonna solo day trip with my current pack (Dakine Guide) and I am gonna buy the BD Anarchist Avalung 42L, for touring with buddies and hut trips..... How does the 42L pack feel when skiing, is it to much pack for descending, will it be noticeable?

[James]

According to BD the Anarchist is lighter then the Covert. Obviously this is not accurate but with the avalung and all other equal parts I doubt the Anarchist is that much heavier. It is tall and thin like me so I think it was a real good ski pack. The new ones like my Covert have a much better hip belt for skiing. It also has good compression straps. I liked it a lot but it was big for day trips and now my day pack is an airbag. I only use the Covert now when I travel or in the spring for ski mountaineering. The Anarchist does look a little big.

[LightRanger]

Nobody mentioned what, to me, is the most valuable reason to wear an Avalung: NARSIDS.

I have an Avalung II that I often wear inbounds for this reason. And it makes it worth it for solo skiing, IMO. I've never been caught in a slide, but I have fallen into 2-3 treewells over the years.

I'd go Avalung II and buy the pack you want and don't limit yourself to BD. I admit that it's a mild inconvenience when you're changing layers, but, to me, I'd not that big of a deal.

[jfb]

Not sure why you would need the Avalung for solo day trips. .

Nobody mentioned what, to me, is the most valuable reason to wear an Avalung: NARSIDS.

Another reason is that the trachea gets packed with inhaled snow during an avalanche. An Avalung would prevent the need to self-administer the Heimlich maneuver.