[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

By Singlefeldspar from Short Hills, NJ on 6/3/2008

I just bought the pack and used it for a 3-day ascent of the Liberty Ridge on Mt. Rainier. The pack had plenty of space (too much space for this climb - but that is not the pack's fault), and its compartments allowed for easy access to gear. The pack carried 50 lbs very comfortably for an average of 10 hrs climbing a day. Whether swinging ice axes, ascending steep snow, or post-holing on descent, the pack stayed well-balanced and comfortable. However, this is NOT a good technical climbing pack when the climbing gets steep. The primary problem is that the stays are high enough that I could not tilt my head back far enough to see above me during 45 degree or steeper climbing. While I realize that such is not the purpose of the pack, it is a limitation I should have considered in advance. The only other faults are that the straps are too long (and there are many straps) and the outside back stretchy compartment is weak, so it ripped from being put on its back with a helmet inside. That being said, the pack performed very well. I have had other packs, but none carried nearly as comfortably as this Osprey. Furthermore, the hipbelt provided unlimited range of movement. Of course, if you are looking solely for a technical climbing pack, you should get something smaller, lighter and tighter to your back.