Description of Mountain Hardwear South Col Backpack

Mountain Hardwear's big mountain pack. Trek to basecamp, and then strip down for the summit. Hip belt, frame sheet and lid are removable, and the pack can be compressed to the body for stable, quick runs. Attachment points accommodate a full load of tools. Fully loaded, this pack carries 76 liters, stripped down is will hold over 70 liters, and weigh almost 3 lbs less.

"Ed Viesturs wanted a single pack to do the whole guide thing on Everest. It had to be light and strong and durable. (Check. 100% Spectra front panel, 100d Cordura sides and top.) It had to be big and simple. (Check. Fixed suspension, molded backpanel, 75 liters plus overload capacity.) It had to be versatile enough to take to the summit and clean camps on the way down. (Check. The removable framesheet, top pocket and hipbelt knock the weight down close to two pounds; the versatile compression strap system let you lash fat sleeping pads and tents on the outside, but keep loose webbing to a minimum.) Ed's pleased. 'Nuf said."

– Erik Hamerschlag, Product Manager