I tried to find this answer already on the forum, but was not able to exactly...

I am 5'4'', 125, and about a 15.5" fit for a pack. We are planning for Denali and our guide service has requested large volume pack. "Internal frame pack expandable to a minimum of 6,000 cu.in.". I already have an Ariel 75, which has been a good pack but is showing wear from my training with 60 to 65 lbs loads and it doesn't meet their size criteria. Don't need a lot of bells and whistles; just a strong, big, light pack (yeah.. the holy grail) that fits a small frame.

any suggestions??

Gregory Denali Pro - size S -or- Gregory Women's Petit Dru Pro - size XS or S (im pretty sure they are the same pack, just different colors).

Welcome to SP.

If the Osprey packs fit you well I'd stick with them. My wife took an Ariel 75 on our last trip to Denali (unguided) and she loved it. If you want something larger than a 75 maybe check in to the possibility of ordering a Aether 85 but with a women's waist belt and shoulder straps. Not exactly 6,000 cu in but you pack won't weigh 7-8 pounds either.

If you want a good deal on Osprey packs I've had really good service from this retailer:

http://www.theoutfitteratharpersferry.c ... StoreFront

You should call the guide service and ask if you can get by with a smaller pack. You're gear should not take as much space than someone bigger. There requirement for 6000 cu. in. is probably from a generic gear list they send to everyone. Make sure you talk to a guide though, and not just the receptionist at the front desk.

jspeigl wrote:You should call the guide service and ask if you can get by with a smaller pack. You're gear should not take as much space than someone bigger. There requirement for 6000 cu. in. is probably from a generic gear list they send to everyone. Make sure you talk to a guide though, and not just the receptionist at the front desk.

I was wondering about that too. It seems like a 125 pound person ought not have to carry over 50 percent of their body weight on a guided climb. Right?

Yeah... I was wondering that too. I can easily carry 60 lbs (that is what I train with), but I am not sure how much more I would want to go (as a body wt %). I would think dropping anything else into a sled would be better.

My husband got the Gregory Denali Pro pack and likes it quite a bit. Just seems like a monster to me. I had been thinking about the Arcteryx 95 or just staying with my Ariel. The Aether is a good suggestion too.

Thanks for all you suggestions (and other advise on this site in the forums). It is a very good site.

Joe White wrote:

jspeigl wrote:You should call the guide service and ask if you can get by with a smaller pack. You're gear should not take as much space than someone bigger. There requirement for 6000 cu. in. is probably from a generic gear list they send to everyone. Make sure you talk to a guide though, and not just the receptionist at the front desk.

I was wondering about that too. It seems like a 125 pound person ought not have to carry over 50 percent of their body weight on a guided climb. Right?

When I did Denali I carried between 45 and 50 pounds on my back and we were doing the West Rib so we brought stuff one normally would not take on the West Butt (ice hammer, pitons, screws, small rock rack). I used a McHale SARC (4,500 inches). If price is not an issue, I would suggest calling up Dan McHale and see what he can do for you, a Super SARC sounds like it would be ideal for you. He under estimates his volumes by a fair amount. Many of his advertised packs have a lot of bells and whistles, but he built a stripped down model with the lightest fabric and smallest hipbelt he had for me. He builds packs specificially to fit your body, and he is good at it. His packs will outlast any other by a factor of ten and my pack carries weight better than a Dana Designs Terraplane and climbs very technical terrain better than a WT Andinista or CCW Chaos (I have used all of those packs). He builds packs with the latest techy fabrics and they are quite light for the volume, and can be made even lighter by opting out of the extra pockets and big, double buckle hip belt.

I'd second the Osprey. I love mine and you can go try them out at Benchmark.