Anyone have one of these? Good, bad, awesome?

http://www.summithut.com/products/super-scrambler/

I've got about $130 to spend on a new pack for technical winter mountaineering etc etc whatnot. Any good alternatives in the $130 price range?

Hey Taco,
Check out the Black Diamond sale, there are a couple of nice looking technical packs you might like. I just got the Sphinx 32 but haven't had a chance to try it out yet, looks sweet though. I had the regular Scrambler and used it for a few climbs but it was only 25L and it was too light for heavier loads.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en ... b-specials

i looked at the super scrambler and the scrambler when i bought my osprey mutant

what i didnt like was the 100D fabric... compare that to the 400D+ on my mutant //// i dont think itll last though too many chimneys

also depending on how you pack 50L without a frame and with a typical 30 lb+ lb load may not be yr cup of tea

Thanks Mirv! Gonna keep my eye on that page.

Shane, is that the Scrambler, or the Superscrambler (50l)? I have (or had) a Scrambler, which got lost... sorta... and I replaced it with an REI Flash 18 (which I despise ).

Not too worried about chimneys or rock routes. Gonna use it mostly for winter alpine and ice, going light and going alone.

I have the Osprey Mutant and its an awesome pack. Its a bit narrow (I like that) but tall enough that it can expand to about 45L. Its a very tough pack with a good suspension and although its pretty minimalist It has just the right features to make it convenient.

dbl post

Shane R. wrote:I haven't used one personally but one of my partner's used it for the first time a couple weekends ago on a winter attempt of Broken Top in the Deschutes Wilderness. He seemed to like it. He had his shovel/pickets attached to the outside. His Mountain Hardwear down jacket, my DAS parka, a 60m 7.7 rope, two liters of water and other assorted goods stored INSIDE. It's definitely a lightweight pack - think oversized version of the REI Flash 18. Reminded me of a summit pack. He skinned up and skied down and we were climbing for around 8 hours (we took the wrong chute, long story) and he had no complaints about the performance of using his pack on it's maiden voyage.

The main compartment's clasp on the front works nicely with gloves on as I undid it for him several times. The frame is removable to make it even lighter. He said he weighed it and it's the same weight as the REI Flash 18 (10oz) with the back support removed, but for some reason I doubt that now that I'm looking at the weight of the MH Scrambler with a weight of 35oz, who knows though?

Pack in action photos:

Nice pics, but this looks (and sounds) like the Scrambler, not the Super Scrambler.

I have one of the newer Scramblers, and used it on several alpine rock climbs in the Sierra last season. It does not carry ice gear all that well, though I managed to strap a lightweight axe and aluminum crampons on it ok. The removable framesheet is nice and supportive though -- I typically rolled it up and stowed it with my ridge rest on the outside of my big pack; this allowed me to wad the pack body up inside. The straps have a habit of slipping when fully loaded. The silnylon it's made out of seems pretty fragile when subjected to granite -- I've applied silnet on the bottom of the thing several times to prevent it from abrading through. FWIW

I have been using Black Diamond packs for 10 years now for multi day technical alpine climbing, ski touring, and ski mountaineering (Ice 45, Shadow 45, and and Avalung skiing pack). They carry well, climb well, and for their weight are pretty durable. The only damage they have incurred is from vicious, unprovoked rodent attacks that chewed on them a bit and when I tossed sharp ice screws in the pack without their protective caps. The Predator 50 is the same size as the MH pack you are looking at and is 2lbs heavier but is made of more durable fabrics.

If I had to get a new pack in that size range I would look hard at the Montbell Balance Light 40. My wife has one and it is really an outstanding pack - perfect for fast and light technical, multi day alpine trips. Everything you need and nothing you don't. It is very well thought out. It is also very light (2 lbs, 4 oz) and at $69.00 is a steal. The pack is made of a tough woven nylon material with a double bottom reinforced with a Cordura type fabric. http://promountainsports.com/index.php/ ... ht-40.html. If you need the extra 10 liters of space or are carrying heavier loads that 30 lbs I would look at the Montbell Alpine 50, although it is more expensive and heavier.

Sneakyracer and ExciteableBoy, thanks! Gonna check those out a bit.

I had a BD Predator 50, didn't mind it at all, sold it during a spell of "bad weather".

Really diggin' that Balance Light 40... especially at that price!

Thanks guys!

Thanks a lot E-Boy

If I had to get a new pack in that size range I would look hard at the Montbell Balance Light 40.

I don't need another f-N pack! You put the little dude on my shoulder that shouts, "it's only 60 bucks."

I was going to buy that, but I need both kidneys.

If you had a good experience with BD packs, FYI Black Diamond are about to rollout new versions of the Speed 30 and 40, so the older versions are now on sale all over the place and you can easily find them for under a hundred bones. Can't beat 2lb 8oz for a 40L pack with climbing features!

Shane Rathbun wrote:I guess this might be a bit off topic but has anyone tried the CiloGear 45L WorkSack? It's looks comparable and I've heard good things. Might pick one up.

I know quite a few climbers who use CiloGear packs and they all really like them, however, I have never seen such beat up, falling apart packs as CiloGear. One friend went through three CiloGear packs in three years. On one trip I could literally hear the straps popping off as the stitching failed. And he is just a weekend climber with two kids. The most respected climbing shop in town will not carry them. Maybe Graham has addressed the durability issues?

Tonka wrote:Thanks a lot E-Boy

If I had to get a new pack in that size range I would look hard at the Montbell Balance Light 40.

I don't need another f-N pack! You put the little dude on my shoulder that shouts, "it's only 60 bucks."

You have to get with the program. I bought my wife the pack and some new ice tools so I would be able to 'borrow' them. Kind of like Homer Simpson buying Marge a bowling ball.

Peep the Osprey Variant as well. I have the 37L but I believe they make it in a ~60L as well. My goto winter day pack or summer overnighter. Carries shovel, probe, skis, crampons, etc pretty well. Got mine on sale so I'm not sure what it retails for however.