Packing
Vaude Rupal Light Summitpacks 28 & 18 liter
These are my two ultra lightweight Vaude Rupal Light backpacks, for alpine climbing and sporty mountain tours. I use the 18 liter Rupal Light and the 28 liter Rupal Light version. These have all the functionality I need. Made out of strong material, but yet very lightweight.
Looking for a pack to do dashes onto mountain tops, I found these awesome packs. Light enough to carry as extra load in my bigger pack and functional enough to take all the necessary gear on alpine day trips. I typically carry a hydration system, an ice axe, a ice pick, crampons, a helmet, a PLB, clothing layers, cooking gear and food. During the cold season I carry less clothing layers inside the pack, which enables me to use the smaller pack.
These packs offer superior freedom of movement, even when fully packed.
- Joint (similar) features
- Ultralight backpack designed for Alpine Climbing, Mountaineering and Via Ferrata.
- Molded padding stripes at back.
- Drawstring flap closes the pack quickly.
- Outer zip pocket.
- Side compression straps.
- Lightweight siliconized fabric.
- Reflective elements.
- Opening for hydration system.
- Back ventilation with large central ventilation channel.
- Water repellent finish Eco Finish.
- Load range: 3 – 8 kg.
- 18 LITER PACK features:
- Wide,vest-like ErgoShape shoulder harness for a stable fit.
- Stowable top compression strap / rope holder.
- Stretch mesh pocket on shoulder belt for a phone/personal location beacon, gels, bars etc.
- Glove-fixation at shoulder belt.
- Attachment point for ice tools.
- Removable webbing hip belt.
- Weight: 510 g.
- Volume: 18 l.
- Dimensions: 52 x 24 x 22 cm.
- Approximately €105
- 28 LITER PACK features:
- ErgoShape shoulder straps for optimal freedom of movement.
- Pack stability and good carrying comfort with two adjustable aluminum bars.
- aluminium bars removable to reduce weight.
- attachment point for ice tools with picksleeve.
- Wider webbing hip belt.
- Weight: 610 g.
- Volume: 28 l.
- Dimensions: 54 x 26 x 22 cm.
Hartford Gear Dyneema Packing Pods
These Hartford Gear Dyneema Packing Pods are the lightest ever. Handmade by Georgia, these packs are well made, high quality products, made to last! They have all the practical details, loops, pulls and waterproof HHH-zippers. I use the range of small, medium and large pods, weighing 24, 28 and 32 grams respectively. She offers 7 colour variations and a X-Pac version as well. Highly recommended!
Harnasses
 Blue Ice Choucas Light Ultra Light Minimalist Harness (can be worn underneath trousers) |  Edelrid Agent Ultra Light Minimalist Harness (can be worn underneath a backpack) |
Hardware
Since I do not Climb anymore, my gear is targeted to rescue, self rescue, hauling and other activities. This means I primarily use gear to handle ‘static’ loads, rather than dynamic loads.
 Z-Drag 3:1 set Petzl Micro Traxion, Petzl Tibloc and Petzl Sm’D biners. |  Z-Drag 5:1 and 9:1 set Petzl Micro Traxion, Petzl Tibloc, Petzl Oscillante pulley, Petzl Rollclip pulley carabiner and Petzl Sm’D biners. |
 Ascend set Petzl Micro Traxion, Petzl Tibloc, a Footloop and Petzl Sm’D biners. |  Rappel set Black Diamond Belay 8 and Petzl William biner. |
 Kayak set (kayak biner fits over paddle shaft and two Whetman Kraken stainless steel biners.) |  Spares set (Petzl William biners Black Diamond Rocklock biners and Ocun Hawk Wire biners) |
 Rope and hardware uses. |
Snow & Ice gear
 Petzl Irvis Leverlock Crampons |  Tontron Edgar Climbing Helmet |
 Black Diamond Carbon Ice Tools |  Petzl Glacier Linkin 70cm Ice Axe |
 Ortovox Snow Shovel |  Vallon Freebirds Goggles |
 EVVO Toree Snowshoes |
Safety
Satellite Messenger / Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
The first item I pack (for personal ánd group safety) on every outdoor activity is my Satellite Messenger / Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). The Zoleo satellite communicator, can send an SOS alert to activate Search & Rescue, with 24/7 emergency monitoring and dispatch included (provided by GEOS). Both the device and the app have a dedicated button for this.
Not to be used lightheartedly as it will result in the activation of a (helicopter) rescue team, guiding them to your location: When GEOS receives your SOS alert, they’ll know the GPS coordinates of your ZOLEO communicator. They’ll contact the appropriate emergency response authorities for your location, and reach out to the emergency contacts you designated when creating your ZOLEO account.
Using the ZOLEO App, you’ll also be able to message back and forth with GEOS to exchange updates, until your emergency situation has been resolved. Two-way SOS simply isn’t offered by one-way communicators, PLBs and EPIRBs. Even if you’re using the ZOLEO communicator on its own, without the app, you’ll get confirmation that your SOS message was received (via the LEDs on the device).
Most relative techspecs: weight: 150g, IP68 water-resistant to 1.5 m for 30 min, battery life: 200+ hours.
Besides that, the Zoleo will:
- Send and receive messages anywhere over Wi-Fi, cellular and satellite, trying in the following order: Wi-Fi, cellular data, then over the Iridium satellite network, via the ZOLEO device. (Basically the least cost route for the message.)
- Messaging is possible by SMS, email and app-to-app.
- Send Check-in messages with one touch, to let others know you’re OK. Both the device and the app have a dedicated button for this. Your check-in message will be sent to your check-in contact(s). You can also include your GPS coordinates if desired.
- Get DarkSky weather forecasts.
- Share your GPS location with others, via messages. (The Zoleo doesn’t provide a following/tracking feature.)
Rescue Laser Light
This is my Rescue Laser Light. A Laser Light is a hand-held day and night laser signaling device that provides a convenient, effective way to signal a rescue party. Unlike normal lasers, the Rescue Light isn’t beaming a dot. It beams a vertical fan of light that spreads thousands of feet long at miles of distance, making it easy to get the attention of rescue people, – vehicles or -aircrafts. A target will see a brief, but bright, momentary flash as the laser line crosses their field of vision. At distances of 13 feet or more, the Rescue Laser is perfectly eye safe, yet incredibly effective up to 30 miles away. It’s waterproof, rugged design combines the safety of a laser signaling device with the convenience of a flashlight. The Rescue Laser Light is non-flammable, environmentally safe, and can operate continuously for 40 hours on a single, long-life, replaceable CR123 lithium battery. It has a Sight Ring to help aim at your target.
Specs:
- Visibility: 32 km nighttime, optimum conditions and 1.6-4.8 km daytime
- Waterproof: to 24 m
- Operational Life: 40 hours continuous use before changing battery
- Battery: CR123 lithium battery
- Class 3R laser device < 5mW
Lomo Emergency Shelter
My Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter is a 2-3 man ‘Bothy Bag’. It provides protection from the wind and rain, lightweight, easy to carry and can be pulled over 2-3 people to help keep the elements off them in an emergency. High-viz orange, PU-coated polyester, two large retro reflective patches reflecting, a viewing window and two clossable air-vent snorkels aid ventilation. Packs as small as 21cm x 10cm and weighs 360 grams.
Haago Body Warmers
These Haago Body Warmers are activated upon by exposure to Oxygen, staying warm for up to 10 hours, using 100% Natural Oxidation.
Vallon Freebirds Goggles
I use my Vallon Freebirds goggles not only for skying, but also for mountaineering and hillwalking. In snow and stormy conditions having goggles can be a game changer when hillwalking. They are fitted with top-of-the-range lenses from ZEISS. I use them as OTG (over the glasses) as well, but this depends how large your prescription glasses are. The warm tint increases contrast and enhances depth perception, while the mirror coating is anti-reflective and provides all-day comfort. The ultra-flexible TPU frame is lined with triple-layer foam, which forms to your face and offers superior comfort to other goggle materials. The polycarbonate lens from ZEISS is combined with an inner anti-fog lens from Italian experts Mazzucchelli. The strap is silicone-backed for maximum stability. The dual-layered lens has a spherical construction offering a wider field of vision, less glare, and less distortion compared to cylindrical-shaped goggles. The lens is interchangeable and optional lenses are available:
Standard lens (15% VLT) The mirror coated lens is optimal for sunny and varied conditions.
ZEISS Orange (36% VLT) Using ZEISS’s patented SONAR technology, this low-light lens is revolutionary in its ability to enhance colors and contrasts, and to detect bumps and obstacles. A must-have when active in poor conditions.
ZEISS Smoke (13% VLT) An optimal lens for bright and sunny conditions. The dark tint reduces eyestrain and maximizes eye comfort and relaxation.
| VLT stands for visible light transmission. This ranking is a percentage that indicates how much light goggle lenses let through, so for sunny conditions, you’ll need a low percentage. |
