That's a nice svelte looking pack. What is the ventilation like on your back? Also, it seems like there is uncomfortably little room behind your head. Is there "cup" or indentation of some sort that allows for more clearance than is otherwise shown in that side profile picture?
Allen
Vigilguy can answer as well, but I know with my McHale, the two stays that make the bayonet system (which extends the pack up behind your head) are intentionally bendable so you can angle it closer or further from your head as you desire.
Ventilation is...fair... Holes in the padding, but nothing like an external frame, but I can live with it.
I had cranked down on the straps for the bypass harness, so I remember it was pulled unusually close to my "noggin". Was not necessary to do so for comfort. As Jedi5150 stated, I can bend the upper part of the stays back, but have never needed too.
Dan's bypass harness is truly the "cat's meow". Once I tried it, I will NEVER EVER go back to load lifters.
The closer the weight of your pack is to your back including above you is going to make the pack ride better. That is way I do not like some packs that angle away once the hit the top of your shoulders. Like it has been said already though you can always bend them to you liking. The bypass harness is so awesome, its so simple yet does so much. Just the bypass harness and bayonets is enough reason to buy a McHale.
The closer the weight of your pack is to your back including above you is going to make the pack ride better.
Right, that's elemental. I just wondered about the closeness to the head thing as that would drive me - and I imagine anyone that wasn't afflicted with severe Kyphosis, absolutely nuts, especially when ascending steep terrain.
It sounds like that's easily remedied though by tweaking the bayonets.
Other than some minor ventilation issues, it looks like a very cool, very no-nonsense pack.
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This is my Mchale pack��its the new big thing called "Pile o' Pack" under 2lbs. w/ a wood frame that turns into a table�... shoulder straps that are thin, light and stronger than Mn52Ti1. Cant wait to load'em up!
/Users/joshguidry/Desktop/Mchale.jpg
+1 UKDave�..That is one bad arse picture you have Vigil
Wind River Range (Washakie Pass, 11,000+ ft.), coming back from an awesome fly fishing trip with the pack goats!
Holy crap! I have pack goat envy! Where do I get me one of them? I wouldn't even need a McHale if I had a goat to carry all my gear. Hellloooo.....11 pound Hilleberg tent for backpacking...Come to daddy. Hahahaha
They take my table, chairs, Ti Goat stove, cook shelter, tent and sleeping bag. They are wonderful pack animals.
I've spent that past two days trying to convince my wife that backpacking is just not the same without pack goats (not that I'd know, considering I just learned about pack goats 2 days ago). She is putting her foot down firmly that as long as we are still living in an apartment, no pack goats.
My Belgian Malinois is now hating this thread. I think she has figured out that she might have to make due as a temporary pack goat on our next trip. Hahaha. That's right Vixen, next trip you're going to be wearing that McHale, not me:
And one more gratuitous McHale photo, since this is after all the McHale picture thread:
PS-These pictures look much better larger. I understand photos can't be massive for forums, but a little bigger would be a lot better.
Trying to decide between the McHale CMII or the SCMII. Which are you guys using for multiday backpack hunting?
This year I'll be using the pack I decide on for a 10 day sheep hunt in the Alaska Range(estimated load w/ animal 80-100lbs). This is going to be my first sheep hunt and I'm pretty sure I'll be hooked but I am not sure how many of these type hunts I will do in the future.
For sure I will do my typical 1-4 day alpine deer hunting trips (typical load w/ animal ~70lbs) here in SE Alaska. And I will also be using the pack for family backpacking type trips where I carry most of the load.
Just trying to buy the pack that I can use for all of my intended uses and not be too terribly under/oversized.
You're killing me with the pack goat pictures. Those things are too cool. At this point I think you're just doing it to be mean to those of us who are goatless.