No28. Packing System
These days I have been interested in what items different people see as essential to carry into site with them and this article will look at different packing systems for those items.
As I am sure it is for all of you, your cars/vans/trucks are probably over stocked to deal with different situations but as my long distance travelling work increases and modes of transport constantly change I feel it is efficient and safe to have a kit bag that is
self-sufficient and which can include climbing gear, chainsaw maintenance and first aid.
I have always used bucket style carriers, Black Diamond’s ‘Stubby’ and more recently Teufelbergers 50L ‘ropeBUCKET’. The Stubby is a Big Wall Haul pack and is designed to accommodate vertical hauling and hanging, which is of little use for everyday tree work though does have a comfortable ruck style shoulder carrying strap and waist belt.
The ropeBUCKET is effectively just that, a bucket, though it has potential for unique storage options. It has a number of carrying options, including ruck shoulder straps, though the comfort of these leave something to be desired on long treks to site.
Both are great for loading long lengths of rope in.
As my own climbing systems become more compact the bucket style size is a little redundant and after seeing Mystery Ranch’s Wildfire HOT TOP carrying system I realised that a change of tactic for my packing system was feasible. The HOT TOP is uniquely design for Wildland Fire Fighting, features include compartmentalised storage and a carrying system that accommodates different body sizing and the challenges of wearing a pack for a 16 hr working day, comfort, ergonomics and having the right equipment to hand are key.
1.18M Teufelberger ‘Tachyon’
(access/rescue line)
2. 20M x 2 Teufelberger ‘Sirius 500’
(TRT system rope)
3. 3M Donaghys ‘'Cougar Blue'
ART ‘Positioner’
DMM ‘Oval’ karabiner
DMM ‘Shadow’ karabine
(Work positioning lanyard)
4. Teufelberger ‘Treemotion S.light’
(Work positioning harness)
5. DMM ‘Captain’
(Traverse hook)
6. Teufelberger ‘Multisling’
DMM ‘Durolock Boa’
(DdRT anchor)
7. 20M 9mm Edelweiss
Trango ‘Cinch’
DMM ‘Oval’ karabiner
(Traverse line/double crotch system)
8. Mystery Ranch bag
(Harness pouch)
(1)80cm Black Diamond
‘Dyneema’ sling
(Various use)
(2)DMM ‘Durolock Boa’
(Various use)
(3)Petzl ‘Shunt’
(Rope rocket)
(4)Bandage ‘Blood Stopper’
(First aid)
(5)Spyderco knife
(Various use)
9. 5M Sirius 500
34mm anchor ring.
(Trunk anchor)
10. Briko glasses
(Safety glasses)
11. 4M Rigging ring sling
(Rigging anchor)
12. Bite and sting kit
(First aid)
13. Teufelberger chain lanyard
Safety lanyard
(Shock impact and breakaway)
14. Spanner/driver
15. File handle
16. Flat file
17. Round file 3 size
(Chainsaw maintenance)
19. Vinyl tape
(Rope ends)
20. Sony video monitor
(Recording)
21. Pieps first aid bag
(First aid)
22. Sony video camera
(Recording)
23. Joby Gorilla Pod
(Camera tripod)
(1)Bandage ‘Blood Stopper’
(2)Eye wash
(3)Survival sheet
(4) ‘Sam Splint’ Splint
(5)Tweeser
(First aid)
Danboku san’s packing system -
https://vimeo.com/180130431
Takayanagi san’s packing system -
https://vimeo.com/194651056
The HOT TOP seemed close to perfect for my requirements and the challenge was to clear away unnecessary climbing equipment in order to fit everything in, but not to be left wanting while 500km away from my gear store.
18. Silky ‘Tsurugi’
(Handsaw)
