The North Face Verto 27 Summit Series Backpack Review

On September 2, 2020September 2, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review7 Comments

I have been climbing on the mountains for many years from different routes and with different kind of gear. One of the most important item for a mountaineer is the backpack. The term mountaineering backpack encompasses a very broad range of items. A mountaineering backpack can be a large Daypack for hikes, a technical alpine backpack or a trekking backpack.

Generally, the term mountaineering backpack refers to a robust backpack, with all the alpine necessities, which is used for activities in the mountains and in the snow such as snowboarding and ski trips, mountaineering and glacier hiking.

For outdoor sports like alpine climbing and winter mountaineering, often require specially equipped and robust and lightweight backpacks for the summit push.

The_North_Face_Verto_27_Backpack_Review_110249_447 — The North Face Verto 27 – Summit Series Backpack

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Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack – Long Term Review

On July 25, 2020July 25, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review8 Comments

Mountaineering and Alpine climbing require special gear such as backpacks. Since 2012, for general mountaineering, winter mountaineering or multipitch climbs I have been using as a backpack the Simond Alpinism 22.

The Simond Alpinism 22 is designed for climbers, mountaineers and Ski touring use for day-long routes. It is a compact, sturdy, all-purpose bag. Its shape and volume make it suitable for all builds and lets to carry all the required gear for a day-long hike.

Simond_Alpinism22_Backapack_Review_120317_483 — Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack

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Agrafa Mountains Svoni Peak Expedition Preparation – Autumn 2017

On November 18, 2017November 20, 2017 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Hiking & Trekking4 Comments

Agrafa is a mountainous region in Evrytania and Karditsa regional units in mainland Greece, consisting mainly of small villages. It is the southernmost part of the Pindus range. The Agrafa region is famous for its complete autonomy throughout the entire 400 years of Ottoman Turkish occupation of Greece. The word agrafa literally translates to unwritten which means unregistered or uncharted; because the Ottomans were unable to conquer this region, the area and its population were not recorded in the Sultan’s tax register. As a result the people were usually free to conduct their business and customs as they pleased without Ottoman influence.

Agrafa_Five_Towers_26 — Pouli and Svoni Peak 2.042 m. as seen from 5 Towers (5 Pyrgoi)

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Marmot Long Hauler Duffel Bag – Review

On August 5, 2017March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review3 Comments

One of the most used pieces of gear I own is an exceptional duffle bag from Marmot. I have used this duffle bag on multiple occasions and for various reasons. First and foremost, the Marmot Long Hauler Duffel Bag, at home, is used as a storage for various pieces of mountaineering equipment and gear. I have also used it for transporting my mountaineering equipment from location A to location B, via car, airplane or train. Of course, it can also be used for other purposes too, such as a gym bag.

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LOWE ALPINE Mountain Attack 35-45 lt. Review

On May 30, 2017March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review13 Comments

This past winter I was searching for a backpack that I could use it for 2 days (one night) trips to the mountain. This new backpack I wanted to have several features for winter mountaineering and to be within my budget. The previous years, for such excursions I was using the Lowe Alpine Cholatse II 55-65 lt backpack. This backpack was great, though the 55-65 litres where never filled up and therefore I did not want to carry extra weight and volume on my back.

Lowe_Alpine_MountainAttack_35-45_Review_01 — Lowe Alpine Mountain Attack 35-45 front view

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QUECHUA FORCLAZ 20L AIR HIKING BACKPACK REVIEW

On September 8, 2016March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review7 Comments

While I was searching to update my backpacking gear, and I was looking for a half-day to one day backpacking solution, I came across the Quechua Forclaz 20l Air. This is a price winning backpack with a ventilated back. The product’s capacity to enhance air circulation to limit warmth and moisture.

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LOWE ALPINE Cholatse II 55-65 Review

On August 19, 2016March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review9 Comments

One of the most used items when mountain climbing or hiking is the backpack. The backpack is the “core” of any trip and any mountaineering expedition. There are many different types for various activities, in diverse colours and on numerous sizes. The backpack I have been using since 2014 is the Lowe Alpine Cholatse II 55-65.

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Quechua Arpenaz 10 Backpack Review

On December 10, 2015March 19, 2018 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Hiking Gear Review5 Comments

The Quechua Arpenaz 10l is a 10 litre day pack that is extremely lightweight (175g / 6oz) and water repellent. The bag has one large compartment and a smaller pouch on the front. It also has two loops on each strap that are listed as “thumb loops”. I think these could also be used for ice picks or hiking sticks. You could also use them for hanging extra gear with a carabiner. I found that the loops were quite handy for using as a makeshift sternum strap. You thread the loose ends of the straps through the loops and tie them together to hold them in place.