If you do any winter mountaineering or peak bagging in Colorado you know that at some point you’l be strapping your skis or snowshoes to your pack because the first mile either two is sold ice or a mix of dirt and rocks. As packs have become more streamlined and space age they seem to have stopped adding quick release straps on the sides and the only way to attach things is a little bungie cord. This all well and good for some use cases, but not winter adventures for me. Enter the Cold Cold World Valdez, it is like Randy at CCW read my mind and invented the perfect pack.
Before we jump in to the review of the pack, a few summary details; these are handmade in the US, sold for a bargain at $135 and basically perfect.
This pack is designed to hold your crampons on the front along with two ice axes.
The sides hold skis or snow shoes for approaches or when the crampons have to come on.
The pack has nicely padded shoulder straps, a 1.5″ non padded belt and a padded back.
The pack has one large main compartment with a generous snow collar and a top which adjusts to carry a rope or extra layers. The lid has a pocket underneath and on top for things you need to grab quickly.
I’ve had this pack for about 8 months and during that time I have done snow climbs, peak bagging and snow shoeing with it. It is a great pack, handmade in the US and perfect if you are a snowshoer. You should check it out.
Cold Cold World Says: http://www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/valdez.htm
The Valdez is a smaller size alpine pack perfect for one-day routes in the mountains or for cragging when you want a pack light enough to carry up the climb. All the important features that make our larger packs great are here in a smaller, more streamlined package.
Capacity…………..2400 cu. in.(40 Liters) |