Just 'inherited' one of these last night, with a main body of green and the pockets a similar red; same logo so I am assuming a similar date of manufacture due to go in the bath this morning to get rid of the dusty smell.
Mine is the GR 65l, with the KS60e...for those wondering what GR and 60e relate to fabric, the GR meaning Grid [as in a ripstop type fabric], and 60e relating to fabric weight [60=600 denier, 100=1000 denier, and e=elastomer [Silicone fabric coating]. As a result mine is going to be lighter than yours; onced washed I will weigh mine, although it is missing the top [crampon patch] straps
Question, does anyone have a link for a manual assuming there was one], and/or information on adjusting [bending, and optimal shape profile] the aluminium stays?
This will now be added to my quiver of 'older' packs [all when these manufacturers were producing good packs rather than after they were taken over by private equity companies who now peoduce inferior products] consisting of the following:
Craghopper Dripack DP35l with removable attachment for snowboard [yellow inner no longer waterproof as its delaminated]. Still use this for multi-day summer hikes but a bit small for multi-day winter hikes.
Karrimoor Jaguar GR65l [as detailed above]. Has side pockets but no side compression straps system or chest strap. Not a great fan of pack with side pockets but 'beggars cant be choosers', and will add/retrofit a chest strap as this make such a difference when you use heavier weights i.e. +20kg.
Berghaus Cyclops II Alp II 60+20l - Don't have this pack to hand but pretty sure it has the 60+20l embroider lettering on pack BUT when searching web I can only find photos showing just 'Berghaus Cyclops II Alp'. Its in a Green and Purple Cordura type fabric with a post-box red back. Online infor states that the 20l extra is gained by additional pockets BUT this pack never came with pockets [alpine style] and from memory the extra 20l was gained by and extendible lid/tube baffle.
I have had this pack since buying it ~35 years ago, and remember paying about £160-180 then; it was their top of the range pack. I estimate it has been around the work about three times, 'thrown' on/off/in all sorts of transport/trucks, and once washed still looks 'as new'. The only thing that has broken is the inner rope compression buckle.
The maximum load it has handled was ~35-40kg when working on overseas expedition, and I literally had to do a 'turtle' to get the pack on; lay pack on ground, lay on pack and slide arms through shoulder straps, fix chest strap, roll over sideways onto 'all four', do a squat lift to an upright position. Too old/wise to a) carry so much 'stuff', and b) gone lightweight gear, so now this seldom gets used.
Now all I need is to get something ~20l to give me a complete 'set' of backpacks...perhaps I need to fine a Lowe, Jack Wolfskin, or Deuter pack to complete the manufacturers line up...any suggestions folks?
