Isle Royale Forums

I have a question that maybe someone can help me out with. Only have one week left before we head up to Isle Royale and there are a couple of items I would like to take but accessibility is a problem.

It seems like I am one of the few people left on the face of the planet still using an external frame back. Which for me I would never change. The problem comes in when I want handy access to things besides my water bottle. I would love to have a camera handy, disposable, I know not the greatest and a pair of binoculars. There is really no place to stick them where they are accessible. I was seriously thinking off picking up a fishing vest but I am sure that would look a little goofy.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to have these things accessible?

Thanks

a friend hikes with a fanny pack swung around to the front. don't know if that would work or not. there are various holders that you may be able to attach to the shoulder straps and hip belt with alice clips. i've done that before. for the water, you might be able to do something with a hydration bag/drinking tube.

What are Alice Clips?

Never heard of them.

sorry, military surplus. sort of like a carabiner, but not. used to hang various things off an alice pack. don't remember what alice stands for, but i think its an acronym. usually pretty cheap from an army surplus store.

I would say to heck with looking goofy, fishing vest might be a good idea!

Looked at the alice clips have no idea how in the world I would even get them to attach to the binoculars or camera.

Looked for shoulder straps on but couldn't find anything. The only thing I could find was milirtary surplus leg holster like thing. Don't want to go to IR looking like a poor man's GI Joe. Guess I will see if I can find a cheap fishing vest.

I like the fishing vest idea! The heck with looking goofy (you won't be the goofiest, guaranteed ) There are no fashion police on I.R.

sorry i wasn't precise enough. i've used the alice clips to attach a case for a small binoc or camera case to the shoulder straps of the pack. usually try to carry the item somewhat protected from dirt and moisture. didn't mean you could attach the item directly. there are also small surplus pouches. think they are for a small first aid kit. used it for things like compass and folded map. again, sorry for the miscommunication. vest is a good idea as long as the pack's shoulder straps and the chest strap don't interfere with access to the pockets.

I had an external frame pack on my first trip also. I used a fanny pack to keep all the stuff I wanted handy.

I carry my camera in my front pants pocket. You could also attach a camera carrier to one of your backpack straps. Just remember it's there before setting your pack down.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went and tried the vest out, couldn't work it out with the straps, so I went with what my wife calls a murse. Basically a fly fishing chest holder, goes around your neck and has a chest strap. Now instead of looking like a poor man GI Joe or goofy, now I just look silly.

Thanks again!

troop402miamisburg wrote:Thanks for the suggestions. I went and tried the vest out, couldn't work it out with the straps, so I went with what my wife calls a murse. Basically a fly fishing chest holder, goes around your neck and has a chest strap. Now instead of looking like a poor man GI Joe or goofy, now I just look silly.

I'm anxiously awaiting the silly pic Let us know how it works out.

Here you go Ingo, not a silly pic though sorry. The rangers thought it was a camera case, a wierd looking one little did they know that it was a fly fishing tacklebox being used as a camera/map/energy/money/binocular case

Looks like it worked great!

I'll never give up my external pack either... I like the organization it give me...and I'm a creature of habit!