Rambling Review – Gregory Baltoro 70 Pack
It’s funny how an item can conjure up the most vivid of memories. I’ve got quite a collection of packs in the guest room closet. My wife would disagree with me calling it a “collection” as she’s on the verge of calling that horders show from TV. Regardless, I’ve got packs of every shape and size for every different occasion and I’m pretty proud of the collection. As I was rearranging some things in that closet, I came across one pack that has really stood the test of time while traveling up many mountains, down into more than a couple of canyons, and across the ocean on a trip to Europe. The Gregory Baltoro 70 Pack is most certainly not the coolest looking pack and due to it’s size, I have the tendency to pack it with more than I should, but I have found it to be one of the most comfortable and rugged packs that I’ve used.
When I saw the pack hanging there, I could remember the burn in my legs on that last quarter mile coming out of the Grand Canyon and how glorious it was to finally reach flat ground. I remembered trying to stuff it into the overhead compartment of the plane for our flight to France, trying not to make eye contact with the flight attendant for fear of her telling me that it would have to be checked. It still has pine needles in it from the last overnight trip into the woods, and it wears multiple smudges dirt like hard fought medals of honor.
I finished stowing the gear that I was rearranging and shut the door to the closet, but not before taking the pack off the hook looking it over. It’s still in great shape and ready for another adventure. Guess I better get something planned.
Disclaimer: This isn’t my normal format for a Rambling Review because this pack design is no longer available as Gregory has since come out with an updated design. I feel though that a good piece of gear still deserves it’s day in the sun. If Gregory continues to make gear like the Baltoro, the new packs should be worth checking out.
* Real Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
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Love that photo on the train.
It definitely captured a moment.
Is that a hennessy hammock? If so, what are your thoughts?
Nick. The hammock is an Eno Double Nest. I really like it for cutting down on weight. Very comfortable. I’ve found that I really like it with an underquilt.
Ben
Great story Ben. I love the train picture, too. Remninds me of riding the rails in Europe with my boy scout pack in 1971, when I bummed around for the summer just out of high school.
But more to my reason for writing, Jan has a brand new pack she bought in 1999, and we would really like to find it a new home. I am sure it would get along fine with your other packs, it is quite friendly and fits in anywhere (it is fully adjustable). Is is a snappy looking navy blue number with some modest trim work – very fashionable for its time.
I can bring it to the summer H.A.H.W.G. meeting and let you test it. AND…it is very, very inexpensive.Did I mention it is brnad new and has not been used? How can you pass that up, amigo?
If you do, at least try to help Jan find a good home for it. After you see it, you’ll wonder why we would ever let this treasure go. Who knows, we may keep it after all.
~Mike
Have you ever successfully fit this overhead on a plane? I have one but I’m considering getting a smaller pack for my trip to Europe that I can carry on. Not sure if packing less in my baltoro 70 will help it fit overhead or if it’ll still be too big?
Sam. I took this pack to Europe fully loaded and was able to fit it in the overhead bins. Having said that, I fully expected them to make me check the bag or at least gate check it, but they never required me to. It is a big bag, but it did fit in the overhead bin. In hindsight, I probably could have gotten away with less and taken a smaller pack to Europe. But the Baltoro is one of my favorite packs and it was nice having a pack that fit me well and had a bit of extra room in it. Best of luck on your trip.
Ben