The full Descensionist kit dropping in near Arthur’s Pass, NZ.
Last spring, Patagonia unveiled their new all-around backcountry touring and ski mountaineering line-up. In an effort to utilize quality features from their Ascensionist designs (alpine climbing focused), Patagonia has delivered a pack that outperforms their Snowdrifter series for a number of reasons.
The Descensionist pack is a 40 liter fully functional ski touring/mountaineering pack that has several ways to customize and modify some of its features. Those of you who are climbers, and have used the Ascensionist packs, will see many familiar components. The pack can be maxed out at ~40+ liters and also compressed down to a sleek rucksack for lift-accessed backcountry laps.
The Descensionist has an exterior tool pocket with bungies to organize your shovel handle and probe. I’ve been able to store a small mountaineering axe (52cm) in this pocket with everything else which helps to keep things super streamlined. I like the external pocket for skins as well; it keeps the wet stuff separate from gear that I like to keep dry.
Side accessed zipper.
Top loader with the metal hook and loop closure.
Ski carry loop on the right and an ice axe loop on the left (although my shortest axe fits in the tool pocket no problem).
Another notable feature of this pack is the side-access zipper. This is handy for storing a water bottle or my collapsible poles, and allows me to just remove one shoulder strap to grab whatever I need quickly and efficiently. Note that side zippers can be a durability issue and they add a bit of weight, but in my opinion they’re worth those (for me) minor trades. Other than the side access, this is a top loader style with a draw-cord cinch that is quick to close and open. This style of pack does give flexibility with capacity, as it can be packed with more gear and still remain secure. I see this as a benefit for the hut trip approach march, while still having a reasonably sized day-touring pack.
As I mentioned above, there are numerous ways to customize the rigging on the pack. If you have a small load, then the lid can be tucked inside and the metal hook-style buckle can be threaded across to keep it closed — this gives you easy access to the tool pocket. Contrary to that, if you have a large load, you can re-thread the hook strap through the top of the pack to provide additional capacity.
If you’re a mono-planker like myself, Patagonia has your back and includes board carrying straps that allow for a vertical carry on the back. For skiers, you can either carry your skis A-frame style or diagonal carry. The bottom loop for the diagonal carry seems to be sufficiently burly, but I have noticed that there seems to be one weak-point in the stitching (this hopefully will have changed for full production versions, check while shopping). On the note of versatility, this loop can be either moved to the other side, or removed altogether if you know you’re not a diagonal-carry person.
The removable foam pad is good for cutting weight, or an emergency situation.
Separate tool pocket.
My biggest qualm with the pack design is the lack of a helmet net. The 40L size allows you to store a helmet inside when you’re packing light for a typical day tour. However, I am a huge fan of an external helmet net in ski touring packs, especially when you’re packed to the brim with a full ski mountaineering kit.
Conclusion:
Overall, this is a quality option for a non-airbag, or avalung equipped touring/mountaineering pack. Lack of helmet storage is my only real con. The versatility in its rigging is functional, especially with features such as the removable foam pad, single hip belt pocket, and durable fabrics. This pack is leaps and bounds more user friendly than the Snowdrifter models. Recommended.
The Descensionist pack weighs in at 940 grams for a size medium.
Shop for the Descensionist here.
Jonathan Cooper (“Coop”) grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has been playing in the mountains since he was a teen. This was about the same time he made the fateful decision to strap a snowboard to his feet, which has led to a lifelong pursuit of powdery turns. Professionally speaking, he has been working as a ski guide, avalanche educator, and in emergency medicine for over a decade. During the winter months he can be found chasing snow, and passing on his passion for education and the backcountry through teaching avalanche courses for numerous providers in southwest Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest. Similarly, his passion for wilderness medicine has led him to teach for Desert Mountain Medicine all over the West. If you’re interested, you can find a course through Mountain Trip and Mountain West Rescue. In the end, all of this experience has merely been training for his contributions to the almighty WildSnow.com.
28 comments
I’ve been enjoying my 30L Patagonia Snowdrifter since last spring; really like access through the back and snow tool/skin compartment on the outside. But my deep winter pack will remain my Deuter Guide 35+ L pack.
I used to alternate and pick packs based on expected conditions.
Sometimes my expectations have been wrong because of where I actually ended up, conditions, weather, and even time of day (temperature).
So….. Anytime I ski 30 degrees or greater, I take my airbag pack. Expensive and 1.5 kilos more, but I’ll have it on if ever needed.
I’d like to see the avalung licensed or open sourced so that these would be an integral part of all airbag packs.
I’m not sure why a helmet net is better than just having another 5 litres volume.
See, weight.
Seems solid, disappointing that it only has a single traditional style ice axe carry rather than a modern duel carry for tech tools. I have an ascensionist 25L that i use for lighter ski trips and some ski alpinism style trips. I added a diagonal carry using a ski strap and one of the bottom loops. I also sewed in some elastic loops for a shovel handle and probe inside. It makes an absolutely fantastic day pack and its simplicity and carry style allows it to carry more than a lot of 30L+ packs.
Ok, wtofd, but it’s not much weight, and a helmet carrier doesn’t protect the helmet as well, it is not as versatile as additional volume (only really works for helmet size and shaped things, and often not very well for them), it can complicate ski carry arrangements, it often involves fiddly hooks and webbing loops, it’s not as secure, it clutters up the outside of the pack where you might want to attach axes/shovel/etc., and it can hinder access to pack interior/pockets.
See, agreed. It makes your pack look like a yardsale.
But people freak out about weight, so…helmet carriers on the outside.
These recent reviews really are falling short of regular gear user expectations. Is the backboard snow-phobic?
Thanks for the feedback Ranger, we’ll work on it. A good part of a review should be the comments, Coop would answer you but he’s out of pocket on some big rock in Pakistan, or something like that. (smile) Lou
How does the pack carry loads ? (doesn’t have any frame)
If you feel like you need a helmet and your pack is full put the bucket on at the car and forget about it. Cyclists wear them all day. Skimo racers do. No reason BC skiers can’t do the same. Of course, that would require a helmet that vents well. Easy to find.
I have the Salomon MTN Lab helmet.
Superlight and i hike with it in spring spanish conditions ,very good ventilation.
But you will need an under-helmet windproof beanie when it gets even slightly nippy or windy.
I have a Vaude biking cap that works perfect.
Packing your helmet inside of your pack does not take up much space if you also pack items inside the helmet itself – typically related items like goggles, glacier glasses, balaclava or hat, and gloves.
I agree with brian; just wear the helmet . . . less gear fiddling that way. Also, you never know when you might really need to be wearing the helmet. If you are already wearing it, then that’s never a problem.
I wear a thin snug hoody next to my skin, then a thin loose hoody which can go either under or over a helmet, then a hooded parka. The parka hood is wind-proof. The helmet combined with zero to three of these hoods is comfortable for all but the most severe skiing conditions. With hoods, headgear is always at hand.
I’ve seen a trend of folks wearing helmets all the time, probably in part helped along by skimo racing style, it’s a good trend in my opinion. If I used a helmet I’d just wear it, up or down… might start doing so again, as the available helmets have become much better than even a few years ago. Lou
We may not be emulating skimo style so much, Lou, as taking full advantage of their light, well-ventillated helmets.
The same can be done with well-ventilated goggles: wear them up and down, harsh weather and mild. The Julbo models which allow the lens to be pulled away from its frame a little bit work well for that. Make sure your helmet has a parking space, without vents, for goggles.
Good review Coop. I agree, that pack has a great shovel/ tool pocket, and the side access zipper is awesome! Less fond of the lid and top closure system though.
I’ve got a 25L skimo pack that works great for side-country and actual skimo purposes. Plus my brand new Descensionist pack that I’ve had for just two ski outings so far. But my early observations are thus:
– It’s BIG. 40 L is conservative. one can stuff a lot of gear in this pack.
– The foam back panel is more supportive than I suspected. Plus it comes out easily enough to be handy at lunch stops. That is rare.
– The pocket on the belt is too small and not very durable, in contrast with the incredible stitching and burlyness of the rest of the pack. I’m surprised it weighs as little as it does. Plus all the straps and outside widgets are removable. I like that.
– It would make a good climbing pack with the ski specific stuff removed.
– Regarding the lack of a helmet net, I had one laying around, sold separately by Mammout (sp?), that I rigged on to the back. I might just end up stowing the helmet inside on all but huge load days.
– This pack is the PERFECT size for a Haute Route trip, or other week long euro hut trips. I will also use it at the Ymyr hut in January. Plenty big to carry puffy pants, puffy parka, a change of clothes, rain gear, glacier gear including a rope, all that stuff.
I forgot one comment. To carry skis skimo style, one needs a decent upper hook/line arrangement that does not come with this pack. Fortunately, my skimo pack hook/line is removable, so that’s what I do. I switch it from one pack to the other. It works, since there are a lot of daisy chain loops on the Descensionist pack straps to hook to.
Jim Pace, does “I’m surprised it weighs as little as it does“ mean it’s really light or you suspect Patagonia is not being truthful with their stated weights?
Temperature regulation is kind of like boot fit, in my experience— what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. Given my particular body type and location, wearing a helmet while climbing on a warm spring day is usually a lot less comfortable than a good sun hat. The situations where the protection might be useful tend to be at higher elevations where the temps are lower. And I haven’t found a really well ventilated helmet that I like for skiing, although I have a new one I’ll be trying this season.
Well, See, the CAMP helmet I have (Speed 2.0), worn alone, is cooler than a mesh bill cap. It shades and allows breezes to caress my skull.
Of course I modified it with a foam visor cut from a camping pad. Don’t understand why ski helmets don’t all come with visors. Flexible foam is good since it bends out of the way when parking goggles up on the helmet.
Glad it works for you.
I could probably wear a well visored helmet in springtime, at least during cooler parts of the day, but I can see the limits. There are times during spring ski touring when it’s so hot during the uphill, with scorching sun, that I need every bit of lightweight sunshade type clothing I can wear, and a helmet would not cut it for me in that regard. Lou
My concession to springtime warmth is a switch from goggles to glasses. The helmet is still the coolest headgear I have. Well, actually, the bike helmet is a bit cooler. Hmmm.
Someone may have called you on this but dedicated a year compartment makes more sense to me than external pocket.
Hi, this an old thread but in case anyone’s still watching it… I’m curious to follow up on the lack of frame. Are folks finding it supportive enough when loads are on the heavier side, such as a hut trip or spring tours with traction and a rope, or even just long resort bootpacks when you want to sling heavy alpine pow skis? Thanks
Bill, I ended up here while searching for a helmet carry solution for the Descensionist 32L. I climbed the N Ridge of Baker with it (two ice tools, crampons in bag, water for a long-ass day, rope, as well as standard ski tour stuff) and found it to be reasonable. Had skis and boots on my pack for ~1.5-2k ft of the approach, and skis on my back during the ice pitches (obviously). I was obviously wiped out, and my shoulders weren’t exactly thrilled when I threw my skis back on for the final jog down the trail, but I felt it carried the load pretty well given the rigamarole I was putting it through. I have an Osprey Variant 52 that I’ve used for similar things (but with more gear) and haven’t noticed that my shoulders feeling much better with that.
In situations like that, I tend to blame myself for discomfort more than my gear, so take all that with a grain of salt.
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