The 30 litre Tupilak sack is the smallest and lightest of Mountain Equipment's durable, highly weather-resistant yet lightweight Tupilak series of rucksacks. Designed for the most minimalist of alpinists and those climbing more accessible routes.
It has some interesting innovations including the The Grappler Buckle, a durable, one-handed pack closure system. This unique buckle design features an easy to grab ‘lobster tail’ and pincer hook which provides a fail-safe ‘grapple lock’ on to the cowl’s integrated webbing spine. Purposefully designed with an angled spine, the GrapplerTM buckle lies flush against the top of the pack whilst remaining easy to release with or without gloved hands. Constructed with an uncluttered Diabolo profile (an hour glass shape that maximises load stability and packability), the pack is marginally wider at the base and at the top, improving stability and making stuffing in gear easy, even when you’re rushing against the weather and encroaching darkness. It will also stand upright of its own accord. At the same time the main body of the pack is gently tapered at its centre, the pack is more streamlined and mobility is improved. The lid system is very similar to that on the Patagonia Ascensionist series but includes an internal roll top snow valance to keep the weather out.
In addition, it has two strong haul loops to make hauling your sack on long multi-pitch climbs reasonably straightforward - these also provide ready anchoring points at belays. The high density EVA foam back panel is light (105g) and can be removed to aid drying the sack out after a particularly wet day, to strip weight back to an absolute minimum or to replace it with a bivi mat. A ‘floating’ internal accessories pocket provides storage for a few essentials such as snacks and a head-torch. It can be accessed from the outside as well as the inside. The rucksack has been purposefully designed to be exceptionally stable either fully or partially loaded and as such the optional side compression straps (not included) are only really required if carrying poles or a sleeping mat. When you’re not, they can be left off to save weight and prevent unwanted snagging. Welded to the main body, the internal weather-proof cowl is positioned such that it can help to stabilise a partially loaded pack and act as divider, allowing damp items such as mitts or ski-mountaineering skins to be stored separately. The roll-top closure helps seal out spindrift etc. If not required it can easily be tucked inside the sack. The thermo-moulded and bonded hip-fins provide crucial support when carrying heavy loads and again weigh very little (60g) but can easily be removed if not required. The shock-cord system provided means that extra stuff (crampons, a sleeping mat, that jacket you just took off and will probably want to put on again in a few minutes) can all be stored on the outside. The chest strap, ice axe toggles and shaft tethers can all be removed: whilst this won't save much weight it does give the peace of mind that all the components can be easily replaced should they be damaged or become worn.
- 30 litre minimum capacity.
- PACT™ 300 and 100 R² fabrics; durable, lightweight and water resistant.
- On Demand Minimalism; all components removable.
- Drawcord closure for easy access combined with roll top inner cowl for weather protection.
- Internal 'floating' accessories pocket; accessible from inside or outside of sack.
- Removable rope strap with durable aluminium Grappler™ buckle.
- High Density EVA back panel, shoulder straps and 38mm webbing hipbelt with removable hip-fins.
- Dual axe toggles and attachment points for side compression straps.
- Haul loops, Daisy Chain system and Shockcord system.
Back Length: 19" (47cm).
Volume: 30 litres +.
Min Weight: c 580g.
Max Weight: c 840g.