Introduction: True Rock Climbing Day Pack

By
About: "I'm saving the world - I need a decent shirt. To hell with the raggedy. Time to put on a show!" - The 11th Doctor

There are a few very nice daypacks our there that are marketed towards climbers. While they are nice, and from respected brands, climbers weren't the main priority in the design process. Four gear loops on the waist belt doesn't justify the title Climbing Day Pack. This day pack is geared towards climbers in every way. It houses comfortably three peoples gear with the rope attached to the outside or carried by a buddy in a rope bag, or two peoples gear and a rope attached to the pack. The photo below is exactly what I pack for a day of climbing with myself, my roommate, and my fiancé. My roommate carries the rope in a rope bag and my fiancé carries a regular day pack with snacks and water. 

Step 1: Materials

Purchase a Double Bin daypack. Military Packs have a lot of ability to add and hang gear/accessories to the outside. I used the daypack from my days in the Marine Corps. If you want to purchase a backpack, for this instructable or for general use, the good folks at REI have these infographics on their websites. The link is on the graphic for your convenience. 

Materials you will need:
  • Double Bin Backpack
  • Lanyard
  • Scissors
  • Package of Zip Ties
  • Velcro 
  • High Strength Fabric Glue
  • Ruler
  • PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing 
  • Dental Floss or Fishing Line
  • 550-cord or General Purpose Cord

Step 2: Alterations

We are creating the arch to attach the gear loops to. This allows all your quick draws, carabiners, cams, etc.. to be organized in the center and lets you get gear from either compartment without digging through loose gear. Also makes getting specific cams and draws quick and easy because you can keep them all separate by hanging them on different loops.
  1. Remove the wall that separates the two main compartments.
  2. If it has pockets and good stuff; relocate it to the back of the pack using the fabric glue in the next steps to keep some more pockets available. 


Step 3: Gear Loops

  1. Cut off the end of the lanyard to convert it into a solid line of nylon webbing.
  2. Measure and mark the PVC into 5" sections and cut them into 5" pieces. 
  3. Tie the dental floss or fishing line around the tip of the 550 cord or paracord and pull it through all the pieces of PVC tubing.
  4. Using zip Ties, connect the gear loops in equal intervals to one side of the webbing. 
  5. Tighten as tightly as you can and cut the tail of the zip tie off. 

Step 4: Rope Tarp Velcro Ring

The pocket in the back of most packs will hold a H2O bladder or in my case also a second rope tarp. 
  1. Overlap and glue the velcro about an inch.
  2. Wrap the loop around about 2 or 3 fingers to size the rest of your loop.
  3. Cut it and set it aside to attach to the upper inside, close to the back, just above the tarp pocket in the next steps.

Step 5: Setting Everything Into Place

If you're scared of glue go grab gloves. I don't suffer from adhesiphobia, but to each their own.
  1. Glue the gear loops as close to the middle seam as you can. 
  2. Glue the gear loop to the top inside corner, closest to the back, and above the tarp pocket.
  3. Allow everything to dry. (about 2 hours is fine, but check the back of your adhesive for its cure time.)

Step 6: Men Do Not Sew!

Men do not sew, but we do zip tie like a boss! The glue will hold it in place but we want to really secure everything. Iron Man didn't glue his suit together and then just give it an awesome hot-rod paint job! 
  1. Using the zip ties on your gear loops as a guide, make two VERY SMALL incisions to each side of the lanyard on your daypack.
  2. From the inside, loop your zip-tie through and tighten it. NOTE: Make it all self contained. It looks better and will save you from cutting your fingers  on the trimmed tails. OUCH!
  3. Make sure you get them as tight as possible and repeat the same steps for the tarp loop.
From the outside you should only see some small black dots, it doesn't look bad at all, and we didn't have to borrow grandma's thimble. Score.

Step 7: Packing Your Daypack for the Crag

Shown is everything I keep packed in my daypack. The rope can be attached to the outside, although I keep mine in a Black Diamond rope bag with its own tarp. Since my pack clearly has three peoples worth of climbing equipment, a full hammock system, and rope logs/some carious snacks and first aid equipment, I let Eric carry the ropes (Hey, he works out!) and Erikha carry the snacks and water. 

The images below show an easy way to pack everything. This configuration makes getting to specific items fast and painless.

Now go shopping (lists are on step 8) and make your own True Rock Climbers Daypack!

Step 8: Shopping (Gear) List

  • Intro Page
    • Gear Ties $16.50 Amazon.com or $25.50 REI
    • Metolius Anchor Chain $49.95 REI
    • Black Diamond 18mm Nylon Runners $3.95  - $8.95 REI
    • Black Diamond HoodWire Quickdraw $19.95 REI
    • Black Diamond Positron Screwgate Carabiner $8.95 REI
    • Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate Carabiner $9.95 REI
    • Black Diamond Neutrino Rackpack - Package of 6 $34.95 REI
    • Black Diamond Vari-Width Dogbone $$3.95 - $7.45 Amazon.com
    • C.A.M.P. USA Orbit Wire Express Quickdraw Set - 11cm - Package of 5 $59.95 REI
    • ID and Gear Marking Tape $2.65 REI
    • Black Diamond ATC Belay Device $16.95 REI
    • Black Diamond ATC-XP Belay Device $19.95 REI
    • prAna Chalk Bag with Belt $20 REI
    • Metolius Chalk Bag $14.95 REI
    • Black Diamond Wiz Kid Climbing Harness $44.95 REI
    • Black Diamond Momentum SA Climbing Harness $54.95 REI
    • ENO DoubleNest Hammock $69.95 REI
    • ENO Guardian Bug Net $59.95 REI
    • ENO ProFly Rain Tarp for Hammock $79.95 REI
    • Mad Rock Men's Drifter Climbing Shoe $68.95 Amazon.com
    • La Sportiva Nago Rock Shoes $99.00 REI
    • FiveTen Men's Dragon Climbing Shoe $164.00 Amazon.com
  • Materials Page
    • (550 Cord) Lehigh 3/8-in x 100-ft Braided Polypropylene Rope (By-The-Roll) $9.98 Lowes
    • PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing $0.14/ft Lowes
    • Lanyard $1.50 Lowes
    • Sandpiper of California Three Day Pass Backpack $54.95 Amazon.com
    • Velcro Tape $3.00 Wal-Mart
    • Amazing E-6000 Craft Glue, 2 oz $4.00 Wal-Mart
    • 4 in. Zip Ties (100pack) $3.41 Wal-Mart