colmike wrote: Nice to hear the great reviews as I just ordered the first trip explorer model a couple of weeks ago–it hasn’t arrived yet. Meet Angelo at ETAR and was impressed with his gear.

Will post a review when it arrives

Mike –

Looking forward to seeing the review on the ‘First Trip.’ While I have no business buying another pack for some time, I have been curious about that model and/or the ‘Lost River’ for times when I need a more full-size day pack. I’m very impressed with their stuff, and I really like the fact that it’s all made in the US – as we all know, that’s a hard thing to find anymore.

colmike wrote: Bruce neat to see a signalling mirror in your pouch–I thought I was the only one that still carried one of those.

One of those things I’ve carried in my pack since I was a kid – I had it drilled into me at an early age to always have a knife, always have a way to start a fire, and always have a signalling device (or two). I use the first one all the time, have needed the second on a few occasions, and have never needed the third (yet), but it’s a lightweight piece of insurance in case I ever do…:D