My next cottage gear maker profile will be ULA-Equipment, run by Brian Frankle of Logan Utah.
Henry Shires tells me he met Frankle on the Pacific Crest Trail, which they both through-hiked in 1999. (Hmm, wonder how many other PCT Class of ’99 hikers formed their own gear companies).
Frankle makes packs, primarily. A few years back, hikers could expect to wait months to get their packs because Frankle was doing much of the sewing himself. That appears to be less of an issue lately. Like Shires, he’s always coming up with new stuff. The latest is the OHM.
If you’ve got a ULA pack, I’d love to hear about it. Just leave a note in the comments.
I’ve been using the ULA Circuit for about 3 years now – I use it whenever I expect total load to be up near 40 lbs. It handles that weight better than my Gossamer Gear Mariposa, which I use for trips where I can stay around 25 lbs. The Circuit has a fairly substantial waist belt, with pockets.
Ralph: Thanks much.
I suspect I will have profiled your entire gear closet by the time I’m done.
Info I got on El Toro hike:
The scout troop, #799 have not secured a date as yet. We
> could not have our
> hike without their help, cutting back brush from the trail,
> installing the
> ropes and helping when needed.
> Date will be posted on our web site, http://www.mhhistoric.org, or
> phone recorder
> 408-779-5755.
> We’ll be looking forward to you and friends join us
> this year.
Oh, just checked. Looks like March 28, 2009!
http://www.mhhistoricalsociety.org/MHHS_Events.htm
I am the Scoutmaster for Troop 110 in Sykesville, Maryland and I’ve been using a ULA Conduit for a little over 2 years. It’s the most comfortable pack I’ve ever had and I usually carry around 20-25lbs in it. Most of our Scout trips are only 2 days but we do manage to get in some 5-10 day trips at least once a year. The Conduit is VERY well made and I’m very pleased with it! I’ve been thinking of picking up an Ohm as well as sometimes the Conduit is just a little too small.