Beaufort Landing by Polygon Homes is a new townhouse development located at Hampton Cove in Delta. This project will offer a special waterfront collection of 124 executive 3 & 4 Bedroom Townhomes in the Charming Town of Ladner. These three and four bedroom homes offer charming seaside-inspired architecture and a variety of floorplan options. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to give you places to gather and share, and spaces for everyone to enjoy peace and quiet.Nestled between a marina and a golf course, walking and biking trails surround the neighbourhood, and a beautiful new riverside linear park will give residents a natural place to explore their own backyard.
Beaufort Landing by Polygon Homes is a new townhouse development located at Hampton Cove in Delta. This project will offer a special waterfront collection of 124 executive 3 & 4 Bedroom Townhomes in the Charming Town of Ladner. These three and four bedroom homes offer charming seaside-inspired architecture and a variety of floorplan options. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to give you places to gather and share, and spaces for everyone to enjoy peace and quiet.Nestled between a marina and a golf course, walking and biking trails surround the neighbourhood, and a beautiful new riverside linear park will give residents a natural place to explore their own backyard.
Last week, I made this video on how beginners can start affiliate marketing. The response was awesome, which I was so excited to see. On a personal note, affiliate marketing has been huge for me over the years. The success I’ve seen with my golf site, Breaking Eighty, has been amazing and I’ve been able […]
Last week, I made this video on how beginners can start affiliate marketing. The response was awesome, which I was so excited to see. On a personal note, affiliate marketing has been huge for me over the years. The success I've seen with my golf site, Breaking Eighty, has been amazing and I've been able […]
The Deuter Rise Lite 26 SL is a women's specific winter backpack that's ideal for winter day trips, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing and snowshoeing. Being a women's specific backpack, the torso length and width are designed for a smaller female frame as compared to a men's pack and frame. The profile dimensions allow you to easily move or swing your arms while skiing, without grazing the sides of the pack. The pack attachments and straps are designed to quickly and easily adjust to allow you to carry skis and skins, snowshoes, snowboard, helmet, avalanche shovel, and more.
The Deuter Rise Lite 26 is a top loading pack with a sewn on lid. The lid has a top pocket, with a key fob inside that's good for stashing goggles, while the bottom pocket is good for stashing toiletries or a map. They both zipper shut.
The main compartment has a draw string closure that's easy to open and pull shut while wearing gloves and mittens. It has a wide top that makes it easy to see and find items inside. There's also one side pocket, pleated to allow for expansion. There's also one small hip belt pocket that can fit a power bar, my chapstick, a small plastic ice scraper I carry when skiing, sunblock, and compass. It's not big enough for my smartphone, but in winter,I keep that in a pocket on my pants to keep it closer to my body for warmth
The pack has a special pocket for storing an avalanche shovel and other rescue accessories.
The pack a front pocket that opens and closes with a zipper. It has a special compartment inside that conveniently holds an avalanche shovel and probe. I don't ski where there is avalanche danger, but for expert backcountry skiers, this would be handy. I tuck my ski skins in here and they fit perfectly. When snowshoeing, this pocket is perfect for stowing my lightweight wind shell, and extra mitts, etc.
Backpack Frame and Suspension System
Women's backs are not as long as men's, and the SL carrying system is designed to be shorter. The shoulder straps and hip band are sewn into the pack and I wasn't sure about the kind of "fit" I would get. But I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to adjust the shoulder load lifters, shoulder strap length, and sternum strap (adjusted, or slid, up/down on sliders) to create an excellent fit for my smaller frame. The hip belt has both a slight upward tilt and a slight curved shape to accommodate my female waist and hips; this was quite comfortable, even under a full and heavy load.
The hip belt provides good load transfer and a great wrap around curved female hips.
The hip belt was thinly padded. But given that this pack is designed for more lightweight use, it felt like just the right amount of padding, and helped to ensure a snug, or body conforming fit when carrying my skis. The integrated, internal U-frame combined with back cushioning, provided stability on this light pack, allowing the pack to easily and comfortably bear the weight of my skis or snowshoes.
The small hip belt pocket is good for carrying essential, but isn't large enough to hold a phone.
The shoulder straps are a bit narrower on the women's version of this pack, again, taking into account our smaller frames by nature. I was pleased that the shoulder "straps" were long enough to nicely accommodate my puffy layers when I needed to wear them, and yet allowed me to trim them tight and remain comfortable when I was down to base layers. Again, the slender profile of the pack, kept the load close to my body and allowed my arms to move freely while skiing with poles. I really liked this and enjoyed the freedom of movement.
Gear Carry and External Attachment System
There are two side compression straps, one on each side. Corner loops are provided on the front of pack and on the top of the brain, for tying down external items such as a helmet or climbing rope. An optional helmet holder is available that attaches to these loops. There are also external straps to hold collapsed poles or an ice axe. When not in use, the lower ice ax loop (which adjusts), tucks inside a small hidden pocket so that it will not dangling or get caught on branches.
The pack has special straps that for a diagonal ski carry.
For carrying skis, snowboards, or snowshoes, there is a set of external, adjustable straps on the outside of the shovel pocket. When not is use, they are stored or tucked into a hidden pocket of sorts on outside flap. A really cool design! For snowshoes or snowboard use, you bring both ends of the straps out to the far sides of the external shovel pocket flap. For skis, you thread the both ends of the top set of straps, off to one side (left or right) and thread the lower set to the opposite side. This creates a nice offset or diagonal for carrying skis. This was easy to do, even with gloves on. And again, when not in use, you tuck the straps in their pocket… you'll never notice they are there. There are also reinforced ski loops on the sides that can be used for an A-frame ski carry, with the side compression straps, and a voile ski strap to lash the tops together.
Reversible compression straps also make is easy to carry snowshoes or a snowboard.
Recommendation
The Deuter Rise Lite 26 SL is a fabulous snow sports backpack for women. It's lightweight and conforms well to the shape of a women's frame and hips. It's also very comfortable. My day packs have never really fit the "niche" for cross-country skiing or downhill skiing. They're a bit too floppy and not form-fitting enough. And carrying skis on my daypacks has proved challenging. However, this pack, at a very affordable price, fits that niche ever so nicely. I've been very impressed impressed with the fit, even under load of skis or snowshoes, and recommend you give it a try.
Disclosure: Deuter provided the author with a pack for this review.
Editor's note: Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support SectionHiker's unsponsored gear reviews, articles, and hiking guides.
Building an email list is hard. In the battle for attention online, getting an email list not only up and running but sustainable over the long term is a serious challenge. Let’s face it, the struggle is real. But, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I took to the mountains on a sneaky ski day with […]
Building an email list is hard. In the battle for attention online, getting an email list not only up and running but sustainable over the long term is a serious challenge. Let's face it, the struggle is real. But, that doesn't mean it's impossible. I took to the mountains on a sneaky ski day with […]
The Mountain Hardwear Down Hooded Ghost Whisperer Jacket is an ultralight 800 fill power hooded down jacket that's a great addition to your pack as part of your layering system, especially for winter adventures. Weighing only 7.3 ounces for the women's and 7.8 ounces for the men's, it's hard to find a reason NOT to put it in your pack.
Specs at a Glance:
Insulation : 800 fill power, Q Shield hydrophobic down
Available in men's and women's sizing
Weight: 7.3 ounces for women's or 7.8 ounces for men's
Materials: 7D & 10D ripstop nylon
Low profile quilt pattern and alpine fit allow layering under a shell.
Helmet compatible: No
Pockets: 2, zippered, one of which you can stuff the jacket into
The Ghost Whisperer is intended for layering. Although fairly warm, it is not intended as your sole protection in extremely cold situations when you are stationary. However, it's great layered over other layers and/or under your shell. It's highly compressible and can easily be crammed into a gap in your pack.
In order to attain such a light weight, the jacket goes light on features. The hood, with an elasticized rim, is not tight but would not fit over a helmet. There is no adjustability. The lightweight outer fabric is water resistant but not waterproof. With such a lightweight fabric, you will want to treat it with care to avoid holes or rips.
The Ghost Whisperer is highly compressible, one of the biggest advantages of down insulation.
The insulation is 800 fill power hydrophobic down. This treatment is designed to keep the down from compressing excessively when wet and dry faster. I cannot personally attest to this as I typically try to keep my down dry and have not experienced this jacket being wet yet. On a damp day, I err on the safe side and put a hard shell over it. Also, on the rare occasion when I find myself wearing it while moving, I make sure to put a shell over it if there are a lot of low branches that could catch on it.
The cuffs have an inner elastic binding and are not adjustable, but fit snuggly enough. At the bottom, there is one easily adjusted toggle in the hem to seal out drafts. The baffles are standard sewn-thru baffles. Since the jacket is not designed or intended for use as a sole insulating layer in extreme cold, this is not a deal breaker for me.
I found out about the Mountain Hardwear Hooded Ghost Whisperer Jacket from my son who is always on a quest to achieve an ever lower base pack weight. At first, I thought it was a bit silly to spend so much on a down jacket, but once I saw it, held it and tried it on, I was hooked. It's a light and effective addition to my layering system and I frequently recommend it to friends and workshop participants. I recommend going with one of the darker colors. Due to the thinness of the fabric, you can see the feathers through some of the lighter colors. I believe it runs fairly true to size, but you might consider sizing up if you are on the edge between sizes in order to fit layers under it. I tend to hover between a small and medium in most outdoor tops & jackets depending on the brand and where it is in my layering system. For this jacket, I went with the medium. I probably could wear a small, but the medium allows for layering under it.
The hood is not adjustable, but it's not a deal breaker for this kind of garment.
I have also purchased a Ghost Whisperer vest which weighs even less than the jacket. It has been discontinued, although you can still find them. Having a vest with the jacket increases my layering options with super lightweight choices. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer is also available in a version without a hood for those who prefer that configuration.
Wanda Rice has been backpacking since the late 1980's. She has climbed the New Hampshire 48, the New Hampshire 48 in winter, the New England 67 and is working on the New England Hundred Highest and the Four-Season 48. Wanda also teaches for the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) Mountain Leadership School, the AMC New Hampshire Chapter Spring and Winter Schools as well as the AMC NH Winter Hiking Series. She leads day and overnight trips for AMC NH year round and loves mentoring new leaders. She is a gear junkie, a self-proclaimed Queen of Gear Hacks and loves sharing her tips and tricks with others. Wanda lives in southern NH and is looking forward to moving closer to the mountains in the next few years.
Editor's note: Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support SectionHiker's unsponsored gear reviews, articles, and hiking guides.
W63 Mansion by Hansen Pacific is a new condo development located one block from Winona Park, on Vancouver's westside. This project will offer a boutique collection of thoughtfully designed 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes. W63 Mansion provides a tranquil westside lifestyle on South Cambie's most beautiful block.
W63 Mansion by Hansen Pacific is a new condo development located one block from Winona Park, on Vancouver’s westside. This project will offer a boutique collection of thoughtfully designed 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes. W63 Mansion provides a tranquil westside lifestyle on South Cambie’s most beautiful block.
The Gregory Packs Octal 55 is an ultralight backpack with a ventilated frame that helps evaporate back sweat and keep your shirt dry when hiking. Weighing 2 lbs 10 oz, it's also one of a very small handful of female specific ultralight backpacks today, with shoulder straps and a specially curved and padded hip belt to fit around the woman's form. For all of their innovation, cottage backpacking manufacturers have been pretty slow to make backpacks specifically for women, with female-specific shoulder straps and hip belts.
If you're looking at the Osprey Eja or Osprey Lumina backpacks because they are women's backpacks and have ventilated frames, I'd encourage you to compare them against the Gregory Octal 55. While it has a more conventional appearance, the Octal carries heavier loads closer to your back and core than the Eja or Lumina, making it much more responsive when scrambling or hiking uphill. Plus it has hip belt pockets and a comfortable hip belt. The Octal is also available in multiple volumes including 45 liter and 55 liter sizes. The men's version of this backpack is called the Optic 58.
Specs at a Glance:
Gender: Women's
Ventilated: Yes
Frame: Internal
Rain cover: Included
Pockets: 8, including main compartment
Max recommended load: 30-35 pounds
Total weight: 2 lbs 10 oz (women's small)
Removable Components:
Rain cover: 3.2 oz
Top lid: 3.1 oz
Speed Lid: 1.2 oz
Sizing
Women's Extra Small: Torso – 14 to 16″, Hips: 22-46″
Women's Small: Torso – 16-18″, Hips: 22-48″
Women's Medium: Torso – 18-20″, Hips: 25-53
The Octal 55 is a ventilated backpack with a mesh cavity to promote airflow and keep you dry.
Backpack Frame and Suspension
The Gregory Octal is a ventilated "trampoline-style" backpack that's optimized for effective airflow behind your back. Breathable mesh is suspended in front of the back panel creating a large ventilated space behind your back that's designed to evaporate sweat before it can soak your shirt. The mesh is tightly stretched across the aluminum frame, hence the name, trampoline, which also serves to anchor the hip belt and load lifters. While many backpacks claim to provide foam air channels to facilitate ventilation, you really need a deep cavity behind the shoulder straps to keep your back and shirt perspiration free.
The Octal 55 has a lightweight wire frame with horizontal reinforcements that help stiffen it up. The mesh trampoline is suspended from it, with a cavity that's 1 to 2 inches deep behind it to facilitate air flow. You can feel the mesh on your back, but there's no noticeable backwards pull to throw you off-balance when the pack is heavily loaded, and load transfer to the hip belt is really superb. Load lifters are included and anchored to the wire frame for maximum effectiveness. I was very impressed with how the weight of the pack felt "tight" and "one" with my body and movement. I was able to transfer the load through my hips, and keep the weight transfer off my shoulders. This is super important to me, because I'm not very tall and have a slim build.
The Octal has female-specific shoulder straps and a gender-specific hip belt that are designed to fit around a women's curves without chafing.
The hip belt has beefy hip belt pockets and is pre-curved to wrap around female hip bones. It's wide enough to comfortably transfer load of a loaded pack, but not too bulky, and fits well. It's covered with wicking mesh and has a slight lumbar pad at the rear, that's well cushioned and hardly noticeable. The hip belt also has a pull forward cinch system that's easy to tighten.
The Octal includes a fitted backpack rain cover
Backpack Organization and Storage
The Octal 55 is a conventional top loading backpack that closes with a drawstring. It has a top lid with two pockets, one external and one under the lid for storing small items like gloves, maps, and keys. The top lid can be replaced with a speed lid that does not have pockets, but covers the drawstring opening to block out rain or dust. While the top lid is technically a floating lid, it has very short straps which make it less suitable for compressing bulky gear against the top of the main compartment, which is how floating lids are normally used.
The front stretch pocket is large enough to carry crocs and wet clothes.
The pack has a front stretch mesh pocket which is good for storing layers or wet items. It's large enough for me to fit my Crocs and a rain coat, which is my favorite use for this kind of pocket. There are also two large stretch mesh side water bottle pockets. The side bottle pockets are large enough to fit two 1L Smartwater bottles at once. They also have holster-style front cutouts, designed for use with Nalgene liter bottles , if you prefer them. Unlike other packs, the pocket and stretchy design hold a Nalgene securely in place so they never slip out, even when you bend over. While you can pull a bottle stored in the side pocket out through the holster-hole, you need to take the pack off to get it back into the side pocket. If you prefer to use a hydration system, there is a large hydration pocket in the main compartment and a central hang loop to keep it vertical.
Water bottles don't fall out of the holder pockets when I bend over.
The hip belt has two large zippered solid pockets with large zipper pulls, so you can open them when wearing gloves. The pockets are large enough to store cell phones, a point and shoot camera, or snack bars. There are no pockets on the shoulder straps, although there is a place to hang sunglasses.
External Attachment Points and Compression
The Octal 55 has side compression straps on each side of the pack – a top strap and a bottom one – threaded in a diagonal pattern. They work well as compression straps, but the diagonal pattern and the lack of side release buckles makes it difficult to use them for holding larger items along the sides of the pack.
Z-shaped side compression straps
However, it is possible to attach a sleeping pad or tent to the bottom of the pack with accessory webbing. This is a nice feature to have on a backpacking pack and one that's often missing on 50-60 liter backpacks. The bottom side compression strap is threaded to come out the bottom and back of the side compression pocket and has enough slack in it to hold a pad or tent.
The pack also comes with a pair of ice axe loops that can also be used as trekking pole holders. Two adjustable elastic shaft/pole holders are included along the sides of the front mesh pocket, another feature that's left off many packs. Nice attention to detail, that.
The Octal 55 has rear straps for carrying a sleeping pad or a tent
If you want to rig up your own external attachment points there are four webbing loops on the corners of the front mesh pocket for this purpose. Just tie some elastic cord between them, add a cord lock to help tension it, and you can attach wet clothing to the back of the pack with ease. There are additional webbing loops on the top lid that can also be used to hang a solar panel.
The Gregory Octal 55 is an ultralight ventilated backpack that weighs 42 ounces, but can be lightened down to 37 ounces, if you remove its optional components. Ventilated, trampoline style backpacks are desirable because they help reduce perspiration and keep your shirt dry when backpacking. Some ventilated frames, including the Osprey Eja, can throw you off-balance because they shift your center of gravity behind your hips. That's not the case with the Octal 55, which sits closer to your hips and core muscles where it can be carried more comfortably and efficiently.
The top lid is removable and can be replaced with a simpler and lighter weight speed lid
Gregory has done a really nice job with the Octal 55 and demonstrated that you can make a fully featured, ventilated women's backpack that weighs close to 2 and 1/2 pounds. If you prefer a backpack that's been designed for women, I'd encourage you to put the Gregory Packs Octal 55 on your short list for serious consideration. I'm pretty impressed with this pack and think it's a great addition to the handful of women's specific lightweight backpacks available today.
About the Author
Beth Zimmer is an expert backpacker who's backpacked all over New England and Eastern Canada, with a long list of hiking accomplishments to her name. She's section hiked the New Hampshire Appalachian Trail, climbed the New England Hundred Highest and the New Hampshire 200 highest (mostly bushwhacks), redlined the White Mountain Guide (1440 miles), and climbed the White Mountain 4000 footers several times over. Beth also teaches GPS and off-trail navigation classes as a volunteer for the Appalachian Mountain Club and is co-chair of the New Hampshire Excursions Committee, which oversees all volunteer hiking and leadership training activities. When she's not hiking and backpacking, Beth resides in New Hampshire where she can usually be found sipping coffee and planning her next adventure.
Disclosure: Gregory provided a backpack for this review.
Editor's note: Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support SectionHiker's unsponsored gear reviews, articles, and hiking guides.
