In reply to andy kirkpatrick:
Hi Andy,
Climbing packs seem to fall into 2 categories:
1. Comfortable to carry everything to base of route, or
2. Climb better, less to interfere with harness, compact smaller.
I have always chose the latter, since it is a climbing pack after all!
The Fast Alpine looks like what most people seem to carry up the hill, along with Osprey, Lowe Alpine and the likes. In reflection, does look like a tweeked Torque 40 too?
The Ultra Alpine falls into the 'climbing category' and not to dissimilar to my Golite Jam. I like the compression straps running all around, through metal eyelets, great for securing a mat and the likes, either on side or back, if they are long enough? Slide tools down behind them too, watch out for walking through dense trees though (Canada!!). Roll top yip, roll down tightly and smaller pack, especially since no top tension straps to interfere, climbing packs this size don't need them anyway. A normal plastic fastex buckle would be better on roll top, since metal one will bounce out, due to lack of tension.
Coincidently, I still have a 25 year old Lowe Alpine Spire 40, built like a tank, climbs well, still sub 1kg!!
Regards
Stuart
Ps. Was beneath you on Dru with Dave Rudd