UKH

Monte Qualido

Hi all,

Hoping to get out to Monte Qualido to try my first big wall next year. Starting to gather gear together now.Do I need a proper haul bag? They're quite pricey but if it's worth it I'll bite the bullet.
Would a big duffel bag work the same? Say one of those 90L ME ones, strong enough?

Many thanks!

Fergus

The issue is more about how the straps are sewn, that allows you to haul the bag straight up.

If you're on a super-overhanging line from bottom to top you could use carrier bags and they would work. Back in the real word, even specialist haul bags get beaten up, anything else will last hardly any time at all and will then risk dropping your kit a very long way down a very big cliff.

Caving tackle bags might do the job, have a look at what's available at Starless River, https://starlessriver.com/shop/tackle_bags

If it's going to be your main bag for the walk in; then it's an hour and a half to two hours of reasonably steep path. Think carrying comfort here. Just about all the routes will see the bag being dragged up the face in places; so think abrasion resistance.

If you want to go even cheaper try one of these. Quite a comfortable carry too.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/rucksack-dry-bags-rucksacks.html#SID=116

Haul bags are pretty specialist,  you need to be able to comfortably carry the load, detach all the carry system so nothing snags when hauling, haul a heavy weight safely,  it sit right at a stance, and be accessible whilst clipped to the anchors.  All that, and be strong enough to resist the abrasion of loads of rough rock.  I think skimping on a haul bag would cause more trouble than it’s worth,  perhaps you could off set the cost and be miserable in a hammock over a portaledge?  

Sounds like you have time to source a second hand one 

I recently bought a smallish one from Decathlon - around £80 and as well made as my much more expensive Metolius bag going by first impressions.

My son recently made his own. Got the material and straps from pennine outdoor, copied the design of over expensive ones online, added a few features of his own that he wanted and sewed it up on my old singer machine that I use to repair my tents and other gear. Served him well on El Cap a few weeks ago. 

(Built his own portaledge as well that's he's used for a few years)