Over the past few weeks I’ve been fortunate enough to test out the Cayambe 20L pack from Cotopaxi on a few jaunts around the Colorado backcountry. The pack has a multitude of essential features to make life on the skin track a bit easier.
The nylon ripstop shell fabric is ultra durable and stands up to abuse from tree branches, rocks and any sharp items you may have on you (shovel, ice axe, crampons). The back panel and shoulder straps are padded for additional comfort and are also breathable, which ensured I didn’t get overheated on the long slog up the skin track. The pack’s insulated hydration sleeve also helped keep me saturated on a rather warm January day on the Continental Divide.
Additionally, none of the Cayambe’s 20 liters of storage is wasted and pocket placement is convenient. The front tool pouch allows all avalanche equipment to be easily accessed, and the bigger, 180-degree zip compartment has plenty of room for snacks, extra layers and whatever other essentials you may need out in the wilderness. A fleece lined goggle pocket, located on top of the pack, keeps your goggles and sunnies protected, too.
The adjustable waist straps also feature a small item pocket as well as a gear loop for extra storage. The pack also weighs in at a reasonable 1,080 grams, and definitely doesn’t bog you down on the descent, as evidenced by the video below:
As an added bonus, every purchase of the Cayambe pack contributes towards JUCONI Ecuador. The foundation seeks to help give educational aid to underprivileged children in Ecuador by providing one week of primary and secondary schooling, including school supplies and fees, for a single child in the country.
