Wyo here. Long time no see as it has been about 7 years since I posted.
I need a new pack and have special requirements now as opposed when I thru hiked the AT in 06.
A bit of background to help with ideas for me. I am now 61 and since the AT in 06 I was critically injured in a very bad accident. Four broken vertebrae in my back and lots of smashed disks. I am all rods, screws and bone grafts now. On the plus side I now have the perfect posture that my mother told me was important for success in life and on the negative side my remaining disks are not up to specs any longer. I now live in AZ and hike the desert mountains here and am planning to thru hike the Arizona Trial (another AT ha ha). If you are not familiar with AZ desert mountain hiking it is VERY rocky (as in the Penn rocks are like a very good day) and not having a real trail about 25% of your time (that is you bushwack thru the cactus and thorn bushes a lot.). Last, but perhaps the biggest issue, is water supplies. It is not uncommon to need to carry 6 liters leaving a water source as it is possible not to have resupply for up to 30 and sometimes 40 miles. I will not be hiking in the summer (that is just stupid out here) rather in the fall. The mountains get pretty high here and the nights can be quite chilly that time of year so one cannot go without a reasonable selection of a non-summer bag and a little layering in the high country - thus a very small bag is out.
So I no longer have current knowledge on what is available in high quality packs which might suit my needs and would appreciate some suggestions. The basic specs are below.
Cost: not an issue
Size: 60-65 liters
Suspension must be top notch and it must put at least 2/3 to 3/4 quarters of the weight on my hips. It's a pain thing.
Weight of loads will hit 40 lbs (maybe 45 for brief periods) 5 days food, 2 days water, + gear
Ultra light packs will not work. I still have my Granite Gear pack from 06 at about 3lbs and it is not sufficient for my current weight requirements nor my back.
I will accept a heavier pack to get what I must have and cut weight elsewhere like switching to a tarp tent and so on.
I guess that is enough info, but if anyone has questions about something I forgot to put above just ask.
Thanks in advance.