View Full Version : Dumb Question: What are these rungs on the bottom of my pack for?
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9946/dscn3069smallhg1.jpg
What are those little rungs on the bottom of the pack for? Far too small to fit a sleeping pad, but they must be used for something since they're on a bunch of my packs.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7410/dscn3123smallou9.jpg
there we go.
Pedaling Fool
02-14-2009, 10:19
I've heard those are for ice axes. So basically they just look cool.
Ice axe loops
so if i were a gram weenie who doesn't care about resale value i'd be cutting them off? (i wont use ice axes with my summer pack)
Dog chews...:D sorry I couldn't resist!
Love the dog pic! :p
Dances with Mice
02-14-2009, 10:21
I use them to snare flying dachsunds.
I use them to snare flying dachsunds.
Dachsund / Terrier. I've seen too many PB Dachsund's with bad back problems. But yeah, she does fly.
I use them to snare flying dachsunds.
I stand corrected.
You get a couple of straps or bungee cords and tie the dog to the bottom of you pack.
GeneralLee10
02-14-2009, 10:34
Cool pick of your dog we have a solid black mini he is such a ham. Cool LiL Dogs though I got mine to go thru a tunnel he loves it. On my Z65 I use them to help hold my walking poles when not in use but that is me.
I thought they were for hanging my pack upside down so I can out all of my gear at one time.
I've heard those are for ice axes. So basically they just look cool.I've never found them functional for anything I carry . . . and I've tried a few things. I suppose one could cut them off, as packs have enough flapping straps without the likes of these. :)
Toolshed
02-14-2009, 11:11
Ice Axes Webbing Loops. You drop the pointed end of the shaft into the topside of the loop and pull it through until the axe end reaches it. Then you flip the shaft up and using a small strap, strap it to your daisy chain (Length of Runner/webbing sewn in loops down the front of the pack.)
catfishrivers
02-14-2009, 11:13
You can writ a string across the two loops to hang wet socks.
catfishrivers
02-14-2009, 11:14
Writ=rig (spellcheck)
MintakaCat
02-14-2009, 11:27
Actually, they are called “hike delay loops” designed to prolong your hiking experience by snagging passing branches and forcing you to stop more often to enjoy the entire wilderness experience. They also do wonders for your brain cells by extracting long forgotten words from your vocabulary that you thought you would never utter again, while at the same time causing Noah Webster to turnover in his grave.
mister krabs
02-14-2009, 11:36
I use them to carry my poles when lugging my pack around into the car and the like. They usually have a corresponding top strap.
Here's one in use
http://www.planetmountain.com/english/Lab/gear/flyrunner/images/01.jpg
I've also found them to be useless. I never used them for anything. I always thought it was strange that they put them on the pack. I would expect that they should be an "option" where you would have to pay more money to get them. I wish that they would stop putting them on packs. I don't like having non functional things on my packs. And it doesn't sit well with me to cut anything off my pack either.
Panzer
ps cool picture of your dog.
Ice axe loops
Yep. Put the ice axe shaft through the loop up to the head, flip it over, and secure the shaft up above (there should be a short strap and buckle for that straight up from the loop, about 16" or so. I don't use them so I cut them off.
Oh, I see the question's been answered........
First, I love the dog photo! Adorable.
Second... ice ax loops. Though I have NO idea how the heck you use them, and no one I've ever asked to show me knows either. Anyone here know?
First, I love the dog photo! Adorable.
Second... ice ax loops. Though I have NO idea how the heck you use them, and no one I've ever asked to show me knows either. Anyone here know?
Apparantly I'm not the only one who doesn't read the other responses before posting. :o:)
atraildreamer
02-14-2009, 13:54
If you could levitate your pack the way you got the dog to levitate, you could carry a lot more gear! :D
" I wish that they would stop putting them on packs."
I've had occasion to carry an ice axe on pretty much every pack I've owned, not counting day/book packs. So I guess you can blame people like me for the fact that they put them on various types of packs. That and maybe they think it imparts some sort of coolness to have them, dunno.
I'm not a fan of the packs that put *two* of them on, as most people don't carry two ice axes (ice climbing maybe ...). But I too have found them useful to carry a trekking pole or two in extended periods that I don't want to use them (road walks or the like).
I'd happily cut one or both off if I was sure I wouldn't use it, but I understand and respect too the desire to not have to do surgery on a new piece of gear!
Actually, they can be used to carry an assortment of stuff like: ice axes, trekking poles, fishing gear, brooms, a light saber, etc. Use your imagination. Like the "hike delay loops" comment of MintakaCat.
Rockhound
02-14-2009, 15:05
The real reason they are there is to carry your blowgun.
The real reason they are there is to carry your blowgun.
LOL! I have heard some sh#t, but sometimes I just have to say Hmmm! And shake my head to remove the cobwebs from my brain when I start down the road of exploring the issues of blowguns on the AT. Just let me know if U R carrying a blowgun on the AT and which direction U R traveling.
Blissful
02-14-2009, 16:07
Ha ha loved the first pic!
Yeah I thought they were for ice axes or something. WHy, who knows.
I've also seen some hikers who don't have enough cubes inside their packs attach a CCF sleeping pad, a stuff sack encased sleeping bag, and even bear canisters from those "hike delay loops."
superman
02-14-2009, 20:20
The picture is the important thing here.:)
YoungMoose
02-14-2009, 20:54
all i know is that i use it to secure all of my gear that i have hanging
Cabin Fever
02-14-2009, 21:41
You are the first person I have seen with the same pack I have. It does have a lot of straps on it.
theinfamousj
02-14-2009, 23:15
The real reason they are there is to carry your blowgun.
I LOLed. :p
take-a-knee
02-15-2009, 00:15
The real reason they are there is to carry your blowgun.
Yeah man, you gots to have a blowgun so's you can scavenge on the AT.
Cast Away
02-15-2009, 00:35
Tow hooks. When your buddy falls in quick sand, take that 50' rope that you have in your pack and tie it to these loops and pull his sinking butt out!
Apparantly I'm not the only one who doesn't read the other responses before posting. :o:)
Have you read how most people respond to questions around here? :p I'd be crazy to actually read through them. :p:p
Thanks for the answer though... still, not having tried it, not really sure why the axe doesn't just slip out of the loop when it's flipped upside-down. I suppose I'll have to actually try it to see how it works.
Desert Reprobate
02-15-2009, 02:45
That's why the loops are so big. You slip the handle of the axe through the loop with the head up. Then you flip the handle back up toward the pack and secure the handle further up the pack. There will be some sort of tie there for that purpose. You can use a hot nail to put a small hole in the strap. put the spike of your trek pole in the hole then attach it at the same upper tie point. Same with the other loop. Two loops, Two poles.
sbennett
02-15-2009, 03:29
That dog is awesome by the way....
Is it my imagination or is that dog flying?
Panzer:)
Toolshed
02-15-2009, 10:04
Retake the picture and slow the shutter speed/cut down the aperture to show the illusion of speed.
I kinda like the gravity-defying effect of the current photo - great shot of your dog's hang time, totem! :)
Tha Wookie
02-15-2009, 23:42
Those loops are actually bread loaf carriers.
beakerman
02-16-2009, 03:01
no you are all wrong they are special raccoon rip cords. the little varmints just pull and pull on them until to bottom of your bag opens up like a pinata.
At one time most packs were made with mountain climbing in mind. Ice Axe loops are a hold over from those halcyon days.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/images/wp45waxe.jpg
Frick Frack
02-16-2009, 09:26
Hummmm....I thought those loops were to hang your pack upside down to dry after spraying all the Maine mud off....or maybe to grab ahold of when placing your pack in & out of the trunk of a "town ride"......
Awsome dog pic! Your trail name is now "Flying Dog"....
leprechaun
02-16-2009, 13:37
thanks for the pic hoz, written instructions were confusing to my slow brain
No problem, back then we called them "rucksacks" and the coolest ones had leather bottoms too!
At one time most packs were made with mountain climbing in mind. Ice Axe loops are a hold over from those halcyon days.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/images/wp45waxe.jpgAnd if you carry one of those without any ice around, folks will peg you for the grim reaper! :eek: :D
Wise Old Owl
02-16-2009, 19:54
I use them to carry my poles when lugging my pack around into the car and the like. They usually have a corresponding top strap.
Here's one in use
http://www.planetmountain.com/english/Lab/gear/flyrunner/images/01.jpg
OMG the first person on the planet to actually use them!
Glad you posted a pic thanks!
Toolshed
02-16-2009, 20:24
At one time most packs were made with mountain climbing in mind. Ice Axe loops are a hold over from those halcyon days.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/images/wp45waxe.jpg
I agree. I beleive many simply think Loops and Daisy Chains are rather "cool". As for the true need of an ice axe, it has been argued in the Dacks over the years that with a good pair of snowshoes and hiking poles, you can easily do any 4,000er.
However, when winter climbing, One of us always brings one as well as a length of rope for working our way over headwalls, down steep sections, but most importantly for chopping through ice to get to a stream for water and save us from the tedious chore of melting snow.
Grim Reaper - only if his bag is made of black leather.:D
mkmangold
02-16-2009, 20:47
And if you carry one of those without any ice around, folks will peg you for the grim reaper! :eek: :D
Or use it to harvest wheat.
Great pix. I have a dachsund that looks just like yours. I'm going to make Spike lose some weight and use the loops to carry him with me hiking.
Nightwalker
02-17-2009, 19:43
oops wrong pic
No, great pic!