Packraft Paddles on the Divide

[JoshDurston]

As a prospective divide buyer I have a couple questions...
How are you guys storing your pack raft paddles on the Divide 4500? Breaking down a 4 piece paddle can result in some awkward pieces. The shafts have semi sharp edges and the paddles blades a little bulky. Ideally it's niece to get everything within the pack envelope without have things poking up and catching on trees and brush.

Is the mesh back panel large enough to accommodate the paddle blades and leave some room for day use items?
How are the compression strap at securing the paddle shafts in one of the side pockets? I assume the x42 fabric is tough enough to keep the metal paddle shaft from punching thru the bottom of the side pocket.
Fit: as someone with an 20.5 torso I would likely be running the frame with 2inch extensions. Are there any downsides to running extensions other than making the side pockets less reachable? Are the side pockets reachable with 2inch extensions?

Feature request... make one of the side pockets into a deeper tube (kinda like the Gossamer Gear Mariposa) to swallow longer tubes and shafts (fishing rod tubes, paddles shafts, trekking poles, etc). Not sure whether it would be best to be under the compression straps, or just have a cord closure at the top.
Belt pockets would be nice too.
It would be nice to get dimensional side pockets on the fortress bags as an update.

[kevin_t]

There are dimensional pockets on the fortress now. Best to ask Dave C at bedrockandparsdox for packraft paddles etc . He has used a divide packraft ing pretty extensively


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[DaveChenault]

[JoshDurston]

Thanks Kevin and Dave for the replies...
I did a recent packrafting trip with an undersized pack (55litre 8 day), and found it frustrating (and high loss potential) having to lash items to the outside of my pack. Dealing with deadfall with paddles sticking up like antlers is tedious at best and almost debilitating when going gets tough.

I'm leaning towards the Fortress, since I'm a family man with 3 daughters (age 7 and below) and I have to carry a lot of weight and bulk if I want any trips to happen.

Questions:
Is the frame 2 inches longer on the Unaweep Fortress than the Divide or does it just come with pre installed extensions (26" versus 24"). I'm somewhere between 20-21" torso.

How well does the top of the frame offer clearance for a canoe yoke?

Dave, your website (and BLP contributions) are excellent, I enjoy reading your point of view and opinions on things. Especially some of your more recent adventures with your family.

[kevin_t]

24 with 2 inch extensions installed . I think it does ok with a yoke but have not tested . I know Dave Freeman has been using one in the BWCA (actually a Revo ) .

Yes not many do the family adventures like Dave . I did see a young couple today with a 2 ish year old backpacking , but it is rare .


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[DaveChenault]