Made from Composite VX-21 pack fabric (200 p.s.i and waterproof), the Andinista is a mountaineering pack. It’s available in three harness sizes and the bag can be configured to carry between 1800 to 5500 inches thanks to straps, compression zippers and spindrift. The pack weighs just 56 ounces. The Andinista is in the BARS and BAMS templates. It is offered in Black and Coyote.
Features:
-Padded, angled shoulder straps
-2 gear loops on padded, removable hip belt
-Compression zippers
-Removable compression straps
-Whistle-lock on sternum strap
-Hydration system compatible
-Bullet pocket
-Ski slots
-2 daisy chains
-4 haul points
-Contour-cut removable lid
-Removable back pad
-Roll-up snow skirt
-Tool attachment points
One of the coolest features is that the Andinista can be used as a bivy bag. It serves as an elephant foot, keeping the legs out of the snow and ice. The foam padding can be removed and configured to suit the terrain.
Here is Wild Things founder Marie Meunier demonstrating the bivy capability of the Andinista.
Cool pack. Being a mountaineering pack it would be good if they added ice axe loops to the bottom. Maybe I’m just not seeing them?
The pics from your ice tools slide behind the pocket on the back of the pack and the tool head is held in place by the two clips that are visible at the base of that pocket. I have the same set up on my Wild Things ice pack, and have found it to be very effective at managing tools and also keeping sharp bits at bay.
It’s ANDINISTA. https://www.wildthingsgear.com/products/andinista-pack-mil
First, Marie is fantastic, the heart and soul of this company…wish they’d let her run the show, get back to their roots and be able to manage production and sales on both the “mission” and the “mountain” side i.e. try ordering a non-tactical colored Andinista (and/or you can give them a call and leave a message a few times because no one is there). Back in the day, the only issue WT had was the occasional failed zipper, which they’d fix onsite in North Conway for free. Also, here’s a somewhat quizzical golf clap for the minds behind the $2500.00 “Shadow Watch Kit”, basically a duffelbag containing a powerstretch top, softshell and wind tops/bottoms a poncho+liner and a knuckle roaster. One has to wonder just what environment they had in mind with their “special mission climate requirements”, a cool October morning in a Rhode Island city park?