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Blacks Creek Alaskan Pack
I had just returned from my first bowhunting trip for elk and mule deer with a Blacks Creek Alaskan pack when I was asked by a friend, Larry, if he could borrow a pack during archery and muzzleloader season. My response to Larry was “I spent most of the day under this pack and LOVE 
IT!!! They make a great product - they now have a custo
mer in me.” The Alaskan fit well and was comfortable right out of the box. Most large capacity packs (3,000 cubic inches) require some “break in”, primarily the waist belt, like a new pair of boots prior to real use. Not this one. Hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying that the Alaskan is a flimsy pack. The pack has to two internal aluminum stays for its support and is steady.
Proper pack sizing is important when carrying heavy loads. Getting the shoulder straps the correct distance from the waist belt will make or break a pack in the eyes of the user. The Alaskan is adjustable to fit a wide range of torsos. The shoulder straps are adjustable up and down to fit just about anyone. I’ve had two lower back surgeries, so a comfortable waist belt is important to me. The adjustable waist belt allows me to adjust the straps so that the majority of the pack weight is resting on my hips, not my shoulders.
The Alaskan has 3 main compartments. One smaller outside pocket which is large enough to fit plenty of game calls, knives, etc. The next main compartment is the primary compartment and large enough to fit my bivy sack and sleeping back plus my stove, food and extra clothes. The next compartment is a neat feature. Unzipping a perimeter zipper allows the game compartment to open and extend the pack another 1,000 cubic inches to its full 4,000 cubic inches. The game compartment puts the heaviest part of your load, your elk or deer quart nearest your body where it belongs. Place a plastic garbage bag in the pack and place the elk quarter in it. Or, fill the bag with water from a stream and carry it back to camp. Also, there is a pouch designed to carry a spotting scope or anything else which handy access would be useful.
The Alaskan is loaded with other features. The ones I like are the left and right (also removable) rifle slings and the bow sling. The butt of the rifle fits into a sling on the side of the pack. A strap holds the barrel to the top of the pack. They have the same feature which cradles your bow on the back of the pack. I hiked up and down VERY steep terrain with my 
bow on my back and it was rock steady. Each slings attaches with Velcro and can be removed if you don't need them. There is also a hunter orange pack cover built in.
Additionally, there is an external bungee cord for easy carry of extra gear. Also, plenty of compression straps pull the load tight into the pack. While using the pack on steep terrain I experienced no load shifting even with my bow strapped to the outside of the pack. The pack is also narrow enough to give your arms plenty of room to comfortably shoot a bow or rifle while wearing the pack.
A pack of this size, 3,000 cubic inches (expandable to 4,000 cubic inches) is ideal for extended backcountry trips of several days. I also found the Blacks Creek Alaskan to be light enough to use for day trips as well. If you’re looking for a pack to do it all – this would be the pack. As I mentioned earlier - “I spent most of the day under this pack and LOVE IT!!! They make a great product - they now have a customer in me.”
I’ll see you on the mountain.
Roger
Blacks Creek can be contacted at:
Blacks Creek - http://blacks-creek.com/index.php
19747 Red Top Road
Caldwell, Idaho 83607
Phone: 208-455-1996
Toll Free: 800-742-1405