2019 Initial Ascent Gen II pack review.

[JakeInVegas]

It was amazing to get a jump start to Utah's big game season with the new early cow tag that opened Aug 1st.

My dad killed this cow but lucky for him I offered to pack it off the mountain. That's a bone in front, rear and back strap along with trim. So basically one half the elk plus mine and kids day gear and spotter with tripod.

You sir, are an absolute beast. I purchased this same pack at the Utah Hunt Expo this year. I have been very pleased with the pack, but I am quite certain I won’t be carrying any loads that large.

 

[realunlucky]

I've been using the Initial Ascent 4k a bunch for scouting, taken it backpack bear hunting, also packed a fair sized bone in elk a ways in it. So I'm going to do like a mid way though the review thoughts right now.

Ok here a few things that aren't my favorite about the 4k.

The single zipper on the lid. Makes getting stuff in and out when it's full a pain without everything spilling out.

I also don't like that the lid straps didn't have a keeper to roll them up. I found myself pulling on them when I wanted to tension the load lifter straps simply because they were longer. I mentioned this to Dennis and he hooked me up with two more keepers to resolve this. Thank you

Lastly I imagine this effects very few users but I personally have a long torso. When using the shoulder harness my upper portion surpassed the locking Velcro and allowed the very top part to slightly shift when shouldering heavy loads.

Here's a picture of a more average harness and where it sits on the frame vs where my harness sits.

I again reached out to Initial Ascent and they happily added some Velcro higher on my frame. Here's a picture of the standard Velcro layout

And what was added to my frame.

Seems to have resolved my issue.

 

[realunlucky]

Ok here are my notable likes at this point.

The frame has the most air flow I've experienced to my lower back. It's notice under a heavy sweat. My upper shoulders will be totally wet and lower back completely dry until the hip belt.

This picture is with the hip belt removed so the belt and lumbar pad add additional space between the frame and your back.

Speaking of the lumbar pad I love the two stage lumbar pad. Soft with light loads but extremely firm under heavy loads. Doesn't move and really locks to my hips.

This is without a doubt the most comfortable hip belt I've ever used and my single favorite feature of the frame system.

I also like how easy the shoulder harness is to adjust. Simply move up and down on the Velcro. When the height is perfect a vertical strap and a horizontal strap to lock everything from moving. Initial Ascent calls this their 3 point locking system.

Even with my unique torso issue I loaded the entire bone in cow elk onto the pack and managed to stumble a few steps. While the Velcro (or lack of) allowed the load to shift slightly side to side while I struggled to gain my footing everything righted itself once I straightened out. After I took half the elk off I shouldered the loaded pack without any adjustments or issues and hiked back to the Jeep.

With the load shelf and pannier this pack has a ton of adjustment but all those adjustments use straps. I have come to really appreciate the strap keepers that Initial Ascent uses. Easy to use and works excellent.

The pocket in the lid for a water bladder is great. Makes access every easy to refill and keeps that wieght up high as well.

 

[realunlucky]

I had used basically a huge tube bag for forever and it never really brothered me to open the top and rifle around for what I wanted. With the 4k bag layout it is easier to open either side access zipper and find what I want quickly. I have found that for me the reduced cubic inches has forced me to pack everything I bring into it's own spot instead of just opening and dumping stuff in top and it just kinda self sorting. It makes me more efficient for sure but I do miss the convince of more cubic inches. Perhaps the 6k would be perfect?

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[Team Initial Ascent]

I've been using the Initial Ascent 4k a bunch for scouting, taken it backpack bear hunting, also packed a fair sized bone in elk a ways in it. So I'm going to do like a mid way though the review thoughts right now.

Ok here a few things that aren't my favorite about the 4k.

The single zipper on the lid. Makes getting stuff in and out when it's full a pain without everything spilling out.

I also don't like that the lid straps didn't have a keeper to roll them up. I found myself pulling on them when I wanted to tension the load lifter straps simply because they were longer. I mentioned this to Dennis and he hooked up with two more keepers to resolve this. Thank you

Lastly I imagine this effects very few users but I personally have a long torso. When using the shoulder harness my upper portion surpassed the locking Velcro and allowed the very top part to slightly shift when shouldering heavy loads.

Here's a picture of a more average harness and where it sits on the frame vs where my harness sits.

I again reached out to Initial Ascent and they happily added some Velcro higher on my frame. Here's a picture of the standard Velcro layout

And what was added to my frame.

Seems to have resolved my issue.

Thanks for bringing up the single zipper on the lid. We didn’t like it either so at the beginning of the summer, all new lids will have a dual zipper. However, we are still working through the last of the single zipper lids in inventory with coyote models. All To clarify, it will still have one zipper opening but two actual zippers.

I've been using the Initial Ascent 4k a bunch for scouting, taken it backpack bear hunting, also packed a fair sized bone in elk a ways in it. So I'm going to do like a mid way though the review thoughts right now.

Ok here a few things that aren't my favorite about the 4k.

The single zipper on the lid. Makes getting stuff in and out when it's full a pain without everything spilling out.

I also don't like that the lid straps didn't have a keeper to roll them up. I found myself pulling on them when I wanted to tension the load lifter straps simply because they were longer. I mentioned this to Dennis and he hooked up with two more keepers to resolve this. Thank you

Lastly I imagine this effects very few users but I personally have a long torso. When using the shoulder harness my upper portion surpassed the locking Velcro and allowed the very top part to slightly shift when shouldering heavy loads.

Here's a picture of a more average harness and where it sits on the frame vs where my harness sits.

I again reached out to Initial Ascent and they happily added some Velcro higher on my frame. Here's a picture of the standard Velcro layout

And what was added to my frame.

Seems to have resolved my issue.

Thanks for bringing up the single zipper. We didn’t like it either and so at the beginning of the summer we started adding another zipper to the lid. We still have a few left in inventory of the coyote model with the single zipper but all olive green packs have the duel zipper. Just to clarify, we still only have one zipper opening that gains access to the lid.

 

[les welch]

I've been using the Initial Ascent 4k a bunch for scouting, taken it backpack bear hunting, also packed a fair sized bone in elk a ways in it. So I'm going to do like a mid way though the review thoughts right now.

Ok here a few things that aren't my favorite about the 4k.

The single zipper on the lid. Makes getting stuff in and out when it's full a pain without everything spilling out.

I also don't like that the lid straps didn't have a keeper to roll them up. I found myself pulling on them when I wanted to tension the load lifter straps simply because they were longer. I mentioned this to Dennis and he hooked up with two more keepers to resolve this. Thank you

Lastly I imagine this effects very few users but I personally have a long torso. When using the shoulder harness my upper portion surpassed the locking Velcro and allowed the very top part to slightly shift when shouldering heavy loads.

Here's a picture of a more average harness and where it sits on the frame vs where my harness sits.

I again reached out to Initial Ascent and they happily added some Velcro higher on my frame. Here's a picture of the standard Velcro layout

And what was added to my frame.

Seems to have resolved my issue.

Stay tuned on the zipper thoughts. There are some possible design changes being tested for this.


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[les welch]

Whoops too slow. Also I believe you are correct, the 6000 would be a nice addition. For only a few extra ounces in weight penalty, you get 50% more bag. You’ll never regret having the extra space, but it sure stinks when need it and don’t have it.


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[realunlucky]

Awesome that makes the lid more user friendly for sure.

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[Hoghead]

I bought this setup too earlier this year. I use it in day pack mode to hog hunt every week and lately 2 times a week. I have hauled a lot of deboned hogs with it of various weights. I love the frame and hauling capability of this pack. I have only used it to backpack in to a fishing spot 1 time so far but carried 60 pounds 8 miles and was very comfortable. There have been times that I thought I was only carrying 35 pounds and then weighed the meat and was over 50. That's not including the first aid kit for the dogs water bladder and processing tools. I have dealt with Dennis on the phone a few times and he is a great guy and provides great customer service.

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[realunlucky]

Ran over and filled my antlerless antelope tag on the last day of the season. It turned in to a bunch more work than I anticipated and a long hike out. Anyways here a few pictures(sorry it was dark so pictures look kinda blurry)

The pannier as a meat shelf had no problem shallowing the entire antelope for the pack out. Actually hardly noticed it was back there.

 

[realunlucky]

Been grinding covering ground but the deer have been few and far in between. Still have one trip left and then I'll have to shift my focus on to buffalo.

Dual side enter zippers are awesome if you can remember what you packed on which side.

 

[realunlucky]

Well I'm officially switching gears to go focus on my once in a lifetime bison hunt. I'm not really sure what I'll need to break down a buffalo so if you have any opinions I'll love to hear them.
I packed everything into a Initial Ascent xl pack sack. These are pretty cool with a mesh so you can see what in each pack sack if you have multiple.
I'm taking my Wyoming saw, havlon extra blades, Benchmade folder. 6 24X44 tag bags and 4 15X24 black ovis bags. 50' of 550 cord 2 55gal trash bags and a small lite painters tarp.

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[robby denning]

Good luck on the buffalo hunt. Can’t wait to see that head strapped on that IA pack!


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[Outlaw99]

Great write up, thanks for taking the time to review and share. Good luck with the bison

 

[IdahoGoat]

Thank you so much for the posts and reviews. I have been interested in these since seeing them at a hunting expo in Boise last spring. I really want one but I'm still looking at SG and MR as well. Do you have any introspective on how it compares to other brands you've used?

 

[Lochtsa71]

Can you show a picture of using this system in day pack?
I'm assuming you would use the lid and connect it to pannier.
Wouldn't it be loud if there wasn't a dry bag or something in between the frame and above mentioned components?
I'm asking these questions because I love to move when I'm hunting here in Idaho and would like to hike light and then be able to pack more out without the 4k bag stuffed with gear.

 

[realunlucky]

Day pack mode

a short video. I'm out of town and won't be until next week for more pictures.

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[realunlucky]

Had another opportunity to test the IA4K be doing a trip write up soon.

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[realunlucky]

The xl pack sack worked excellent to carry my bison kill kit. I had that thing stuffed full of game bags, knives, and even my Wyoming saw fit in there. I didn't know what I'd need but didn't want to be short something on an animal this size after getting it on the ground.

Glad I opted to carry extra game bags she filled a bunch of them.

 

[realunlucky]

The country these buffalo live is flat top Mesa's with steep sides. The bison like to run the rim edge in the thick cedars so they can drop off into the bottom at the first sign of pressure.