Scrambler's Special- Backpacker's Gear of the Year Awards 2009Not too humungous not too skimpy, The North Face Spire 40 Climbing Backpack is the Great mid-sized design for climbing and mountaineering. Robust, lightweight, versatile, simplistic, and technically dialed, this pack satisfies all fast and light adventures from one dayers to week long multi-days. Compressing for small volumes and extending for maximum gear loads, the aluminum stays are removable, the burly fabric lightweight, and features the prerequisite haul loops - removable hip belt - reinforced ski loops - tool loops hydration compartment - and ice axe loops. Pack savvy, there's nothing more you could want from this top loader.