kutenay,

Do you have any experience w/ the Nice frame?
http://www.mysteryranch.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_7

I have a retired modified LC2 ruck that was used in the Special Forces. It is jump rated but was used w/ a standard military frame and a slightly modified coleman style flex frame. The pack is the bomb, but the frames were never worth crap for hauling any weight. Thought this would be a way to bring that puppy out of retirement w/ the "Nice" frame.

Gary

No, I have a Bomb pack from Dana's first incarnation, "Kletterwerks", a current "Deluxe", had a Bozeman "Terraplane Overkill" that was stolen and am expecting a BDSB any day now. I am a huge Dana Gleason fan and consider him the best packmeister that I know of, so, I would not hesitate to buy a NICE frame.

kutenay,

If the "Nice" frame can be used on its own to haul heavy loads of game meat, hides, etc. w/ at least the comfort level of a good ext. frame, I'd be able to attach my military ruck and carry everything needed for an extended trip. It would also have the advantage of a lower profile to better navigate/hunt in brushy areas.

Also, I stumbled across this frame on the AJB web page. Do you know anything about it?
http://www.ajbrooks.com/qs/category/40/2370/0/0

Gary

GaryVA,

I've got a NICE frame here in my office and used to work for Dana back in the good days (pre-K2 ownership).

The NICE will be a killer meat hauler, especially if fitted with a shelf of some sort at the bottom. Plenty of straps, buckles, etc.

A co-worker bought one of his other packs as a meat hauler as well.

Dana is the packmeister of all packmeisters and a pretty wonderful human being as well. I've got a big prototype that I've never needed, my Big Sky does it all for my type of hunting.

Gary, I am familiar withh the frame that you refer to, I wouldn't own one. I would buy the NICE frame plus Loadhauler in a heartbeat and nearly did except I opted for the Kifaru Longhunter Rendevous, another very fine piece of equipment.

I consider the NICE/Loadhauler combo to be the best rig on the market for what you want and I will probably buy one to put my "Screaming Eagle" ruck on, it's made of camo wool from Swanndri of New Zealand and this combo would be superb for brush hunting. So, I think that you would be very happy with the NICE setup.

kutenay,

"Nice" frame + loadhauler it is!

Your help is priceless! I need to return the favors.

Just like having a good rifle, I place a high priority on my boots and pack. I can survive for days w/out water and weeks w/out food but I must have my boots and pack. At this point I'm confident that the AJB "Canadas" and the Mystery Ranch "Nice" will fit this bill exceptionally well.

Thanks,
Gary