Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40 Pack

The 40 litre capacity is well suited to ski patrollers, backcountry guides, and recreationists heading out for bigger missions. The pack’s layout is a top compartment, a large main compartment, and an oversized front pocket for snow safety tools.

The top compartment offers a single large pocket with space for many go-to items such as hats and gloves and features an internal goggle pocket in order to protect your eyewear.

A top-loading main compartment closes via a shroud which offers the possibility for increased volume when maxing out the capacity. A strap with a buckle closure provides a secure tie-down when carrying a rope (this strap also helps with compression).

Within the main compartment, a smaller internal pocket offers secure storage for smaller items like keys, tools, and communication devices.

The main compartment can also be accessed via a back panel. The panel features 2 zippers and a large velcro flap which allows either quick access to one side or full access to the entire contents of the main compartment.

The front pocket is designed for snow safety gear which features large high-vis zipper pulls and interior tool sleeves to keep the contents well organized. The oversized design means there’s ample room for all your tools without having to cram them in and strain the zipper.

A stowable helmet carry is deployed from the bottom of the bag and is secure with G-hooks.

Both A-frame and diagonal carry options are possible with this bag. The top and bottom webbing loops for the diagonal carry are easily and quickly stowed and deployed.

All the straps on the bag have built-in velcro attachments that neatly wrap up excess webbing in order to avoid these straps flapping around and getting caught or snagged. The buckles are also all glove-friendly which is a huge plus in colder weather. 

Fabrics: 320D NP. Phantom Ripstop with wax coating
Zippers: YKK #8 and #10, DWR coating

• Organized Avy pocket
• Telescoping yoke
• Top-loading main compartment with shroud
• Exterior stowable helmet carry
• Back-panel zipper access
• Compression straps with glove-friendly buckles
• Removable alpine waist belt
• Interior zippered pocket in the main compartment
• Hydration reservoir compatible
• Flexible, high-density frame sheet with dual composite stays

A couple of years ago we reviewed the Mystery Ranch Patrol 35 Pack and it performed really well in our testing. The Gallatin Peak is the next generation and it offers increased volume with a decreased weight. Many of the Gallatin Peak’s features have been streamlined in order to create a more dialed pack without sacrificing anything along the way. 

The bag carries very well, meaning a comfortable fit with any weight; no slumping or straining. 

I find that a solid compression system is critical, especially with larger volume bags. The compression system on the Gallatin Peak ensures the carried load will be kept tight no matter how full the bag is, and straps distributed evenly across the bag ensure no awkward bulging or unevenly distributed loads.

I like the new buckle design, but I wonder how durable they will be. They are glove-friendly and very lightweight, but their weight savings means the plastic is quite thin. I find plastic buckles are often some of the first things to break on backpacks and these ones don’t inspire confidence in terms of robustness. 

The bag also uses velcro for a couple of the closures; specifically on the back panel access and the helmet carry. While the velcro offers quick and easy access, velcro often picks up snow which reduces its ability to operate as designed. While some diligence may avoid the velcro closures coming in contact with snow, I can’t say I find this to be the most appropriate design feature for a bag that is meant to be used in the snow.

I like that the snow safety pocket offers 3 sleeves, as many bags only offer 2, and my saw is too often left floating loose. I also like that this compartment is “oversized” so that all the tools fit in without jamming them in and straining the zipper.

On the whole, the Gallatin Peak Pack is a great fit for both professional and recreational use. A couple of little additions like hip belt pockets and reinforced webbing for A-frame carry would provide nice finishing touches without adding much weight or bulk, but the overall design is very effective and enjoyable to use.