This frame hack stood me in good stead when I went deep into the Michigan backcountry a while back. I wanted to share it with you all as I think it has applications beyond just the way I did it. Thank you for watching and please leave me a comment in the section below!
I bought the Isle Royale Senior two years ago and have found it to be a fine pack. It can be a beast to carry if you over load it. Its size can be adjusted to fit about any load using the leather lacing on each side. The Frost River product line is well thought out and of great quality.
Bottom of the bag and the frame remind me of a Kelly I picked up a few months ago . Thanks for posting. Hope you and your family have a blessed and Merry Christmas
Smokey the Bear called and said you did well on putting out the Michigan fire. You know Smokey knows if you have been good or bad and he comes down the chimney to put out fires in the fireplace. I like the pack frame better than the alice pack I have.
Absolutely. I have all of my packs hanging from external frames. I bought two vintage Kelty packs, have two ALICE packs and even bought a frame to hang a 40 liter Police Gear pack. Frames allow for a higher placement of the loads on the person's back and this is far better for me at least to carry heavier packs for a longer distance. I looked at these Isle Royale packs but they do not seem to be too comfortable for the money. Good hack and the frame looks good, I will try to find one.
Duuude, that's clever.. I'll have to try my isle royal (largest/normal one) for a while with heavier gear first, even with just something internal like a folding mat for stability, but adding a frame, genious!
I have one of the smaller frost river day packs that I use for my school bag and it has held up insanely well for about 2 years. For scale I used to go through about 1 ll bean back pack every year.
Did something similar with a Norwegian Telemark pack, it's in the same league as your pack. The frame it comes with is solid steel, might have used it 30 years ago, not now! I found an old 70s aluminum framed backpack in a Goodwill for £5, the bag part was shot but the aluminum frame and shoulder straps looked almost new. Narrowed the width of the frame and it fit the Telemark pack nicely. Like to keep the weight down a little so used the nylon shoulder straps from the 70s pack and replaced the webbing with some nylon stuff from a British made rucksack from the 80s that had fallen to pieces, very thick webbing straps. Replaced some of the material on the back of the frame ect and so on. All the little leather straps to hold the backpack to the frame I used replacement metal buttons you get for jeans to hold it to the frame, any potential points where the frame could stick into you I covered with that padding people put on their car seat belts (from the £ store). Sternum strap came from the Karrimor. Spray painted the frame to match the backpack. Only thing remaining is I can't find the backpad/waist belt I'm 100% happy with but I'll find it.
Great video. That’s a great modification to a great pack. I knew the frame wasn’t from an ALICE pack (I own one) but didn’t know where it came from. I’m interested in what torso length this frame is for as that would directly affect its comfort. I’m currently making a reproduction of a Nelson pack and frame (sometimes called an Alaskan pack). It’s a relatively simple wooden frame. My biggest challenge will be sewing the ruck sack to go on the frame as I’ve limited experience sewing but it’s something I believe I can learn.
@@WayPointSurvival thank you for the information. My torso length is slightly to long for that type frame to be a good fit (the same issue I had with the ALICE frame but managed to fix).
@@WayPointSurvival That will work for me. Please pardon me, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year; I should’ve written that first time.
Sorry man but I'm stealing this idea, but will give all credit to you. Amazing hack and idea. Looks like it will fit the full sized frost river pack as well.
I have the Junior pack and for me a 5 /10" the waist belt mount is to high if I put a blanket roll underneath the pack and put a belt through the loops I can transfer a lot of the shoulder strap weight to my hips the other way is to wear a waist pack and sit the pack on top like the old style of military webbing did
Hi there, first time poster here. I did a medium deep google search for Canadian military surplus, and can't find that pack frame anywhere. I know the rack was gifted to you, but you mentioned finding the lower plate somewhere. Could you share with us, your source? Am hoping they might have the entire rack, too. It does seem to be a better choice, rather than the US Alice frame. Thanks!
Thanks for watching the video and for your comments and questions. Here is a link to some info about the rucksack frame. It was also used as a USGI pack: canuckcommander.pbworks.com/w/page/85357378/Rucksack%20Universal%20C1_C2%20Canadian%20Army Here is one for sale on Ebay: www.ebay.com/itm/US-Army-U-S-Complete-Vietnam-Lightweight-Rucksack-Early-Center-Strap-Tropical/184660951645?hash=item2afea6825d:g:G58AAOSwHqVgB3gu Here is just the frame: www.ebay.com/itm/Original-US-Army-Viet-Nam-Lightweight-Rucksack-P-65-Frame-With-Straps/143874096860?hash=item217f907edc:g:yngAAOSwW0BfzAt0 And here is the shelf: www.ebay.com/itm/VIETNAM-ERA-US-ARMY-LIGHTWEIGHT-RUCKSACK-CARGO-SUPPORT-SHELF-1966/143916563848?hash=item2182187d88:g:B5MAAOSw32lYvjoP
Not sure that it's very strong with only these straps for attachment 🤔 did you try it overloaded? Im asking to u because i have the possibility to buy a frost river in second hand but I would do it only if I can use a good frame
@@WayPointSurvival eheh Nice, America has great wilderness areas, WE miss it in central Europa.. any case I just found a LK35 with a frame today, it's the same principe and more cheaper for the Price ! :P
Love the Alice pack frame. So versatile. That looks to be the large I believe or I may be wrong and it's the medium. I haven't seen any mediums personally, they are hard to get. The small is more like a haversack size. The ear things are throwing me off though. I've only seen one of those in a surplus store. I've not seen that on a official Alice pack. Is it similar but not for the Alice Rucksack?
My fault. I didn't catch it due to the captions. I had paused it and it threw the captions out of sync. I'll have to look up that frame. Thanks for the info James!
This is a great solution to an Issue have with packs like this. Unfortunately, that frame is nowhere to be found online (I've been looking for months). I ended up getting an ALICE frame, great video though.
You know, James, you are a rather creative dude. Nice content.
Thank you!
This frame hack stood me in good stead when I went deep into the Michigan backcountry a while back. I wanted to share it with you all as I think it has applications beyond just the way I did it. Thank you for watching and please leave me a comment in the section below!
I bought the Isle Royale Senior two years ago and have found it to be a fine pack. It can be a beast to carry if you over load it. Its size can be adjusted to fit about any load using the leather lacing on each side. The Frost River product line is well thought out and of great quality.
Yes it is! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Bottom of the bag and the frame remind me of a Kelly I picked up a few months ago . Thanks for posting. Hope you and your family have a blessed and Merry Christmas
Thank you, Merry Christmas to you all as well!
Things came together very nicely. I'm Sure it will serve you very well for years. Thanks for the information buddy.
Thank you, my friend. Merry Christmas!
Very well done Sir! Excellent use of materials!
Thank you!
Smokey the Bear called and said you did well on putting out the Michigan fire. You know Smokey knows if you have been good or bad and he comes down the chimney to put out fires in the fireplace.
I like the pack frame better than the alice pack I have.
Thank you, always want to stay on good terms with Smokey the Bear!
Absolutely. I have all of my packs hanging from external frames. I bought two vintage Kelty packs, have two ALICE packs and even bought a frame to hang a 40 liter Police Gear pack. Frames allow for a higher placement of the loads on the person's back and this is far better for me at least to carry heavier packs for a longer distance. I looked at these Isle Royale packs but they do not seem to be too comfortable for the money. Good hack and the frame looks good, I will try to find one.
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Brother! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
Thank you, you too!
Well done sir, well done. 👍🏻
Thank you kindly!
Duuude, that's clever.. I'll have to try my isle royal (largest/normal one) for a while with heavier gear first, even with just something internal like a folding mat for stability, but adding a frame, genious!
Thank you so much!
Hi James. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe and have a good Christmas! ATB. Nigel
Thank you so much my friend! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
Really good setup, thanks for posting 👍
Thanks for watching!
James , good video and tips , thanks for sharing ,God bless !
Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!
I have one of the smaller frost river day packs that I use for my school bag and it has held up insanely well for about 2 years. For scale I used to go through about 1 ll bean back pack every year.
Very cool! They are indeed great packs! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Great modification brother.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
I’m looking at doing something similar… you are an amazing communicator
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the video, good idea and it looks grate too. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
bloody great idea.
Thank you!
Did something similar with a Norwegian Telemark pack, it's in the same league as your pack. The frame it comes with is solid steel, might have used it 30 years ago, not now! I found an old 70s aluminum framed backpack in a Goodwill for £5, the bag part was shot but the aluminum frame and shoulder straps looked almost new. Narrowed the width of the frame and it fit the Telemark pack nicely. Like to keep the weight down a little so used the nylon shoulder straps from the 70s pack and replaced the webbing with some nylon stuff from a British made rucksack from the 80s that had fallen to pieces, very thick webbing straps. Replaced some of the material on the back of the frame ect and so on. All the little leather straps to hold the backpack to the frame I used replacement metal buttons you get for jeans to hold it to the frame, any potential points where the frame could stick into you I covered with that padding people put on their car seat belts (from the £ store). Sternum strap came from the Karrimor. Spray painted the frame to match the backpack. Only thing remaining is I can't find the backpad/waist belt I'm 100% happy with but I'll find it.
Excellent, sounds great!
Very cool idea. Great job on this
Thank you so much!
Amazing video!! thanks
Glad you liked it!
Great content, great channel. Subscribed!
Awesome, thank you! And, welcome aboard!
Another great idea, thx for the vid.
Thank you for watching!
Great video. That’s a great modification to a great pack. I knew the frame wasn’t from an ALICE pack (I own one) but didn’t know where it came from. I’m interested in what torso length this frame is for as that would directly affect its comfort.
I’m currently making a reproduction of a Nelson pack and frame (sometimes called an Alaskan pack). It’s a relatively simple wooden frame. My biggest challenge will be sewing the ruck sack to go on the frame as I’ve limited experience sewing but it’s something I believe I can learn.
Thank you! The Nelson pack is a great pack as well, I have a couple of them. Thank you also for watching and commenting!
BTW the frame length is 21 and 1/4 inches from top to bottom.
@@WayPointSurvival thank you for the information. My torso length is slightly to long for that type frame to be a good fit (the same issue I had with the ALICE frame but managed to fix).
The actual length of the hang of the backpack from the top of the curve of the straps to the waist belt is probably more like 24 in..
@@WayPointSurvival That will work for me. Please pardon me, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year; I should’ve written that first time.
Sorry man but I'm stealing this idea, but will give all credit to you. Amazing hack and idea. Looks like it will fit the full sized frost river pack as well.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad you liked it!
I have the Junior pack and for me a 5 /10" the waist belt mount is to high if I put a blanket roll underneath the pack and put a belt through the loops I can transfer a lot of the shoulder strap weight to my hips the other way is to wear a waist pack and sit the pack on top like the old style of military webbing did
That sounds like a good idea as well.
@@WayPointSurvival I just uploaded a short under Adding a load-bearing waist belt to a Frost River Bushcraft Pack regards Mike
Cannot find the frame you used anywhere, wonder if this would also work with the USGI Molle pack frame, it would be lighter and a bit more comfy
You could possibly use it with that frame. The one that I have came from a Canadian pack that is no longer being made unfortunately.
Ingenious. Thx!
Thank you!
How have the straps holding frame to the pack held up over time?
Very well. Thanks for asking!
interesting adaptions but I think if I were to use an Alice frame I'd use a bag that had been made for it like the small Alice ruck
Well, it's not an Alice frame.... 🙂 Thank you for watching and commenting!
So Cool!
Thank you!
Hi there, first time poster here. I did a medium deep google search for Canadian military surplus, and can't find that pack frame anywhere. I know the rack was gifted to you, but you mentioned finding the lower plate somewhere. Could you share with us, your source? Am hoping they might have the entire rack, too. It does seem to be a better choice, rather than the US Alice frame. Thanks!
Thanks for watching the video and for your comments and questions. Here is a link to some info about the rucksack frame. It was also used as a USGI pack: canuckcommander.pbworks.com/w/page/85357378/Rucksack%20Universal%20C1_C2%20Canadian%20Army Here is one for sale on Ebay: www.ebay.com/itm/US-Army-U-S-Complete-Vietnam-Lightweight-Rucksack-Early-Center-Strap-Tropical/184660951645?hash=item2afea6825d:g:G58AAOSwHqVgB3gu Here is just the frame: www.ebay.com/itm/Original-US-Army-Viet-Nam-Lightweight-Rucksack-P-65-Frame-With-Straps/143874096860?hash=item217f907edc:g:yngAAOSwW0BfzAt0 And here is the shelf: www.ebay.com/itm/VIETNAM-ERA-US-ARMY-LIGHTWEIGHT-RUCKSACK-CARGO-SUPPORT-SHELF-1966/143916563848?hash=item2182187d88:g:B5MAAOSw32lYvjoP
@@WayPointSurvival Thank you for going above and beyond!
You're welcome, glad I could help!
Not sure that it's very strong with only these straps for attachment 🤔 did you try it overloaded? Im asking to u because i have the possibility to buy a frost river in second hand but I would do it only if I can use a good frame
It works very well. I used it heavily loaded for a trip into the Michigan wilderness.
@@WayPointSurvival eheh Nice, America has great wilderness areas, WE miss it in central Europa.. any case I just found a LK35 with a frame today, it's the same principe and more cheaper for the Price ! :P
Love the Alice pack frame. So versatile. That looks to be the large I believe or I may be wrong and it's the medium. I haven't seen any mediums personally, they are hard to get. The small is more like a haversack size. The ear things are throwing me off though. I've only seen one of those in a surplus store. I've not seen that on a official Alice pack. Is it similar but not for the Alice Rucksack?
Not an Alice Pack. It's Canadian...
If you watch until the end of the video, I reveal exactly what it is. Pretty cool. Thank you for watching and commenting, brother!
@@WayPointSurvival I'll re-watch. I thought I had watched till end. Unless I got hit with an ad.
Ill look again 👍
My fault. I didn't catch it due to the captions. I had paused it and it threw the captions out of sync.
I'll have to look up that frame. Thanks for the info James!
No prob, brother! Merry Christmas to you all!
This is a great solution to an Issue have with packs like this. Unfortunately, that frame is nowhere to be found online (I've been looking for months). I ended up getting an ALICE frame, great video though.
Thank you so much and glad you liked it!
Have you looked at trying the Timberridge chair pack hack with the Isle Royale Jr. pack?
No I haven't. Thank you for the suggestion and for watching the video!
Looks like the Canadian military rucksack frame
You're right! Thank you for watching and commenting!
This ist the frame of the US Army lightweight rucksack
Actually, it's Canadian.
And uh...and uh....and uh
And so on and so on and so on etc.
And uh. And. And uh. And so...
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂