Chappie’s Maiden Hike in the Jade 38

Okay, so I just couldn’t wait any longer. Chappie was brought home last Monday, and my Gregory Mountain Products Pack had come in about a week before that and I was dying to get the two together! Our friend, Kerri, came up with an excellent idea to do a photo shoot of Chappie and I on a mini-hike, with Chappie in my new pack! So this past Sunday evening, I geared up and headed out to meet Kerri, Sydney and Goose at a trail head off Idaho Road here in Apache Junction, Arizona.

So at first, Chappie was a little shy. But eventually, he stuck his head out of the top of my pack and looked around. We headed up a small mountain with Chappie, Goose, Hope and our two daughters, Maddy and Sydney, in tow. Once at the top, the photo shoot commenced! Needless to say, we found that Chappie was as much of a little model as his brother from another mother, Goose! After a few shots in my pack, we proceeded to let Chappie sniff around the rocks (we were standing on a flat area and watching his every move!) and took a couple shots of him exploring with his fur-siblings and my daughter, Maddy. He drank like a camel out of the Ruffwear Bivy Bowl then tried to scurry up the hill even higher! Once we heard the coyotes yipping off in the not so far off distance, we knew it was time to head back. Kerri and I took turns carrying Chappie down the little mountain just to be safe. Once back in the car, Chappie and Hope passed out in the back seat in the comfort of a camouflage blanket and the air conditioning.

Chappie’s “ride” up the mountain was the Gregory Mountain Products Jade 38 pack. We won this pack in a contest on Facebook through the page, Gear Junkie. It came in our favorite color, which is teal, and it was the perfect fit in a women’s size small. Probably what I like the most about this pack are the following things:

• Storage: The Jade 38 pack has many areas for storage. Matter of fact, I feel like I find a new storage compartment every time I open it up! There is even a nifty little clip for your keys in the top pocket. Which is amazing because we all know we rummage for our keys in our purses/packs, and at the end of a long hike who wants to do that? If I can fit all my gear, my bulky camera AND a puppy in this pack, that should be proof enough it has a decent storage capacity.
• Support: With its internal  frame, x-frame structure and enhanced lumbar foam layering, you get some excellent load bearing support. With all the gear I had in my pack, and a 5 pound puppy, you would think I would feel the weight. But I didn’t. The hip straps sat perfectly, well, on my hips and they basically hugged my hips when clipped together. It was a snug, secure fit. And at the end of the night, my back wasn’t killing me like it had been before with my retired, “Outdoor Products” pack.
• Rain Cover and Ventilation: This pack comes with a rain cover which also has an external zippered pouch for small accessory storage. The 3D suspended back mesh panel helps so your back is not pressed up against the pack itself and it breathes nicely! I even feel like that mesh panel helps with added support.

Needless to say, Chappie’s first “hike” was spectacular. We had great friends, awesome gear, our amazing pups and a beautiful sunset! I would recommend the Jade 38 pack to any woman wanting to get out on the trail, carry a lot, but not feel like you are carrying a thing. And don’t worry Men, they have plenty of packs available for you as well.

At the end of the day, nothing beats a beautiful sunset with family and friends! Thank you Kerri Irwin (Dusty Desert Dogs) for taking all the photo’s in this post!

You can find out more about Gregory Mountain Products and the Jade 38 pack HERE