Micro Chest Rig - Universal, Designed & Prototyped by SATAS Co

 

Mt. Livingstone, K-Country, Alberta (Photo by V.A. McMillan)

Micro Chest Rig - Universal (Shotgun and AR)

A new Micro Chest Rig designed and prototyped by SATAS Co. This latest version tried to solve an issued discovered from the earlier Micro Shotgun Rig design; namely, eliminating the bowing in the pocket holding the spare shotshell cards. 

In case you missed the earlier Blog posts:

Micro Shotgun Chest Rig - Part One (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/micro-shotgun-rig-designed-and-proto.html)

Micro Shotgun Chest Rig - Part Two (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/micro-shotgun-rig-part-two-build-process.html)

Micro Chest Rig - GSG MP-40

(https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/micro-rig-gsg-mp-40-design-and-pics.html)

 Before I get into explaining the fix, let's have a look at the new micro rig...

Micro Chest Rig - Universal (Bare)

This micro rig was designed to hold a set of shotshell cards on the Velcro type panels on the front of the magazine pouches. Further, the magazine pouches can also be used to hold a second set of shotshell cards. 

These magazine pouches were designed to be universal to hold either metal GI style mags or P-Mag type plastic magazines. Originally, I was going to employ elastic cord retainers to hold mags in place and the webbing tabs are there to do that. I found that the mag pouches were quite deep and magazines or shotshell cards would not likely fallout during an average range practice; however, a serious run & gun set of shooting drills would encourage the use of elastic retainers to be used to prevent lost mags.

The next noticeable feature is the front drop flap. The drop flap has a compact document pouch that is closed with Velcro-type closure tape. The back/inside of the drop flap has elastic to hold a TQ and a battle dressing or two. Although, the two 3/4" side-release buckles do a great job of holding the drop flap in place, the drop flap also suffers from bowing out in the centre. This will be resolved on the next prototype. 

Drop Flap Pouch - Open

Drop Flap - Dropped Showing Elastic for TQ & Battle Dressing

Micro Chest Rig - Universal (Full View with Drop Flap Down)

To the right, is the full view of the Micro Chest Rig - Universal with plastic mags and shotshell cards in place and the drop flap open fully. 

I used the Rhodesian style harness, again. It seems to work well, so, no need to fix that at this time. 

Below, is the fix for the first Shotgun Micro Chest Rig. I built a short 3/4" webbing strap to Velcro from the back to the front of the ammo pocket to limit/prevent the pocket from bowing or deforming when under load. It seems to work well, but it now interferes with removal of the shotshell cards. C'est la vie!

The last images are the plans I worked from, maybe others will try to create their own version. If you have followed the development of these prototypes, maybe you will solve some of the challenges I have found.

Until next time...if it doesn't work the way you like, make it better. 

Mountainman.

Shotgun Micro Chest Rig - Improvement to Prevent Bowing

The plans for the Micro Chest Rig - Universal

Isola Peak, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada - West Ridge Hike

 

First summit since 2016. It has been too long. School has ended for another semester and I needed a break. A little hobo camping in my truck for a short week in K-Country. The road takes me up beyond the crowds to a large meadow at the road's end. After crossing at least two removed culverts I am not sure I am in favour of the practice of deactivating roads after the logging companies have had their fill of harvesting timber. Camp for the next five days will be in the shadow of Isola Peak (http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique.php?id=IALZQ&output=xml). My Backroads Mapbook suggests the summit is 2494 metre, however, my barometric altitude said it was 2500 metres. Not a tall mountain in K-Country but also one that does not see too much traffic.

A close up of Isola Peak and the West Ridge (top) and the key points of the route looking up (bottom). There is a large meadow at the end of the road and then a small logged block. The route I selected followed the right-hand edge of the logged block (right when looking up). I aimed for the top right corner and then entered into the forest heading for the first open slope on the minor feature (below). 

The trail through the forest looked like this (below): 

There were numerous game trails in the area and this one appeared to be a major game down route. There are many cross trails and getting off-course is a possibility. This is not a guided route to the peak and if you lack bushcraft and navigation skills, this may not be a good hike to attempt.

So, once you exit the forest into the lower open slope of the minor feature, keep to the left side and trudge on up to the top. Again, there were numerous game trails to follow up to the next open slope. I arrived right of centre on the upper open slope. Continue to trudge up the open slope and there is a large Pine snag top centre, easy to find on the way back. 

The West Ridge as seen from the top of the upper open slope (below):

Again, there are game trails on the backside of the minor feature, pick one that points in the direction of Isola Peak (hint, go to your left). It was a windy day on my hike and the leeward side of the minor feature was an enjoyed place for a water break before pushing out onto the exposed West Ridge and the hike to the top. Oh, did I mention this is Grizzly country?? My bad. I saw four Grizzlies in two days while at my campsite. A young male Silvertip Grizzly and a couple days later, a huge Mama Griz and two large cubs - this family was all a dark charcoal colour. So, keep your wits about you when exploring in their part of the forest. Some sort of bear repellent is recommended. I know my preferred type, but bring what you are most comfortable with. I did not encounter any bears while on my hike.

Once you exit the sheltered lee of the minor feature you enter the saddle to Isola Peak and when you look up it looks like this:

The slope is fairly steep from here to the summit. Footing is loose scree and broken rock and three rock bands. There is "NO TRAIL", you must do your own route finding. Generally, what I found was, I started on the lower left (left when looking uphill) and worked my way to the right-hand edge of the rock band above me. Each rock band seemed to be taller, steeper and more rugged on the left than on the right (when looking up). The slope seemed uniform with no side being any less steep. 

Looking back at the lower rock band

Looking up at the middle rock band

There is one more band of rock just below the summit, and again keep to the right and you should be able to pick a route to meet your needs. The top of Isola Peak is more than 95% broken rock with a few minor flat spots which hold some vegetation and level spot that could host a small mountaineering tent but not much more. There is enough grade on the summit that landing a helicopter would be unlikely. A hover exit on the cliff bands might be possible, when it is not windy.

The summit of Isola Peak is marked with a stone cairn and a large stick, which is visible from the bottom. 

 

There was a Pika living in the cairn, but I could not convince the little fellow to pose for a picture. Looking West you can see some of the taller mountains in K-Country, as well as, some of the peaks on the BC/Alberta border.

Looking towards the Prairies and the Livingstone River

Looking from Livingstone River towards Isola Peak

The slope from Livingstone River to the summit looks much gentler than the West Ridge, however, the route is about three times as far, or that is my best guess as I have not traveled that route.

After a short stay on the summit to drink some water, eat some food and capture some pictures it was time to descend back down the West Ridge. 

Unlike the scree runs on Yamnuska Mountain, the West Ridge is more down climbing than scree running. The mix of broken rock and scree is a bad mix if you lose control of your descent and injury is always likely. Thankfully, my one oops only rewarded me with road rash from ankle to knee on my right leg. Help is a long ways away and rescue from here would be long and painful for both the injured and the rescuers. Only you can keep you unbroken in the hills.

This was my first hike of Isola Peak and I am old and out of shape...six-hours up and back. A healthy, young soldier would likely complete the same trip in 3 1/2 to 4 hours. The route was not long in distance, around 1.5 kilometres each direction and the elevation gain was around 430 metres. A good challenge and rewarding views from the summit. I recommend this adventure to those with the skills and experience to do this trip without the aid of others. Those without the required skills and/or experience would want to be in a small group, just in case you need to solve problems.

Until next time...get out and hike something!

Mountainman.