On another thread LIHikers mentioned he was looking to buy a new pack and was considering ULA, so I thought I would create a new thread to focus on Packs under Gear.

I bought my ULA Catalyst in 2012 and Circuit in 2015 (good deal on Massdrop and opportunity to drop another half pound as I also dialed the other gear in). Very happy with both. Use the Circuit mostly, but occassionaly use the Catalyst during the winter when carrying more winter clothing and my older bigger 20* bag (just bought new WM 20* this summer). Great company and customer service. Sew their packs in the USA. To me ULA is in the middle of the spectrum between the comfort focused packs and the extreme ultra lite ones. To me, good comfort at reasonable weight.

I am probably a little rough on packs (fall and slide a lot, especially in NH & ME), but seems to be holding up overall and from what others have said online ULA will work with you on replacing parts.

Kathy and I are starting to formulate a plan for next year. Right now we think that first we'll hike from the Delaware River bridge to the Bear Mountain bridge. That's 110 miles. Then we'll spend a night at the Bear Mountzin Inn so we can get cleaned up. Next we'd drive to Maine and camp in Baxter State Park a few nights so we can hike Katadyn. Then we'll go to New Hampshire so I can hike Wildcat D. Then we just have to make the drive home. We haven't picked any dates yet but soon so we'll be ready to make reservations.

The original plan was to walk back to 4 Pines thereby getting Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob but it was not to be with all the rain from the hurricane remnant. Slingshot wanted a sunny picture on the Knob and I don't blame him so we decided not to walk three days in the rain and we bailed after the first day of rain.
Day one was two hours of driving for him to get to my house and then 3.5 hours to 4 Pines and then 1.25 hour shuttle. So a 4 pm start time. Hiked past Thunder Ridge shelter and got some intell on a couple of stealth spots just passed the FAA tower on Apple Orchard Mountain. The spots were tucked away in some pines with no view so we decided to be bold and go unstealthy like and camp in the field right below the tower. Fantastic sunset, tons of stars and even a little milky way and an unbelievable sunrise. Day one included passing under the Guillotine.
Day two we crossed a footbridge, Blackrock Overlook, Floyd Mountain, Bryant Ridge shelter, Fork Mountain, and we pulled up…