Hi Bactman,
That sounds like a fantastic walk!
I used to use a generic LowePro Tapered top loader on the backpack hip belt, but I was always worried about rain.
Then I came across this Ortlieb System. For people familiar with Ortlieb products you automatically be thinking 'WATER PROOF'. I can't say I've tested it to extremes, but I have with my other Ortlieb gear and am confident you could roll and zip this up and then submerge it and you're gear would be dry!
The Ortlieb Aqua Cam.
You can find information on it here
View Ortlieb Products \\ Camera Bags at http://www.ortliebusa.com
I've done two or three hikes with it here in BC since purchasing it and can provide people the following points. There are three various products that all use similiar technology.
With each of them you can purchase the harness system that you wear under your backpack harness. This is very well designed (as I find a lot of German designed products are) and fit beautifully under sitting underneath your backpack straps. This allows you to take your backpack off easily. It can be a little hard to get yourself set up at the start, but once you get used to it it's pretty good. It's also got little bits of elastic at the top which provides a bit of suspension to the weight so the bag bounces ever so slightly with your gait keeping excess weight off your shoulders.
Pros:
- Water Proof.
- Chest mounted allows for easy quick access.
- Stores a good amount of gear - From memory my last hike I had the following inside (K20 with Sigma 24mm attached, Sigma10-20, FA 50/1.7 Two large Filters in plastic cases, small lens brush/puffer
- Has the option of a separate harness allowing you to wear it without the backpack.
- Waterproof
- Has an extremely comfortable shoulder strap making a good every day camera bag.
- Has a slot for wide hip belts so you can wear it on a backpack belt if you'd like.
- Moves well with your body when hiking.
- Did I already say waterproof.
Cons:
- The dividers with in the bag have very weak velcro and don't hold their position well.
- Can be a bit bulky sitting on your chest. I ordered the Large. Perhaps the medium size or the aquazoom product would feel a bit less cumbersome.
- No external pockets - but Ortlieb make other waterproof external pockets.
- Extremely hard to find. Not one camera store in Vancouver had heard of it. I ended up having my local bike store (that stocked Ortlieb products) order for me - and then that was an ordeal as well.
I could also take some photos for people if they'd like to show it loaded, but I won't be hiking again for some time.
If you're hiking and want to have your camera close at hand - you need one of these two products. It'll change your hiking life!