Lost Creek Flint Ridge

Lost Creek's Flint Ridge is an 8L, durable cave pack for those needing to travel fast and light through tight passages. While this pack is limited in size, it is ideal for shorter trips. Having used this pack for 15 years, I have no doubt about its durability.

Lost Creek is a cottage manufacture of caving gear that has seen three different owners since the 1970's. Each generation of owners seems to have improved upon the original Lost Creek pack. The current owners at Seven Bends continue the tradition of building nearly indestructible cave packs.

I have owned the Lost Creek Flint Ridge Pack since 2001, just before the original owner sold the company. I have owned the Monster TAG since the mid-'00s, at least 10 years at the time of this review.

The Flint Ridge on the right, next to the Monster TAG
and my Swaygo Push Pack on the left.

What's in a name...

Flint Ridge is famous in the caving community. By the early 1970s Flint Ridge Cave and neighboring Mammoth Cave were vying for the honor of being known as the world's longest cave. Then in 1972 a 115lb caver made the incredibly tight squeeze that would eventually prove to connect the two caves into one. At 400 miles (and still growing), the Mammoth-Flint Ridge System is more than double the size of any other known cave. The Flint Ridge pack is named with a tribute to small, compact spaces.

Crawling with my Flint Ridge hanging underneath me.

Features

Size

The Flint Ridge is small, only 530cu. in. (8L) and measures 19"x 7"x 4". There is not a lot of space for much gear. I normally carry a couple of water bottles, some energy bars, back up head lamp, and a small first aid kit—maybe my small Otter Box with a camera. This is not a pack for vertical gear or even a Sam Splint.

Durability

I have owned this pack since 2001. During that time, I have abused this pack through miles of cave passages. The pack is made from 1350 Denier Ballistica nylon, and it is virtually indestructible. As far as I can tell, the 2" webbing pack straps are made from seat belt material. The ends of each strap easily clip to five strategically placed steel rings on the pack.

Adjustable

The five steel rings allow the pack to be worn in a number of configuration. Using the upper center ring for both straps, one can wear the it as a traditional day pack. My preferred style is to connect one strap to the two upper, outside ring and the other strap to the two lower rings. This allows me to wear the pack on my side. This allows me to get the pack up and out of deep water passages like in the picture below.

A third method of “carrying” this pack is meant for long, low crawls. One of the straps is attached to the pack, with the other end clipped onto the caver's leg. In the video below, my son can be seen dragging my Flint Ridge through a 400' crawl way.

Cons

The size of this pack is definitely the biggest con. The pack is not waterproof, and since it is so small, ziplock baggies are the only option to keep gear dry (You must choose between an Otter Box and water bottles.).

Final Words

The quality and durability of this pack makes the Flint Ridge an outstanding value. I would highly recommend this pack for anyone needing a small, compact cave pack.