What pack should I buy

As long as you’re not overnighting it, I advocate for Camelbak’s 38L PitBoss.
It fits my long frame well, keeping most weight on my hips. It has plenty of compression straps to keep the load from shifting no matter how small it is. You can’t beat the hydration system and tri-zip is rad (accessible from top and sides). Quick access pockets for shovel blade & skins and another for probe & shovel handle. Horizontal board carry close to your back is great for climbing sketch. Adjustable loop for axe/whippet (or skis). Seam sealed hip stash.
Once I down-climbed an icy couloir which proved too gnar for my wife, carrying my board, her skis, and ski boots and the load did not shift.
I modded mine out with rain flaps over the top zips and adjustable compression straps on the lower sides. The stock, non-adjustable straps fit my regular width split; adjustables now fit my wide board. :bananas:
Rain flaps are more so ski’s edges don’t eff up my zippers in A-frame mode.

The current model

Here’s the ladies version (smaller and backward) highlighting Tri-zip and hip stash.

@pmoore wrote:

Suggestion, other than a film-canister protector for the spike?

Black Diamond’s Spike Protector.