I'm old school, duuhhh, so when the Bears shredded my Kelty external frame pack I kept the frame for freighting items in and out. I upgraded the waist belt and shoulder straps for more foam = Comfort! Might find an external frame at 2nd hand store But there is a Freighter Frame with attached ledge (for more support with heavy items) that is available, check out Cableas, REI and such. If you want to carry in 100 lbs it will do the trick if you can. With heavy loads or hiking rough country in general Solid Hiking sticks are worth having to keep ones balance, an extra leg or two is wise...................63bkpkr