I'm a packer, and I'm a rigger. the local 4 way girls all jump Tri's. I pack for them and can easily give them a 800 ft opening. (Karen and Jeni would rather open high and get set in cotton.) here's the deal: roll the nose. I mean it! not just flop it a few times, roll it. start by stacking up the seams and rolling just the seams. you should be able to get a full 360 turn before it gets fatter than a hot dog. Start by turning 1 inch folds on your hip and roll tightly from there. When you get it rolled, pull the front edge of the slider up over the rolled nose. make it catch air first. Roll the tail the same way. Start by stacking the two seams and roll them. keep it tight right up until you feel the ribs fatten it up. don't just flop it. don't the slider grommets show. stows. don't use super bands (aka death stoes) they get old and stretch out for dumpage. double wrap and you get a bag lock (already one this year here, not by me). rubber bands, double wrapped. 2 inch stows. any larger and it's too easy to get a tangle in a tangle, then you're bag locked. there is a reason why reserves are 1.5 to 2 inches -- safety. more shorter stows are safer and softer. also less chance for one to catch and start the bag spinning for twists. you'll also break less rubber bands. I break one every 6-8 jumps. Tri's aren't born spankers, they just aren't forgiving to sloppy packing. -chris seal #S19
