Granted, the vast majority of your stuff must be stashed in the top-entry main compartment (with a drawcord for easy opening and closing, even with gloves on).
However, the pack also has an external waterproof zippered compartment with a key clip and an internal security pocket to keep small essentials dry, safe and easy to access.
There pack also has what the brand calls an “integrated mini lid” which clips over the top for extra protection and “more secure rope carry,” but I can easily see a towel or an extra layer such as a jacket or hoodie taking the place of said rope.
That’s just one example of how this pack can adapt to fit additional carry requirements. Another? The six integrated lash points, which let you customize your external carry and or pack compression.
Snag some handy reusable zip-ties, and there’s practically no limit to the extra crap — cap, water bottle, outdoor speaker, PackTowl — you can attach to this thing.
Last but not least, the Alpha 30 SL offers two dog-bone attachments for securing ice tools. To be honest, I don’t know wtf else to use those for, but get this pack and I’m sure you’ll think of something.