Here is one of the earlier links to a guy who appreciates the finer things in life :-
www.larsonweb.com/backpacks/id1.htmlThat first picture and several of either the same pack or similar ones (lower down the page) are what I always think of as the first Karrimor Alpiniste rucksacks. As you can see they were designed/influenced by Dougal Haston and were synonymous with the colour purple - for obvious reasons. These were introduced around the mid 1970s.
Dougal Haston was a legend even in his own lifetime so his advice was well respected.
Others had input on earlier Karrimor rucksacks including Joe Brown and Don Whillans and as good as their rucksacks were (both were excellent and paved the way for Dougal's) neither were referred to as Alpiniste models.
Point made (sorry to be so [censored]).
One aspect to appreciate and to correct an assertion made on a recent post elsewhere, is that these earliest models were made of the 'shiny' nylon material and it wasn't until the early 1980s that the KS-100e material was introduced across all manner of their rucksacks. Somebody referred to this as a cordura type of material. The photo showing four rucksacks on a wooden table depicts a KS-100e Alpiniste (purple/left) which obviously differs from the one in the first photo.
They came in various capacities and included the full length zip (covered by blue velcro band). This concept has been copied even in recent sacks as it allows you access to gear at the bottom of the bag without having to unpack the whole thing. The classic is for a central zip but others had off centre and even towards the rear. The result was the same.
Also famously useful in true alpine style - to enable the owner to extend the inner storm 'flap' so that it became possible to bivvy in the rucksack if conditions 'hit the fan'.
As a result, a lot of these bags took a great deal of punishment but undoubtedly staved off an otherwise hellish night.
I am sure some people on here may know other interesting facts about these and Larson's web-site clearly has a load of information for those who care to know any more.
Again, to correct an erroneous comment about them, they did evolve and eventually the Dougal Haston versions ceased and simply became the 'Alpiniste', of which many versions were made and they did change considerably (they didn't remain un-changed for years as commented by one correspondent). Colours varied but for a good many years, until Karrimor went into receivership in the late 1990s(or thereabouts), the common thread was that the build quality was always of the highest order - bomb-proof as often referred to.
Alas they were the end of the Karrimor era. So if you see a new model for sale, think on, it isn't one of these. And if you do have one of these (the older ones), think on - keep it as you won't see their like again.
PS - not in good condition but clearly used for it's intended purpose -
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Karrimor-Dougal-Haston-Alpiniste-backpack-rucsack-cragpack-/272439146137?hash=item3f6ea37699:g:GpIAAOSwHMJYHfm-