Camp Essentials
Stoves
MSR Pocket Rocket MSR WindPro Stove
MSR Reactor Jetboil Personal Cooking System
MSR XGK EX Stove Brunton Vapor AF Stove 
MSR DragonFly  
Cookware
Snow Peak Titanium 3-Piece Cook set Evernew Slick Non-Stick Titanium Pot
MSR Alpine Classic Cook Set MSR XPD Heat Exchanger
Lanterns
Brunton Lampray  
Storage and Containers
BearVault 400 BearVault 350
Water Treatment
Katadyn Hiker Filter  
Food
Chocolate Covered Chukar Cherries Mountain House Beef Stroganoff
Mountain House Lasagna Mountain House Blueberry Cheesecake
PowerBar® PowerGel® Mountain House Scrambled Eggs and Ham
Mountain House Granola With Blueberries  
   
Stoves
 

HPC Tested in the real world.

MSR Pocket Rocket

This is the latest addition in my quest to lower the pack weight. Produces a even flame with high output in a compact size. Weights just over 4 ounces with the hard plastic carrying case.

One limitation I found is the pot stability is not very good and the surface you place this one must be flat and stable. Is affected by moderate winds. This stove is not designed to be used with the wrap around wind shield for safety. A limitation I find troubling. For most outings, I favor the WindPro listed below.

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Item 660163

MSR WindPro Stove

Excellent at altitudes up to 10,000 feet and in moderate wind. I have used this on Rainier to melt gallons of water! The stove is light, 6+ ounces, and stable on most surfaces. Uses IsoButane cartridges.

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Item 695263

MSR Reactor

Fast! That is the operative description of this cooking system. I tested the time to boil cold water to a full boil at 1 minute 42 seconds using a half used MSR fuel canister. When performing the same test on 1 liter of cold water, it took 3 minutes to bring to full boil.

There are two issues that I do not like about the Reactor. The weight makes it less desirable for solo needs and the bulkiness is not pack friendly. But if you need to support 2 or more on a trip, this is the stove. Uses IsoButane cartridges.

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Item 736977

Jetboil Personal Cooking System

Excellent solo system. Very pack friendly. I tested the time to boil cold water to a full boil at 2 minutes 51 seconds with a fresh JetPower fuel canister. Using a half used MSR canister, the boil time was 4 minutes 30 seconds.

One limitation in using this system is the capacity. It is designed for 2 cups and is not recommended for use beyond that volume. in one test where I filled the cup up with 0.8 liters, it took over 6.5 minutes to boil. Uses IsoButane cartridges.

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Item 760622

MSR XGK EX Stove

This is the revised version of the XGK stove that is the choice of high altitude expeditions worldwide. Supports multiple fuel options. Excellent in cold weather. Lacks the ability to perform simmering operations as the flame burns at one setting - jet engine!

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Item 722001

Brunton Vapor AF Stove

Brunton Vapor AF Stove

Imagine an advanced jet design that allows this stove to operate on butane and any liquid fuel, including white gas, kerosene, diesel, auto fuel and jet fuel.

This stove packs well and has bomb-proof construction. No tools needed for switching fuels, just a turn of the burner cap.

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Item 761901

MSR DragonFly

This stove utilizes multiple fuel options from kerosene to white gas. Large stable platform. I have used this stove down to -35° f with no startup or cooking issues.

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Item 709002

 

Gear Review

If I had just one choice for a stove to have on the trail, the DragonFly would be it. This stove offers the most operating temperatures of any stove I have in my gear locker.

Pros:
Simmer adjustment. Suited well for all types of cooking that requires flame adjustment.

Easy to light even in cold temperatures. To start, open the valve and collect some fuel in the bottom cup. Light the fuel and let it pre-heat the stove nozzle and fuel generator. Open the fuel value slowly to start the main flame.

The folding legs, double as the pot cook surface. Large enough to handle most common cook pots.

Cons:
Heavier than most stoves being introduced today.

Poor design where the fuel tube connects to the pump. There is a gray plastic seal that rotates into position, but can easily be rotated out of position when assembling. On one very cold night, I had the seal loosen and cause fuel to be sprayed out when the valve was opened.

Technical Details

Configuration:
Multi-Fuel support (white gas, kerosene, unleaded auto fuel, diesel, and jet fuel).
Self cleaning shaker jet system.
Field repairable with optional kit.
Weight : 18 ounces.
Cookware

Snow Peak Titanium 3-Piece Cookset
Pots: 0.77 & 0.54 liter, Pan: 0.41 liter

Great for solo travel with a total weight of just 7.1 ounces. Not recommended for use in winter when requiring to boil lots of water. The pan double as a cover for the pots. Each pan has a handle that folds flat for packing. Comes with a mesh storage bag.

Evernew Slick Non-Stick Titanium Pot
0.9, 1.3 and 4.0 liter

Drop your weight! I have a complete set of these and I feel they are worth it. They come in various sizes to suite your needs. Each pot has a built in handle and they do nest with each other to same space.

MSR Alpine Classic Cook Set

Not your light-n-fast cook set, but a durable stainless steel set consisting of a 1.5 and 2.0 liter pot and matching lid/pan cover. When the temperature drops well below 0° I take only the 2.0 pot and cover combined with the Heat Exchanger shown below..

 88x31 REI Logo
Item 401157

MSR XPD Heat Exchanger

When it is below 0° outside or you are in high altitudes, you need to ensure your stove is operating at its highest efficiency. This Heat Exchanger captures much of the heat lost to flame splash and heat escaping along the sides of the pot. Reduces the amount of fuel to carry.

  88x31 REI Logo
Item 401157

Lanterns

Brunton Lampray

This is a bombproof lantern. Folds into a well protected size and case and delivers plenty of light for you tent, or lean-to. The Lampray is no longer a product offered by Brunton, but several companies still offer it in their stores and on the web. Uses IsoButane cartridges.

Storage and Containers

BearVault 400 : Bear Canister

Large enough for a week of food. Lid is rainproof and screws on with locking tabs to secure it in place. Older models used a two piece lid, these are now obsolete and BearVault will replace them under warranty. When closed, the BearVault makes a great camp chair! Weighs 2 pounds 6 ounces.

BearVault 350 : Bear Canister

Just like it's larger brother, this is one tough bear protection! Ideal for the weekend events with room to spare. Designed as a 4 day storage container. Weighs in at 1 pound 14 ounces.

Water Treatment

Katadyn Hiker Filter

A lightweight and durable filter that can pump up to 1.5 liters per minute. The bottle nozzle contains a charcoal core that absorbs the chemical taste. This filter removes: particles, protozoa, and bacteria down to 0.3 microns in size, including giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidium and others.

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Item 695233

Food

Chocolate Covered Chukar Cherries

"Gotta" get your cherries on the mountain. Sounds wrong, but they are good.

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff

The new Pro-Pak packaging reduces the size needed in your pack and does not expand at elevation! The Beef Stroganoff is a real treat in the back country.

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Item 722467

Mountain House Lasagna

The new Pro-Pak packaging reduces the size needed in your pack and does not expand at elevation! The Lasagna Dinner offers an ample serving to fill you after the climb. There is a lot of cheese in this dinner which I think makes it superior over competing products..

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Item 722473

Mountain House Blueberry Cheesecake

Treat yourself! This dessert just might surprise you with how easy it is make and how good it tastes. Comes with graham cracker crumbs and real blueberry sauce.

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Item 618955

PowerBar® PowerGel®

Need a boost, the PowerGel is one answer! On a normal day in the mountains, I use 3-4 on the ascent. During the cold winter months, I take a small fleece bag, add a chemical hand warmer and some PowerGels. When I reach for a PowerGel I have a nice hot shot!

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Item 614799

Mountain House Scrambled Eggs and Ham

Excellent in the morning! Even though the eggs are freeze dried, you will be impressed how good they are. Try them and you will be surprised!

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Item 693933

Mountain House Granola With Blueberries

Hot or cold, this is a good breakfast treat! If you like crunchy Granola and Blueberries, don't re-hydrate all the way. You can not go wrong.

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