Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3-6. Mountaineering-style soft pack with internal frame from Osprey Packs.
Photo courtesy of Osprey Packs
Camp Stoves
For pure convenience, two- or three-burner Coleman-style stoves (see
fig. 3-7
) are hard to beat,
but they are bulky, heavy, and inefficient. For occasional use, and if you are planning to use
your stove inside your house, propane fuel stoves are the most convenient and emit the least
fumes. If you use your stove for an extended period, you will find that white gas (Coleman
fuel) is much cheaper and more compact than the propane canisters used on propane stoves.
For portability, efficiency, and reliability, the hands-down backcountry choice is one of the
MSR stoves (pictured in
fig. 2-7
). Their multi-fuel models can run on white gas, kerosene, and
other fuels. All MSR stoves can be dismantled without tools and can be serviced with simple
repair kits. Since Primus now makes several stoves that are very similar to MSR, it appears that
the original MSR patent has expired. Coleman stoves are available at most outlet and surplus
stores, but MSR stoves are mostly available at specialty backcountry suppliers.
Cookware
Cast-iron Dutch ovens and frying pans are great for cooking over an open fire. Dutch ovens are
shallow, heavy-duty covered pots designed to be placed directly on hot coals. Some models
