Contributions by stormking (113)

Keeps eggs in their place by using tiny molded ridges in each compartment. A little heavy for backpacking but travel great in a cooler for car camping.

If you need a durable carabiner with tight gates, this is a good choice. Also great for hanging & hauling. As good as the aging Chouinard's.

Good for a three day trip. Use the 220 if you're going out for any longer. Hot & efficient tri-fuel blend including isobutane. Works great @ higher elevations.

My lantern of choice. A little heavier than the Snow Peak but much brighter. In fact for the additional 2.5 ounces, you get a back country 80 watt light bulb. Greatly appreciated when setting up camp @ 11:00 pm. Uses all standard Lindal Valve cartridges. The best piezo self-igniter on the market. This one actually works @ higher elevations. Durable plastic case that keeps everything in place.

Rappel with ease & belay in a pinch. Rope glides easily through on rappels but consider other devices for belaying. A little too much twist for my liking.

I purchased this pad a few years ago to reduce weight which it did very well. The only drawback was the 1" thickness. After a hard day of backpacking/climbing, I wanted a more comfortable sleep. I found that a 1.5" thick pad worked better for me so I purchased the ProLite 4 & never looked back. (BTW, the 4 weighs only four ounces more & has a higher R value.)

These work great & are very easy to replace. After you install them, pump up your lantern & burn them using fuel to get a rounder shape.

Great for cleaning before placement. Easy to use & remove hardware. Functional design. Many other non-climbing uses.

Good for a three day trip. Use the 220 if you're going out for any longer. Hot & efficient tri-fuel blend including isobutane.

Durable & lightweight. Easy to add & remove hardware. Adjustable size. Soft fleece padding is easy on a bare back.

This bottle will carry five days of fuel, pressurizes nicely, & adaptable to not only Primus stoves but also all MSR stoves. Durable & lightweight.

Good for a three day trip. Use the 220 if you're going out for any longer. Hot & efficient tri-blend fuel. Good backup.

When packed in their proper carrier, these globes will not break. Surprisingly durable. Dishwasher safe. Nice warm glow.

Great addition to your rack. The size and shape of this multi-purpose carabiner make it useful especially when connecting a belay device to your harness. Also great for employing the "Munter Hitch" when belaying with single ropes.

I've used this device for single rope repelling without any problem, even over a 1200' wall (80' actual repel). Good karma, I guess. Inexpensive enough that you can leave behind. Still read the mfg's disclaimer/warning. Do what you think is best!

Exercise anytime/anywhere. Very affordable. The dog will chew on this trainer if they get a hold of it! Works great.

Great on high alpine & snow routes. Excellent dynamic strength to weight ratio, working elongation, & fall holding capability. Easiest coiler I've ever had.

As a part time guide & trip leader, I require a signaling device to be carried by all my participants as part of their emergency/survival kit. The Howler Whistle plus a mirror works great in almost all situations. Lightweight & inexpensive security.

Good all-purpose, open frame knife however the L.S.T.'s are better for backpacking because of their weight. The Paraframe is very sharp & the serrated edge will cut through almost anything. Handy thumb stud opener works well but my knife needed a lot of breaking in due to a tight-fitting blade. Silicone spray & 3 in 1 Oil worked well for this. Secure pocket clip. Disappointingly made in China!

As a knife collector/enthusiast, I purchased this Ultralight L.S.T. a few years ago to carry in my backpacking survival kit along with another knife. This Gerber is ultra sharp & is extremely lightweight. Highly recommended especially when space & weight are important. Very durable for its small size.

This is one of my handy everyday knives that I use for everything from cutting cardboard to opening envelopes. I like the different, open handle design especially when it gets wet. Clip holds tightly in place. Thumb stud makes opening even easier. Very sharp tanto point.

I just returned from an international flight with this Nalgene bottle full of tequila packed in my suitcase. I had visions of my suitcase smelling like a bordertown cantina when I picked it up @ the baggage claim, but no way, Jose. Not a drop leaked out & everything was perfecto. Already knowing the quality of Nalgene products, my concern was in vain. Magnifico!

There's not a lot you can say about a spoon except this one is inexpensive, lightweight, & strong. Great to use with non-stick coated cookware.

Like the spoon, this fork is inexpensive, lightweight, & strong. Unlike non-lexan forks, these tines don't break. Now go fork yourself & enjoy!

Innovative idea from MSR. Lightweight & useful spoon/stove tool combination. I've used the stove tool much more than I initially thought I would.

Since I'm addicted to anything titanium, I had to have this cup. I mainly use it to boil water for a single cup of tea or soup but it has enough volume for almost all freeze-dried meals. Folding handles are nice but still get hot. Be careful not to burn your lips! Durable & lightweight.

It appears to be a nice functional design but mine leaked in my pack. I discovered the O-gasket seal in the cap moves out of position when tightened. I thought it was an isolated case but when the second flask did the same thing, I replaced it with a 16oz Nalgene HDPE narrow mouth screw top bottle & the problem went away.

I like this bowl for its strength & weight. The only drawback is it conducts heat so well that gets too hot to hold.

This is one long-lasting cartridge but it does have to be replaced every once in awhile. The best way I determine replacement is the difference in color. Labored pumping doesn't occur until later. Works great until the very end. Dry out as good as possible & store in a plastic bag in the freezer when not being used for long periods of time.

If you're going to pack fresh eggs into the backcountry, this carrier is a must. Eggs are carefully locked into position so they can't move about. Handle locks tightly closed. If you're @ all paranoid like I was @ first, stash the egg container in a plastic zip lock bag until you feel comfortable.

MSR knew what we wanted when they designed & produced the enduring WhisperLite. Built-in shaker jet cleaning tool makes it even easier for your stove to work @ maximum heat output. Quiet & fuel efficient. The twenty-two ounce MSR fuel bottle lasts eight days @ four uses per day for me. My original WhisperLite has been going strong since 1988. Simmers great @ a low setting & on the upper end, very hot. Remove fuel line cable once a year for inspection & make sure to check all rubber pump parts for cracks & hardness on a regular basis to avoid accidents.

Great car camping water carrier. This plus the five gallon carrier provides more than enough water for an entire week-end of camping, excluding showers of course.

I've had this tent since 2004. I chose it because it is lightweight, single person, long enough for my 6'4" size, & still have extra room @ head, foot, & side to side. A small vestibule is also a plus to store boots & a few other things. The durable nylon body & fly have weathered sustained hail & heavy rain without any problem. It is also factory seam sealed. Condensation is never a factor due to the ventilated side, top & end panels. Single panel nylon mesh door. Having used two person tents for so long, it took me a few nights to get used to the smaller size. When you take all things into consideration, this is a great little shelter for your investment.

Great car camping water carrier. This plus the 2.5 gallon carrier is more than enough water for an entire week-end of camping, excluding showers of course.

This knife has all the necessary tools for any backcountry adventure. I've used everything so far with the exception of the awl & Phillips screwdriver. I've used the standard screwdriver to pry. The Wenger scissors are the best & they never need sharpening. Other than being a little heavy, this is a pretty cool tool.

The Mini Solo Combo works great like it's name or in a group set. In solo mode, I just use the pot & lid to boil water which weighs only 3.5 ounces. Since it sits up higher than other pots, make sure to position it carefully on your pot supports to avoid spills. Stores stove, spork, & lighter inside pot. Nice mesh storage sack. Long live titanium!

The Romanov's might not have approved but when you're hungry, almost anything tastes good including this version of the classic 1861 dish. Even the marmots seemed to have enjoyed it. After gorging themselves on my backpack, they still had some room left for the MH Beef Stroganoff meal that I didn't finish. True story!

Unless you have your personal chef accompany you on your backpacking trips & prepare meals for you, this is a suitable replacement. The innovative packaging allows for more efficient packing. Food is the only thing in you pack that decreases in both size & weight. Now if they could only invent an edible container!

The high heat output makes this my stove of choice for winter activities. I considered purchasing the older model until I saw the improved stability & flexible fuel line, a big plus when saving space in your pack. The noise level, when burning, keeps critters away. I'm currently burning kerosene but like the ability to burn a variety of other fuels. If you want to boil water quickly at all elevations & in all temperatures, this is the best. If simmering is your priority, keep looking!

Nice addition to any small one person meal buy adding an extra portion & carbohydrates. Break the package into two servings to stretch out meals. Inexpensive & great flavor.

This is one of the handiest tools I've ever used for both work & the outdoors. It has more useful functions than most other type tools. I take it on all my winter outings where weight, it's only downside, is not an issue. The saw has provided small firewood in an emergency when heat was necessary however the blade is short limiting cutting to a maximum of 3" diameter & reversing angles. None of the tools are as good as individuals but when you combine them into one package, you have a very compact & useful accoutrement.

This amazing headlamp is the best of both worlds, a super bright 1 watt LED spot plus three smaller, powerful .5 watt LED's. I installed 3 AAA lithium batteries instead of the included alkaline to reduce overall weight. As an added bonus, the SPOT fits in the Petzl clam shell case for added protection. Three brightness settings for both modes to conserve battery life. I love it!

Immediately after receiving this quality Therm-a Rest pad, we headed for a winter car camp. Upon arrival, I started the self-inflation procedure, somewhat slower @ 0 degrees. That night I was rudely awakened by an aching side. I soon realized I had slid off my pad & was lying on the tent floor. Everything was back to normal when I got back on. You won't even notice the cold, frozen ground when sleeping on the Luxury Camp Pad, as long as you don't slide off! Great for car & cold weather camping. Extra thickness = extra warmth. I even pack it in on short distance winter camps.

It's so small I stash mine in my emergency survival kit. The blade is almost too small to be useful but the scissors & tweezers more than make up for any inadequacy.

Great lightweight addition to their already bombproof Round Rock Solid compressors. These have proven themselves to me for over three years without any problems. I own one each of the XS, S, & M. The medium can be used for all but the largest sleeping bags. I use the XS & S for clothes & fleece items. Extremely lightweight & durable. Items are visible due to the more sheer SilNylon material. I don't recommend FULLY compressing the higher loft down sleeping bags for fear of damaging the more delicate clusters. Just a thing of mine!

I purchased the 900 to mainly accompany my 1400 & Solo to make a nice, lightweight group cook set. Very functional as a stand alone however the frying pan is even smaller than the 1400 & is best used as a drinking & measuring cup. The mesh storage sack is a nice addition. To me there is no better metal available than titanium for backpacking cook sets & Snow Peak leads the way for quality, selection, & innovation.

This kit has more pump-related parts that your stove will need over & above the annual maintenance kit. It includes the essential rubber pump valve ball & spring that should be checked annually due to fuel exposure. The fuel line cable should also be inspected on an annual basis. Lubricate rubber parts with silicone grease. Don't have a fuel blow out like me because I didn't replace a simple o-ring.

Since there are three different sizes, make sure to select the proper size stuff sack for your ProLite 4. If you double compress, a bit more work, everything will fit just fine.

I've got two each of #'s 1 through 3. They come in very handy for anything & everything. I even use a #1 for my small golf items like tees, ball markers, various tools, etc. The GG's don't have a top, inner flap so they're not as water resistant as my old Chouinard's but as long as you keep them above water, they're fine. The #2 works great as a fuel bottle carrier & the coated nylon material keeps small spills in check.

No need to ever purchase USGS TOPO maps again with this software. It includes many options like creating & printing your personalized routes, shaded relief, build profiles including mileage & elevation gained, etc. Download all CD-ROMs for seamless coverage. 3-D enhancement allows fly overs & virtual relief. Great product.

I retired all my other towels when this one hit the scene. The size & weight are minimal & almost as plush & absorbent as the all cotton one @ home. Great for the occasional backpack into the remote hot springs. Get the largest size. The nominal extra weight is well worth what you get in return.

Good to have when high wind conditions warrant use. A strategically placed rock wall will also suffice but is more problematic. Continuous folding will eventually cause tears. Try using heavy duty aluminum foil as a replacement. Cover the exposed portion of the plastic pump in case of flare-ups & heat build-up.

Mountain House has been making this meal without any change since the ice age. This is one of their original line-up. After returning to camp from a climb last summer I was starving. I boiled a pot of water, added it to the pouch, waited twelve minutes, pigged out! I'm still alive. The critique: easy preparation, same old salty taste, all the ingredients are the same old bland consistency, easy clean-up, will sustain life but so will a number of other different foods. Considering the entire spectrum of freeze-dried foods on the market, MH Lasagna has been officially retired from my team!

I have used my Primus MFS in many different situations. Most recently on a winter snowshoe trip. It produces 10K + BTU's & is fairly lightweight & packable. I purposely didn't pack in any water so I could melt snow & test it under the most severe conditions. It worked great & was fuel efficient considering the task @ hand. Being a plate burner using liquid fuel under pressure, the only drawback was it's noise level. It sounds like a 747 @ take off. The gas canister mode is a bit easier on the ears.

You can't go wrong with a hearty bowl of Chili Mac with Beef. A good stick to your ribs meal. Add your own red chile powder for extra flavor/heat & tortillas for more carbs. More beef & less macaroni pasta would be a nice change from MH.

I used the 1400 on my last snowshoe trip & was impressed by the lightweight titanium material & nesting ability. Great for boiling water & meal preparation but the top is a bit too small for doing almost anything but sauteing vegetables. I used it for a drinking & measuring cup.

I've never been a big fan of freeze dried eggs but I gave these a chance on a recent snowshoe trip as a snack. Very tasty. They cooked up great with minimal preparation & no breakage. They have the competition beat shells down! Try them with tortillas & a little salsa.

Great car camping lantern. Dual mantles make it extra bright that sunglasses are recommended. Unleaded fuel is OK but works much better using Coleman fuel/white gas.

MH Spaghetti & Meat Sauce is a chow line flashback. I'm in line, tray in hand, waiting to receive my mega scoop of spaghetti & meat sauce. Plop. There it is. Army food all over again without the plop!

I've eaten more chicken stew than any other MH variety. I have to admit it's not too bad especially after returning to camp from a long climbing day & you've starving. Manageable amount of sodium but still a little high for one meal.

I haven't used this stuff sack for anything else but it appears to be more versatile then I thought. Since my sleeping pad is exposed to the elements most of the time, this stuff sack keeps the elements in check & my Base Camp sleeping pad clean & dry.

I've used this sleeping pad mainly for short winter backpacking trips where a lightweight pad is important. Being closed cell foam it insulates quite well from the cold ground & is fairly comfortable. It is also very inexpensive. The only negative I've found is it's bulky size when rolled up. Even in the stuff sack, it is still a good size package. If you're on a budget, this is a good choice.

I purchased this filter when it first came out & have never been disappointed. Field cleanable cartridge, fast output, & folds for easy packing. Micro strainer eliminates silt & debris. Works better when water is allowed to sit in a container, rather than the source, for ten minutes & then pumped.

I purchased this filter when it first came out & have never been disappointed. Field cleanable cartridge, fast output, & folds for easy packing. Micro strainer eliminates silt & debris. Works better when water is allowed to sit in a container, rather than the source, for ten minutes & then pumped.

When car camping throughout the year, this is a great sleeping pad. It even works great in a tent on the snow due to the high R value. If weight is not an issue & you want to sleep very comfortably, this pad is for you.

Pros: Small/packable, lightweight, seemingly well constructed, & boils water quickly. Cons: Hot spot burner heats unevenly as opposed to a wider or differently shaped burner head, does not simmer as well as other similar type stoves due to the hot spot & has a tendency to blow out @ low settings. Consider the Coleman F1 Ultralight or Optimus Crux. You won't be disappointed!

Sorry to keep preaching the sodium thing, but this meal is loaded & Mountain House doesn't care! They think mega doses of NA helps the taste which is dead wrong, in fact it does nothing to help this product. The fleshy pieces referred to as chicken should be processed less. Mountain House even found a way to screw up instant rice.

She wears it constantly, washes it, wait until it dries, puts it back on, then starts the process all over again. She has even worn it to sleep in. "It's so warm & comfortable." Guess what one of her presents under the Christmas tree this year will be?

This is an improved design over the old standard. The newly designed valve adds flame control especially when simmering. The plastic material is just as substantial as aluminum, used by other manufacturers, only lighter. Good pump seal. Needs occasional lubrication.