What have you done to prep this week?

[bacpacker]

I started years ago with the original Peak one stove. Worked great, boils water in under 3 minutes, has a great control on it if you just want to simmer something. But it weighed about 3 lbs filled with fuel and it only used white gas. So being the wise ass I am I got a MSR Whisper light. Cut a good lb off the weigth. But I never did like the control on it. It would either burn hot enough to melt aluminum, or just bearly simmer, not a lot in between. I ended up going back to a newer model Whisper light, multi fuel model. I works as good as the original and weights probably about the same. But I have yet to have a failure with either one, or the MSR for that matter.

I have also used various little foldable stoves over the years. My favorite is a small little thing that I picked up at a gun show for $20. It runs on the small fuel cartridge and works really well. I keep one in both of our GHB's along with a folding handle aluminum cup. My other super light weight favorite is a Esbit folder. Not sure it'll boil water, but it'll burn for 10-15 minutes to heat up some stuff to eat and drink. The fuel is also a great fire starter. Burns plenty long enough to get wood going.

I like Petzel headlamps as well. We have 3-4 model of various ages, including two we just got last year. They are the best I've had for battery useage.

[oif0709]

I felt the control on my stove was good for adjustable rate. I have yet to try if on another fuel. It's worth it, as is. A good range to it, I eyed the whisper light as well. I just wanted durability and multiple fuels plus adjustable flame.

It is loud though. I want to get a dragon tamer or quiet stove for it. A cup that goes on it to quiet them down.

[ElevenBravo]

Cool info, thx! Ive settled on the USMC ILBE, for the money its an awesome bag!

I went with the 40 for a respectable intermediate cartridge, but will be getting the Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel when I can spare the extra sawbacks.

EB

[oif0709]

I'm trying to color code the pullouts with different color cord. I stole some orange off a fire piston which I put on my fire starters bag, I'll find a red piece for the stove. Green probably for my mess kit and a blue for water purification. The sizes help me figure out what's what, and they're kind of see through. But in dim lighting they're one mass of nylon.

[robsdak]

I'm trying to color code the pullouts with different color cord. I stole some orange off a fire piston which I put on my fire starters bag, I'll find a red piece for the stove. Green probably for my mess kit and a blue for water purification. The sizes help me figure out what's what, and they're kind of see through. But in dim lighting they're one mass of nylon.

if i may make a suggestion... use Glow in the Dark zipper pull ends. i make them and they work great. i will look and see if i have a picture.

edit... found it!

[oif0709]

if i may make a suggestion... use Glow in the Dark zipper pull ends. i make them and they work great. i will look and see if i have a picture.

edit... found it!

Awesome, those look great.

[bacpacker]

I like the color pull idea

[oif0709]

I got the idea off the kifaru forum, though thinking about it, they won't end up in the same parts of the pack anyway but whatever. I wanted a clean way to identify them. beats writing on them or putting tape on them. And they're pretty affordable.

Once I decide on what else to put in the pack I'll load the pull outs, heavy stuff in the middle, light up top, tent at the bottom.

I still want to get the kifaru stuff sack. Compresses in a log looking thing rather than a ball.

Once I get it all packed, I'll go through and do a layout and scrap stuff further. To save some weight. Spring is right around the corner though it may not feel like it.

I'm due for a new set of backpacking boots. By the time spring hits, I'll have those broken in and will be vacuum sealing dry foods.

[jamesneuen]

I have tons of blaze orange 110 cord that I need something to do with. Haven't decided what yet though.

[bacpacker]

I will vouch for them. They do work great. Rob does good work and has some designs I've never seen before.