High Sierra Topix

I used a Svea 123R for decades, then went to MSR Whisperlite using white gas (big improvement). But now we use a JetBoil for general water heating and a tiny Brunton if we need to use a pot or fry pan, or just as a backup in case of stove failure (has not been needed yet though). The JetBoil is amazingly fast at boiling water (< 2 minutes / 2 cups) and I highly recommend it.

I bought a Whisperlite in 1987. I continue to use a Whisperlite as a "workhorse" stove today.

The old, blackened stove is a regular Whisperlite that I use as a "workhorse" for making tea and such for larger groups. The shiny, new stove is the new Whisperlite Universal which I'm currently evaluating for a review.

Of course I've got a Svea 123 which is my favorite stove. I generally only use it for small groups since it feels a little tippy with a larger pot on it.


I also use gas stoves a lot. I like the remote style since they can be more easily protected from wind, are more stable, and can operate in colder weather if you turn the canister upside down. Here's an old Rapidfire I've got: .

I also use a Jetboil a lot. I know, not very imaginative, but they're easy.

HJ

My Coleman Apollo Exponent stove pump gave out on my last trip 2 weeks ago; Not dead just took like 100 pumps to get pressure.. thought I had it fixed pre-trip. It's a rubber seal in the pump. So, I ordered a whole new pump and then an extra plunger apparatus. The interesting part about the extra plunger is they went back to the leather seal. I didn't take apart the new pump to see what is in that, but, Not a fan of rubber in the pump since Coleman has done leather in all the other products for decades.

Now, I'm ready for September. I was marveling at the canister stoves brought along, but it seems you've boil or off.

Anyway,

Russ

I'm kind of a stove junkie....not sure why. I have the snowpeak giga and it is pretty awesome for simple summer trips. I have an old coleman cannister as well (never use it). A few years ago picked up the MSR windpro which I bring for larger group hikes and find that it is an excellent stove. My favorite (but heaviest) is the optimus nova (had the newer one with quality control issues and hated it........then did further research and ended up with one of the bullet proof brunton ones).


Ladd

My alcohol stove system at Scylla Lake in Ionian Basin. It worked like a champ. I carried a quart of denatured alcohol for 14 days the in backcountry. I had a just a little extra left over, maybe enough for 2 or 3 days.

Last year I bought a Jetboil Sol with my REI divident and 20 off coupon, did some testing and packed it away. Last week I finally had use for it, and it was amazing how efficient that thing is: 8 days of extra hot beverages (3-4 cups per day) and large warm meals every night, and I used just one 110g canister. This thing heats water very quickly, it starts easily, it can be regulated, and it uses less fuel than anything I've ever used before. The pot/cup is perfectly sized for a solo hiker and it packs down real small. I will be using this stove on all my future solo trips unless snow melting is part of the daily routine.