Hike King from United States, UT Public Profile

We’re countin’ ounces nowadays. I used to use a small Coleman cookset and a nice little mountaineering stove, but when I weighed the rig I was using twemity-five years ago I knew I had to shed some pounds. Of backpack stuff, not my waist. So I wheedled my way into an MSR Titan cookset for last Fathers Day. As you can see it only weighs 9 oz in its nice sack. Comes with an inner potkin, but I don’t use it on the trail. I can get a small gaz, and the Primus stove inside snugly for a total weight of just over a pound. Now on longer trips I will haul a larger gaz container. The pot holds about a quart of water and with the lid on, boils nicely. Only tricky thing is it uses the handle thing rather than something mounted on the pot itself. As with all mini stove rigs, just remember to put it on level ground and maybe support the cannister with a couple rocks.

Countin' ounces... Looked at several dinky alternatives at 4-6 ounces, but Primus Classic Trail Stove (great Primus lineage) has larger burner, four pot supports, packs compactly (fits in my pot including small gaz cannister) and is only 9oz. Used on multiday backpack in Uintas in bad weather and worked just fine. Took just a tad long to bring to boil. Used rocks to steady cannister and sheltered from wind- warming my fingers. Ouch-not too close with the fingers... And the price for a quality stove can't be beat.

Picked this up just before Uinta backpack. Perfect for my needs- nice loft, doesn't hurt hips or shoulders. Light. Fits back into stuff sack. Pump sack takes a minute to get used to but genius idea and works well under duress- baaad weather. I was insulated and comfy even though tent nearly collapsed under gale force winds. This was an important factor in warming me up and keeping me safe.

Just did Titcomb Basin in Wind Rivers. 3 day +/- 25 mile round trip. Tried on many other competitive packs to the Zulu but none fit right or dug into my shoulders. Great overall design and construction. I have the gold standard Gregory Shasta 88ltr for comparison but needed to cut weight. Figured Gregory would have good suspension and I was correct. The zippered main panel was handy for yanking my bag out in cramped circumstances. Only quibbles- has a few too many gee-gaws like plastic inner hydro bladder hanger, some clippy things on the straps, etc that add ounces. They could have designed the water bottle pockets better so you can drink without taking your pack off. Kind of slows the pace. Overall excellent choice in the weight and price range.

Was told about Aquamira filter systems by a veteran mountaineer friend. He found it the most efficient way of staying supplied with water in the backcountry. Last trip I was dehydrated due to the hassle of finding a good source to use my hand-pump filter when I needed water. I decided on the Aquamira Red filter system as it additionally filters out most viruses. With lots of traffic even in the furthest backcountry by our selves and animals it is prudent to up the game of filtration. I will use it to filter drinking water right out of any source to immediately drink from the bite valve and also have a 32oz Nalgene for transfer to the Aquamira. The size, design and composition of the bottle and filter is excellent. If you are counting ounces/grams hard to find a lighter combination. Liked it so much, bought a second as backup for home safety. Now I feel much safer on the trail drinking water that is shared by so many creatures.