Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I got the Stanley version and it's fantastic!

 

Price and weight being a non-issue that the Cook Partner is supposed to be the best out there. I just use a regular coleman 2 burner. Works just fine for the money.

If you watch slickdeals they have RTIC coolers pretty regular for great prices. I just missed the last round and am waiting for the next to buy.

 

I have and like the new Coleman stoves. Their burners are wind protected. Very efficient stove.

 

What kind of cooking do you plan?
Boiling water or gourmet?
Baking or frying? Like a stove top oven.
How many people?
What kind of fuel? Alcohol, propane, butane mix, kerosene, white gas unleaded gas, etc.

There are a lot of stove options.
There are quite a few great stoves.

For general car camping a great workhorse Coleman stove is the 413. Made for many years, so there are quite a few versions.
413, 413A, 413B .... 413H, etc. You get the idea.

A common one available for $20 or less is the 413G. Many are still in like new shape. A change of the leather pump cup and the filler cap gasket is all that is required, possibly. A bit of cleaning, running old fuel residue out and the purchase of Coleman Fuel (White gas) and you are up and running.

The 413 is bigger than the 425 so a Coleman oven can be used and still have room for a large frypan.

Next step up, for a family is the 426 3 burner. Same as the 413 but an additional burner.

Check out www.classiccampstoves.com or Colemancollectorsforum.com

An additional thought is the trailer.
A boat stove uses alcohol (Most). Marine fuel, denatured alcohol, ethanol, etc. An alcohol fire can be extinguished with water. A couple of brands are Homestrand and Kenyon. (Some boats use kerosene and more now are using propane.)

Ken in NC

 

I went with a camp partner after it was suggested since I'll be on the road full time for a while.

First negative i realized was weight.. it's very heavy. Next negative is they admittedly use a bad design from 30 years ago for gas delivery. What that means is they are your only source for a gas line. There is no possibility of getting replacement parts off the shelf. Even gas shops that do custom propane work had no interest in trying to help with figuring out a way to help me with what i needed since it's such a "special" design (i needed a simple 90 degree elbow for the gas fitting coming from the stove). They knew what the stove was and said i would be limited to what camp partner offers, which is only different lengths of hose.

I will end up using it for now since i didn't want to knock 50% off to get rid of a stove that had never been fired. It did cook nicely (compared to my cheap Coleman) but I know i would've been much happier with saving $200 and going with a trusted Coleman.

Another thing is it does look nice, but if you're one who wants things to stay looking new, the aluminum scratches at EVERY opportunity, so it won't look mirror perfect for long. It doesn't bother me, mine arrived new with a huge scratch across the top that had to have been added before it was boxed up.

 

That's great! Which route/trails are you taking in and out? Living here in AZ, I still haven't hiked the damn thing. Best I've done was a helicopter tour down through the canyon as a kid which was still pretty amazing. With all of the camping and backpacking I do, I guess at some point I'll do the GC. It's just so busy!

 

There's really only one corridor trail down from the north rim, and that's North Kaibab. We'll spend the first night at Cottonwood Campground, the continue on down North Kaibab to Bright Angel campground, where we'll spend the second night. Then up Bright Angel trail to Indian Garden for the third night, and up and out the next day.

 

When you get to Bright Angel .. stop at the Phantom Ranch and have a cold one of something and ask if they have any openings for dinner or breakfast. The hikers stew is awesome.

 

Nah, we're going for the whole "rugged outdoors" experience, lol.

 

You can sit and have dinner with people from Switzerland, Germany, Indiana, or wherever.
The stew is to die for, the best I have ever had. All you can eat cafeteria style. Chocolate cake for desert.
Phantom Ranch qualifies as rugged.

if not, it is your loss. Ask anyone that has done it.

Ken in NC

 

The south side is what I was wondering about. Sounds like a great trip! That time of year should be nice, too.

 

@BKill
After you leave Cottonwood and before you get to Bright Angel there is Ribbon Falls on your right. There are upper and lower. Worth the side trip.

 

I did South rim last year. Two main trails down are South Kaibab (7 miles) and Bright Angel (9+ miles). We went down South Kaibab, spent a couple of nights at Bright Angel then headed back up Bright Angel trail. Good thing about that trail is that Indian Garden campground is halfway up, so you only have 4 1/2 miles or so each day. But those days are tough. A park ranger told us that that was the best schedule. And you're right. Late October is great. We didn't even put our tents up at night.

 

I already have

Its already on my agenda. We did a day hike up north Kaibab last year, but ran out of time and energy before we got there. Should be easier to make the detour on the way down.

 

Hey, thanks for the input though. You're not the first that's recommended it. I was under the impression that you had to make arrangements to eat ahead of time.

 

Yes, but there are availabilities(sp?) that show up the day of. Worth a try.

Carry backpacking food out (priceless).

 

Yes as @2Toyotas said. There's always a no-show. And sometimes a staff member is gone hiking and not eating. But because of their location, bringing food in/trash out is a logistics issue. They'd rather sell that empty space to a walk up than have to throw it out only to be carried out on a pack train.

 

Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Hiker Stew. Unforgettable.

 

Thanks for all the info! I can now get deeper in the rabbit hole I love to BBQ and use wood/charcoal at home but leary of taking along my weber. I have a trailer with a stove top but that wouldn't be any fun cooking bacon in there. Ultimately I want a good 2 burner to be able to do it all. Take a skillet, dutch oven, big pot, and with what I saw with Blackstone and camp chef a grill box. I was wondering if anyone has one and if it is more of a gimmick or works good. The other I've seen is the Coleman that'll fold up and wheels around.

 

I decided i should get a second bag for the trip. My mountain Smith 0 degree... Isn't overly warm at temperatures not close to that, and i wanted a quilt.

Ordered an EE Revelation 10° that was on the shelf. Purple and black... But as long as it keeps me toasty!