Bushwhacker Wood-Gas Stove Raffle
I'm raffling off a mint Bushwhacker Wood-Gas Stove this month, made by J. Falk at Trailgear.org. The stove weighs 6.7 oz and retails for 28.50 USD. If you're not familiar with wood gas stoves, Jason Klass has done a nice gear review of the bushwhacker, which you can watch here.
This version of The Bushwhacker features a 2 piece nesting design that is only 4-1/4" wide and 4-7/8" high, making it easy to fit into your backpack. It burns twigs and wood for fuel that you can collect during the day or when you pitch camp, eliminating the need to carry liquid or solid fuels. It has adjustable air intake ports for heat control and simmering, with a boil time of 12 minutes for two cups of water.
To enter, leave a comment below listing, all of the following:
- the make and model of your favorite day pack or backpack, including winter packs.
- where you hike with it
- why you like it so much
At the end of December, I will randomly select a winner from the list of people who've left complete comments (only one entry per person, please).
This raffle is open to international readers as well as those residing in the US.
A Sample Entry
I'll start by saying the my Gossamer Gear, Mariposa Plus is my favorite backpack. I hike with it all over New England (USA). I like it best because it has a lot of external mesh pockets that make it very easy for me to get at gear or snacks during the day, without having to unpack and repack. It's an ultralight backpack, weighing under 2 lbs, but it can still hold a lot of gear. Plus the new, internal frame stay upgrade that came out this year makes it much more comfortable to carry because it eliminates the space between your back and the pack on the earlier model.
Tags
- woodgas stove
- wood gas stove
- timmy minimal design stove
- troop london vintage with external side pockets
- ultralight wood gas
Related posts:
I have to say that my Osprey Stratos 40 is my favorite pack. For one, it holds everything I need for a winter dayhike, but in summer, it cinches down as small as necessary to hold only my summer gear. The best part about it is the mesh back panel…in the summer, it keeps the pack off my back so I don’t sweat too much, and in the winter, it’s a convenient place to tuck an extra layer to get to quickly. All of that, and with the hip-belt, load lifters and shoulder straps, I can mold the pack to my back so there’s no shifting ever, no matter what sort of terrain I’m hiking.
I really love my REI Quick UL 45. I’ve hiked(hitched) with it from FL to New Orleans all the way up to Ohio. I use it for weekend trips into the Daniel Boone National Forest, as well as multi-day stealth camping along the Little Miami River whenever I feel like getting away from it all.
It holds all my stuff with (so far) up to 5 days of food, even when its cold.
It just works no matter what I throw at it, but the reason I love it the most may have something to do with it being the only pack I own
My favorite pack (and only pack) is my EMS NorthPeak 50. I got it for dirt cheap last winter and intended to use it as kind of a placeholder pack until I found my “real” backpack. So far, though, it seems to suit me just fine, so I’m in no hurry to replace it. I’m still a new hiker, so I’ve only used it a few times, all in Vermont, but it’s come through great. I love it because after I toss in my ultralight sleeping bag and tent, I have plenty of room left over for my very-NOT-ultralight fishing gear, including waders!
Lowe Alpine Attack Summit pack, which I don’t think is made anymore, is light, packs up compactly, and has a top pocket. I use it for day trips and as my photography backpack when combined with OR Padded Cells, which I don’t think are made anymore. I like it for all the aforementioned reasons. I’ve used it pretty much everywhere I’ve gone on day trips from Norway to the AT, to CO, and more. I also use it for guiding hikes.
I have an EMS Trail 70 backpack that I purchased about 6 years ago. It is still in great shape.
I started out hiking in the State Forests of Massachusetts and have slowly graduated to the rest of New England.
The EMS Trail 70 fit the budget I had when I was just starting to buy gear. It has been a good compromise between day hikes and weekend trips because it works well all cinched down without the top lid OR loaded up and top lid attached and the top collar fully extended. I haven’t been able to fill it to the point of overloading the suspension and I think that is reflective of some thought put into its design.
It doesn’t have many features, really just a bag with straps. Without the top lid, its weight vs. capacity is comparable to the GRANITE GEAR Nimbus Latitude; so it is kind of UL, even though I didn’t what UL was back then.
The Trail 70 model that EMS sells today has many more features including hipbelt pockets and a stash pocket. The new model appears to have better venting. These new features appear to add about 1.5 pounds. But I wouldn’t trade my old model for the new one – too many shared miles.
1. Rivendell Mountain Works – Jensen Pack
2. New England (Long Trail and sections of the AT)
3. I love innovative and weight saving outdoor gear. But I also have an affinity for vintage gear; and this is an essential vintage pack. This thing is so burly, I plan on giving it to my son when he starts backpacking (he’s 3 months old). I typically only do overnighters with it. I save multiple night trips for my other pack.
-One of the things that intrigued me was it’s unique (at the time) packing system. There is a lower compartment for your sleep system, and the main compartment is made of two vertical tubes.
-The Jensen Pack is the original frameless backpack.
-Hand-made, one at a time, in the USA.
Wow, $28.50 is hard to beat. But, for my money I still choose the Bushbuddy Ultra. Lighter, smaller, better crafted, and sturdier.
1. GoLite Pinnacle
2, Cairngorms and any other UK hill destination
3. Its simple, hard to break design. Low weight and great comfort. It just works and I forget I have it on. I love it. Then there is the Jam to use as well. Saying that the Pinnacle is no 1.
Gregory Deva. She is huge (won’t admit the liters) ! I got it when I was upgrading my equipment from 35 years ago. My old stuff didn’t fit new packs (especially the sleeping bag). Now that I have upgraded my tent, sleeping bag and pad I have lots of room. Didn’t realize that you buy a pack LAST with upgrading.
I will get a UL pack soon but I love my re-entry gal. Getting it was a big investment but I don’t regret it for a minute.
I am fascinated with wood gas stoves. I’ve made several alcohol stoves and used them with great success. I used to actually cook on a campfire in my early backpacking days so using a gas wood stove would be fun to try. I may break down and try to build one myself. Anyone else here attempt making one with any success?
I love my Gregory z35. I hike with it all over eastern Idaho. My favorite feature is the internal flexible frame. It work so well that sometime I’m surprise when I remove my pack and lift it up by the handle of how heavy it is. Also this pack is lightweight roomy and have plenty of great pockets.
old new backpckr – if you go to trailgear.org (maker of this stove), he posts a number of DIY plans for earlier versions. Check them out.
This is a good list of packs, everyone – keep those submissions coming!
Lately, I have really enjoyed my Marmot Garmsal pack for Spring and Fall backpacking in the mountains of Western North Carolina (most noteably the Art Loeb Trail and SC Foothills Trail). It’s under 3 lbs and really marketed as a large daypack (around 2100 cubic inches), but supports my lightweigt solo kit. It has an Air Flow frame that keeps the pack off your back and allows great ventilation, which is important here in the South. It also has 2 stretchy mesh H20 bottle pockets, zippered mesh belt pockets, 2 hood pockets, an exterior compartment (with a key hook), interior map pocket, ski/trekking pole carrying loops, etc. As with most small packs, once you overload it, it becomes less than ideal, which makes it a poor winter pack, when you need more and larger gear. Otherwise, I’ve been very happy with this pack for the type of backpacking I enjoy in the Southeastern US.
Having just made the move to “ultralight”, the Osprey Exos 46 is my new favorite backpack. I hike in the mountains of Virginia and over the summer I spoke with a through hiker that had this pack. He talked me into getting it and I’m glad I did. There are many great features built into this pack. One of my favorite features is the mesh back panel. It really keeps my back dry, especially now in colder weather. This pack also has a comfortable harness and hipbelt with nice mesh pockets for snacks and things. At under 2 LBS this pack has become both my day pack and my weekend pack.
People might revolt if I’m selected, because my favorite daypack is a lowly JanSport Wasabi style pack. It had a different name in 2002 when I got it, and slightly different aesthetics, but it essentially a basic bag with (marvelous) aircore straps.
I have hiked with it in the Devil’s Lake region of Wisconin, and to the coraline beaches of Australia. It has seen the wilds of Yosemite and hills of Catalina Island. My old bag has gone with me to Ireland’s Glendalough, and to the Russian woods a few hours from Moscow.
What I love about my JanSport is that it weighs less than a pound, is incredibly durable, and has enough pockets and carry space for a typical day (or two in summer). It is also backed by a lifetime warranty. When my zippers failed, JanSport replaced them AND upgraded the straps for free.
I might prefer a GoLite Pinnacle (if I had one), but I simply haven’t afforded one yet, adding other gear to my setup first. At least no one wants to steal my JanSport!
This is great – a lot of new faces leaving comments. Welcome everyone. The range of packs represented is great.
I have used my osprey atmos 50 for years hiking, traveling, and just going out on short trips for photography. It has plenty of compartments to keep everything organized and the support is designed to allow airflow along my back. I used the pack on my thru hike this past year and while several people were having to call their manufacture about backpack repairs, my osprey held up just fine. Now that I have completed the Appalachian Trail I will still use it for weekend hikes and overnight trips.
1. Sixmoondesigns Comet
2. All over the U.K.
3. It’s light weighing less than 900g, has three large mesh pockets which means I can store things I need during the day easily to hand; and it can hold a lot of gear.
The biggest thing that makes it my favourite pack is the fact that it has a proper hipbelt and not the small winglets that a lot of similar UL packs have.
1. Kelty external frame pack, pre-Tioga
2. Northeast Ohio, Scout hikes, Buckeye Trail, wherever I’m going!
3. I like it because it used to be my Dad’s in the `60′s, because I took it to Philmont in the `80′s and now am using it whenever I’m going backpacking. No doubt there’s a lighter, prettier, roomier backpack out there for me, but for the moment, this one fits me and fits my needs.
Virga backpack by Granite Gear – http://www.moosejaw.com/outdoors/products/GraniteGearVirgaBackpackFall2009.html
frameless design, lightweight and large enough for my recent trek around Nepal’s Annapurna range.
My favorite backpack (so far my only backpack) is the Kelty Morane. It is on the small side, but it holds enough for 2-3 day trips when I pack light. I have backpacked in Missouri near the Ozarks and in Iowa.
I appreciate its small size, which keeps me from overpacking, but I really like its durability. Its small profile means that it doesn’t catch on branches when I hike off-trail.
My favorite pack is the Gregory Z55, (http://www.campsaver.com/itemmatrix.asp?GroupCode=gre0004&MatrixType=1) it is lightweight, inexpensive and holds all my gear for my weekend backpacking trips. The best feature is the Jetstream(TM) suspension that keeps my back cool while hiking. It has seen the most miles in the Allegheny National Forest.
My favorite pack is one that hasn’t been worn in 30+ years. It is old, dusy, navy; and, has a very cool (for then) aluminum external frame. I earned money mowing grass to purchase that pack and replace a canvas pack. I saved it when I left boy scouts along with a small box with my uniform, etc. I think that those monthly week-end camping trips along with the long trips in the summer gave me the foundation to appreciate and respect nature. It is also the wonderful memories that I had with that pack that makes my re-introduction into backpacking feel like a natural, and expected, evolution from my day hikes. I have a couple of modern packs now but none will ever serve me as well as that pack.
- David
My GoLite Quest is my go to pack for weekend thru multi-day trips. At just over 3 lbs (with frame and lid) it’s much lighter than my previous pack while still large enough to carry everything I need for trips around central and west Texas.
Earlylite,
Congrats on having so many readers from all over the world! Who knew? On the other hand, it’s really messing with what I thought were pretty good odds of winning…
1.The Osprey Exos 46 is my favourite pack for hiking.
2.Most of the time I hike in Germany and Europe. 3. I like the low weight of this pack, but at the same time the pack has got a full carrying system
My favorite packs are the Pinnacle and Jam, depending on the amount of gear I plan to haul around. The Pinnacle accompanied me on a three week trek in northern Scandinavia from Sweden to Norway. The Jam has seen some action on local outings in Germany. I like the simplicity of these packs. Plus they seem to hold endless amounts of gear while still remaining comfortable to carry and have the luxury of huge mesh side pockets and hipbelt pockets for easy access.
For winter tours I just got an Osprey Exos 58. Can’t really comment on it yet, just carried it around town loaded with 13kg worth of nonsense, which was really, really comfortable. I’m curious to see how it fares on my upcoming skiing trip in northern Skandinavia in March.
My favorite backpack is my flash 65 from REI http://www.rei.com/product/778468 I have used it mostly on the AT from mid state Pa. to Shenandoah National Park VA. It’s my favorite pack because it is my only pack. I feel it doesn’t truly qualify as an ultralight pack, but it allows me to carry everything I need for a four day trip, and not go over 35 lbs., when hiking with my good friends. Most important of all, along the lines of what David D wrote, this pack has let me get out and do something I have wanted to do for almost 25 years. It just feels good to feel the ground beneath my feet and see the trail ahead of me.
I don’t know if this can be my favorite because it’s my only option
I hike everywhere with an Osprey Atmos 50L. The open mesh back and breathing hipbelt are really comfortable. I stuff my padded insulmat in the space between the pack and the mesh panel. It cuts down on air flow but not so much that sweat pools if a pack was directly on my clothes.
I’ve taken it everywhere, basically. Kenya, sections of the AT, Arizona, Vegas, Israel, and more. It’s dependable.
I might move to the Golite Jam one day but I’ve stuck to 3-season and either pack would suffice for lighter loads.
My favorite is my GoLite Speed – http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/GoLite-Lite-Speed-Pack-3000cu-in/GOL0159M.html for much the same reason as you love the Mariposa- all of the external pockets. I’m active in my son’s Boy Scout Troop, and having gear “X” available without having to dig in the pack because a Scout (inevitably) forgot his is essential. I use it for hikes in the Texas hill country, West Texas mountains, and montains of Oklahoma and Arkansas, with the occasional trip to Philmont thrown in.
Ooh..thats a good question
Normally I would say my favorite pack is the EMS Trail 70, Long
of which i have used to hike The MidState Trail, a large section of the Metacomet Trail, which is now the New England Scenic Trail, and hundreds of smaller hikes. I love it because Its practical and simple, no organizational compartments that would add weight to the bag, It feels good, even after a 20+ mile day hike.
considering I am a bag a holic though, i just purchased another bag even though i didn’t need it: the Gregory Baltoro 70
http://www.rei.com/product/757777
and just wow…talk about not even being in the market for a bag, but when i tried it on..the AFS Response fit just blew me away…I’ve only gone on a few trips with it, mostly just snowshoeing and ascending small summits in Southern New Hampshire..But I have a feeling this will be my favorite bag for 2010, of which I plan to Hike the North South Trail in Rhode Island with it, Hopefully most, if not all of the Long Trail, and a few other smaller trails like the Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway (SRKG) Trail
This year I picked up a Six Moon Designs “Comet” on closeout and it has turned out to be my favorite pack when going several days out. I hike most often close to home here in northern PA and spend most of my time exploring off trail. Unlike my ultra light and ultra thin packs, the fabric and pocket netting of the Comet is very durable. I’ll feel the pack catch on passing brush with no damage at all. The shoulder straps are properly shaped and spaced with a good width not cut into me. The curved internal stays are comfortably fitted to my back and actually work. Of all the hip belts I have used this one snug’s up perfectly with no gaps in the back and remains in place, no sliding around. This is the first pack I’ve used with belt pockets and they really come in handy. Finally, this is one of the few cottage industry packs that employ the use of load lifters. Normally I don’t miss them but found these to be very useful when packed up with a week’s worth of food.
My favorite pack is my homemade G4 I built from Quest Outfitters. I hike around western and south western Missouri. I like it because it is something I made and it serves me well. Just enough room for no snow winter camping. Homemade is always best. The minimal design is great, it keeps me focused on not dragging civilization with me.
My pack is a Golite Gust, several years old with mesh pockets I stitched into the side. It weighs less than pound and a half and has plenty of room for anything I take backpacking. I have used it mostly in Idaho and Montana. I just ordered a Mountain Laurel Designs Ark, which has more external pockets, almost as much room inside, and weighs only a pound. I have a feeling I’m going to like it more than the old Gust.
I saw a gust recently on sale for $75. 5000 cubic inch classic pack. You just sneaked under the wire. Good luck in the raffle.
who’s the winner???
Stay tuned, I’ll announce this in a day or two. Been very busy with the new job.