Optimus SVEA 123
Talk about oldschool. This stove was designed over 100 years ago. I wouldn't categorize this as a normal stove I'd use. It's not lightweight or very efficient. It is however , very well tested , and dependable. At high altitude cold weather treks , the typical butane/propane hikers stove typically don't work well. White gas stoves are cold weather workhorses. Generally used to melt snow , I wouldn't consider using white gas for anything but dedicated winter camping. The modern equivalents of this stove usually require gaskets , repair kits, pumps , and fuel bottles.
With one effective moving part , the valve , not much can go wrong with this stove. Inside the valve is a needle that cleans the port of debris. I've been getting 8 minute 2 cup boils which isn't that great , but it is using a narrow pot , the Snow Peak 900. This pot fits the SVE123 like it was made for it. The integrated fuel reservoir holds 4 oz's and supposedly burns for 50 minutes..
One of the tricky parts to getting this stove working is priming , as with most gas stoves. Essentially your heating the stove to build pressure to vaporize the gas. I've found an eyedropper full of white gas in the depression around the valve works for me.
I've got an old Sigg aluminum cookset on order that I plan on using with this stove. It should provide more efficiency melting snow. This is one more piece of gear that I'll use for winter mountaineering.
Weight 19 oz
Cold Weather Gear
Being in the deep freeze of winter only leaves me one choice. More gear. I've been hoping to increase the temperature rating of my Montbell UL Super Stretch # 3 30 Degree bag by utilizing down clothing. I'll use clothing I'd probably need in winter camp anyway. I'm really trying to keep myself from buying a 0 degree bag that will cost $500.
Feathered friends down booties were a bit of a splurge. I have found walking around in the snow with outer covers comfortable enough. The covers slip off before getting into the tent. These will be nice to put on after a long day of hiking.
Montebell UL jacket and pants are about the lightest pieces of down gear you can buy. Weighing 7.7 ozs for the pants and 6.5 for the top. These are no frill garments , with no pockets, minimal elastic, and no felt lining. They keep me warm standing around in 10 degrees with a warm merino wool baselayer and lightweight nylon shells over them.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 doesn't seem like winter gear, but it's replacing a lightweight, non freestanding , single wall , Tarptent Squall 2. It's only rated for three season use but I don't expect I'll have much of a snow load to test it's limits. Weighing in at a relatively light 3 Lbs 5.5 ozs with stakes, stuff sacks and ground cloth. I set this up in my snowy dark backyard without too much trouble for the first time. It has less room than my tarptent but I managed to get all my gear in and used my backpack as a pillow. I've got enough room to sit up in without hitting my head. A 37 inch peak height was enough for my 5 foot 10 height , taller people my have to hunch over a bit. Lengthwise I had plenty of room to spare and suspect it'll fit at least a 6'2" hiker. This will be my new winter and kayaking tent.
I got a chance to test this gear on a clear cold 0 degree night. I had my backpack set up with full gear and my new tent. I set up in the backyard and lasted about an hour. I wasn't shivering cold , but my feet were a little nippy. I don't think I'd of slept comfortably , and would've woken up shivering. It did get down to -5 degree Fahrenheit that night. With some handwarmers in my sleeping bag , I may have slept without too much trouble.
Some gear I need for comfortable winter sleeping:
A down inflatable pad to replace my Thermarest Neo-Air. I have ordered the Exped 7 down sleep pad and expect that will increase my warmth retention with twice the R-value of the Neo Air. I also have a Mont Bell UL Thermal sheet on the way, that may be used to supplement my 30 Degree bag.
Next on my list is a down beanie from BlackRock Gear.
Who's ready for winter hiking? Me.