I always wanted an optimus 8r. The young scouts as I was at that time weren't allowed to get white gas stoves. I got a nice bluet 206. Later I got a peak 1 which I really liked for the little priming you needed to do and the heat output. I eventually moved up to a peark1 multifuel. My **** was boiling before others with whisperlites and those fancy backpack stoves were primed. I really love my peak 1 multi-fuel.
I've got two old 8R stoves, one basically pristine with the Bakelite knobs and one beater that spends it's whole life bouncing around in the back of my truck as an emergency stove. It's been painted flat OD green and just works, often gets used as a simmering burner for the coffee pot when the regular stove has the griddle on it (which spans all 3 burners). Really dig those suckers.
I'm gonna miss this trip because of work also. Bummer! I was really looking forward to it. I had my old sleeping bag, pad, VE24, Svea with cast iron skillet, Limmer boots, wool pants, flannels, Marmot anorak, Dachsteins and Duofolds ready to load in the 40!
I drove the Taco about 1/4 the way up Twin Cones this morning to check out the snow situation and there's very little snow on the South peak, couldn't really see the North peak. There a 4-5 campsites about a 1/4 mile past the second gate and we're in the last one. Each site could hold 2-3 tents and vehicles.
Planning to check out CR60 (Hall Valley) in the morning, but will be back at the campsite by 10 AM looking for you guys to come thru.
My father-in-law and my wife are already interested in retro camping trip 2.0 (if this one goes OK)
Enjoy that 50th! My GP's 50th had a rockin' polka band. Everyone had a great time. Two of my relatives are professional Polka dancers and trained everyone who claimed they couldn't polka!
