Breaking Trail on Mt. Lincoln, CO

MSR’s new backcountry snowshoe, the Lightning Ascent, boasts many useful features for the back-country traveler including modular flotation tails, PosiLock AT bindings, cross members for rigidity, pivot crampons and heel lifters. We put the MSR Lightning Ascents through it’s paces in Colorado and Vermont and tested it’s versatility using subjects that differ in weight by 100 pounds on the 25″ model. One tester, new to snowshoeing wasn’t entirely sure what all the features meant but at the end of her ascent of Mt. Mansfield she was very happy to have the aggressive serration along the entirety of the snowshoes. This proved key in the sub-zero 50+ MPH ‘slog’. Both testers raved about the heel lifter on both Mt. Mansfield and on the backside of Mt. Lincoln, CO, after our other  heavier tester was asked to break trail in a couple feet of fresh, deep powder on a cold approach for some ice climbing. Our budding snowshoer found the device after her hiking partner pointed out the feature and was immediately a fan of heel lifters in general. A hiking pole is sufficient to raise the bar when in the raised position out testers found climbing steep slopes was a breeze.

Slogging up Mt. Mansfield

Our heavier tester, breaking trail in Colorado made good use of the flotation tails. They are easy to install with just a couple of hooks and a rubber strap they can easily be attached with gloves and provide extra flotation in deep, soft snow or for heavier hikers. Weighing 3lbs. 14oz. (25″ model) the MSR Lightning Ascents can handle a load between 120 and 220lbs and up to 280lbs with the flotation tales installed. Of course those number vary by user experience and snow conditions. Of course, as with most items from MSR, the Lightning Ascents are made in Seattle, WA.

Both testers agreed the bindings were tough to get in and out of but acknowledged the binging is more secure than other snowshoes and proper sizing in a nice warm place is key.

$269.95-$299.95
www.msrcorp.com

Stove Showdown

This article originally published in the September 2010 issue of Adventure Insider Magazine.

In recent years there has been a definite trend towards the use of integrated cook systems. These all-in-one systems combine the stove, windscreen, heat exchanger, and cook pot, and their efficiency and ease of use makes them extremely popular for backpackers moving to a lighter cook system as well as high altitude mountaineers looking for lightweight hangable kits. We compare three of these systems below.

MSR Reactor

Both the Jetboil Flash and MSR Reactor have been around for a couple years. The Primus EtaSolo is brand new to the market and with that comes the obvious advantage of learning from other mistakes. We conducted a series of tests on all three systems side-by-side to eliminate as many variables as possible.

Test 1: Each system was filled with 2 cups of water at 81° F. Time was recorded at rolling boil.

Test 2: Each system was filled with 2 cups water at 34° F. Time was recorded at rolling boil.

Test 3: Each system was filled with boiling water. Temperature was recorded in ten minute intervals for 30 minutes.

Bonus test: The MSR reactor was filled with 1 L of 34° ice water. Time was recorded at rolling boil.

Note: Air temperature for all tests was 74° F.

Conclusions

What stove you ultimately decide on will be a matter of your circumstances. Here’s our feeling.

Groups: If you’re traveling with more than three people there is no comparison to the MSR Reactor. The Reactor boils water at a shockingly fast speed and the larger capacity will enable everyone to get a nice hot cup of tea.

Solo or couples: Either the Jetboil Flash or Primus EtaSolo are great choices. If you plan to hang your stove often the sting of the Jetboil Flash hanging kit will be minimized and if you hang rarely the included Primus hanging kit is a welcome addition. Both stoves also offer lids used to drink from the pot and insulation to keep the contents warm. The ability to use other pots with the Primus EtaSolo may give it an edge for most people, however.

	MSR Rector	Jetboil Flash	Primus EtaSolo
Price	$159.95	$99.95	$99.95
Weight1	1 lb 1 5/8 oz	15 3/8 oz	15 5/8 oz
Capacity2	2 L	1 L	1 L
Hangable	No	Optional (kit: 1 7/8 oz, $29.95)	Yes (kit: 7/8 oz, included)
Test 1	1:23	1:52	1:50
Test 2	2:09	2:53	2:41
Test 3 (°F)0'/10'/20'/30'	198/170/152/137	198/177/160/148	198/182/164/153
Bonus Test	3:59	N/A	N/A
Pros	• Large capacity • Cool MSR logo when lit	• Very stable hanging kit • Feels very tight and well assembled	• Ability to use other pots withincluded pot stands (5/8 oz). • Included hanging kit
Cons	• No integrated lighter • Stove rattles inside pot in storage	• Must purchase hanging kit separately	• Primus fuel can be tough tofind although most isobutane canisters will work • Rattles quite a bit

¹ Includes stove, pot, and burner
² Max fill is half of listed capacity