Optimus | Mountaingear blog

Mountaineering stove efficiency: MSR DragonFly and XGK vs Optimus Nova vs Primus Omnifuel

December 2, 2009 by Jonathan Rosenthal 4 Comments

How efficient is your stove? Four of the best mountaineering and backpacking stoves are put to the test: MSR DragonFly, MSR XGK, Optimus Nova and Primus Omnifuel When you are humping your way up a hill, and every ounce in your pack feels like it is trying to hold you back, I often find my […]

At least two (and possibly four) killed on Scottish mountains

I’m really distressed by the latest news that at least two people have died on Scottish hills and that another two are missing in three separate incidents in the hills in Scotland. The first incident was an avalanche that killed one. According to several reports an avalanche in Creag Meagaidh, in the Scottish highlands, killed one man […]

Five skiers die in Austrian avalanche

The reports have just come in of five skiers dying in an avalanche in Austria. This is just the latest news on this front from what looks like another bad season. The incident took place in the Wattental valley, Tirol, and reports indicate that those involved had ignored warnings. The Guardian paper reported that: The experienced […]

Wildcamping in the Pyrenees: Lac de Gaube (after a short walk from Cauterets)

If you are hiking in the FrenchPyrenees one of the nicest places to go wild camping is at Lac de Gaube, a beautiful lake a short walk up from Cauterets and a good base for walking the GR10 or crossing over to Spain. The campsite is alongside a gorgeous lake with clear water and good […]