SVEA day over with?!?

[SunnyWalker]

RE SVEA stove. So does any one use the SVEA stove still? On a thru hike? Or long distance hiking? Reliable it is. And are there places (like along CDT) where white gas is easier to find then the proper alcohol? ARE ALL THE SVEA STOVES RETIRED??!?!?!???????

[mudcap]

RE SVEA stove. So does any one use the SVEA stove still? On a thru hike? Or long distance hiking? Reliable it is. And are there places (like along CDT) where white gas is easier to find then the proper alcohol? ARE ALL THE SVEA STOVES RETIRED??!?!?!???????

I still use my 123,quite alot really. I love that old relic,never fails me.

[PAHiker]

Mine isn't retired and won't be for a long time. I switch between a pepsi can alcohol stove and my old SVEA depending on the mood strikes me when I am loading up my pack. Usually I will tke the SVEA when I will be cooking for two and the alcohol when going solo.

[Tuckahoe]

Bought my Svea 1970s Svea used and have used it on many camping trips over the years. When I hit the trail again in a couple weeks I will certainly be carrying the Svea.

There are those that will say its too heavy, too much hassel, blah blah blah... But I am happy with mine and see no reason to change.

[take-a-knee]

I'm alcohol all the way when it's warm, white gas below freezing. I have an MSR Simmerlite but I still take out the SVEA I've had since 1975. It is my go-to stove for paddling.

[rambunny]

I carried one till Fontana the 1st thru-hike and on many section hikes. Donated it to a Boy Scout Troop,still miss it. But for the weight-my coke can stove for long distance.....

[Wise Old Owl]

I used one for twenty years until the rubber parts rotted out. Because it was my dad's I replaced it and gave it as a christmas present. It is a clear high altitude winner even today if you are climbing Everst. Most Brits still swear by it. But for the AT - it's too heavy and surpassed by many different models . It's the Black & White TV in a digital world.

[earlyriser26]

Of all the stoves I have ever had, none will replace the Optimus 8R. Way ahead of its time.

[Snowleopard]

If I can find mine ... I'd use it for colder weather (25*F) trips short enough that I can manage with just the fuel the stove holds. If I have to carry a fuel bottle, I'd probably carry my Optimus Nova (multifuel) stove; definitely the optimus for really cold weather. The Svea would work in the cold, just put a small piece of plywood underneath it to insulate it from the ground.

In warmer weather, I'd probably carry a canister stove.

[Dicentra]

A friend of mine (he hiked the PCT in '77 with his Svea) made us lunch last weekend on his little Svea stove. So yeah. They are still around.

[SunnyWalker]

How about for a thru hike on CDT? Does anyone have advice to offer on this. What I mean is I would like to take my trangia but wonder about the mtns and higher altitude. Thinking that SVEA would be better. Am planning on hiking North, so could start out with alcohol and switch to SVEA when I hit the mtns, etc. What do you think? Thanks.

[Feral Bill]

I have used my SVEA for 40+ years. No need to change. In fact I got my daughter a used one (non self cleaning) just this summer.

[Quoddy]

I bought my SVEA 123 in 1983 and used it for a long time. Although I've changed stoves (often) since then, I still take it out and polish it. It looks that good, and is a real classic.

[Snowleopard]

You can still buy new ones for $90:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/...hKeywords=svea
Used ones are on ebay for considerably less, and they do last forever.

[rickb]

One good thing about a Svea is that if you get lost all you need do is light the thing up and rescuers will hear you from miles away.

Another thing that is really cool is priming it the classic way. You douse the thing and then light up a fireball.

Sets the mood so long as no nylon is nearby.

[MintakaCat]

One good thing about a Svea is that if you get lost all you need do is light the thing up and rescuers will hear you from miles away.

That sound is still music to my ears. It's as if an old friend is saying "relax while I heat this meal for you.....all is well with the world."

It's hard to describe just how, but many a time when I was cold and wet on a trip, the SVEA just took the edge off.

[mudcap]

That sound is still music to my ears. It's as if an old friend is saying "relax while I heat this meal for you.....all is well with the world."

It's hard to describe just how, but many a time when I was cold and wet on a trip, the SVEA just took the edge off.

Very well said,I can relate to what you are saying. Many a fond memory of my 123.

[Deadeye]

Well, somebody has to have a contrarian view... when I read the journal my dad kept of our LT hikes from 69-73, there are plenty of entries reading "stove wouldn't light - cold dinner"

I'm a canister convert - never had an issue yet (though I'm sure my day will come). I do make a point of keeping the threads, etc. clean.

For ultimate reliability, alcohol.

[mudcap]

when I read the journal my dad kept of our LT hikes from 69-73, there are plenty of entries reading "stove wouldn't light - cold dinner"

I'm a canister convert - never had an issue yet (though I'm sure my day will come). I do make a point of keeping the threads, etc. clean.

For ultimate reliability, alcohol.

Well, somebody has to have a contrarian view... Nah, stove wouldn't light means nothing without some background info.

[SunnyWalker]

Well, I guess I would have to say that I am really interested in white gas stoves for CDT and the cooler temps and higher elevations. I DO have my MSR whisperlite. I may as well check out its weight compared to other white gas stoves such as SVEA. But it DOES look like this "Classic" is retired!