MSR – XGK-EX Stove, video review

MSR builds some of the best expedition gear in the world. However, you don’t have to be planning a jaunt to the arctic to put together a reliable survival kit. Maybe you live in an area prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, or ice storms that leave you off the grid for a while. In any case, it’s always good to be prepared and the MSR “camp stove” as I’ll call it is an essential part of that preparedness. The XGK-EX is a multi-fuel unit, meaning it will burn diesel, kerosene, gasoline, and many other fuels. That’s why I bought it, to have the flexibility of using various fuel types. Here’s my video review showing a brand-new unit coming out the box, set up, and operating. (You’ll also see the Aplinist 2 cooking set from MSR, which gives you a neatly contained, lightweight cooking pot and eating dishes.)

I look forward to some minor hikes (day trips) putting this kit through its paces and enjoying the great outdoors with a full meal in my belly. Give some thought to having a survival kit in case of a natural disaster or other trouble. That way you’ll be the one living large when the lights go off.

Arikok National Park, improvements

Aruba’s Arikok National Park occupies approximately one third of the island’s land mass. Recently, the road through the park has been upgraded. Portions of it have been paved with asphalt. The entrance at San Fuego, shown below, features paving blocks.

airkok1The park hosts some interesting wildlife, including the burrowing owls shown in an earlier post. There are trails to hike as well. Just take plenty of water, a good hat, and your walking stick. The fellow at the booth mentioned that the roads would be completed in “about a month,” which would mean around the first of April 2009.

Enjoy nature responsibly and bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 15, 2009 at 10:36 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , ,