Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Questions about equipment and supplies to bring on a trip (including reviews).

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Brett
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Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Brett »

Hello all. I am wondering if the stores at Windigo and Rock Harbor sell fuel for JetBoil systems? Since you can't transport fuel on the sea plane, it will be crucial to know if I can purchase it on IR. If not, is it possible to mail the fuel and some other supplies to Windigo or Rock Harbor ahead of time? If so, how long will they hold it for?

Thank you
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Ingo
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Ingo »

Brett, they do sell fuel canisters at both R.H. and Windigo. Worked fine with my MSR micro rocket--don't know that there's anything special about the Jet Boil, but I'm not up on the idiosyncrasies of the stoves to guarantee--hopefully others will chime in. If you're going early (May) or late (Sept) in the season make sure the store will be open.

You can mail yourself a package, but you can not send fuel via USPS. Search Capt Don's posts--he posted instructions a while back.
22: BI-PC-BI-RH, 21: RH-ML-DF-MB-DF, 18: MC-PC-BI-DB-RH-DF, 17: WI-IM-SB-FL-WC, 16: RH-CI-TI-RH, 14: BI-ML-CI-CH-MB, 13: RH-PI, 12: MC-CB-HL-TH, 11: WC-HC-WC, 09: MC-BI-DN-RH, 05: MI-CI-MB-DF-RH-TM-RH, 02: MC-LR-WL-CH, 01: BI-DB-RH, 79: worked RH
Brett
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Brett »

Hello and thank you! I double checked Jetboil's website and the following fuel is compatible with the system - "Jetboil is compatible with valves made to the EN417 specification, a standard adopted by manufacturers throughout the world. Please note that the product has not been tested with every different type of fuel canister, and we cannot claim safe operation with any canister other than our Jetpower brand of fuel. However, if you are unable to find our fuel out on the trail, the following fuel has the same mixture and valve as ours: Brunton, Gigapower, MSR, Primus and Snowpeak."

Do you or does anyone know if Windigo sells fuel with EN417 specification or fuel by Brunton, Gigapower, MSR, Primus and Snowpeak?

Thanks again
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Montana
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Montana »

There is a Youtube video that shows the entire inventory of the Windigo store. It it from a couple of years ago, so the inventory could be different today. The video does a good job of illustrating what types of supplies the store carries (including fuel). Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfD5A6mJgUU
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by hooky »

Inventory changes depending on the time of year. I arrived at Windigo on the Sunday before Labor Day. I'd left a few items in a small bag back at the car in GP and they were out of them. They told me they had begun to thin out inventory prior to wrapping it up for the year. They were also out of ice cream!
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Spinnister »

I haven't had any issues getting fuel for my Jetboil at either store. That's been in August each time, so early or late in the season that could be different. I think Primus is what they had last summer (in multiple sizes), but I think I've seen others in the past - but since I've had the stove, they've always carried fuel with the EN417 connection. I wouldn't worry unless it's at an extreme end of the season, when they might sell out, as that type of stove is pretty popular and I'd be really surprised if they didn't stock it as a normal item. if they do sell out, there is also the possibility of finding some leftover fuel. We take the plane too, and have to donate whatever we have left - one time it was an unused small can. I'm sure we're not the only ones.
Brett
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Brett »

Perfect, thanks for the help all! I did view that video, which was helpful as I saw the Primus fuel on their shelf. Granted the video was from three years ago, I agree that JetBoil is a popular fuel and I would be surprised to discover that they did not carry fuel that was compatible. I would call the store, but I don't think they open until the season starts. Ultimately, I just didn't want to run into any issues as the JetBoil would be my only source to heat water for food and I would not have a backup plan if fuel was not at the store.
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by zims »

Was just there. The store does have an equivalent fuel for a jetboil and they also have minimal backpacking supplies if you happen to forget something they do have a new wind repel water repel really nice Isle Royale jacket that is about $45 t-shirts run about 30 they're just getting in their last stocks off the boats to fill their shelves. My best advice is to bring extra cash for a shower extra cash for a snack after your hike or before your hike and to really go through your supplies before you leave and make sure you have everything
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by Base654 »

I have played with all the fuels I could find with all of my stoves (I may have a stove fetish) and found no appreciable difference in any of the manufactures. The only difference is summer gas vs winter gas where the propane/butane mix changes to provide better cold weather properties.

the EN417 refers to a threaded nipple. the other kind is camping gaz which does not have threads and is hard to find in the US.
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Re: Store Supplies at Rock Harbor or Windigo

Post by DonNewcomb »

You might also want to ask the ranger. People departing, particularly by plane, often leave their partially-used fuel canisters with the ranger for reuse.
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