Isle Royale Forums

I'm arriving via float plane on May 30th which means I can't bring my fuel with me. Will have to purchase on-island. I just spoke to someone at the Windigo visitor center and he inidicated that the Windigo store would open on May 27th. However, everything I see online indicates a mid-June opening. I'm inclined to go with the information I got straight from the Windigo Visitor Center, of course. But I'm still a bit nervous turning up without fuel. Assuming the store is open, will I be able to pick up a small 8oz fuel cannister for my MSR Reactor Stove system? He mentioned that they can fill an empty at the store but I'm hoping to just purchase a new one as I don't have an empty at the moment (and I'm not sure you can fly with an empty anyway). If the store is not open yet, are there any other options? I'm assuming not but wanted to throw it out there for those that know the island. If push comes to shove, we can survive a week without the stove ... but a warm meal sounds a lot more appetizing than a tuna sandwich at the end of a long day of hiking.

Thanks in advance for any info!

I would call the concessionaire directly and they can tell you store dates, hours, and inventory. The number for the concessionaire on the Island is 906-337-4993.

Bob

Thanks again, Bob. I called the number you supplied and since it is still the off-season I was directed to their off-season headquarters in Kentucky. I called and left a message so hopefully I will hear something back. Otherwise I'll have to wing it and give a call the day they open which is just a few days before we depart. I'll post any further info I get here in case anyone else finds themselves with a similar question. Either way, I think we'll live. But I sure hope I can count on a stove for my morning coffee. I'm pretty cranky without my coffee.

I'm sure they're in the process of getting things up and going on the island, which is not necessarily simple and easy. They will get back to you, just that they're exceptionally busy getting ready to open up.

If you are going to fly, here are a few options:
1. Carry a new, never used, gasoline stove and buy fuel on the island. At the end of the trip give the stove to another camper who is returning by boat.
2. Take an isobutane stove and hope the store fuel.
3. Use a solid fuel stove, like a Zip Ztove, burn solids and have smoky pots.
4. Take a clean cheap hiker's alcohol stove and a half gallon of Everclear (to drink of course). You may have to trash the stove at the end of the trip if you can't get the odor out. (Last time I checked, they did not sell alcohol fuel on the island.)
5. Take only food that does not need cooking.
6. Stay only in campgrounds with barbecue grills.
Good luck

Option 7. Recruit Don to be your personal chef/sherpa .... I hear he accepts 12 year old Whiskey for payment.

Well, bad news for myself and others coming in by Seaplane prior to June 7th. I just spoke to someone at the Rock Harbor Lodge who indicated that the concessionaire at Windigo won't open until June 7th. He further indicated that there will be no way to obtain fuel at Windigo prior to that date. Guess I'm stuck with cold food and no coffee! Ugh! Anyway, just wanted to post an update for others that may find themselves in the same situation.

Not all is lost. I beleive the Regs' say that a "stick stove" is o.k to use where there aren't campfires allowed.

You can make one out of a coffee can. There's also a few places that sell them, but I don't know if you'll have time. Here's a good link showing all kinds of wood and solid fuel stoves as well as candle lantern stoves. I believe these would all be o.k. at the campsites. There's alot to choose from but you should still have time to make one so you can heat water. Granted, they might take a bit longer than an alchohol stove but it beats having no hot water. Good luck!

http://zenstoves.net/LinksGeneral-DIY.h ... ndLanterns

I know your time is short before you leave, but here's one from the page I linked that looks easy and cheap to build.
You can do this one in 30 minutes it says. Again I am 99% sure I saw somewhere in the regs that a "Stick Stove" is o.k. It's going to be chilly up there and hot water will make it more enjoyable. Here's the one that looks the easiest to build. Good luck.

http://www.imrisk.com/woodgas/coffeestove.htm

You might also think about flying into Rock Harbor to purchase fuel. Then, take a boat around to Windigo.

Bummer.
If you had slightly more time, you probably could have mailed yourself the fuel via the Voyageur, she comes in to Windigo from the mainland on Mondays.
You MIGHT get lucky in that one of the forum members is heading out that day, and could bring you fuel..

I searched the regs and didn't see anything about "stick stoves" I wouldn't consider it a campfire. But another option is this if you can't have a stick stove. It's a solid fuel stove using heat tabs.

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/stove5/

It looks very easy to make and you can use feul tabs. Again not as fast or efficient as a regular fuel stove but it might be a good option. If nothing else a warm cup of anything might be really nice in the morning or at night.

Best of luck.

Thanks for all the help! I will look into the stoves this afternoon.

There are some great options I'm considering, including reversing my route. I just spoke to someone at Rock Harbor Lodge and was informed that the Marina store carries the fuel I need and is open now. So if I reverse my route I can definitely get fuel.

I'm also going to call to see if they can shift some fuel over to the Windigo Ranger station for us to pick up when we get there on Monday. Sounds like it may be a possibility.

Phew! I won't have to go without coffee after all. Dodged a bullet there!

Thanks again, everyone! Happy Trails!

What type of fuel do you need? If Coleman fuel will work, I have more than enough here and we could send it over on Monday's boat for you, take what you need and send the rest back. If it is something else, I may be able to find it in Grand Marais and bring it over to Windigo. Let me know what will work via email at reservations@isleroyaleboats.com or call 218-475-0024 and leave a message.

I believe she needs Isobutane canister, like for a Jetboil or MSR stove.