Fuel for MSR stove

[DevonTaig]

I'm in Palm Springs for a conference this week, but on Friday I'm planning a hike south of the San Jacinto area. I'm having a tough time finding fuel for my MSR pocket rocket stove (which of course I didn't want to bring on the plane). Big 5 sporting goods doesn't carry it. I don't have a car unfortunately, but might hitch a ride if I have to to Palm Desert. Anybody know something close by?

[Hikin_Jim]

DevonTaig:

Be aware that you do NOT need MSR brand fuel to run a Pocket Rocket. Yeah, MSR says that you do, but that's a bunch of hooey. Jetboil, MSR, Snow Peak, Optimus, Primus, Brunton, Coleman, Glowmaster, etc. -- they're all interchangeable as long as you get the dome-shaped standard threaded canisters.

The Big Five near me carries Coleman brand canisters, and I imagine the one you called does too.

NOTE: Do not get Camping Gaz brand canisters. Camping Gaz canisters are not threaded and are not compatible with MSR stoves (except the MSR Superfly).

For the future, you can mail gas canisters ahead to your hotel. It's perfectly legal in the United States to mail a gas canister provided that it's less than 1 liter in volume, meets DOT requirements, and is a "consumer good". MSR canisters meet all of these requirements. You must mark the package "ORM-D, Surface Only" and "Consumer Commodity". Sometimes the local post office will give you static when you try to mail it. Tell them to refer to USPS Pub 52 (DMM), section 342 for further information. Here are the relevant links:
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_017.htm
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_017.htm#ep898824

HJ

[HikeUp]

Dang HJ, going postal on the post office...good stuff!

[skunkboy]

Sports Authority
Palm Desert
72519 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: (760) 773-3270

Give these guys a call. I do believe they have canisters. You can catch the Sunline there, they are next to Target.

[Hikin_Jim]

Sports Authority
Palm Desert
72519 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: (760) 773-3270

Give these guys a call. I do believe they have canisters. You can catch the Sunline there, they are next to Target.

Sports Authority normally carries (at least the one near me) MSR and Jetboil brand canisters either of which will work with a Pocket Rocket.

HJ