Well, the gas issue I hadn't considered and come to think of it...I may have to reevaluate.

On the caving side, I remember talking to old-time cavers that loved kerosene lights. Mammoth Cave gets a lot of folks on their lantern tours. Sure, it is romantic...but not practical. That's the same way I now see carbide and for the life of me at this point in time can't see a purpose for lightsticks in caves. Light can and be your life in a cave. I can carry stenlight, batteries, backup headlamp and batteries, and two more light sources...and batteries for far less weight and bulk then bottles, carbide, etc. And I'll get far more hours of light.

I do have friends that LOVE their carbide. I never did like the stuff. I also have friends who don't like LEDs over incandescent because they have lived for so long loving the yellow or orange glow that white light looks weird to them.

We're all different, and it's nice to see discussion from all viewpoints, so please don't take this as argument...it isn't meant that way.