[pct-l] Class of 2010 - Fuel Canisters, Agua Dulce

[Edward Anderson]

Donna,

On my PCT ride from Mexico to Canada I mostly used the Snow Peak "Giga Power" canasters. I had started out using the Jetboil brand and then switched from Agua Dulce north. From A. Dulce I had gone to REI to buy more and was advised by the salesperson that the Snow Peak canisters were the same - just lower in cost. It does not really matter which brand Trish would stock - more important is which can be bought at the best price.

Before deciding on a stove for my journey I did a lot of research. For safety reasons I did not want to carry liquid fuels - and alcohol flames are virtually invisable. My research indicated that the Jetboil stove rated very high in fuel efficency (REI tests on how long it takes, and how much fuel it takes, for different stoves to bring an equal amount of water to a boil). For my five and one-half months on the trail I was very happy with my Jetboil because of it's reliability and easy lighting feature - you just turn on the gas and push a button. I found it to be trouble free.

My entire cook kit measures 7" in diameter and is slightly over 4" high. It weighs 1.2 pounds.  This includes the stove and Jetboil 1 litre insulated pot, my old 1 pint Cascade cup, the supplied Jetboil dish, and Jetboil fork and spoon, and my thick 4-ply aluminum foil wind shield. The wind shield is well worth bringing as it reduces cooking time and therefore saves fuel on those windy days. 

The fuel cannisters come in two sizes. The larger holds 7.76 oz. of fuel and weighs 13 oz. The smaller holds 3.88 oz of fuel and weighs 7 oz. Since I rode a horse, I mostly lived on the trail rather than hitching into towns as the hikers do. I would leave my horse in good care and drive my rig ahead and cache (buried and well camouflaged) my resupplies - my food and my horse's food, and my fuel canisters, at road crossings and near PCT trailheads. I would then hitch back to my horse. Sometimes I would be lucky and get a ride offered by an Angel. I cooked my meals, breakfasts and dinners. and found that the larger fuel canisters would last 6 to 7 days. I always also brought a smaller canister as a back-up but can remember only needing to use it once.
MendoRider/Ed Anderson 

 




 


--- On Fri, 4/9/10, dsaufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com> wrote:

> From: dsaufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Class of 2010 - Fuel Canisters, Agua Dulce
> To: pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net
> Date: Friday, April 9, 2010, 4:56 PM
> For many years, the fabulous Agua
> Dulce Hardware Store has been donating
> denatured alcohol (amongst other things) for PCT
> hikers.  We just love the
> folks at the hardware store, and they are so supportive of
> the hikers and
> the trail.  To add to their ongoing support, the
> owner, Trish Brewer,
> offered to stock hiker-type fuel canisters, saving many of
> you hiker-types
> the trip to REI or other venues.  I have the lists of
> things hikers buy, but
> it's short on specifics when it comes to the types of fuel
> canisters a
> retailer should carry.  So here's a few questions:
> 
>  
> 
> What brands of fuel canisters do hikers want?  (i.e,
> Snow Peak, MSR, etc.)
> 
> What size of fuel canisters are wanted?
> 
> How many of you would like to pick up a fuel canister while
> passing through
> Agua Dulce?
> 
>  
> 
> It would only take Trish a short time to stock up, so if
> you let me know
> ahead, together we'll make sure the fuel cans are
> available.  BTW, they've
> already got an awesome collection of cool looking walking
> staffs :o)  
> 
>  
> 
> L-Rod (the Animal Magnet)
> 
>  
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> 
> The first step.  The last step.  The most
> important step:  protect the PCT.
> www.pcta.org/help/donate_form.asp
> 
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>