[pct-l] Weather considerations anytime/ a must read

[Mary Clements]

I don't know how "old is old" for Esbit tablets but I now use a whisp of
cotton saturated with vaseline(my emergency fire starters) to get the
tablets started - success every time.



on 8/22/10 11:21 AM, Ron Dye at chiefcowboy at verizon.net wrote:

> I too had dismal results with Esbit tablets - I even doused them in alcohol
> and they wouldn't light.  I think you are correct in your assessment that
> they may have been old.  I'm not condemning Esbit tablets but be sure they
> are fresh.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Peter Shaw
> Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 11:14 AM
> To: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes ; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Weather considerations anytime/ a must read
> 
> Regarding your comments on Esbit, I think your Esbit tablets must have aged
> and degraded for them to be that hard to light. I used Esbit every day last
> year on my thru hike and one lighter was more than enough for the complete
> trip. Some days I had three hot meals.  The only time I found the Esbit
> tablets were difficult to light was when I couldn't shelter them from strong
> wind. For those few occasions I carried a very small bottle of alcohol and a
> small squirt was always enough to light them instantly. The alcohol bottle
> (maybe 2 ozs when I started) was 3/4 full when I finished. I have four
> different stoves (Esbit, alcohol, white gas and isobutane) and the Esbit
> would be my first choice for any long hike.
> 
> Peanut Eater 
> Sent via BlackBerry from Peter
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:52:51
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Weather considerations anytime/ a must read
> 
> These are the statements that equate lightweight backpacking with 
> being ill-prepared, uncomfortable and cold, or mistake it for not 
> bringing any gear at all. There are older topics where it's been 
> asserted that you'll be colder with a lighter bag and less 
> comfortable without whatever other stuff.
> 
> On Aug 21, 2010, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> 
>> bring suitable
>> gear and clothing to get you through comfortably, warm, and dry. 
>> Yes, your
>> pack will be heavier, but you can rest assured (peace of mind) that 
>> you'll
>> be ready.
>> 
>> ...
> 
>> how much comfort or safety they were willing to sacrifice
>> to achieve that pack weight.
>> 
>> ...
>> Going without isn't what we would call "common sense."
> 
> 
> On my last trip I brought my 20 degree bag, foam pad, a down jacket, 
> a wind-breaker, rain chaps, umbrella, polypro tights, two shelters 
> (one for bugs, one for rain and privacy), a bear canister, enough 
> food for 6 days, a pot, cozy and spoon, a change of clothing for 
> after the hike, toiletries to clean up during and after the hike, 
> extra socks, two warm hats and one sun hat, two musical 
> instruments...the works. My pack fully loaded was 19lbs including the 
> food. I was not cold, hungry or uncomfortable and was not lacking in 
> proper equipment with the exception of matches. (I didn't remember 
> esbits being so difficult to light, won't use them again.)
> 
> Because my pack was light, I was able to cover a lot of ground each 
> day in comfort, I never rest-stepped up the passes, I just walked 
> normally like a day hike. It was wonderful. I also had enough energy 
> to walk over to VVR and buy some lighters and enjoy a burger and beer.
> 
> Used up one whole lighter to light two esbits. I'm sticking to alcohol.
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