[pct-l] stoves?

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Kevin,

If the typical hiker’s alcohol stove is inadvertently tipped over by Sir
Klutzalot 1-2 ounces of soon-to-be-wildly-burning fuel will be spread across
the ground and will be difficult to extinguish.  A canister stove will
likely continue to burn if tipped, but the fuel flow remains under control
resulting in a much smaller ground fire.  I don’t know of any instances
where a canister actually exploded, but if it remained within an
uncontrolled ground fire I suppose it could burst .

The risk of a hiker starting a wildland fire with his/her stove is real, and
it occurs with unacceptable regularity.  When faced with hiking S.
California during several brutally dry seasons my personal choice was to
eschew a stove entirely in favor of no-cook foods.  As a result I not only
eliminated the chance of my starting a wildland fire, I also significantly
reduced my gear weight and I avoided having to spend time setting up,
cooking, and – important to me – cleaning out a messy pot.


Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:03 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

> How would an alcohol stove be more dangerous than a canister stove?
> If either stove got kicks while it was lit, the potential to start a large
> fire is there. Is it because alcohol flames are invisible in the daylight?
> How would that increase the chance of a wildfire?
> Honestly, the pressurized fuel canisters make me more nervous than alcohol
> ever has. Those fuel canisters are essentially grenades that are just
> harder
> to ignite, but if it ever happened, I'm afraid of all that shrapnel flying
> around!
>
> I'm sure there are reasons alcohol is more dangerous, but I'm just ignorant
> about the ways they are worse.
>
> On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:37 AM, Jim Keener ( J J ) <
> pct2010 at ridgetrailhiker.com> wrote:
>
> > Greetings,
> >
> > PCT hikers have started several forest fires. Alcohol stoves are
> > potentially more dangerous than others. The trail traverses some very
> > fire-sensitive areas.
> >
> > I think it is very likely that there will be more limits placed on fire
> use
> > along the trail. Self-policing and a very heightened awareness are
> > appropriate.
> >
> > Walk well,
> > Jim Keener ( J J )
> >
> > On Dec 10, 2010, at 7:28 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I've been using an alcohol stove (Pepsi can style) for years now. I
> can't
> > > imagine every using anything else. Every canister stove I've ever seen
> > > weighed more and/or was less stable when cooking. Then there is the
> issue
> > of
> > > having to carry 2 canisters when on still has a couple days in it, but
> > not
> > > enough to get through the next section. With an alcohol stove, you will
> > > always leave town with the right amount of fuel. One can make an
> argument
> > > that they, canister stoves, are more convenient, but it's not a strong
> > > argument. My alcohol stove might take longer, but I'm not in a hurry on
> > the
> > > trail. ;)
> > >
> > > On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:04 AM, <mctanker at earthlink.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Been using an alcohol stove. Is this the best bet, or should I use a
> > >> cannister stove?  Cook water only for breakfast (1 cup) and dinner (2
> > cups).
> > >> Thanks,
> > >> Dennis (aka Sunshine)
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> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > ~ Kevin
> > > Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
> > > "The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward
> > Abbey
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>
>
> --
> ~ Kevin
> Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
> "The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward Abbey
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