[pct-l] Stove fuel

[Nathan Miller]

I've pretty much decided on an alcohol stove for
backpacking.  There's virtually nothing to break
or become clogged.  There's a saying:  "The more
you overwork the plumbing, the easier it is to
stop up the drain."  Alcohol stoves certainly
seem to be the very antithesis of this.  I do
have a question or two about them:

-I've read that alcohol doesn't burn well above
7000 ft.  How many of you have found this to be a
severe disadvantage as opposed to a mere
inconvenience or annoyance?

-I've read that denatured alcohol can be
difficult to find in some places.  I'm also aware
that mailing it might be a bit twitchy.  What
other fuels can one burn in an alcohol stove?  I
imagine anything liquid would work (at least in
theory, although I really wouldn't want to try
gasoline!).

-The PCT guide books mention in the introductions
to at least one section that fires are restricted
or prohibited.  Does this include stoves and
specifically alcohol stoves?

-How much does alcohol weigh (about the same as
water?)?  What kind of container does one use to
carry and/or mail it?

Nathan Miller
Newberg, OR



 
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