[pct-l] Wood stoves

[Ken Powers]

I want to add one more thing to for all stove users to think about.  The 
climate in the west quite dry. The Forest Service and BLM regularly declare 
areas of high fire risk. In these high fire risk areas only stoves with a 
shut-ff valve are allowed to be used. Cooking over open campfires, stick 
stoves (like the Sierra Stove), and alcohol stoves (Pepsi can, cat can, etc) 
is not allowed.

This is supposed to be a dry winter and spring for the PCT. This follows 
disastrous fires along the PCT in the last several years. Please, use your 
stoves responsibly.

Ken

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <enyapjr at comcast.net>
To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 10:16 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Wood stoves


Okay, I can't stay out of this string regarding wood stoves without saying 
something regarding the rules/regs...
First - a reminder - please remember you need a CA Campfire Permit; the PCT 
Thru-Permit is NOT a campfire permit...
Secondly, it is your responsibility to know the rules, regulations, and 
current restrictions for wherever you are on the PCT...

The use of wood stoves is 'illegal' in certain areas no matter what time of 
year...
An example that should be obvious is at high altitude in the 
subalpine/alpine zones - the fragile 'soil' needs
all those 'twigs' for the replenishment of the already low quantity of 
nutrients in the soil...
Burning 'twigs' does NOT return 100% of the original nutrients to the 
soil...
The PCT does stay 'high' for very long stretches and the subalpine zone 
drops in elevation as one goes North...
I'm NOT saying don't use a wood stove, but rather use it only in appropriate 
areas (elevations)...
The government agencies DO consider "tiny sticks" as "firewood", and a stick 
stove as a 'campfire', also...

Yosemite has a limit of 9,600' for campfires: see 
<http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm>...

Please note the FAQ at the very bottom of the page:

> Can I use a Sierra stove above 9,600 feet?

> No, you may not use a Sierra stove (stick stove) above 9,600 feet
in elevation.  The small

> twigs used to fuel Sierra stoves are just as valuable a part of the 
> ecosystem as is the larger

> wood used in
traditional campfires. Regrowth at higher elevations is extremely slow
and the

> soil is low in nutrients. Removing this wood from the system
further slows growth.

Seki has different elevation restrictions in different regions of the parks 
and has added many specific areas below
those 'standard' elevations of each region banning "campfires" (which would 
include using wood stoves):
see <http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/kernfire.htm>;
also 
<http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/2008FoxtailBulletin.pdf>...

Inyo NF: see 
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/sitespecific.shtml>...

So what is "just twigs" to some folks is very similar to "just TP" to 
others...
Do what's 'right' in ALL of your actions even if it takes a little extra 
effort - if not for yourself and fellow hikers, then for the future 
generations...

Happy trails!!!
Jim / PITA


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