[pct-l] Need advice: Using a canister stove

[mkwart at gci.net]

Hi, Gary:

I used a pocket rocket for 1500 miles on the PCT and on my thru hike of 
the Colorado Trail this year. I only needed to mail myself canisters 
once--that was to Snoqualmie Pass in Washington on the PCT. I tried to 
have a local mountain shop from my hometown of Ashland mail me some 
canisters--but they couldn't because they needed to have the employees 
go through some kind of haz mat handling training. But, my friend mailed 
me two canisters without incident following the guidelines in Yogi's 
book. The post office did try to give him resistance, but I told him 
that this would happen and told him to bring a copy of the postal 
regulations allowing the shipment of fuel canisters to show the PO 
employee. You can only ship the 4 oz canisters.

I really slowed my use of fuel by using a pot cozy made from the 
material used for car windshield reflectors. You could probably Google 
"pot cozy" to find out how to make one. I just put my pot of boiled food 
in the cozy for 15-20 minutes and didn't have to simmer it, using more 
fuel. I only use the stove at night and in the mornings when the weather 
is cold to make a hot drink. I keep the canister in the bottom of my 
sleeping bag over night if the temps are going to be in the 
30's--otherwise the canister can stop working.

Hikers leave partially used canisters in hiker boxes in towns along the 
PCT--I could have re-supplied on the PCT this way but I was paranoid 
about running out mid section. There are also a lot of outdoor stores 
along the PCT that carry canisters. Look at previous threads on this 
list serve--I believe there is a list of where you can buy them along 
the trail.

I only used one 8 oz. MSR canister for the 485 mile Colorado Trail.

--Fireweed