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[pct-l] Fuel Amounts for Pepsi can stove



Good response, the best part is there is NO best stove. You consider it
all and pick what you want to HYOH.

In the original post I didn't indicate a resupply is 12 days, I just
picked 12 days because it's a longer period where the MSR Windpro with
propane cannister set up will DEFINITELY beat the alcohol stove in
weight. The principle point here is for those who haven't thought out
fuel weight carefully should be aware that the alcohol stove isn't the
"cure all" when you take into account FUEL WEIGHT.  The turning point is
about 6 to 8 days which is the PCT resupply time. So in my book it's a
toss up. 
HYOH, but for me when it's a toss up, I'll go even a few more ounces
for:

Simmer capability, can cook cakes, bisquits, and foods to make the hike
enjoyable, not mac n cheese only

Fuel in sealed canisters, safe AND no accidental spills. (ever watched
your little bottle of alcohol tip over?)

Don't have to reload stove if your 1 oz cook time doesn't cut it. This
is a big safety hazard area.

You don't need to worry about extra compressed canisters between
resupply points because THE SPILLPROOF amounts IN the canister will
easily go 6 days. With alcohol you are gambling on 1 oz versus 2 oz per
day, so you WILL tend to carry more fuel than you need.

Bigfoot

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Hiker
Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2004 9:37 AM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Fuel Amounts for Pepsi can stove

At 09:10 PM 4/16/04, ROYROBIN@aol.com wrote:
>The whole difference is BTU content of fuel per pound. That is the
>marvel of science. Alcohol gets beat 2:1, so the advantage of the light
>weight of the pepsi can gets lost in the picture.

The original numbers posted were based on a 12 day trip between
resupply, 
and this is way too long. The longest stretches of the PCT without
resupply 
are around 150 miles, and that is only 6-7 days at thru-hiker daily
distances.

The advantages of a light stove do NOT get lost on shorter stretches,
with 
lighter fuel loads, and the advantage of only taking the fuel one needs 
instead of having to carry compressed gas cannisters cannot be
overlooked.

Esbit may be better from the aspect of absolute weight, since one does
not 
need a stove at all, but the cost becomes an issue.

The moral is there is no "best" stove for all situations, but I think
for 
typical thru-hiker use alcohol and hexamine (esbit) are probably the
best, 
and pick your choice based on cost.

For longer trips outside the USA, I prefer kerosene, since it has even
more 
energy per ounce than white gas, and is more readily available. Once
again, 
the "best" stove depends on the situation.

YMMV and HYOH.


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