[pct-l] Ode to white gas stoves

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

San Felipes, May 23rd, 2004.
It's 8am.
I just finished caramelizing a bit of green onion in garlic oil. A
potato was thin-chipped into the pot and are steaming away.
I've got a couple of fresh eggs, a few strips of pre-cooked bacon, some
sharp cheddar and a few flour tortillas ready to warm up.

I'm sitting in my tent. It's a bright blue and sunny day. Not cold, but
I'm relaxing, taking in the view over the valley towards the Ranch at
3rd Gate.
Bill and Bryan have already finished their oatmeal-pack breakfast and
are breaking camp and packing up.

The potatoes have now browned nicely. I've set them aside to scramble up
the eggs, which are now whipped up and fluffy. I've tossed in the bacon
a minute ago and the aroma is intoxicating...it attracts Bryan....

After throwing in the potatoes and onions, mixing it all together over
the heat, the pot is pulled from the heat and tortillas are now
flip-cooked over the wide flame of the stove. After a tortilla is
warmed, I fill it with the breakfast mix, add a little salsa from a
packet I packed in...roll it up...and take a big bite.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

Bryan is mesmerized. The scene of luxury in front of him, amid the
desolation of the San Felipes is difficult for his mind to fully grasp.

I offer him a burrito (I have enough for three large ones...). He feigns
politeness...for approx. 2 seconds, then gives in!

He's still gobbling it up as he and Bill saddle up to head on towards
Barrel Springs.

I've got another burrito left to enjoy.



Bill and Bryan had left 3rd gate an hour ago. I've finished my hearty
breakfast, cleaned the mess kit and broke my own camp. The trail is more
hospitable on the east side of the hills. Patches of flowers here and
there. The trail contours, neither climbing or descending. The day is
warm, but not hot. I stop to enjoy the views, keep a relaxed pace.

By the time I reach Barrel, Bill and Bryan were wondering what took me
so long. Wondering to the point of concern.

I just smile and remember my burritos.

Try THAT with a pepsi can!



M i c h a e l   S a e n z
McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e    P l a n n i n g    I n t e r i o r s
w  w  w  .  m  v  e  -  a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s  .  c  o  m


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Chris
Willett
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 1:19 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net; mellowmarky@cox.net
Subject: [BULK] - RE: [pct-l] gas stoves

While alcohol stoves seem to be the most popular on the AT, I saw a fair
number of canister stoves being used, along with a few white gas stoves.
They are decidedly in the minority, though.  There are a few solid fuel
(eg, Esbit) users out there as well.  I have never seen one thruhiker
ridicule another, at least to their face, about choice of gear.  Still,
the white gas user will definitely draw attention, as will, say, those
hiking in mountaineering boots through the desert.

Suge

---------------------------
Christopher Willett
cwillett@pierce.ctc.edu
www.pierce.ctc.edu/faculty/cwillett
Pierce College
9401 Farwest Drive SW.
Lakewood, WA. 98498-1999

> ----------
> From: 	pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net on behalf of
mellowmarky@cox.net
> Sent: 	Tuesday, February 22, 2005 12:57 PM
> To: 	pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: 	[pct-l] gas stoves
> 
> In the past I have always used gas stoves and never even thought about
using an alcahol stove until joining this list and seeing how popular
they are. Now I am seriously considering using an alcahol stove. It
sounds as if nobody uses a gas stove on the PCT. Is this true? Has any
thru-hiker here used or plan to use a gas stove on the PCT? Has anybody
seen a thru-hiker use a gas stove without ridiculing them?
> 
> Just wondering.
> 
> 
> Mark
> 
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