Posts from — March 2008

Some, if not all of you, have at some time come across a can stove. Often called a beer can or soda can stove. The concept is simple. You take two aluminum cans cut the bottoms of off both, cut the center out of one of the bottoms and the side out of one of the cans and place them all together. First is the solid bottom can then the side piece next is the bottom piece that has the center cut out. Drill some vent holes add denatured alcohol and voila, you have a .3oz stove! Check out this video to better understand.

I actually was lazy and purchased one from ebay for a few bucks and have been very happy. As mentioned in previous posts I have used it on several occasions and love it. The only real issue that I have is that it must be protected in your pack so as not to get crushed. In this demo the guy uses a Fosters can but I have seen it done with all types of cans.

The stove I bought is found here.

Additionally I just saw a new titanium stove at REI that is much like the can stove but the price was a bit high and it weighed 3x as much as the can stove I use, however it is indestructible.

Don’t forget that a wind screen is key. Also understand once you fire the stove up there is no off so practice and know how much fuel you will need prior to ignition. And unless you are competing for the next Darwin Award DO NOT add alcohol to a hot stove!!!

After much debate and discussion we decided we would stay fairly close to home during this trip so we ended up in a meadow off of Horsethief trail just south of the Crags.

The hike started up a gradual incline through the forest on the fairly well traveled trail. After about .5 mile we changed direction from the easterly course we started on to a more northerly course that brought us into a valley along a creek dotted with few frozen beaver ponds. The views were magnificent as we had an unobstructed view of Sentinel in all of its rocky glory. After a short distance we found a great site just off of the main trial in an open area that was slightly blocked from the wind that was slowly creeping up on us. [Read more →]

Well my Winter Wilderness Survival class and I made it back with out a hitch. Yeah we survived! We all had a blast and spent some good quality time practicing shelter building and plain old “will” to survive. The days were beautiful and we were fortunate enough to have great visibility and most, if not all of us made it with nothing but smiles! I am pretty drained now and will post more tomorrow. Here is a picture of my class after a night in the cold.

They all did a great job and should be proud!

This is what I woke up to. I cant find my truck!!

Actually I can and did however the 5 inches on top of it were quite a surprise. So much for the “yippie” for spring. Ahhh Colorado weather.

There is something that reinvigorates the soul when you break out the camping gear lay it all out to plan what you need for an upcoming adventure. The smells from past trip campfires comes flooding back and a new since of purpose fills your soul.

Today I laid out all of my gear as I prepare to take my Winter Wilderness Survival class out for their field experience or as I call it concept reinforcement. I am whittling down the last details and figuring out the best balance for my load. It is odd that as I look at all of the gear guides and drool over the new stuff I realize that it seems like all of the gear is becoming too specialized. To the point where it seems necessary to “need” a different set up for each season. Packs are designed with specific uses and their pockets and lashings are designed to fit a niche and only that niche.

Gone are the days of army style do it all external frame rucksacks. I now realize that the external frame is what made the pack back then. The actual bag really had nothing to offer. It was a simple, well, er, bag and that is it. The key was that you lashed all of the extras to the outside. (Am I the only one that remembers the old camp tin cup banging rhythmically to the side of the frame?) I guess I am lost. Searching for the perfect pack. I have used my Gregory Palisade for quite a few years with no real complaints aside from the irritating bottom section that is this ridiculous shape and size (Gregory quickly realized the issue and created a stuff sack to nestle inside this area perfectly…for a price).

I am also trying out a new beer can stove (1oz denatured alcohol burns for 5 minutes @ 8500ft elevation long enough to boil 2 cups of water. More about that later. I just wanted to share the soothing feeling of getting the gear out and the calm that I enjoy just before a trip.

Today is the first time I have felt the warmth of the sun as only spring can promise. The weather has been beautiful with blue skies a high today of 57F (in Green Mountain Falls, CO) and a nice gentle breeze. Attached is the view from my porch. This makes me want to get my bike out and get ready to ride!! Welcome spring! Tonight, MtnMama, Juice Box, Levi and I are heading down to Jack Quinn’s for their weekly run. And then some great beers! Hope to see you down there.