Homemade Pressurized Alcohol Stove For Ultralight Backpacking
In the last few days I have been researching how to build a homemade alcohol stove out of pop cans for backpacking. I found directions for several different designs at zenstoves.net and decided to try making the pressurized type. Here are some specs and the pictures documenting the process.
Specs:
2 cups time to boil: ~5 minutes
time to prime: ~10 seconds
weight: < 1 ounce
capacity: 1.5 ounces
full capacity burn time: ~8 minutes
fuel used: denatured alcohol
The two cans that will eventually become my alcohol stove.
Tool used to quickly cut the root beer cans for my alcohol stove.
The three primary pieces to my alcohol stove. The top and bottom parts with the inner wall that helps hold it together.
A completed pressurized stove that burns denatured alcohol and weighs approximately ONE OUNCE! It has an inner wall, is approximately 35 mm tall and holds a little under two ounces of alcohol. I used jb weld to attach the bolt and nut, the fiberglass wick and the top and bottom pieces of the can. I finished it off with some paint that can handle temps up to 1200.
The stove in action boiling two cups of water in a titanium pot:
Shiras Bull Moose Photos
Here is a Shiras Bull Moose photo I took near Copper Basin on the Challis National Forest in Idaho. Shiras Bull Moose Photos
SCA Idaho Workskills 2009
I just finished up teaching SCA workskills along with three other instructors for the last week. I taught the tread and drainage station each day. We built waterbars(rock and timber), constructed reverse grade dips, cleared slough and reshaped backslopes. It was fun although as an instructor I would have liked a project that built on the previous days work rather than starting fresh each day. Here are some of the pictures of the SCA members hard at work. You can see more in my SCA Trail Workskills photo album.
Wakulla River
See more pictures from the Wakulla River!
Using the MSR Whisperlite Backpacking Stove
Pressurizing the Fuel Bottle
White gas is stored as a liquid and put under pressure in the fuel bottle. The pressure, created by the fuel pump, forces the liquid white gas through the metal tube into the stove. Pumping the fuel bottle until resistence is felt will result in adequate pressure. The number of pumps will depend upon the amount of fuel in the bottle.
Heat Feedback
If you look closely at the path of the white gas, you will notice a loop that takes the liquid fuel above the flame
when the stove is operating. This is an essential stage called heat feedback. Heet feedback means that when the stove is burning, the flame heats the white gas up to the point that it turns from liquid to gas, much like water changes to steam at water's boiling point. Here is a diagram of that change from liquid to gas.
This process occurs when the stove is already started and burning. But how do I get to that point, where the gas is hot enough that it changes from liquid to gas?
Priming the MSR Whisperlite Stove
This is where the primer cup comes into play. If the white gas is still in liquid form when it makes it through the fuel line, it will collect in the primer cup. The liquid white gas in the primer cup then should be lighted with the fuel valve on the bottle closed. Lighting this heats up the very end of the fuel line and some of the remaing fuel in the line, creating enough heat to change the liquid to gas. This heated gas rises up through the stove and starts making a slight hissing sound. You may have to experiment with how much fuel is allowed into the primer cup to do this.
Lighting the MSR Whisperlite Stove
The next step, lighting the stove, is often made much more difficult than is necessary. The easiest method is to simply wait for all the fuel in the primer cup to burn up, turn the fuel valve back on, and light the stove at the top, much like lighting any gas grill. The stove may burn with an intense blue flame right away, but sometimes the heat feedback, mentioned earlier, needs a little longer to be completely effective. The more difficult method is to turn on the fuel while there is still liquid white gas in the primer cup, but enough heat to for the hissing sound to be started. It is a matter of timing.
Advanced MSR Whisperlite Techniques
Simmering can be achieved by reducing the pressure in the fuel bottle after the stove has been started and heated up. Turn the fuel off, let the flames burn out, and twist off the fuel pump until pressure is relieved. Afterwards, simply pump the bottle fewer times than you normally would and light the stove again.
MSR Whisperlite Maintenance
The most effective and common maintenance for the MSR Whisperlite is to simply shake. At the very end of the fuel line is the shaker jet, a tiny needle that is free to move up and down. By shaking the stove, carbon buildup is removed. The shaker jet should make a slight rattling sound.
The second most effective and common maintenance for the MSR Whisperlite is cleaning the fuel line. Cleaning the fuel line consists of pulling out and pushing in the cable that is within the fuel line. This removes the carbon buildup that limits the flow of fuel. You can use different tools for this, but the one that comes with the stove
works well. If this is done regularly, it is a simple task and the cable will freely move. If not, it may take considerable effort to get it all the way back in, repeating the in and out until all carbon has been removed. Be careful not to damage the cable.
Safety Considerations
1. Watch for leaks from the fuel pump and check o-rings.
2. Do not step, lean, or reach over the stove.
3. If there is too much fuel in the primer cup, leave the stove and let some evaporate prior to lighting.
4. Always handle boiling water carfully.
5. Do not use water to put out white gas fires, smother the fire with whatever is available; dirt, aluminum wind screen, pot/pan, etc..
6. Keep food and fuel separate. Some fuel will remain in the fuel line after the stove is out and needs to be drained appropriately.
What Next?
If you have mastered the workings of the MSR Whisperlite stove, I suggest you try making a pop can alcohol stove that weighs about one ounce!
SCA Work Locations on Salmon Challis National Forest
Photography Is Taking Over My Life
It seems as though I am spending more time and money with photography these days. I am waking up to shoot at dawn or pull the camera out in the moonlight on long work days. When I am not working, I'm heading to St. Marks Wildlife Refuge or Wakulla Springs. I still have a bunch to learn, but I am having a great time with it and getting better. Much better glass has helped too!
My Gear:
I am currently using a Canon XSI with a 24-70 f2.8 for almost all of my pictures. I shoot this on the Gitzo 2440 Carbon Fiber Tripod with a RRS BH40 ballhead and L plate. I cannot stand using my older cheaper lenses anymore and will soon be getting a 70-200 f2.8 to compliment my setup. After that I will probably get some much needed accessories such as an external flash, polarizing filter, telephoto extender and neutral density filter before upgrading my camera body or purchasing a longer lens.
What I am currently trying to improve upon:
1. Setting depth of field
2. Increasing sharpness
3. Processing RAW images
New Photos
Canon 5D Mark II Video Skipping
I recently upgraded to the Canon 5D Mark II DSLR and couldn't be happier that I did. But one of the first things I noticed with the camera was that the video skipped when I played it on my computer no matter what player I tried. I couldn't figure out what the problem was...
After a little research, I found the answer and it is the best possible answer you could get... the video is too big and too high of a resolution for my computer to actually play.
Great, so what's next???
Convert the 1080 HD video down to a quality that you can play. I use MPEG Streamclip, it's free and simple. I just convert it down to a 780p HD video and it's good to go! No more skipping!
SCA Project Leader - Hitch Log
Started at 8 loading up food, gear, and tools. Made a couple maps of Waterfall Trail with ArcGIS. In the truck on the way to the trailhead by 11. Pack feels good about 45 lbs. Only enough food until Friday and legs are feeling fresh. Hiked 7 miles into Welcome Lake. Mosquitoes were terrible and I put on my rain gear for the evening.
Day 2 - Moving
Started the day early, mosquitoes never quit though. Hiking up and over the pass at 9000 ft. It was beautiful from the top with a great view. Some awesome lakes that would be nice to camp near, but were too far from the work. Continued hiking down Waterfall Trail. Went from green at the lakes to no living trees in under a mile. Was tough to find a camp since we were expecting significant thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts. Finally decided to stop at a spot with some large rock outcroppings and a few less tress near 6800 ft. Cut down about 10 trees that were leaning over the campsite. Definitely not a site that anyone but a trail worker would pick right now. It did have a great waterfall nearby though.
Day 3 - Work Begins
The group split up for the day. Three went up to clear some trees, fix a blowout and clean waterbars. The rest worked on a turnpike in a muddy section to raise the trail out of the water. Major storm blew in around noon and got pelted by half inch hail for 30 minutes and then just got rained on. Climbed into a scree field to get out of the trees while the wind picked up.
Day 4 - Resupply
Finished up on the turnpike and the trail above camp. Lots of work left but we had several miles below camp to make passable. Bill showed up with the mules and some food and tools we had left him at the trailhead. I ate much better from this point on. In the afternoon everyone worked down from camp clearing some dead lodgepole and doug fir that were on the trail. Trees were scary here with little wood supporting them since the stumps usually burn out. Left a couple little trees that I didn't want to stand anywhere near. Rained all night long.
Day 5 - Middle Fork
Matt and I hiked all the way down to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. I'm not sure what the actual mileage was for the day, but based on the sign at the river it was 18 miles... My guess would be about 12 with roughly 4000 ft of elevation change from camp to the river. Talked to some rafters that had stopped for a lunch break. They offered us beer. Cleared 10 trees on the way back up. Started raining 30 minutes from camp. The rest of the group hiked up the south fork of Waterfall Creek to clear to an outfitter camp. They cut 55 trees today.
Day 6 - Ponderosa Pine
Matt and I went back down towards the Middle Fork(not all the way) to clear some big Ponderosa Pines that had fallen over the trail. Some were burnt and dead, others just fell over. The first ponderosa took all morning and a little of the afternoon. Mid 20 inch diameter but was suspended off the ground and had too much bind to cut from the top and get a wedge in. It took an hour for each of the three cuts. I was exhausted and felt like I had been lifting weights all morning. Finished the day with a few miles more of hiking and a couple more small trees.
Dat 7 - Ponderosa Pine Cont.
Cut a few big ponderosa pines. Went smoothly and the chunks fell right out. Bigger trees than yesterday, but less bind and better positioning. One tree was probably 300 years old and had just tipped over. Cleared a few more trees and Waterfall trail was clear from the crags to the middle fork.
Day 8 - Hike Out
Bill showed up at camp in the morning and we loaded up the mules. Our goal was Welcome Lake, a seven mile hike with a little over 2000 ft elevation to climb. Legs not so fresh and the weather was hot, dry, and sunny. Sat up on the pass at 9000 ft for almost an hour enjoying the view. The storms created a little more work on the way down to Welcome Lake as we cleaned up some rock slides.
Day 9 - Hike Out
Started the morning early to avoid the heat. Our goal was Bighorn Crags Trailhead, seven miles away. Packs were a little heavier today as Bill dropped some gear and food off last night. The right knee started hurting right away in the morning... probably from kicking rocks and some strenuous hiking. Most like a strain or mild sprain of the mcl. Still made it out to the trailhead in three hours.
Summary: A lot of hiking for not so much work. Got the trail cleared for the hunting season though. Will be good to let the legs rest for a few more days. Next hitch we might be flown in!
Photography Website
A couple days ago I setup a website to better share my photos and possibly even sell a few using Smugmug. My site which will host most of my photos from now on is located at http://photography.justinwp.com. I'm going to focus on putting my best landscape and wildlife photos up, but will probably have some others too.
Wildlife Photos | Landscape Photos | Popular Photos
Combined Elevation Profiles: CDT, PCT, AT
Here is a great page comparing the elevation profiles of the three major long trails. It is an interesting perspective on the difficulties of each trail.
Check out the rest of Chris Johnson's maps at: http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/
War on Wildlife, Wildlife Services
Authors of the 108-page report being presented to USDA, members of Congress and the White House on Tuesday described it as the first comprehensive, national, independent assessment of the agency in 40 years.
In sum, each year, Wildlife Services kills tens of thousands of wild animals and pets,endangers public safety and the safety of its own employees, and spends millions of tax dollars (local, state, and federal) to do so. The 1994/1997 PEIS upon which Wildlife Services relies is anachronistic. Despite the $100 million annual investment in killing over one million animals each year, the GAO, and independent researchers and an economist have shown that the program is ineffective, and the costs outweigh any perceived benefits. Wildlife Services kills wild predators by the thousands using controversial and dangerous methods in futile attempts to bolster the nation’s declining sheep industry.
Link to 108 page pdf
Why Are My Photos Blurry?
1. The object in the photo was moving.
Example: If a sprinter can run 100 meters in under 10 seconds and you are using a 1/4 second shutter speed, he or she will have traveled over 2 meters in that time. But at 1/1000 of a second, that sprinter traveled only 1 cm.
Solution: When taking photos of fast moving objects, I set my camera to a specific shutter speed, usually 1/200 or faster, and let it adjust the aperature and iso automatically given the lighting conditions. Another solution is to simply move the camera with the object before and after taking the photo. This will create a sense of motion in your photo as the object will appear in focus while the background will be blurry.
2. The camera is moving or shaking.
Solution: Use a tripod if possible. Better yet, use a tripod with a wired remote. Best, use a tripod with a wired remote and mirror lockup enabled if using a SLR. Not all camera's have this feature but it prevents the mechanical movements within the camera from causing vibration. If you do not have remote for your camera, you can always use the 2 or 10 second delay for the same effect. As in problem number one above, your shutter speed will also affect whether you need a tripod or not. A shutter speed anywhere close to one second long will be blurry unless you have a tripod. Check out this link on how to avoid camera shake.
3. Part of the picture is in focus, but everything else is extremely blurry.
Solution: Adjust the aperature accordingly. A wide open aperature (smaller number) is going to create bokeh which may sometimes be desired. However at extremes, there will be such a shallow depth of field that for example one pedal of flower may be in focus, but the other one is not. Setting a specific aperature and allowing the camera to adjust shutter speed and iso will allow you to take control and style your photo as you desire.
4. The camera is not focused on the correct object.
Solution: There are several possible solutions to this problem but they may not be successful in all scenarios. First you can try the focus lock method by pointing the camera directly on the desired object and then recomposing the picture while holding the trigger button half way. This makes it easier for the camera to find the object. Second, you can change the autofocus mode to have the camera adjust its algorithms for tracking objects in motion. Another possibility is to try and use the manual focus. If your camera has a liveview setting and you are using a tripod, you can zoom in digitally and adjust the focus manually far more accurately than you could with the viewfinder. A smaller aperature (bigger number) will create a larger depth of field and allow more of the frame to be in focus and sharp.
These are the root problems that may make your photos blurry or out of focus. Often you can make adjustments to correct for these problems and if you know to expect them, you will take great photos. Higher end equipment is undoubtedly better at creating sharper images, but there are numerous techniques to try before spending more money.
Bushs Legacy on the Environment and the BLM
The Bureau of Land Management is currently starting a firesale of oil and gas leases without consideration of environmental and social impacts, specifically near national parks in Nevada and Utah.
The view of Delicate Arch natural bridge, an unspoiled landmark so iconic it's on Utah's license plates, could one day include a drilling platform under a proposal that environmentalists call a Bush administration "fire sale" for the oil and gas industry...
An examination of the parcels, superimposing low-resolution government graphics onto Google Earth maps, shows that in one case drilling parcels bordering Arches National Park are just 1.3 miles from Delicate Arch.
"If you're standing at Delicate Arch, like thousands of people do every year, and you're looking through the arch, you could see drill pads on the hillside behind it. That's how ridiculous this proposed lease sale is," said Franklin Seal, a spokesman for the environmental group Wildland CPR.
Fortunately the NPS was able to convince the BLM to back off some of the parcels on the park borders, however many other areas are still at threat.
Other leases certain to draw objections from conservation groups include parcels on high cliffs along whitewater sections of Desolation Canyon, an area little changed since explorer John Wesley Powell in 1896 remarked on "a region of wildest desolation" while boating down the Green River to the Grand Canyon.
Still others extend to plateaus populated by big game atop Nine Mile Canyon, home to thousands of ancient rock art panels.
"This lease sale continues to be a disaster in the making," said Stephen Bloch, a staff attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "The Park Service has concerns about a number of other parcels close to the national parks, and it seems evidence they were rolled, and couldn't maintain their opposition."
One of the biggest misconception about BLM lands is that they are desolate lands that have no value, but those same characteristics make it one of the best places to learn about our archeological and geological history. There are some truly amazing places on blem lands.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4896160
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_bi_ge/national_parks_drilling
Training Season is Over
Training for the 2009 season is just about done. Next week I will be taking a group of five out on lower Yellowjacket Trail in the Frank Church Wilderness. We will probably be clearing downed trees and rock/mud slides since the area burnt recently. It will be a nice opportunity to get away from the office for more than a couple days. I will be sure to post some pictures of some huge ponderosa pines we will inevitably clear with crosscuts!
Inov8 Roclite 295 Trail Shoes - Gear Review
I quickly put them on and took off for a short run/hike and am happy to report the flexible, but supportive feel that I prefer in my hiking shoes. The shoes allow me to feel the trail unlike hiking boots. The sole of the Inov8 Roclite 295 is very aggressive and will do great in muddy and slippery conditions; although, I haven't tested them out on wet rock so far. One negative is that they are not non-marking soles.
The shoes have a very breathable mesh upper that should strike a good balance between breathability and keeping rocks and or dirt out. These shoes are not goretex or waterproof.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with these shoes. The Inov8 Roclite 295s will be put to the test as I try to find an ultralight hiking shoe for my thruhike of the continental divide trail in 2009.
Exped Downmat 7 Pump Gear Review
Initial Impressions
The Exped Downmat 7 is heavier and less compact than my Thermarest Prolite 3 as is to be expected. However, given the obvious comfort and warmth improvement it is lighter and more compact than I was expecting. After inflating the pad (more on this later), the warmth and comfort improvement were as expected. I sleep on my side and never had any problem with my hip or shoulder hitting the ground. In a matter of minutes I could feel the wonderful insulation that the down provides keeping me warm. Overall my expectations for warmth and comfort were met and the tradeoff between that and weight/size is well in favor of the Exped Downmat.
Now on to the pump. Unlike other inflatable pads, you can not simply blow this pad up in a few breaths because there is much more air needed and the down can not hold up the moisture. With this pad there is a built in pump that works simply enough. It took me a couple minutes to inflate the pad, but it was not difficult to do and the valves seem to work well. This is certainly something to be aware of when thinking about this pad, but I think a couple minutes are worth it.
Durability wise it seems to be similar to any other inflatable pad.
I would recommend this pad to anyone else that camps and sleeps on the ground as often as I do and needs the increased warmth and comfort without the corresponding increase in weight and size found in other luxury sleeping pads.
Other Reviews
Exped Downmat 7 Short - blog review
Exped Downmat 9 (2006) - backpackgeartest review
Granite Gear Latitude Vapor Backpack - Gear Review
Specs:
Weight: 2lbs 10oz
Capacity: 3800 cubic inches
Load Capacity: 30lbs
Retail: around $190
The backpack has decent support given its weight and I have carried much more than the maximum 30 lb capacity that is specified by Granite Gear... more on this in a bit. One feature I greatly enjoy is the full length double zipper that allows me to access the entire contents of my backpack compared to the standard backpack that is top loaded.
I have had some problems with this pack in terms of durability. I have busted the hip belt buckle and have noticed some serious tears that would render the pack useless without some repair. Some of the durability issues are my own fault as I have had more than the specified weight capacity in the pack; however, in my opinion it is still unacceptable. The most serious tear is where the padding on the back connects to ripstop nylon near the top of one of the shoulder straps. You can see it in this picture...
That is a very important spot and will be a pain to repair. Since this is my first lightweight backpack, I think I have learned some valuable lessons about not abusing my gear and selecting gear that will meet the demands I have of it. Thus is my reason for purchasing an Arc'Teryx Bora 80!
Here is a picture of me with this pack in the Gila National Forest on spring break. Gila Wilderness Backpacking Trip Report, Trip Info and Gila NF Slideshow. Overall, would I buy this pack again. Probably, but I would seamseal those corners with silicone.
Forest Service Trails Budget 2009
2007
Miles Maintained: 25,696
Miles Improved: 1,594
2008
Miles Maintained: 20,790
Miles Improved: 956
2009
Miles Maintained: 11,650
Miles Improved: 500
This is an enormous cut to a relatively low cost program that provides over 50 million visitor days per year. These budgets simply mean that organizations such as the SCA will play a larger role in the future trail needs of public lands.
Forest Service 2009 Budget Justificaion - pdf Trails is on page 284