Thanks, I'm checking out your blog now.

I think I'll just bring my pocket rocket and a MSR canister some day and see how it works. Worst come I can always saw down a few dead treed and make a fire.

If you keep the canister warm, I understand you should be OK. No personal experience. Although the PR is the stove I use the most now, I don't think I have ever used it in below freezing conditions.

True, but the Devil's in the details as they say. How to keep the canister warm in some pretty cold weather (below 15F/-9C per the original post). There are tricks, but it gets increasingly tough. Of course, on the other hand, tricks that would be tantamount to applying for a Darwin Award in warmer weather start to make sense in cold weather of the type we're describing.

The original poster's idea of just taking his PR out and trying it is a good one. He's got a few tips and tricks, so he may be able to get her to go.

HJ

Good idea. Experience trumps all.

I'd be very curious as to what you come up with. Know the risks, use your head, and try different tricks accompanied by the "ouch test", and you should be fine.

HJ

This brings to mind a great line from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - "It looks dangerous; you go first."

I never said that. Not exactly. lol

HJ

No, but I think I did...Something like "Neat idea! Should be OK. Go out and try it and get back to us with the results..."

I don't have my handbook of Chem and Physics here, so I can't put together the formula for boiling point depression, but I was able to verify Craig Connally's numbers in "The Mountaineering Handbook" that butane boils at -11C at 3000 m(10,000 feet) and at -19C at 7,000 m.

I have used my Pocket Rocket w/ MSR fuel down to 0C or so, but at 10,000 feet. The 123 worked OK down to -15C or so, but I had a pump. Below that I have always used my XGK.

Respectfully,

Jerry

[quote=jzmtlThe original plan was for something to store in backpack while ski in relatively remote locations, so unfortunately omnifuel is too big and heavy for the small pack I will have. [/quote]

If your pack is that small, can you carry all the equipment that should be carried to ski in remote locations? That requires enough equipment for a light overnight in my book! The weight penalty of a light fuel stove is not much.

Respectfully,

Jerry

Here is the chart that I spoke of earlier. It shows the vaporization point of n-butane and isobutane as elevation and temperature vary.



I think you can see why mountaineers were successfully using canister gas stoves on Mt. Everest even though it was quite cold.

HJ