This is my big mug for boiling water if necessary -- it fits over the end of a nalgene bottle.

No pic. Interested in seeing it, been looking for something that fits over Nalgene bottles.

The Snow Peak solo cook set fits over a nalgene bottle. It's pretty slick, as it gives you all that functionality with so little room taken up. The titanium model is super light, also. Here's another from Vargo that I haven't tried, but similar concept.
Jason

I have that cookset. The Larger pot (mug) holds about 25 ounces,IIRC, making it a reasonable boiling pot.

Interesting this should come up. I just got two. Found one at Sportsman's Warehouse and got a slightly different one from Campmor. About $5 each.

Kinda like the old GI canteen cup. Fits over your water bottle so it's out of the way but there when you need it.
And one might need it if spending an unexpected night out with just daypack gear. Can't heat water in your Nalgene bottle and warm water sure would go nice with your survival fire wouldn't it? (and you can melt snow, and you can make soup or tea or ramen or.....)

unimogbert

[img][image]http://aycu01.webshots.com/image/9760/2002134558767443048_th.jpg[/img][/image]

Advice: Don't try to melt snow in your cup unless your using a gas camping stove in alpine conditions. It's very expensive on fuel and you can, under some circumstances, melt the cup. Snow is a very good insulator, being something like 50% air when it's on the ground. If you have lit a fire, put the snow in a barrier net (mozzie head net to most people) and hang it up next to the fire. Close enough to melt the snow, not so close as to melt/burn the net itself. Put the cup underneath it to collect the snowmelt.

Important point to remember: DEHYDRATION leads to HYPOTHERMIA.
That is because your body needs water in order to maintain it's processes. Including those that generate body heat. You lose water as fast in freezing conditions as you do in hot weather.

When melting snow always start with some "starter" water in the bottom of the boiling vessel. Add snow slowly so as not to burn the snow and it is alot quicker. even a quarter inch in the bottom will do the trick.

Cameron

What's "burning snow"? Sounds like the tired joke about the wife who is such a bad cook that she'd mess up boiling water! (Husbands can be equally inept, of course. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Regarding "burning snow":

Yeah, "burning snow" sounds like a joke, but it's not. Cameron's advice is right on the money.

What really happens is that the snow wicks up any liquid water created by melting, leaving a small airspace on the bottom. It's the pot that scorches by overheating, and when you finally get water it tastes like something out of the exhaust pipe of a Chevvy. Easy to do with blowtorch-hot backpacking stoves.

I've also noticed it's best to dig down for denser snow/ice. Pouring fresh powder snow into a pot is like pouring sand down a rathole.

Regarding "big mugs":
I strongly agree -- this is critical gear, even for short day hikes and vehicle kits. I've used stainless steel and enamel ones. Stainless lasts a lot longer, and they're making it thinner and lighter these days, which encourages packing one along with you. The enamel on cups these days is pretty sensitive to chipping -- not like the bombproof stuff your grandparents had around. But it still gets the job done.

A mug does more than boil water. I have had many a "cup wash" by adding a little liquid soap to an oversized mug of warm water and pouring it over my head etc. Then I pour some rinse water from my main supply. Never underestimate the boost to morale and good temper that a cup wash can bring.

I have occasionally packed a Sigg aluminum 1-litre fuel bottle in go-fast kits. It's dual purpose and very lightweight. You can boil water in it, let it cool, and then seal it up for travelling. I wouldn't use it except in an emergency, though. You never know what trace materials might leach out.