I am planning a thru hike on the CT this summer and have converted to a alcohol stove. In Missouri and Arkansas there is no problems withe the alcohol stoves. i was wandering if there is a differance in teh high altitudes like what the CT has to offer. I have always heard it takes longer to cook in higher altitudes. Last year while I was hiking Segment 10 I had no problem with my butane stove. Does it affect the Alcohol stoves any?
Scott
It’ll take a little longer to boil water but not enough to not use one. I used an alcohol stove on both of my JMT hikes with no issues.
Phreak
I’ve used my alcohol stove in Colorado with no problem. One thing to keep in mind is that water boils at a lower temp at elevation than it does at sea level. It’s probably boiling around 190deg at 10,000 ft so things can take longer to cook no matter what type of stove you use. If I’m cooking ramen , lipton sides, etc., I put them in the pot of water and just let them start rehydrating while I set up my tent and do other camp chores, then I use just enough fuel to bring the water to a boil (1 table spoon alcohol per cup of water for my stove). When the fuel burns out I eat!
Twofer
Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. I am interrested in Twofer’s stove. My stove uses two ounces to boil two cups of water. I have never heard of one table spoon of alcohol boiling water. THANX!!!
Scott
I use a Caldera Cone alcohol stove. In the kitchen a tablespoon (half a fluid ounce) will boil 2 cups of water.
At 10,000 feet and using water that was snow hours ago three quarters of an ounce of alcohol will boil two cups.
food
Scott, My stove is a Pepsi can stove. I made it from directions I found on the internet(google Pepsi can stove). I ended up making three of them and got a little better each time. I also made a stand that holds the pot a couple inches above the stove and a windscreen. I think the windscreen makes the stove a lot more efficient.
Oh and I’m planning on thru hiking the CT this summer starting early July. Maybe I’ll see you out there!
Twofer