I was planning on using an alcohol stove on the PCT and was just wondering how easy it is to get fuel on the trail at the average stop. I found a 16 oz. bottle lasted me about 8 or 9 days on the AT. So if I had to carry twice that amount along some stretches of the PCT it might get me by for about 2 1/2 weeks. Thanks.
(My AT trail name was Skittles, but since the Skittles from Nels Gap I think is already on this site I just decided to go with my real name to post).
RichL
Hey Skittles, didn’t know there were two of us! I’m the guy who used to work at Neels Gap, but moved out to CO fairly recently. Will post as ‘Skittles 03’ from now on to avoid confusion, don’t let me keep you from using whatever handle you want! Not having hiked any of the PCT, I can’t really contribute anything useful except to say that yogi is most likely correct as usual 
Alcohol is pretty common stuff, you’ve just gotta know where to look :cheers
Skittles 03
I find it hard to fathom how alcohol stoves on the desert section of the pct can still be encouraged with a number of near fires (and one(+?) actual fire) caused by using alcohol on the pct this last year. When you’re are knackered on an evening - one slip and 1000’s of hectares of desert scrub goes up in smoke…not a good idea. Quite easily done…people just didn’t seem to be aware of the risk. If hikers keep causing fires they are going to ban hiking through these parts. Yogi - can you put a section in your guide about using alcohol reasponsibly as a reminder?
Big Ben
Actually only one fire was set by an alcohol stove this year, and unfortunately it was a big one. Rumor has it the person had no idea of what they were doing.
The other, smaller, fire (the first one in White water canyon) was set by someone who decided to light their tp on fire to get rid of it-- I was in whitewater canyon when this fire occured, the first question the fire inspector had asked me, when I was hanging out at WW trout farm, was what i did to get rid of my tp. Aparently, in further conversation with him lighting your tp on fire is the most common way forest fires are set-- now this is something that needs to be discussed!
mountain mamma
Just curious. Assuming one will cook in the desert, what would be safer than alcohol? Certainly not white gas. Certainly not a wood fire. Maybe esbit? Maybe butane/propane? Seems like the problem may be idiots in the desert as opposed to the type of fuel. And idiot can cause a disaster without the use of accellerants.
Wayne Kraft