I am planning to use an alcohol stove for my '06 thru hike and am wondering how everyone resupplies on the trail. I am going to use mail drops, but understand that you can’t mail alcohol priority. I read a post saying it is everywhere on the pct, but it would be nice to know where.
Doug Smith
The eternal debate: Which weighs less - the high BTU content of white gas (Coleman fuel) with its heavier stove, or the lower BTU content of alcohol and its super-light Pepsi-can stove.
General agreement has been that after x days, the Coleman-based stove is lighter, but debate rages on what “x” is. Probably more than 5 days.
booger
I put a 12oz bottle of HEET in my food drops when I wasn’t sure of fuel availability, and I never had a problem using parcel post.
Besides having a ton of other useful information, Yogi’s PCT Handbook is a good source for finding out which towns have which fuels.
Pacer
I will consider mailing myself HEET. Not sure what parcel post is, but will research it.
After extensive reading I determined that I need yogi’s book so I ordered it yesterday.
Doug Smith
The postal service sometimes hides the fact that it offers parcel post, a low-cost shipping option.
My bounce box has gotten lost on two occasions, but I attribute that to the fact that a big paint bucket is more difficult to handle than a small cardboard box.
Pacer
I never noticed much difference between HEET and denatured alcohol in my stove, but I never did a side-by-side comparison. Some claim that HEET burns slightly better, but it’s apparently more toxic than denatured alcohol. You can find more information on stove fuels here and here.
Pacer
I just ordered a bunch of free boxes from the usps, but they are for priority mail only which I thought was the way to send mail drops. Now I am thinking I should use Parcel post so I can send HEET and save money.
I am wondering what most people use.
Hopefully this is covered in yogi’s book which I should get soon (thanks yogi).
Doug
Doug
HEET and/or denatured is readily available all along the PCT. No need to mail it to yourself.
I would never use Parcel Post. You only have to lose a box ONE TIME to learn that it’s better to spend three extra dollars for Priority Mail. Plus, now the USPS has “flat rate” boxes. You can send the box for $7.70 no matter what it weighs.
yogi
yogi
When a USPS truck comes to the PO to pick up mail, here is how the mail is loaded onto the truck:
First - Express Mail
Second - Priority Mail
Third - First Class
Fourth - Parcel Post & Media Mail & other discounted mailing methods.
Sometimes, the truck is full after the Priority Mail is loaded. In that case, all the mail that didn’t fit on the truck stays at the PO until the next truck arrives. Between trucks, more mail arrives at the PO. When the next truck gets to the PO, the entire process starts over: it takes Express Mail first, then Priority Mail, then first class, and if there is room then it takes parcel post, media mail, etc.
This happens at the PO and each time the mail is moved from one truck/plane to another. And this is why I would never send a resupply box using any other method than Priority Mail (sometimes Express Mail). The chance of your Parcel Post package getting bumped from a truck/plane is HIGH.
In October, a friend sent me a package via Parcel Post from California to Kansas City. It took 5 weeks to reach me. Don’t believe the PO personnel when they tell you your Parcel Post package will arrive in 7-10 days. Chances are that will NOT happen.
yogi
yogi
My partner and I used an alcohol stove for almost all of out 05’ thru hike. Heet works great and is available in most of the towns. Just make sure you get the correct kind…
There are 2 kinds of HEET: sold in Yellow or Red bottles
The yellow is the kind you want. The red stuff (also labeled as iso-heet) will explode in your face. Trust me, as I found out the hard way and almost burnt down Warner Springs.
Just thought it should be mentioned…
Toaster
www.trailb.com
Toaster
I don’t think anyone tried this, but I will: Just buy fuel as you go. Start with a nice amount (10 oz HEET).
Buy fuel (or get for free in hiker boxes) at Idyllwild, Big Bear City, Agua Dulce, NOT MOJAVE!, Kennedy Meadows, VVR, South Lake Tahoe, Sierra City, Chester, Dunsmuir, Ashland, Sisters, Cascade Locks, Snoqualmie Pass, Skykomish.
Easy, no problems, no mailing.
Suge