[at-l] Esbit stoves in winter

[wb4pan@mindspring.com (Chase Davidson)]

yup,

	One thing I have found is that Bic lighters (butane powered) will not light in cold temperatures unless you warm them up first (keep them warm in your pocket). Even in any weather butane is a relatively cold burning fuel compared to matches or liquid fueled lighters. 
	I have noticed lots of folks hold the Esbit tab in one hand and light it with a bic in the other hand. This gets more complicated when the wind blows. I use wooden matches for lighting my Esbit tabs. I first put the tab in the stove which is inside the wind screen. This gives me a dead air space to light the match. I lean the match against the Esbit tab with the fire end down. This way as the match burns it preheats the tab and by the time the flame burns up the wooden match to top the Tab is
lit. Works almost every time one match no fuss. Try to lean the match so that very little of it sticks out above the tab. This keeps the match flame against the tab for the maximum time.
	I also always carry a bic as a back up and a flint. It just takes to long to make and use a bow drill.
	

chase


>>>Nina Baxley wrote:
> 
> I used an Esbit stove for my entire thru-hike last
> year, including the final month where the temps ranged
> from 8 below zero all the way up to the mid-40s. I
> never had a problem with the Esbit fuel tabs working.
> Just be sure you have a good windscreen. I used the
> windscreen that came with my Whisperlite, but heavy
> aluminum foil would work just as well.
> 
> I did have a problem with the lighter fluid in my
> lighter freezing, however. So be sure you bring
> back-up matches if you're expecting super-cold
> weather.
> 
> Nina
> "Waterfall"
> ME-GA 2000
> 
> =====
> The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself. --Henry Miller
> 
> Visit my ME-GA 2000 thru-hike updates at http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/hiking/thruhike/nina/ninab_archive.htm.
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of
> your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com
> or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
> _______________________________________________
> AT-L mailing list
> AT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/at-l