Went for a hike on Sunday with my good friend Paul. Knew there had been some more snow, but didn't expect so much.
The walk started off well enough, it was very pleasant just walking through 3-4 inches of snow.
Eventually, to reach our destination, we had to gain height, and the snow started to get a little thicker. On the main paths where other walkers had already trod, it was starting to get a little slippy.
As we got a little higher, the snow got thicker. Eventually it was about 18 inches deep. The snow was powdery and collapsing underfoot, making walking difficult and quite hard going as we couldn't get a steady pace going. This was a new experience for me as I don't get to see much snow.
Eventually made it to our destination. Our reward was tea, hot chocolate and bacon sandwiches. We had 2 stoves, a methalated spirit powered Trangia, and a gas powered MSR Pocket Rocket.
Both Paul and I had been practicing stove lighting with a firesteel. I lit the MSR with the first strike, but neither of us could get the Trangia lit. We did fine with it when we were practicing. I wonder whether this was down to the Meths being cold. It lit fine with a match. I think more practice may be required.
There was a light wind blowing, and although we were relatively sheltered both stoves struggled. The Trangia actually works better when there is a breeze, and a little repositioning saw it operating very well. The MSR really struggled though. No matter where we placed it, and using our packs as wind breaks, the wind was getting at it. I managed to get the first kettle of water to boil, but it took about 3 times as long as under still conditions. Couldn't get the second kettle to boil, had to use the Trangia in the end. I think I will have to try to rig a wind shield of some sort.
The Trangia is actually starting to grow on me. It is pretty much foolproof with very little to go wrong. In ideal conditions, the MSR will boil water much faster than the Trangia, but this trip proved the opposite. The Meths used by the Trangia also works great for firelighting. A small amount on some cotton wool lit very easily.
On a lighter note, the smoked bacon sandwiches were absolutely delicious.
The walk started off well enough, it was very pleasant just walking through 3-4 inches of snow.
Eventually, to reach our destination, we had to gain height, and the snow started to get a little thicker. On the main paths where other walkers had already trod, it was starting to get a little slippy.
As we got a little higher, the snow got thicker. Eventually it was about 18 inches deep. The snow was powdery and collapsing underfoot, making walking difficult and quite hard going as we couldn't get a steady pace going. This was a new experience for me as I don't get to see much snow.
Eventually made it to our destination. Our reward was tea, hot chocolate and bacon sandwiches. We had 2 stoves, a methalated spirit powered Trangia, and a gas powered MSR Pocket Rocket.
Both Paul and I had been practicing stove lighting with a firesteel. I lit the MSR with the first strike, but neither of us could get the Trangia lit. We did fine with it when we were practicing. I wonder whether this was down to the Meths being cold. It lit fine with a match. I think more practice may be required.
There was a light wind blowing, and although we were relatively sheltered both stoves struggled. The Trangia actually works better when there is a breeze, and a little repositioning saw it operating very well. The MSR really struggled though. No matter where we placed it, and using our packs as wind breaks, the wind was getting at it. I managed to get the first kettle of water to boil, but it took about 3 times as long as under still conditions. Couldn't get the second kettle to boil, had to use the Trangia in the end. I think I will have to try to rig a wind shield of some sort.
The Trangia is actually starting to grow on me. It is pretty much foolproof with very little to go wrong. In ideal conditions, the MSR will boil water much faster than the Trangia, but this trip proved the opposite. The Meths used by the Trangia also works great for firelighting. A small amount on some cotton wool lit very easily.
On a lighter note, the smoked bacon sandwiches were absolutely delicious.
