Things I learned at the spring MAHA

[TinaLouise]

I learned that I love my Clark for its all-in-one package. The storm shield is the shiz-nit and is like having a second tarp. It really helps to hold heat in. I also learned that the standard tarp on the standard North American is woefully inadequate for anything other than strictly keeping in the hammock dry. If it's raining, and especially windy and raining, don't try to get anything done under it and expect to stay dry.

I learned that at least "some" tent campers don't mind hanging their bear bag 20' away from your hammock. Maybe they thought I was a tree taco or something.

I've got the next size Clark tarp that I think was called the XL tarp. Although there's nothing XL about it!! Still from what I've "heard" it's a bit wider than yours. If it's raining & I'm needing to stop for lunch and wanting a tarp, I'll set it up low to the ground and on an angle from head to foot with the low end towards the incoming rain. That's about all you can do. At night I'll set it the same way only the low end is the foot end. Mind you I'm talking about the "tarp"!! The hammock is still set up with the foot higher than the head. Sort of becomes a ballancing act trying to pitch the tarp to keep out the rain and hammock w/feet higher. Sometimes I've accendently switched them so when I get inside the hammock my feet are to low. But because it's raining I don't want to adjust my ropes so I just turn around and sleep backwards. Works for me.
Have you disconnected your tarp from the hammock? I've found that if I want to do any cooking under my tarp, I've got to pack up my hammock. Lunch time, I'm only setting up the tarp if I really need it.

My thinking about why people will hang their bear bag right next to you is 1, they really don't see you or 2, they think you're just "relaxing" and that you're gonna be sleeping in the shelter or setting up your tent by them.

TinaLouise

[lazy river road]

I learned how to Make woopie slings and how to splice line Thanks WVDave. I also agree with TG and cant see my self switching to an alchy stove but mabey woodburning stove after seeing WV's. I also learned that Pedro and Iafte are great cooks thanks guys. That im always going to have a great weekend if I go to an HF hang.

[tgreening]

alcohol stove stink? seriously? why have i never noticed this? anyone else smell alcohol stoves in operation?

Back in the "real" world I have a welding company. Everything we weld has to be preheated and we do it with natural gas burners. Whenever a burner is not ventilated properly and getting enough air the poorly combusted natural gas gets this funky smell to it. The alcohol stoves I smelled at the hang had that exact same funky smell. It's probably just me but it's a funk I can't take.

[KerMegan]

given your experience, I can see that the smell would set off 'alarms' even when you are away from work. Jetboil or other cannister stove is fine if that is your preference (Hike Your Own Hike, Carry Your Own Pack!). Alcohol still is less stinky than white gas, and if spilled evaporates quickly and does not leave petroleum products on your gear for the rest of the trip. personally, I like all kinds of firemaking, but each in it's proper place. KM

[MacEntyre]

Ethanol and methanol are odorless and tasteless, and so are H2O, CO and CO2... must have been something burning on the stove itself.

[BillyBob58]

I have never smelled anything at all with either of my 2 alcohol stoves. Of course, I have not been trying to see if I could smell anything, but I have not noticed anything. I have had some wood stoves stink the place up with wood smoke.

But no matter. For me, if temps allow canister stove use, it is still open for debate- for me anyway- as to whether there is any advantage (weight wise) to an alky. That little 2.7 oz Coleman of mine, with a small canister( 5 or 6 oz max?), will boil(and simmer) so much water so rapidly(~16-44 cups per small canister depending on variables), that it seems difficult to get much more weight efficient unless it is just an over nighter and I take just an oz or 2 of alcohol. So, either seems a fine choice to me. Now below freezing might be a different story.

[Mountain Gout]

I just finished a bud lite bottle stove, Used heet for fuel, no smell at all..

Really cool little stoves, this one is closer to a simmer stove, gonna make a hotter burning one next, so I can have both options..

[Adia]

given your experience, I can see that the smell would set off 'alarms' even when you are away from work. Jetboil or other cannister stove is fine if that is your preference (Hike Your Own Hike, Carry Your Own Pack!). Alcohol still is less stinky than white gas, and if spilled evaporates quickly and does not leave petroleum products on your gear for the rest of the trip. personally, I like all kinds of firemaking, but each in it's proper place. KM

I haven't noticed a smell with the alcohol burners that Cranky Bear uses, but i wasn't trying, i try to steer clear when he is experimenting with flames...I did notice that when either of us untwisted the canister from my Jetboil too slow it stunk, but i still love my jetboil. worked great at the hang and i had some awesome oatmeal and coffee for breakfast...although i did see the coffee press at REI.I may have to go get it..
Really any of the smells can be cured with a nice breeze...lol

[Just Jeff]

I bet it's like Esbit tabs...some people say they stink so bad they can't even carry them in their packs, and others say they smell nothing. I can always smell my alcohol stoves burning, even several different models and they all smell the same. It's not that bad, but I can definitely smell them.

[Raul Perez]

I smell my alcohol stoves but its not a terrible smell to me I can live with it.

As for Esbit Tabs.... god awful smell to me.