Mt Prospect: Trying Some New Equipment.

[Paradox]

Went up to see the views and to shake down some new equipment and organization. It was about 20-25 degrees and the wind was lighter than I expected today (20-50mph elsewhere in the White Mtns). I tried out a new Marmot jacket which is more of a hardshell ski jacket. I liked it because it was on sale and it has lots of pockets. I found that it is about 6 oz heavier than my Mammut softshell and does not seem to breath as well either.

I also wore nitrile surgical gloves which kept the polyester fleece fingerless gloves with pull over mitt covers mitts very dry and my hands warm. The down side is the immediate clammy feeling I get from the nitrile against my skin.

I also wanted to try melting snow at the summit to use for drinking water with my new Jetboil. From the time I arrived at the top of the wooded summit I: 1) got out the foam back pad to kneel on. 2.) broke out the stove and assembled it. 3.) melted a total of 1.00 liter of water from snow in two portions and poured into my Nalgene. 4.) Signed the summit register. 5.) Scratched Zippy's ears. 6.) Repacked everything and headed back down. All of which took 23 minutes. The heating time for the water was about 15 minutes and I brought it up to a luke warm temperature. The stove consumed 13 grams of butane from the 100 gram cylinder. The down side is all the pine needles and debris in the snow. I plan on trying a coffee press to filter the debris.

GPS track and Photos on Wikiloc

 

[Chip]

I also wore nitrile surgical gloves which kept the polyester fleece fingerless gloves with pull over mitt covers mitts very dry and my hands warm. The down side is the immediate clammy feeling I get from the nitrile against my skin.

Burn the nitrile and fleece. 100% wool liners is where it's at.

I also wanted to try melting snow at the summit to use for drinking water with my new Jetboil.

Did you remember to start with some liquid ? I burned my titanium pot that way .

 

[Paradox]

Burn the nitrile and fleece. 100% wool liners is where it's at.

You are probably right: wool it better for a number of reasons. But I have a proclivity for frequently checking my GPS. I want to have a finger free for accessing the buttons. I really like the idea of the fingerless glove/mitten-pullover, I just need to find some good ones in wool. The wool ones I did find on Amazon got terrible reviews. I have some inexpensive fleece ones right now and they worked fine in today's short hike.

However, I have come to the conclusion that the reason my hands get wet and my gloves ice up, is entirely due to sweat and not because I am putting my gloves in water. Hence, the nitrile exam gloves keep the sweat out of the insulating layer. Carrying several pairs of nitrile gloves adds little weight and little volume. I also have access to nitrile gloves at a very favorable price. Light, small volume, and cheap is "wear" it's at for me. Also, if I ever need to check your prostate....

Did you remember to start with some liquid ? I burned my titanium pot that way .

The snow melting works fine, I do not expect to damage the equipment. It does take longer to supply the heat of the phase change than I had hoped. Additionally, I need to filter the water, because there are a lot of pine needles out there.

 

[DougPaul]

Additionally, I need to filter the water, because there are a lot of pine needles out there.

You can get a stainless steel screen (intended for bathtub drains) at the local hardware store. Put it on the top of your Nalgene bottle and pour the water through it. It looks like a domed stainless steel screen. eg: http://www.amazon.com/Danco-88821-4...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000DZGJX4 Not sure if this is the right size, but it should give you the idea.

However, it does remove the pine flavor from the water...

Doug

 

[Paradox]

You can get a stainless steel screen (intended for bathtub drains) at the local hardware store. Put it on the top of your Nalgene bottle and pour the water through it. It looks like a domed stainless steel screen. eg: http://www.amazon.com/Danco-88821-4...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000DZGJX4 Not sure if this is the right size, but it should give you the idea.

However, it does remove the pine flavor from the water...

Doug

Good idea, but I like the idea of dual duty for making coffee.

 

[Paradox]

Did you remember to start with some liquid ? I burned my titanium pot that way .

By what circumstances did this happen? Did you fire it up and then go to get snow and it took longer than you thought, or something less brilliant.

 

[cushetunk]

By what circumstances did this happen? Did you fire it up and then go to get snow and it took longer than you thought, or something less brilliant.

Sometimes the bottom of the pot can heat up and burn before the snow starts to melt.

Starting with some water in the bottom of the pot will prevent this, and also substantially speed up the process of melting the snow.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I commend you for going out and field testing your gear, under controlled circumstances. Everyone should do this, even if only in the back yard.

 

[Paradox]

Sometimes the bottom of the pot can heat up and burn before the snow starts to melt.

Starting with some water in the bottom of the pot will prevent this, and also substantially speed up the process of melting the snow.

I am wondering if this is a problem with titanium and not aluminum. I know that Al is one of the better heat conductors. I do not know about Ti.

 

[Chip]

By what circumstances did this happen? Did you fire it up and then go to get snow and it took longer than you thought, or something less brilliant.

Basically the ti pot was on the burner for a second before some liquid was added. The heat discolors the bottom of the pot, but it works fine. I think it was the first time I used it and don't remember ever having the issue with Aluminum.

 

[DougPaul]

Basically the ti pot was on the burner for a second before some liquid was added. The heat discolors the bottom of the pot, but it works fine. I think it was the first time I used it and don't remember ever having the issue with Aluminum.

You can melt a hole in an aluminum pot if you don't start with some liquid.

The other trick is to start with liquid in the pot and throw too in much snow. The snow soaks up the free liquid, leaving a dry spot on the bottom of the pot which then melts through.

Doug