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View Full Version : Iso/butane above 4,000 feet



Joker4ink
06-07-2010, 17:12
I haven't used my Brunton Talon stove (or any canister stove) above 4,000 feet. Do you notice any pressure loss around 4,000-5,000 feet? I also have an MSR Dragonfly, but it's too heavy for a short solo trip to the Whites.

flemdawg1
06-07-2010, 17:17
I've used my butane stove at lots of campsites between 4-6k ft and never notice a difference.

wcgornto
06-07-2010, 17:24
I used my Snow Peak LiteMax at all elevations on the AT and noticed no difference at different elevations.

Feral Bill
06-07-2010, 17:48
You should have better pressure at altitude, assuming temperatures are the same.

Mags
06-07-2010, 18:00
It works fine here in Colorado...hell I live above Katahdin's elevation. ;)

fiddlehead
06-07-2010, 19:38
I've seen mountain climbers in the Himalayas using them.

Cookerhiker
06-07-2010, 19:45
No problem using my Coleman Ultralight Cannister stove on my JMT hike (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=4830).

Joker4ink
06-07-2010, 22:02
Good, just want to make sure I'm ready to go.

Dogwood
06-07-2010, 23:36
A modern hiking/camping canister type stove using an isobutane blend fuel(especially a blend that can be used in colder temps) at 4000 ft during typical hiker season(not the heart of winter) and a canister type stove shouldn't be a problem.

In a hiking environment vaporization of canister fuel into a usable flammable gas is usually the main issue. The issue arises because of the temp of the fuel. Modern isobutane canister fuel blends are specifically blended to vaporize at a lower temp than just propane or butane by themselves. Iso is also supposedly more environmentally friendly than some other canister type fuels.

Start trying to use a canister stove at 20,000 ft and above and/or in -20* temps and that could be an issue.

fiddlehead
06-08-2010, 01:30
One team I saw using GAZ canisters (they were Basques) had just summited Manasalu.
That's an 8,000 meter peak.
I do think you have to warm them up a bit at those temps. (put them in your sleeping bag with you for a few minutes or hold them in your hand, or hold a flame underneath them)