I saw someone last year tyring to use isopropyl alcohol (only 70% alcohol) as the energy source...of course this didn't work. This wasn't the case was it? Perhaps it was faulty engineering on the stovemaker. Who knows? I've never had a problem with mine at any temp/condition; granted I made it out of a Budweiser can. Red, white, and blue, baby:-)
Back to Low Gap - you didn't happen to see any bears did you. I knew someone recently that spotted several in this area. Were most of the leaves still on the trees? I'm planning on possibly hiking this section over the weekend...
Glad you had a nice trip.