Three rocks
Fire building technique
I had read about the camel trains that used to cross the Sahara desert. In places the landscape is littered by blackened rocks placed together in groups of three. These are the remains of countless camp fires, where three rocks are used to support the cooking pots.
We tried this technique in Australia when we were on the Bibbulmun track, and it worked fine. It also works in NZ if the firewood is nice and dry. The great advantage of this method is that it uses very little wood.
Sacrifices to the God of Fire
Wood burning stoves
Every now and then I try to make a small wood powered stove. Wood is really the only way to go in these days of fossil fuels running out. I have yet to make a stove I am really satisfied with. However, here are a couple of my experiments.
This is a gas burning stove. Warm air is fed
into the stove near the top and is supposed
to give a clean burn. Mine did not work all that
well.
Cuben Fibre
Light weight, waterproof material
Cuben fibre is on the other end of the technology scale to the three rocks technique. Developed for the sailing fraternity it is a material that is tough, waterproof and weighs very little. You don't even have to sew it. You can glue it together with tape. According to my calculations the amount of cuben fibre needed to make a two person fly would be about 108 grams. Wow. So why aren't we all using it? Well the bad news is the cost. At approx $48 a yard the fly would cost $384 to make. However, the cost is not that outrageous compared with a lot of outdoor products.
So if you are still interested press this button to get to a supplier.
Unlike the old site this one should be more accessible, allowing me to add bits and pieces from time to time. So keep looking.
If you have any unusual or little used outdoors techniques that you'd like to share, let me know!
tramplight@paradise.net.nz
This stove worked very well . I got the pattern
from the internet. It folds down.
If you want the pattern just press the
Nimblwill Nomad button.
Body too wrecked to go on an overnight trip, but can manage a day trip.?
I have met a number of trampers who go on day tramps but say they are unable to carry the heavy pack needed for an overnight trip.
My argument is that it is possible to reduce your packweight to that of a conventional daypack. The following are a couple of lists. The overnight one uses the lightest items I own. The pack, and waterproofs were homemade from 1.1oz silnylon.
OVERNIGHT PACK
Pack 340 *
Sleeping Bag 625
Plastic liner 50
Parka 175*
Overtrou 135*
Polypro Top 200
Longjohns 200
Balaclava 50
Odds and Ends 175
Map 40
First Aid 100
Headtourch 61
Underpants 50
Washing gear 55
Food 1000
Dixy 120
Spork 14
cup (disposable ) 15
Stove (Tuna Can) 14*
Fuel 250
Puffer Jacket 300 *
Toilet Paper 30
Total 3.999kg
* Home made gear
DAY PACK
Pack 1.175
Plastic liner 50
Parka 570
overtrouses 390
Fleece 620
Lunch 645
Drink 250
Polypro top 200
Longjohns 200
Camera 475
Balaclava 50
map 40
compass 20
Headtouch 175
First aid 100
Total 4.960kg
The day pack is a guess in the dark as most peoples packs will be different, however I used gear weights from catalogues. The pack is one I actually own, it is a well known brand. Peoples loads will differ so the thing to do is to weigh your pack and see what you are actually carrying.
The overnight list has a number of items that are home made, the pack comes complete with waist straps and has a frame that can be used as a sleeping mat. As can be seen the list does not include shelter or a locator beacon. This is because I felt anyone trying this list for the first time would go to a local hut such as Totara Flats in the Tararuas or Waitapheta in the Kaimias. So you would be very unlucky to be caught out.
In actual fact I feel it is possible to go a little lighter still, for example the jacket could go and you can keep warm in the hut by throwing your sleeping bag over your shoulders. On a fine weekend you might risk not having spare clothes. Again gear should be customised to the trip and time of year.
I really love overnight trips, so I feel for anyone who believes they are not possible for them.
Mitre Flats hut. An Ideal place to head for a lightweight overnight tramp.
