Coast to Coast Walk (East to West) 2010

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by posie

Foxy is FAST obviously, Kayleigh, anyway it's not a race. Hello ........POE

No, it is not race as such. However the last 6 of my C2C crossing's have been in between 11 and 12 days, this time it will be 14 days. although at first, I was planning to do the C2C in 10 days, that would be average of 19-22 miles a day, pushing it a bit.

But saying that, if one was walking a average 2.5 - 3 mph in 9 hours minus lunch stops. You could do 22 miles a day in that time, not forgetting June has longer daylight hours. Anyway, plenty of time to think that one over, need to get the walking miles in if I do.

[posie]

Yes I guess you sort of set yourself a target, and maybe do you compare your times with other's for the same route.Is there a place where results like this are recorded,or at least compared out of interest,or do you just compare with people you know or with your own personal best (mph) or come to that do you not compare at all. Poe.

[foxy mars]

I don't think records for C2C are kept as such, however I think the record stands - that in 1991, the route was run in 39 hours 36 minutes and 52 seconds by Mike Hartley, setting a new record, beating the previous record set in 1985by Mike Cudahy who completed it in 46 hours 49 minutes.

Most walkers like me, hope to beat their personal best, such as the 10 day target I hope to aim for. That is doing average 22 miles a day, maybe I would like to do it for charity in that respect.

Yes, I reckon I could do 22 miles a day for 10 days. I did from Borrowdale to Patterdale and that is only 17 miles with 2 major ascents.

[foxy mars]

Getting back to Honey Stove using the meths burner, it was yesterday I was having New Potatos with Herbs and Butter (microwave bag), Sausage, Spam Fritters and Egg, very nice too. However we have been issued with White Bags for recycling plastics etc, so in the recycling bag it went after been washed out.

However, after posting a thread replying to Jim Ford this morning regarding lightweight gear. That something got me thinking about using 1 pot meals and these meals did work for me on my C2C walk in May, using simple Savory Rice mixed in with Tuna or ready roast Chicken (if obtained from local shops)

But, thinking how long would 500ml meths would last for, that was bugging me most of the morning. But going back to the meal I had last night, I had a great idea that if I kept the microwave bag that the potatos came in. So out with the Honey Stove, Savory Rice and Titan Kettle, with a dash of hot water in the bag along with the rice and some hot water into the kettle, pushed the lid on. Lit the meths and once it got going, I set the simmer plate to about halfway and hey presto after 12-15 minutes, lovely fluffy rice after draining it. Bonus is the water in the kettle is there for tea or coffee and what's more no washing up apart from rinsing the bag for re-use.

The bags are just the ideal size and got a nice base for standing, also you can chuck the Tuna or Chicken in.

[Jim Ford]

The last meths stove I used on the trail was a 'Brasslite'. It was awful and downright dangerous - I almost burnt my new Laserlite down with it! Anyway, it came with an 8oz meths bottle which equates to 227 or so cc. IIRC this amount lasted about 3 days., so your 500cc should last the week.

BTW, it's easy to burn your fingers on the Titan Kettle handles, isn't it!

Good idea about the microwave bag!

Jim

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

The last meths stove I used on the trail was a 'Brasslite'. It was awful and downright dangerous - I almost burnt my new Laserlite down with it! Anyway, it came with an 8oz meths bottle which equates to 227 or so cc. IIRC this amount lasted about 3 days., so your 500cc should last the week.

BTW, it's easy to burn your fingers on the Titan Kettle handles, isn't it!

Good idea about the microwave bag!

Yes, Jim. That was my concern about the Titan Kettle handle, would it be too hot to touch. Infact, no. The handles stay outside the Honey Stove, due the meths flame being inside the Honey Stove

I think the Trangia meths burner is fairly safe to use, but using caution at all times. The trouble with meths, is that you can't see if it's a light or not in bright sunlight.

I do have the Trangia gas converter, that replaces the meths burner, that I may use yet. Because it's more easier to use than meths and simmering is a doddle, saying the gas converter weights in @ 180gm against the meths burner @ 120gm. But like I said that's the pros and cons, I would like to take the Pocket Rocket, but I don't like to have heavy pans on it.

BTW, never heard of Brasslite stove, that bad was it.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by foxy mars

I do have the Trangia gas converter, that replaces the meths burner, that I may use yet.

A month or so ago I bought one of these and converted the burner to fit in the base of a Trangia 'clone' burner:

Portable Stove acc. Gasoline/Gas Multi Stove S-9 x1set on eBay (end time 21-Nov-09 21:37:04 GMT)

With this adaptor, you then have a fuel choice with a Trangia (or clone), of meths with an original burner, petroleum naptha/petrol with the above stove conversion, or two different types of resealable gas cartridge.

(B) screw valve cartridge connect to long push valve x2 on eBay (end time 22-Nov-09 05:22:08 GMT)

It works fine, but I've not used it 'in anger' - it's living in the boot of the car!

BTW, never heard of Brasslite stove, that bad was it.

Here's the Brasslite site:

Brasslite Ultralight Alcohol Backpacking and Camping Stove

Jim

[posie]

Foxy, I like the Idea of the microwave bag.Only thought I had was would the water for the drink be a bit 'stewy' as it had simmered for that length of time, You know, when a kettle is reboiled several times it gets that 'taste'.But then I daresay you will have a 'Dummy Run' with any new ideas before you go..

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by posie

Foxy, I like the Idea of the microwave bag.Only thought I had was would the water for the drink be a bit 'stewy' as it had simmered for that length of time, You know, when a kettle is reboiled several times it gets that 'taste'.But then I daresay you will have a 'Dummy Run' with any new ideas before you go..

Yes, the idea of using the microwave bag for cooking the savory rice came to mind, when I was washing it out for the recycling bin, otherwise the council won't accept it. I thought if the idea of microwaving spuds in 9 minutes, then why try it with the savory rice. I can only try I guess and anything is worth a try. Thinking also, I could kill two birds with one stone here. That is using the water left over for a cup of tea or coffee. However, after trying it out this afternoon, to be honest I never took much notice about the taste in the tea or if it looked stewy.

However, I'm going to try it out again today sometime with the gas converter. I will take note about the water, if it does look stewy or not.

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Here's the Brasslite site:

Brasslite Ultralight Alcohol Backpacking and Camping Stove

Thanks, Jim. I think I will stick to Trangia meths burner, more gentle.