Uco Candle Lantern Ikea Utensil Holder Shelter Heater

I can't believe it has been just over a year since my last post. Where has the year gone?  I can promise you it was all fun and well done.

Heating inside the Luxe Minipeak II Pyramid tent

As you have read in other posts here, I am very fond of the Uco Candle Lantern.

The little candle lantern has earned it's space as "a must carry" item in my backpack for all overnight adventures.

The Uco Candle Lantern is a favorite of Cooper too.

Cold weather shelter heating options have been on my mind for many past seasons, including this one.  This past season brought another idea, and successful new option.    

Backpacking to and sheltering at a snowy site with warmth and comfort when rested is always thrilling.

This heater powered by 2 Uco Candle Lanterns put out 3,800 BTUs to cut condensation and provide warmth inside a closed 1-2 person tarp, tent or poncho for up to 9 hours.

Add an additional Uco Candle Lantern for more light and boost heat inside the shelter to 5,700 BTUs. (Each Uco candle produces 1,900 BTUs).

You can see the "build" and preview of the Uco Candle Lantern Ikea Utensil Holder Shelter Heater with Cooper and me on the Wawhiker Backpacking YouTube channel. Stay tuned for an overnight.

Vargo Titanium Hexagon WOOD GAS Stove by Wawhiker

There was a time not too long ago when wood gas stoves for backpacking were simply known as the Bush Buddy.  It was a marvel, the best and original.  Now there are every knock-off variations available on any web store street corner.  The same could be said for folding backpacking wood stoves - the Vargo Titanium Hexagon Wood Stove has always been my favorite.  I still carry it every time out. 

The benefits of the wood gas stove, especially for backpacking, allows you to get the most efficient fuel burn for what you can carry and gather. Longer burn times, less smoke and a hotter flame make wood gas a clear winner over non-gas wood stoves.

One disadvantage - most wood gas wood burning stoves tend to be a bit too bulky. 

Folding backpacking wood stoves not so.

Ideally, why not a folding backpacking wood gas stove?  I thought I could come close.  Why not visit my old favorite Vargo wood stove and make it work without re-inventing the wheel?

I did.  First time out, on the first test burn.  It was a success!  My past builds and experience with wood gas and wood burning stoves helped.

I simply used a food can insert with the Vargo. A few "specifically-sized" and "specially-placed" holes drilled into the can did the trick.

For the first test burn I used a very stable wood fuel, wood stove pellets.

You can see the test burn and how to build the Vargo Titanium Hexagon WOOD GAS Stove by Wawhiker on my YouTube channel. 

With the Vargo wood stove being fold-able and the wood gas food can insert able to fit into my Snow Peak Solo cook kit, I gain a wood gas stove and lose no space in what I carry.

I'm thinking I might just bring along some wood pellets too - a half cup burns for 20 minutes.  I need to burn up the 20 pound bag of wood pellets stored in my garage some way. 

ZPacks Blast Slim Backpack Gets A Light Weight Internal Frame

You read it right - my ZPacks Blast Slim Backpack is sporting an internal frame.

The removable frame gives great support, yet it's flexible from side-to-side.  Initial support tests have been positive. 

The aluminum and mesh frame adds 5 1/4 ounces to the already ultralight Zpacks Blast Slim's total weight.

 

The curves on the frame follow the spine and lumbar contours along the back.

  

The frame makes an already great backpack even better.  The added benefits of an internal frame can be felt as stability between the shoulders, down the lower back and from the hips.

You can't order this internal frame from ZPacks. 

 

It's a standard feature on another backpack made by Patagonia.

The Patagonia Ascensionist 45L Pack

When Patagonia recently released the Ascensionist 45L Pack I was all over it.  Weighing in at just under 2.5 pounds, the minimalist look and build appealed to me immediately. It reminded me of my Zpacks Blast Slim - in Beast Mode.  (The color options were a plus too).  I was on the look out for a light weight, rugged, bushwhacking version of the Blast Slim.

The Patagonia Ascensionist 45L Pack is the perfect fit.  I really like this backpack and all the features that come with it.  Stay tuned to my Wawhiker YouTube Channel for a review.

Did I mention - the Patagonia Ascensionist 45L Pack comes with a removable internal frame.

 

Both the ZPacks Blast Slim Backpack and the Patagonia Ascensionist 45L Pack benefit from light weight internal frame.

Low Weight Low Volume Backpacking Overnight

This post introduces a new look and a different direction for this site.

We will continue to post our backpacking adventures in Washington State here. But this site will now become an extension of my YouTube channel videos. 

Think of these posts as detailed description of my videos - with an additional bonus - the best photos from my adventures will also appear here. 

This backpack overnight started with a hike to Lake Ann on the Esmeralda Basin and County Line trail in the Wenatchee National Forest, northeast of town of Cle Elum, off Interstate 90.  The weather was gorgeous with temperatures in the mid-80s.

This hike was to be a test of the weight I shed by carrying lighter, lower volume backpacking gear. The Esmeralda Basin / County Line trail offered enough elevation and switchbacks for the load test.

As for the gear I packed, and the weight I carried, here is a partial list - a list of the "Big 3"

• REI Flash 22 pack (16 oz)
• Thermarest NeoAir pad (19 oz)
• Thermarest blanket (28 oz)
• Equinox 8 x 10 Siltarp (14 oz)
• Bug net (9 oz)

*Big 3 weight - 86 ounces / 5.3 pounds.  *(For shelter, sleeping gear and backpack).  Additional gear - cook kit, Cooper's gear and food, Sawyer Squeeze, LED light, food, water and Leatherman Juice S2 weighed an additional 11 lbs.  *Total weight 16 lbs.

Even at this weight - I can tell you I've never packed this light for any backpacking overnight before.

Same can be said for volume. All this gear fit into a 22 l / 1343 ci backpack.

This load-out test opened my eyes in many ways.

1. Why have I resisted carrying a lighter gear load for so long?
2. No pains during and after this hike - knees, hips and back.
3. Felt completely protected and prepared by the gear carried.
4. Cooper was warm and comfortable.
5. I could have packed less and carried lighter gear.

Stayed tuned as I address these issues and this subject in more detail in the coming weeks here and on my YouTube channel.

Hot Tenting with Wood Stove Winter Camping Sure Is Fun!

You can watch how much Cooper and I enjoy Hot Tenting with an installed titanium wood stove at Wawhiker's YouTube channel.

REI Cirque 2 ASL Tent Setup

Looking forward to backpacking overnight all seasons this year with this very nice, well designed tent from REI.  You can see the first time setup on my Wawhiker YouTube Channel.  

Cooper found a vantage point for viewing the REI Cirque 2 ASL Tent and our campsite.

Cooper Asks, What's Cooking Now?

Cooper and I came out to our favorite location to hang in the Warbonnet BlackBird Hammock.

See the meal we cooked up using the GSI Pressure Cooker on our YouTube Channel - Wawhiker Backpacking.