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.

Hot Tent Hot Shelters with the BioLite CookStove - As a Winter Camping Option

I've been experimenting these past few months with my idea to use a BioLite Cookstove as a heat source for a Hot Tent / Hot Shelter cold, wet camping option.  

I'm happy to report it works.

Using the BioLite Cookstove and a titanium 3 inch stove pipe, burning wood stove pellets, the combination creates an easy to set-up, inside the shelter, clean and efficient heat source.

Whenever Cooper and I go out, during wet, cold and snowy hikes, we still like to stop, make camp, cook a meal and enjoy our destination.

Sometimes a rain tarp and alcohol burner doesn't allow us to stay long.  A  more closed-in and warm shelter would.

I presented the idea on my Wawhiker Backpacking YouTube channel, and received many positive comments, more ideas and suggestions.  Thank you to my viewers and subscribers for your comments, ideas and suggestions.

The feed port on the stove pipe and the ability to heat water... 

...(and an easier option using a stove pipe tee and galvanized 3 inch stove pipe, available at most local-based hardware stores) were all viewer ideas.

Wood stove pellets verses gathered campsite wood has been a YouTube viewer observation.  Here is my thought.  

We hike in forests just outside the largest rain forests in the northern hemisphere.  Our forests get a lot of rain.  Dead standing trees (including their branches) that could be used for fires are wet.  Searching, finding and processing dry wood takes more time and energy than I care to spend at most day backpacking sites.  

I can leave the ax or saw or larger camp knife in the gear closet and bring along a bag of wood pellets instead.  Wood pellets in the BioLite CookStove burn hot, consistent and clean (and the burn is easily controlled).  As mentioned earlier, the set-up for the stove, pipe and shelter is easy and quick.  I can create a warm shelter in no time.

The hot tent, hot shelters with the BioLite CookStove is still a work in progress as I mentioned in my most recent YT video in the series.

See the Hot Tent Hot Shelters with the BioLite CookStove playlist on Wawhiker Backpacking on my YouTube channel).  

I will continue to post updates and my progress here.  

Passing of the Torch

My original REI Candle Lantern has served me well for so many years.  It still has the original glass globe, though a bit clouded with soot and wax.

I felt it was time to retire the keepsake so I could one day pass it down to a family camper. 

Uco released a special edition of their original candle lantern a few years ago.  I purchased two directly from them.  I gave one to my son.  The other lantern I will use on my overnight backpacking adventures.

Some day soon I hope to show my grandsons the wonder of that reassuring little flame flickering in the dark at our camp site, burning all night long, undaunted by rain, wind and cold.  

You can see the first burn of the new special edition Uco Candle Lantern on my latest Wawhiker Backpacking YouTube video.

Cooper and I had to wait a bit before lighting the Uco candle.  We kept the campsite dark for as long as possible to watch the lingering effects of the near Summer Solstice - the backpacking adventure I specifically wanted to experience in the mountains.  It was wonderful.

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. 

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.