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What is your opinion on using a wood burning stove for an AZT thru-hike? There are only two places, as far as I know, where it is not allowed, Saguaro National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.

Wood should be readily available for the entire length of the trail. It certainly would save on carrying fuel. It is not as fast as a gas or alcohol stove, but it would not add that much more time. And a fire is always a great thing to have.

I am leaning toward this. Any comments would be appreciated.

Wood burning stoves would be prohibited when certain fire restrictions come into effect. Most years this seems to happen around Memorial Day, give or take a few weeks, and typically lasts until July. If you do not plan on being on the trail it seems viable. Since much of Arizona is dry grass and desert you will have to take care to extinguish it thoroughly at all times of the year.

I don't like them even for regular backpacking since everything gets too sooty. Clean water to wash your hands completely clean is sometimes hard to come by and pretty soon all your gear is sooty.

As a point of clarification, wood fires are permitted at Manning Camp in SNP.

Thank you. Good know about Saguaro.

I have a Ti Tri stove by Trail Designs, which can use alcohol, wood, solid fuel tablets or gel packs.

I can certainly try it at the start of the hike, and switch to alcohol if need be.

I don't think soot will be a major issue, but we shall see.

keepa wrote:I can certainly try it at the start of the hike, and switch to alcohol if need be.

Alcohol stoves are also prohibited in the fire bans. They want something that has a fuel shut-off valve.

ETA: I sympathize, though. I use an alcohol stove whenever conditions permit. The Caldera Cone is my favorite.

I use a 12" iron skillet, and a huge fire. for those who think it's heavy... a simple fix: leave your tent behind. sleep under a bush like a real man.

anyway, I have neglected my firefox stove for too long. I used it about 15 times in the past. just the pleasure of sitting in front of it, feeding twigs is always relaxing. however, if I was to do a big trail like the AZT I think big miles would restrain even the practice of using such a finicky stove. i'd prolly hike from dawn till dusk, and not much time to fiddle around with twigs. that being said, esbit is the lightest alternative for cooking if you are out for more than a week. but man, they stink. and hard to light. so, go with woodburner. mine is 7oz, and the fuel is free. just some thoughts.

Or just don't use a stove... That worked for me for 132 days on the PCT.

@rcorfman
Pretty difficult to do if you get sick of trail mix, peanut butter and energy bars after about three bites. I couldn't do it. But there is more than one way to skin a cat. It sure would be easier if you didn't have to cook.

@te_wa
Not knowing of a wood burning backpack stove I googled Tewa's Firefox.
https://www.directstoves.com/firefox-8- ... stove.html
This appeared a tad heavy, then I tried Firebox. https://www.fireboxstove.com/5%E2%80%8B-g2-firebox
Now that's is really cool!

Yes. I have the firebox nano.

I agree with the NO STOVE option. Hydrate and go! Couscous hydrates well. Add some tuna - yum! You can get dehydrated beans, mash potatoes of course - look around - there's stuff that doesn't have to be simmered.

A "suggested" ad recently made me aware of the Solo Stove Lite. Its double wall construction is supposed to help it burn more efficiently, reducing soot. After a little reading I learned this is a knockoff of the Bushbuddy Stove.
I've always liked the idea of being less reliant on a canister for fuel. The Solo has an alcohol option but may not comply with NP regs. Something to verify.