A crucial gear failure on trail | CDT Day 130

[@musubk]

On their website, OLicamp reports those fuel canisters as 45% Butane. Butane has a boiling point of 30F degrees, which means it won't work at all below that temperature and will have reduced performance at anything approaching that temperature. Being at higher elevation will further hurt the performance. If that gas mixture is correct, it's pretty misleading that they print '4 season performance mixture' on the canister. Apparently OLicamp *used to* do a 25% propane / 75% isobutane / 0% butane mixture, which is a pretty good mixture for performance near freezing temps. They built up a reputation for being good in those conditions. But it looks like they changed to a cheaper mixture while keeping the '4 season' marketing. In cold weather you want low butane percent as a top priority, then high propane percent after that. When you turn the stove valve on, do you hear gas hissing like you do in warmer temps? If not, that's your problem (assuming the canister isn't empty). Try a different fuel brand. Going by mixture percents I can find on forums, MSR has a good mixture, JetBoil and Snow Peak aren't far behind them. Anecdotally speaking, I've used Snow Peak canisters near sea level in just-below-freezing temps and had no problem. For your current situation, try keeping the fuel canister in your sleeping bag at night so it stays warmer.

[@wev2344]

All the others are around 75/25 or 85/15. This blend could be the issue if she’s above 5000 feet, but also it could just be the regulator as after freezing various canisters, they still fire right up as normal. Takes a little longer to heat things, but they do fire up as normal. That is with low usage burners. Could it be the regulator or valve contamination?

[@halfpinthiker6568]

Yes! 100%

[@TheDogsBox]

@6:27 You see the horizontal rocks on top of the pillars? Those are some type of cap rock, different than the pillars. It is more durable than the stuff underneath. That entire area you are in used to be covered by that same cap rock probably. Over time erosion has done its work, but those few places the caps on top have kept the weaker material on bottom from eroding away.

[@richardross7219]

Good video. The geologic scenery is fascinating. Those steel bars sticking up are a hazard. They should be driven down deeper or cut off. It looks like your stove has some dirt in the valve. With the stove disconnected from the canister and the valve wide open, blow through the burner to try to get the blockage out. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@stevenvarner9806]

1:39 Desert biological crust, also known as cryptobiotic soil crust. It is dominated by cyanobacteria and also include soil lichens, mosses, green algae, microfungi, and bacteria. • 2:36 Isobutane canisters can freeze. Cheaper canisters are mostly butane and freeze more easily. Better brands mix in more propane. They need to be warm enough to operate, which for a propane-butane mixture is above 11°F. Of course, the canister might be near empty or have leaked.

[@Dan__S]

Most of that area was an inland sea a long time ago.. Lots of fossils out there. My first time on a long trail was out there, on a clear but very hot day. I remember thinking there was no way this went all the way to Canada. Seems like it goes on forever.

[@Jkpatriot]

I’m in tallulah falls Georgia in my tent catching up ❤

[@pierrrejette9023]

Are you allowed to make fires for cooking?

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

Kelly I love the way you bring us into your life on your adventures love ❤️ it and thank you 🙏 love 🥰 from John in Australia ❤❤❤

[@joankline343]

I really enjoyed the change of scenery. That ridge walk was cool and breathe taking 😮 Absolutely beautiful area including the rock formation. Aren't you allowed to build a fire? I've seen videos in the past as to digging a hole in the ground and making a hole separate to the pit to allow air to the fire 🔥 I've forgotten the name of it but you have better control of your fire and its less visible. I really enjoyed your Hike ❤ Thanks for sharing. Happy Trails!

[@randybeeson3424]

I know it doesn't fall into the ultralight realm, but I carry a titanium twig stove everywhere I camp. At 7 oz, it's an extra way to cook but also to have a small fire from pine cones and twigs. Love your show your almost there!

[@RickINFJ]

Ok, I need to retire in NM. 😂 I could lose days examining the geology. Just my opinion on the stove..considering it was still giving issues in warmer temps. The flame at the end of the video looked like lack of pressure from the canister, or maybe debris at the inlet restricting flow. Regardless, I hope you figure it out. Take care ✌️

[@boblacourse1430]

Your stove is clogged up. You should clean them at least once a week after constant use. When you remove from Canister hold stove upside down and gently hit it against a solid surface. This usually removes any soot . By time you read this you'll most likely have new stove so keep that one clean.

[@LionessHiker]

Sometimes you can get your stove to work by warming it under your arm pits. I shake it gently to disperse the warmth throughout and presto mostly I can get it to light. I think the canister being low doesn’t help.

[@michaelbailot5479]

That soil is cryptobiotic soil crust. It is alive. Walking on it kills it. It is very old. Unfortunately this interwoven mat of sheath material is easily damaged, especially when it is dry - - which is most of the time. People trampling on a well developed patch of cryptobiotic soil crust can erase decades of growth.

[@starman9458]

It's a bummer that your fuel canister quit working. The sunset in the desert's very beautiful and glad you evaded a storm previously.

[@paddle_hike]

Just wondering.... Cause gas canisters do freeze (keep it stored as warm as possible and check again). I got that issue (slow flame on winter camping before) so Might be it. Good luck

[@MogressiveCoaching]

WOW! i Didn't realize how serious the CDT was, now I'm going back to your videos before DAY 1 to truly feel the build up, mindset, and connect on a more emotional level. (There isn't a salute emoji on here so that sucks..) but yeah 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 lol

[@Jllcountry5118]

Those Pillar rocks were very cool. Be careful ! Keep goin 💪

[@panhandlejake6200]

Low gas pressure at the burner. As already mentioned, the fuel mixture could be a problem at the lower temperatures. Another possibility is that the orifice in the stove is dirty or plugged - not easily cleaned on trail. You could try to blow through it with your lungs but probably fruitless. If you can get to an air compressor at a gas station with a blow gun nozzle, try using it to blow out the orifice. Try not to damage the o-ring that seals around the gas canister.

[@crmasek39]

Keep up the good vibes, hope the new stove gets ya through.

[@rosemarymcleod4074]

Looks pretty desolate out there not to have good water sources. That would be the one thing I would worry about. Stay safe. Have fun😊

[@oneeyeopen5044]

Kelly, you should really get those hydrating gel packs. They’re like little mustard, ketchup, size packs specially with all the water issues.

[@timwolfers7880]

Get a jetboil- indestructible!!

[@ScottKent]

Those little BRS stoves don't do well in cold or high winds...SOTO Windmaster with the fuel regulator is the only stove I'll carry now...even if it does way a whole 4 ounces.

[@renoflames]

love it

[@Elizabeth-pt4bv]

Rough to have your stove go out, yikes. At least it heated a little bit. What was the name of the area you were in? I would love to look up the history of the area and the rock formations. The landscape you show us is so beautiful and interesting. Thanks for sharing your days on trail.

[@Firemedic361]

Sucks to have the stove go out. MSR has always been my ultralight go to stove. 40+ years using their gear with no failures.

[@danbar32]

Masochist say his stoves just stop working after a while. He uses soto japanese stoves so I would think they would last longer. Warming up the canister as other have said might help. The sand being everywhere could also have an effect. We had our plumbing torches get clogged up with dirt from being in our tool boxes.

[@Bouldefeu2]

Been roaming homeless for a year and a half, my lixada alcohol stove is sick, it burns hot enough with denatured alcohol (easy to find and cheap) that it works well, just below freezing and probably colder. Amazon has it and the holder for sale 25 bucks. I think I’ll get new one ☝️ Those nitecore lights are great until it falls in the water! They’re not waterproof, (fell in a dog bowl when I had a hat on 😅)Now I buy the cheap ten dollar battery ones, can carry two.

[@alaish360]

I just watched a video in cold weather camping stoves don’t work reliably. You may need to consider swapping the fuel for a cold weather type

[@RidgeWalker8414]

Sorry bout your stove 9L. Maybe this will turn you into a cold-soaker. I know its not for everyone but I haven't carried a stove for many years and can't imagin anything else now. Also, I officially give you the backup trail name of Reflex. That was a pretty impressive catch with your bottle in the wind!

[@derekhughes4028]

Can’t believe I first watched you on the AT.

[@aubreyansell1019]

Most of the time it is the fuel can issue, sand off a wee bit off the top of the canister so that the stove gets a bit deeper into the fuel. Use a rock that’s sorta flat. Sit on the canister to see if heat helps it? I know your not a mother hen but it gets my hands to cold! But by now this issue is resolved. New Mexico is so cool!

[@RolandKrastins]

Wow ! You're in the baren New Mexico desert 🏜!:Some of hills look like building ruins. I hope you will fix stove situation soon. Maybe you can borrow and share a stove with a hiking buddy.

[@travissapp4961]

Great video

[@stevethomas3654]

Very enjoyable from day 1 and before. One thing though. Why is it that Pegleg & Syrup bail out in front? Maybe it was agreed upon in the beginning? Kinda odd to me

[@sallys2423]

She said a while back that they were on a different schedule. (in a comment, I think)

[@kellyhays23]

It’s not odd as a thru hiker…you got to remember This is a 3000 mile journey and everyone is on their own schedule/plan at the end of the day. It’s incredible we were able to hike together as long as we did.

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

How many miles do you have left?

[@SilverVagabonds]

What happened to all of the others that you started with?

[@kellyhays23]

Everyone is around…few days ahead or behind and some got off trail completely

[@beefpares]

Is your fuel an Iso-butane mix? Just butane act weird in certain temps and higher elevation

[@beefpares]

best to keep your fuel canister inside your sleeping bag at night to atleast to protect it from cold temps

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

Those stove canisters don't do well in the cold. Sleep with it at the bottom of your bag. Godspeed!

[@YellowstoneJayhawk]

😢can your pal help out and share his stove? I know you want to be independent but when gear fails, and you’re with your tribe, seems like they can fill the gap-hugs! No shame.

[@kellyhays23]

He cold soaks. Doesn’t carry a stove

[@Jkpatriot]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Jaxon1776]

You look exhausted.

[@GeorgeBeck100]

Just what I was thinking. The most important part of your kit is your sleep system I reckon. That Nemo Sleeping Pad sleeping pad only has an R value of 2. Gotta be affecting her sleep.

[@kellyhays23]

1. Of course I’m exhausted I’ve hiked 2500+ miles lol everyone is at this point 2. I have inflatable thermarest and have been sleeping incredibly on trail.

[@davidbalderston2751]

Kelly, you might try sleeping with your fuel canisters. They ten to not workwell at all if they get too cold.

[@walteragentplummer7031]

❤❤

[@iggyrojano1978]

😍

[@robbrandtBSA]

I think at one point you said the stove was a BRS 3000t? Mine failed in the exact same way. You got a LOT more mileage out of it than I got out of mine. Brilliant stove until it doesn't work. When I got back to lower elevation and warmer conditions it worked well with the same canister. I'm pretty sure it worked in higher/colder conditions with MSR canisters. But since I do most of my hiking in the high Sierra I decided to switch to a Jetboil. And that's when I discovered how much more fuel efficient the jetboil was. That means less fuel to buy, and to carry on long trips.

[@BareYoga]

Does your hiking partners have stoves too? Why not try your stove with their canister and use your stove on their canister to test which is the problem? Maybe try some carb cleaner on your stove at the next stop to clean out carbon residue? Hope you get a good fix

[@miscbs]

The dirt @1:45 is cryptogamic soil and take forever to form like that. It is biological (microbes).

[@michaelspunich7273]

I was hoping she'd get a better looka tthem, as they are somewhat rare, right?

[@miscbs]

@@michaelspunich7273 Rare world wide? Maybe. Rare in New Mexico? Not really. They are just very fragile.

[@Eric-i2g8u]

Hi kelly❤

[@saltycat262]

condensationy 😆🤣

[@jeremymerritt5564]

Just borrow someone’s stove until ya get to town.

[@johnelliott5923]

So your partner dosent have a stove.when I’ve ever backpacked what ever I have cold be used by anyone else on the trail . Especially if it helps someone else get to the next stop. It sounds like it could be a bad fuel canister . I’ve seen a few of these. Or your stove needs to be cleaned.

[@wev2344]

Always carry a backup stove.

[@RidgeWalker8414]

Or none at all...can't break that way.

[@HesperianHorsePower]

Have you ever been stalked by a mountain lion while pinching a loaf? Did you get to wipe first or did you just make a run for it? Curious minds want to know?

[@bertkelly7650]

Grab some wood while walking and you'll have enough when it comes time to cook.

[@davidevans3175]

I hope your parents don’t see that thumbnail.

[@rubyclaire8807]

Why? What's wrong with it?

[@maureenmukhlis2934]

Dusk in the desert is so beautiful! It’s a different kind of beautiful from any other areas! When I visited ElPaso Tx, Ruidoso, New Mexico and Arizona, I was floored by beauty of the desert. I don’t know if I can camp in the desert. I would be terrified of tarantulas and scorpions 🥹😵‍💫🥹