The great PCT stove debate

Anyone who has ever hiked the PCT, or any other trail for that matter, has their own way of doing everything. And amazingly, everyone claims their way is the best: they all have the secret to the lightest pack, the best gear, or the perfect recipe for the trail. The bottom line, however, is that nothing is perfect for everyone, and while there are thousands of tips and tricks out there, everyone must find what works for them (some people have thru-hiked the PCT in sneakers and without a stove at all- eating cold food everyday- but we know that is not the experience we are looking for).

Where this is perhaps the most evident is when it comes to stoves- we have combed through blogs, books and websites, and have made and tested numerous stoves. The main concern with choosing a stove for a PCT thruhike is fuel availability. White gas, the tried and true camping fuel, is not available in most towns along the way. Unlike the Appalacian Trail, which meanders through many small yet hiker-friendly, well-stocked towns, the PCT is more remote, passing through few towns which don't stock things like camping fuel. For this reason, most thru-hikers mail supplies through the US Postal Service and mailing white gas is a big no-no. The same goes for fuel canisters and Esbit tablets. If we want to do this thing legally (which might be a good idea), we will have to use the sources of fuel available to us.

In pit-stops and on the trail, the three fuels that will be most readily available are: gasoline, biomass (wood), and alcohol (HEET brand fuel additive). Below are the pros and cons for each fuel type:

Fuel: Gasoline
Pros: Readily available, gasoline stoves make temperature adjustment easy, people familiar with white gas stoves would feel comfortable operating a gas stove.
Cons: Gasoline is a sooty burning fuel; it smells aweful and can clog easily.
Possible Stove: Coleman Exponent Feather 442 Dual Fuel Backpacking Stove

Fuel: Biomass
Pros: No need to buy fuel, its a carbon negative fuel source, and there is just something comforting about a wood fire.
Cons: Collecting and burning wood is prohibited in many places on the trail, thereby requiring a backup stove. Availability of fuel (wood, other biomass) is dependent on weather, effort, temperature control.
Possible Stove: Bushbuddy Ultra

Fuel: Alcohol (or "Alky")
Pros: Great availability, low cost, stoves are simple to make at home.
Cons: No simple temperature adjustment (hard to simmer), declined performance in low temperatures.
Possible Stove: SuperCat

Alcohol stoves are quickly the preferred stove for most PCT thru-hikers. Additionally, most thru-hikers make their own stoves. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the extremely complicated, like those made by Tinny at MinibullDesigns, to the extremely basic. Be sure to check out Zen Stoves to see the wide range of stoves people are churning out. After extensive reading and trials, we are planning on using the SuperCat Alcohol Stove. We chose the SuperCat because of its extreme light weight (an empty aluminum cat food can), the price (free), and the simplicity of use. Coming soon: a full review and write-up about the stove, including photos and video.