I've updated all the stove reviews I think the errata applies to which ended up being easier than I thought. Stove testing is so much fun that I have started messing with the Trangia Westwind. I will have to change my test methods slightly because of the way this stove is typically filled and used. So far I have been able to boil with .5 ounces of alcohol (weight) so that is about 18 ml alcohol per boil.

I've finished the Brasslite stove review except for maybe the grammar which everyone seems to find all my faults after I post articles. My final recommendations are if you are looking for an alcohol stove for groups - the Duo rocks. And if your looking for a quality light weight alcohol stove you don't have to build - then maybe the Solo is for you. Check it out. As for me - I'll keep playing with homemade stoves.

Lastly, I spent last night in a Clark Jungle hammock. I got some good sleep. Hopefully we get some rain so I can see how weather proof it is.

Well today is a new day for testing, the Brasslite solo came in and I was already set to test the Trangia as well. To top all that off the Clark Jungle Hammock is set up in the back yard for me to sleep in tonight.

First I must publish a HUGE correction that affects all my stove tests. I have been using a measuring device that was inaccurate. My measuring glass incorrectly measures liquids - what I thought was 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 3/4 ounce etc. was actually less. And to top it off my understanding of specific gravity was a little off, so now I need to go back and revise my stove reviews, but don't panic. What I thought was 1 ounce by my glass was actually less, so it seems stoves I've tested are actually more fuel efficient than I gave them credit for when calculating fluid ounces, but weight of fuel is still about right. Thanks to Aaron Rosenbloom that sent me a more accurate way to measure liquids.

So I will be going back thru stove reviews to fix them. I plan to change the measurements to milliliters.

I haven't really updated the site, but just letting you know I'm still working. In recent events I've started to write the final updates to the Brasslite Review. I should have it finished this weekend. But, Aaron has done some design changes based on some of my input so I will rename the review to the Brasslite Duo, and hopefully will do another review of the Brasslite Solo which is a model that is designed to be more efficient for solo backpackers.

Another thing to do this weekend is start the review of the Clark Jungle Hammock. I'm looking forward to a night sleeping in a hammock again!

Lastly I have ordered a Moonbow Gearskin made from the lightest material. Hopefully I can get some hiking done with it to compare the performance of a Gearskin going with the lightest options for ya'll. And on another note, Moonbow is in Glencliff not Gorham like I put in my review. That is another fix for this weekend.

Wow, what a month.

This JRTC rotation was a hell of a training exercise. It was the most realistic training exercise I've done in 17 years. Unfortunately two pilots in my Regiment lost their lives on the last night. Here is the article.

It wasn't fun at all, the only good things were the Brasslite stove I took always performed, and my Hennessy Hammock I only got to use on the last two nights.

So now I'm back with a ton of e-mail to sort thru. Site updates should start again with an update on the Brasslite review and the beginning of a review on the Clark Jungle Hammock.

Sorry ya'll.

It's been a long time since my last update, work has been hectic and we leave tomorrow for three weeks. I'm looking forward to it and I'm dreading it.

Here is the latest on what is going on. I have received the Brasslite stove and the Trangia stove. I have done a lot of the test data for the Brasslite but have not done a field test of it yet. I've posted some data that is complete here (Brasslite initial tests), but remember, it's only some preliminary data and the review isn't complete.

The next thing is the Trangia. I've only done a couple of tests on it and do not have time to make a real test yet, so look for that at the end of the month. My initial results show it can boil with 0.5 ounces (weight) in fuel.

Lastly I have been working on the format for the WhiteBlaze Network. You won't see my name on it anywhere (except in the links) because its a site about the AT. This is my site about what works for me (and hopefully for you) so I have my logo here, but WhiteBlaze will hopefully be a great place to look if your trying to find anything about the Appalachian Trail. If you have a site that could qualify, please go there and sign up. If you want info, go there and ask. Sign up for the forum.

Until the end of the month...