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Flashlight.—A headlight will serve for a party of four. It is superior to a hand light, since it will free the hands. and the battery can be kept warm next to the body. The most efficient temperature for the cells is 70° F. Their efficiency is 50 per cent at 30° F; at 0° commercial cells will not function. The switch on any flashlight should be so designed that it cannot be accidentally turned on in the pack. Fresh battery cells should be put in the case at the start of the trip. Cooking stoves.—A lightweight gasoline stove should be carried even for camps below timberline. One may cook over a wood fire built on the snow, but in severe weather such a procedure is most uncomfortable and it is difficult and time-consuming to make the fireplace blizzardproof. Though a variety of stoves can be recommended, the most reliable is the kerosene-burning Primus type, with roarer burner and built-in pump. One stove, half-pint or one-pint size, will be adequate for each tent. With two half-pint stoves, two courses can be cooking simultaneously; however, the pint size, with larger burner, is more efficient. If the stove is carried in a small bag of gasoline proof fabric, chance fuel leakage will not spread so easily throughout the rucksack to flavor the food. One should learn the idiosyncrasies of these stoves before planning to cook with them in the mountains. |
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