Naughty list….

Add that idiot lady who was installing "art" in NP's on rocks….

Establishing new campfire locations.

Leaving moose gut piles or fish remains near the trail in grizzly country.

Throwing rocks off a high point with no awareness or consideration of trails, hikers, climbers or fishers below.

People packed firearms who seem barely able to use a hiking stick.

Telling my low-brush-cranberry-grazing children that "Those red berries are poisonous – you shouldn't be eating them!" My kids (5 and 9 at the time) can ID ten edible species and know not to eat anything they're not sure about. We were 50 yards away and quickly reassured our kids. We've tried to pass on that doctor and engineer thing – know what you know. And know what you don't know.

And know what you don’t know

Honestly, I think that’s the tougher and more important one.

In line with the thread, some of the advice I’ve seen given on various internet forums concerning stoves for backpacking, a lot of which while not actively harmful, is pretty inaccurate.
“Butane is a form of natural gas.”
[Natural gas is mostly methane (CH4) with some ethane (C2H6) and carbon dioxide (C02). Butane (C4H10) is generally produced at a refinery much like propane (C3H8). I suppose that natural gas could contain some butane, but butane is not a form of natural gas.]

“Butane produces fewer BTUs per unit than propane so it can be stored in thin walled containers, usually canisters with a threaded valve on top.”
[The issue isn’t how many BTU’s but rather the issue is vapor pressure. Propane has very high vapor pressure and therefore 100% propane typically has to be stored in heavier canisters. Butane has low vapor pressure and can be stored in a little plastic Bic lighter. ]

And my favorite:
“Isobutane is a mixture of 70% butane and 30% propane”
[Isobutane is not a mix of regular butane and propane. Isobutane is still butane (C4H10), but the atoms that comprise the molecule have been rearranged. This rearrangement alters the chemical properties of the molecule. ]

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim’s Blog

> "Butane produces fewer BTUs per unit than propane
Per WHAT unit? Mass? Volume? Whales? Football fields?
:-)

" I bought a canister stove last week and I have used it twice. I am now an expect on canister stoves …….. "
Sigh.

Cheers
PS – for those who do not get my sense of humour: No, I am NOT poking fun at Jim, but possibly at 'someone else'.

Rearranging 40 lb rocks in the beautiful desolate area just south of Forester Pass to make creative stone circles.

Roger,

I’m very worried about the shortage of BTU’s in my butane canister fuel. Surely as a physicist you can suggest something, perhaps on April 1st? ;)

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim’s Blog

These are great. Thanks.

I'll start a new thread today for those who deserve our thanks: The Nice List!

Those who blast music over their speakerphones while on trail.

Not to be a grumpy old man, but is that a unique phenomenon that's developed just over the past couple years? Prior to maybe 2 years ago, I had never run into that on trail.

1. People who want to mooch off your food B/C they never carry enough of their own.
2. group members who bitch, belittle or are generally a PITA (nuff sed)
3. newbie hike partners that REFUSE to take any advice from experienced hikers then end up needing help
4. gear queers who can't find the correct trail or their @ss with both hands even with the latest GPS (i.e. people who are totally unfamiliar with how their gear works)

The newbs who say, "You're such an experienced backpacker, I need advice" … so you spend HOURS educating them about backpacking philosophy and options for gear via email, telephone, and in person, answering their every question and concern.

Then you see them a month later, and they have all new gear, NONE of which conforms to what they said they wanted when you gave them all the advice, and when you ask them why they chose what they chose they say…

"The guy at REI recommended this."

Bah, humbug!!!

While I can get irked online with people… I have been very lucky both with hiking partners and people met or observed on the trail. In the virtual world I could make a naughty list, and include myself in it :) In the physical world, people I have shared the trails with have ranged from great to nice.

I'd agree with that. The amount of asshattery in the wilderness is substantially lower than in "civilization" – and tends to decrease the wilder the place gets, even on an adjusted asshattery-per-capita basis.

Those who seek the flaws in others while ignoring their own failings.

Tis the season of joy and forgiveness!

"Tis the season of joy and forgiveness!"

And why doesn't "joy and forgiveness" apply to the rest of the year…?

"Those who blast music over their speakerphones while on trail.

Not to be a grumpy old man, but is that a unique phenomenon that's developed just over the past couple years? Prior to maybe 2 years ago, I had never run into that on trail."

Just a year ago an idiot was coming up the trail with a classic boombox blaring heavy metal. I wanted to introduce him to Classic Rock — small chunks of basalt :)

…

Let's not forget the Scoutmasters who preach "I carried 50 pounds when I was a boy, that's how you guys need to do it too."

Sigh.

Me. I deserve to be on the naughty list. I prefer to skip the details.

"Those who seek the flaws in others while ignoring their own failings.

Tis the season of joy and forgiveness!"

+1

Oops, I forgot. Tis the season of cabin fever, and people are starting to flail around looking for something to bitch about. CHAFF or euthanasia I say.

TROLLS

Pots who call the kettle black

Can't you see the resemblance Ken?

I don't know. Your avatar shot is kinda small. Boom! Gotcha!

Have the happiest of holidays everyone!

"I don't know. Your avatar shot is kinda small."

The judges score it 10-8, 10-8, 10-7 for the grizzled veteran, Ken "Trinity Tiger" Thompson. But don't count Masterson out too soon, folks. He young and strong, and has a budding reputation as a bulldog who survives hard shots early and wears his opponent down in the later rounds.

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