UKC

Hey all, 
I'm doing a long walk from Courmayour to the Adamello Presanella this August/September and I'm just working out where I can get can stove fuel and if I'm better off using liquid fuel or canister gas.

The route broadly follows the Alta Via 1 in Val d'Aosta at the start, before turning up Val Grande and Lake Maggorie. Then, through Val di Mello and the Sentiero Roma before following the Alpie Orobie and finishing with a circuit of the Adamello. 

Has anyone done much hiking in these areas and have any thoughts on whats available in small towns and villages along the way - particularly at the start along the Alta Via 1? I know often in Europe there are the Campigaz style canisters with the push on valve compared to the screw on that are common - and I'd be happy to buy an adaptor if it would make life easier. 

I've never used alcohol stoves before and I've always go the impression they are a little bit fiddly - but I'm very happy to use one if needed!

Thanks all

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

Meths is available in Supermarkets

https://bushwalkingnsw.org.au/clubsites/FAQ/FAQ_FuelNames.htm
 

In reply to Godwin: one factor to consider if you are flying to your start point is airlines’ dislike of gas stoves in your luggage. Alcohol stoves are easy to clean and look innocuous. Easy to use, quiet and not much to go wrong.

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

If you're in valleys in summer, don't need to melt snow, can shelter the stove from wind (in tent awning?) and not in a huge hurry, there's a good argument for alcohol stoves

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/titanium-triad-multi-fuel-stove/ stove weighs 24g (can also burn fuel tablets, but don't bring any containing hexamine back into the UK 🤬)

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/titanium-triad-multi-fuel-stove/ fuel bottle weighs 32g (empty!)

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

I was at Cogne near the Aosta and screw valve gas was available in town. Might be worth checking Decathlon in Aosta before you take off. Decathalon have screw valves in Spain where we're currently in the Sierra Nevada. 

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

I only use gas. In Europe I always take the adaptor which has saved me a few times in La Gomera, Corsica and mainland France when only click on cylinders were available.

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

That's why I bought a multifuel (petrol/diesel/kerosene) stove - no need to worry about finding fuel.

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

Thanks so much for the advice as always guys

Sounds like meths is the way to go! 

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

I've got the Primus Omnifuel - runs on gas, unleaded, diesel, etc.

Have a search through the forums - there's various advice about how to clean them before flying, so as not to trip any sensors.

https://primusequipment.co.uk/products/omnifuel-stove-incl-bottle-pouch

Certainly didn't pay that for it, though!

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

I suspect it should be reasonably easy to find due to people using alcohol burners for fondue sets. So look in supermarkets as well as hardware stores.

In reply to norrisdan71:

Gas stoves (without canister) a easy. 

It's liquid fuel stoves that can be an issue

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

Hy Oscar, first for all excuse for my English, I’m Italian, I like very much English but I understand it just a little bit.

I write you not for to speak about gas but why I’m lover of the mountains and when I saw your tour I were impressionate.

I’m from Lecco, I live for mountain, I know Alta Via 1 in Val d’Aosta, Val di Mello, Sentiero Roma, Prealpi Orobie, Adamello Presanella.

Your tour is gorgeous.

With compliments.

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

Meths is known as 'Alcol denaturato' in Italian. Do try cooking with meths before you go. You may not like the strange taste it can impart to the food or brew !

There are lots of easy to make meths stove designs out on the net. This design is easy to make and works well. https://zenstoves.net/Fuzzy.htm

Andy

In reply to LucaSala:

Grazie Luca! Anch'io amo la montagna, più di ogni altra cosa. Per me, le montagne italiane sono le più belle del mondo, più belle della Scozia! Ho iniziato a studiare italiano a gennaio e trovo ancora molto difficile parlare o scrivere in italiano, ma è così divertente imparare! Cordiali saluti dal Regno Unito.
Oscar

In reply to Oscar Dodd:

Last year, in August, I was in Scotland.

I had a program to go up on Ben Nevis but the weather was bad so I went to Glen Coe in an horrible day.

If you need help for Italian mountains in particular about Valle d’Aosta, Lombardia and Dolomiti, I’m here.

You study Italian, I study English so we would able to help each other.

Bye!