first problem

first problem

A few hours ago I had my first equipment problem - my camp stove wouldn't light up. I had left a bit fo fuel inside it when I left Conrich, and added a bit more... but I just couldn't get the sucker to light up. I figured maybe that there was a problem in transport, that I couldn't leave it fuelled. So, I dumped one load of fuel and refilled it. No luck. It was already after 7, and I was getting hungry.

I sat down and had a smoke. Why wouldn't it light? It had lit without a problem last night and again this morning. What was different? ... and then I realized that the previous two times I had lit it while it rested on the ground, whereas tonight it was sitting on a picnic table. Whether the ground acts as a heat sink to help drive the fuel flow,or whether there was too much airflow on top of the picnic table, I have no idea. Anyhow, I put it on the ground and started it, no problem. A couple of hotdogs and some coffee later, my belly is full and I feel a lot better.

Cool... I hear coyotes howling.

The US map dried out fairly well. The Canadian map is still wet though, and coming into the tent I put my hand right through it. Hopefully it will have dried by the morning, or I will need a new map.

I want to get started early tomorrow, and be absolutely sure I can get everything down river with me. I'm buying a second air mattress, so that I can make a raft to float my bike behind the boat.