Re: Buffalo River - Nov 14-16
Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 3:32 pm
I did something last night that I have been thinking of doing for a long time. Yes it was a whim, but a carefully considered whim. I bought a used portable hot water heater made by Zodi, their extreme 8170 model, for our overnight canoe campouts winter and spring.
If Richard can carry a portapottie and a tent for it for the group in addition to the McFadden Arms in his canoe, then I figuired that hot showers are do-able. I'm not saying we need to take showers, I'm saying I LIKE HOT SHOWERS after a day on the river. (I also really like hot tubs, but you have to draw the line somewhere. Although I have considered building one in a remote area that I went to a lot, next to a stream to leave there. I have some easily do-able plans - Building a hot tub is not hard, but heating and schlepping the water to it is another story unless you can pipe it down hill.)
I've tried the solar shower bags of various sizes in the past and they work fair for a dribbleing amount of water right after sundown if they get 3-5 hours of afternoon sun. Better in summer than winter. Shower at 10PM to midnight? Yeah, but they lose temp even when you put them in an insulated aluminum bag as soon as you get in the shade or the sun goes down. Yes, you can still heat water on a stove and pour in the bag carefully with a funnel, but unless you have someone to hold up 40-50 pounds for 5 minutes for you (been there and done that a few times as the holdee) or have a convienient overhead ledge around (rare, but had found one on a few occasions out west), you really need an overhead limb and rope to hang it from (and that means you might have to pick your campsite for that limb) or take a heavier, more expensive shower tent designed to hold 50 pounds over your head. With the Zodi extreme, you have 100F water in 5 minutes and you have a manual pump to give you running water. (some of the other Zodi models have electric pumps, but I had been told that the battery pumps are under sized, and eat batteries.) Still easier to have a second person to run it, but take along a few canisters of gas and you have virtually unlimted showers, 5 gallons at a time, at say maybe 10-15 minutes between showers, unless you preheat your water inbetween.
This may work out like the little red hen. If you want one, you got to help out. Do I have any volunteers for standing on the other side of the tent or tarp and pumping and holding the nozzle? I know they make a stand for the nozzle, but I figure that it is still more weight to carry and more money. Anybody else like hot showers? Waiting to hear who is going to want a shower and who is going to volunteer. Watch your comments. This is a family group and showers are supposed to be clean.
Eric
If Richard can carry a portapottie and a tent for it for the group in addition to the McFadden Arms in his canoe, then I figuired that hot showers are do-able. I'm not saying we need to take showers, I'm saying I LIKE HOT SHOWERS after a day on the river. (I also really like hot tubs, but you have to draw the line somewhere. Although I have considered building one in a remote area that I went to a lot, next to a stream to leave there. I have some easily do-able plans - Building a hot tub is not hard, but heating and schlepping the water to it is another story unless you can pipe it down hill.)
I've tried the solar shower bags of various sizes in the past and they work fair for a dribbleing amount of water right after sundown if they get 3-5 hours of afternoon sun. Better in summer than winter. Shower at 10PM to midnight? Yeah, but they lose temp even when you put them in an insulated aluminum bag as soon as you get in the shade or the sun goes down. Yes, you can still heat water on a stove and pour in the bag carefully with a funnel, but unless you have someone to hold up 40-50 pounds for 5 minutes for you (been there and done that a few times as the holdee) or have a convienient overhead ledge around (rare, but had found one on a few occasions out west), you really need an overhead limb and rope to hang it from (and that means you might have to pick your campsite for that limb) or take a heavier, more expensive shower tent designed to hold 50 pounds over your head. With the Zodi extreme, you have 100F water in 5 minutes and you have a manual pump to give you running water. (some of the other Zodi models have electric pumps, but I had been told that the battery pumps are under sized, and eat batteries.) Still easier to have a second person to run it, but take along a few canisters of gas and you have virtually unlimted showers, 5 gallons at a time, at say maybe 10-15 minutes between showers, unless you preheat your water inbetween.
This may work out like the little red hen. If you want one, you got to help out. Do I have any volunteers for standing on the other side of the tent or tarp and pumping and holding the nozzle? I know they make a stand for the nozzle, but I figure that it is still more weight to carry and more money. Anybody else like hot showers? Waiting to hear who is going to want a shower and who is going to volunteer. Watch your comments. This is a family group and showers are supposed to be clean.
Eric
Of course you can join us. Our rules are simple and laid out in the original posting.
your so funny! how did you guess what the surprise dinner is going to be?