Putting Away My Winter Toys

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”

For backpackers that includes putting away the toys of winter. I spent the last few weeks tweeking my wood stove design and I am finally happy with the results:

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The only mod I made from the above picture is adding a combination cleanout and draft door where the bottom holes are:

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It burns about as hot as I could hope and I’ve gotten almost 5 hours from one load of wood.

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Unfortunately my window for a winter snow shoeing/pulk sled trip closed last weekend. Temperatures are too warm and the snow is melting with every passing day. No worries – spring is here and in a few weeks I’ll be on the AT in Maryland for three days of hiking and hanging in my hammock. Time to break out the 3 season toys, yeah!!!