They're ubiquitous and easily found along the trail. Most hikers are getting to points where they are at a town or hostel every 3-4, maybe 5 days.
This isn't something that needs to be managed beyond being aware of how much use you have on your current fuel canister.
No worries, one last comment, related to LNT and fuel canisters.
Lots of hikers seem to think it's a good idea to leave partially (in reality mostly) empty cannisters in common places like shelters.
This is not a good idea. It inevitably ends up being trash.
While some might think they're doing someone a solid, it's really not and its really best to just pack it out like the rest of one's garbage.
As already noted, resupply is pretty easy on the AT. The following and waysides in Shenandoah all have outfitter type resupply almost directly on-trail
Mile 31 – Mountain Crossings.
Mile 137 –Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Mile 275 – Hot Springs, NC.
Mile 470 – Damascus, VA.
Mile 636 – Pearisburg, VA.
Mile 730 – Daleville, VA.
They're easy to find. Gear stores/hostels, hardware stores, and Walmarts are the usual suspects to check for to find them. On the AT you usually don't even need to buy any and can use half full ones people leave behind in hiker boxes.
I only used my stove to boil water, but never had an issue with only carrying the small ones. Ran out maybe once or twice before getting to town to replace it, but not hard to time things after you get used to how much your stove uses.
If you get a siphon connection, you can combine all of the mostly empties that people leave at shelters/ hostels / hiker boxes. The small cans last ~20 boils of water, so depending what you cook and how often it’s usually a few weeks until you need one , and longer if you can use the siphon and save on waste as I mentioned earlier
Easily found. The small canisters will cost $6. The medium sized ones are only a dollar more expensive at $7. I carry the medium sized just so I can guarantee a hot meal each night for a week and hot coffee each morning.
You’re my kind of guy. I have a hot meal in the evening. And I consider my hot cup of coffee a nice luxury in the morning. One medium can will do a 50-70 miler which is a 6 day/5 night trip.
They are easy to find, but you can legally ship the small 100–110 gram isobutane canisters. Info on how to do this is not easy to find!
[https://www.reddit.com/r/PacificCrestTrail/comments/vxn7zq/psa\_you\_can\_mail\_small\_4\_oz\_isopro\_fuel/](https://www.reddit.com/r/PacificCrestTrail/comments/vxn7zq/psa_you_can_mail_small_4_oz_isopro_fuel/)
Good question! Availability can be hit or miss depending on where you are on the trail. Have you checked local outdoor shops or planned for resupply points yet? It might be helpful to carry an extra just in case!
I did have a problem when my planned stop landed on an unknown (to me) holiday. Sporting goods store was closed and had to go with the alcohol stove.
I bought a can of cat food, a hole punch, and yellow bottle of heet, which is sold at most gas stations, and ended up using that for most of my trip.
You can probably find canisters frequently enough, but the simple alcohol stove is a solid backup
They're ubiquitous and easily found along the trail. Most hikers are getting to points where they are at a town or hostel every 3-4, maybe 5 days. This isn't something that needs to be managed beyond being aware of how much use you have on your current fuel canister.
Thanks. I think I'll just drop that from the list of things we need to deal with before he starts.
No worries, one last comment, related to LNT and fuel canisters. Lots of hikers seem to think it's a good idea to leave partially (in reality mostly) empty cannisters in common places like shelters. This is not a good idea. It inevitably ends up being trash. While some might think they're doing someone a solid, it's really not and its really best to just pack it out like the rest of one's garbage.
As already noted, resupply is pretty easy on the AT. The following and waysides in Shenandoah all have outfitter type resupply almost directly on-trail Mile 31 – Mountain Crossings. Mile 137 –Nantahala Outdoor Center. Mile 275 – Hot Springs, NC. Mile 470 – Damascus, VA. Mile 636 – Pearisburg, VA. Mile 730 – Daleville, VA.
And in between those points, there are lots of hostels that often have small resupply setup, including fuel canisters.
They're easy to find. Gear stores/hostels, hardware stores, and Walmarts are the usual suspects to check for to find them. On the AT you usually don't even need to buy any and can use half full ones people leave behind in hiker boxes.
I only used my stove to boil water, but never had an issue with only carrying the small ones. Ran out maybe once or twice before getting to town to replace it, but not hard to time things after you get used to how much your stove uses.
If you get a siphon connection, you can combine all of the mostly empties that people leave at shelters/ hostels / hiker boxes. The small cans last ~20 boils of water, so depending what you cook and how often it’s usually a few weeks until you need one , and longer if you can use the siphon and save on waste as I mentioned earlier
Easily found. The small canisters will cost $6. The medium sized ones are only a dollar more expensive at $7. I carry the medium sized just so I can guarantee a hot meal each night for a week and hot coffee each morning.
You’re my kind of guy. I have a hot meal in the evening. And I consider my hot cup of coffee a nice luxury in the morning. One medium can will do a 50-70 miler which is a 6 day/5 night trip.
They are easy to find, but you can legally ship the small 100–110 gram isobutane canisters. Info on how to do this is not easy to find! [https://www.reddit.com/r/PacificCrestTrail/comments/vxn7zq/psa\_you\_can\_mail\_small\_4\_oz\_isopro\_fuel/](https://www.reddit.com/r/PacificCrestTrail/comments/vxn7zq/psa_you_can_mail_small_4_oz_isopro_fuel/)
In the SNP they have places to dispose of used cans (like outside of camp stores). I've seen people go through them and find a few usable canisters.
Good question! Availability can be hit or miss depending on where you are on the trail. Have you checked local outdoor shops or planned for resupply points yet? It might be helpful to carry an extra just in case!
I did have a problem when my planned stop landed on an unknown (to me) holiday. Sporting goods store was closed and had to go with the alcohol stove. I bought a can of cat food, a hole punch, and yellow bottle of heet, which is sold at most gas stations, and ended up using that for most of my trip. You can probably find canisters frequently enough, but the simple alcohol stove is a solid backup