Mountains and Alcohol

[Dannible]

A flask of 151 can offset the need for a sleeping bag and pad, and is even lighter on the way out.

[catbirdseat]

"Wine is a more complex substance than one might think, and, above two thousand metres, and at close to zero degrees centigrade, it displays interesting behavioral anomalies. It changes flavor, loses the bite of alcohol, and regains the mildness of the grape from which it comes. One can take it in heavy doses without any undesired effects. In fact, it eliminates fatigue, loosens and warms the limbs, and leads to a fanciful mood. It is no longer a luxury or a vice but a metabolic necessity, like water on the plains. It is a well-known fact that vines grow better on a slope: could there be a connection?"

 

-- Primo Levi

An interesting writer. Have you read "The Periodic Table"?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Alcohol will freeze on a climbing trip in the Cascades? I suppose it depends on how much alcohol, and how cold. For what it's worth, the summit temp on Rainier is forecast to be about 10 F today.

 

Pure ethanol's freezing point is -175 F. Admittedly, beer (~6% alcohol) will freeze pretty warm (25 F), but I don't think you're putting beer in a flask. Absolut vodka is about 100 proof, so would freeze at -25 F, which is starting to get chilly, I think. I don't know if that's cold enough for cold injuries on contact with your throat, though.

 

Who said anything about the Cascades exclusively?

 

Many hard-liquors are 80 proof, which will freeze solid on a cold night on Denali. Even a 100 proof might... if you dip below -40.

 

[i_like_sun]

"Wine is a more complex substance than one might think, and, above two thousand metres, and at close to zero degrees centigrade, it displays interesting behavioral anomalies. It changes flavor, loses the bite of alcohol, and regains the mildness of the grape from which it comes. One can take it in heavy doses without any undesired effects. In fact, it eliminates fatigue, loosens and warms the limbs, and leads to a fanciful mood. It is no longer a luxury or a vice but a metabolic necessity, like water on the plains. It is a well-known fact that vines grow better on a slope: could there be a connection?"

 

-- Primo Levi

An interesting writer. Have you read "The Periodic Table"?

 

 

[i_like_sun]

I don't think there is really anything better than a flask of malt whiskey and a big Cuban Cigar after coming off of Rainier. You can just sit at camp, stair into the vast horizon, puff, sip, and be STOKED!

 

[jmace]

I don't think there is really anything better than a flask of malt whiskey and a big Cuban Blunt after coming off of Rainier. You can just sit at camp, stair into the vast horizon, puff, sip, and be STONED!

 

 

YUP!!

[Ben_Heavner]

Who said anything about the Cascades exclusively?

 

Many hard-liquors are 80 proof, which will freeze solid on a cold night on Denali. Even a 100 proof might... if you dip below -40.

 

It's true, no one said anything about the Cascades exclusively. Looking over i_like_sun's posting history, it seems a safe bet, though.

 

And it's also true that had Dave Johnston, Art Davidson, and Ray Genet had any alcohol with them on their Denali climb, damn near anything would have frozen, but would it have given their throats frostbite if they had tried to chug it before it turned solid?

 

In other words, yes, many alcohols can freeze in some climbing conditions. However, many flask-type-beverages will not freeze at pretty cold temperatures - in such a case, can they cause cold injuries if you drink them?

 

cheers!

[rbw1966]

"Wine is a more complex substance than one might think, and, above two thousand metres, and at close to zero degrees centigrade, it displays interesting behavioral anomalies. It changes flavor, loses the bite of alcohol, and regains the mildness of the grape from which it comes. One can take it in heavy doses without any undesired effects. In fact, it eliminates fatigue, loosens and warms the limbs, and leads to a fanciful mood. It is no longer a luxury or a vice but a metabolic necessity, like water on the plains. It is a well-known fact that vines grow better on a slope: could there be a connection?"

 

-- Primo Levi

An interesting writer. Have you read "The Periodic Table"?

 

 

 

Levi wrote "Il sistema periodico" in 1975--a collection of short stories. In english: The Periodic Table

[iluka]

A flask of 151 can offset the need for a sleeping bag and pad, and is even lighter on the way out.

 

Alcohol will make you feel warmer but in significant enough quantities can increase the risk of hypothermia. It causes blood vessels to dilate. As a result, more warm blood goes from your core to your body's periphery. This makes you feel warmer but over time takes heat away from the core and increases the risk of a fall in your body temperature.

 

 

[denalidave]

A flask of 151 can offset the need for a sleeping bag and pad, and is even lighter on the way out.

 

Alcohol will make you feel warmer but in significant enough quantities can increase the risk of hypothermia. It causes blood vessels to dilate. As a result, more warm blood goes from your core to your body's periphery. This makes you feel warmer but over time takes heat away from the core and increases the risk of a fall in your body temperature.

But who cares, you'll be invin-azable after a few more shots.

 

 

Edited January 3, 2008 by denalidave

[Dechristo]

"Wine is a more complex substance than one might think, and, above two thousand metres, and at close to zero degrees centigrade, it displays interesting behavioral anomalies. It changes flavor, loses the bite of alcohol, and regains the mildness of the grape from which it comes. One can take it in heavy doses without any undesired effects. In fact, it eliminates fatigue, loosens and warms the limbs, and leads to a fanciful mood. It is no longer a luxury or a vice but a metabolic necessity, like water on the plains. It is a well-known fact that vines grow better on a slope: could there be a connection?"

 

-- Primo Levi

An interesting writer. Have you read "The Periodic Table"?

 

 

 

Levi wrote "Il sistema periodico" in 1975--a collection of short stories. In english: The Periodic Table

 

Forgive him, he's a young simpleton.