The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize

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The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize Belize is a land rich with history and adventure, and for those who love to explore, its ancient Mayan ruins offer a glimpse into a world both magnificent and mysterious. My wife, Linda, and our friends, Eamon and Athena, and I dedicated our third day in Belize to exploring one of the most magnificent of these sites: Xunantunich, or "The Maiden of the Rock." This post will serve as your comprehensive guide to this breathtaking archaeological site, sharing our firsthand experience and helping you prepare for your own unforgettable journey. The grounds are well-kept, which we noticed the moment we walked into the central plaza, and the site is much bigger than we anticipated. The Journey Begins with a Hand-Cranked Ferry Getting to Xunantunich is a part of the adventure in itself, and it’s a detail that adds to the site's remote and timeless feel. The day of our visit was incredibly sunny, and the dri...
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Stove Basics - Part 1

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Basic Information and Lessons Learned

Between Jack and me, we now have a healthy collection of various stoves, and each type comes with its benefits and weaknesses. To investigate some of our stoves' characteristics, Jack and I have entered the pseudo-science realm of the timed water boiling test. You can check out our playlist here: Stove Test.

Canister Stoves

Jack (Etekcity) and I (Primus Yellowstone Classic) both have canister stoves, and they have been the staple backup stove for Team Adventures with BeeGee. Through our initial testing and field experience, this type of stove is the fastest to boil and is the least affected by wind. Most canister stoves have a fuel control knob, which provides greater control between simmering and a quick boil.

A type of canister stove
Etekcity Backpacking Stove 

Canister stoves are lightweight, but their fuel canisters can be large and heavy. Additionally, the fuel canister doesn’t become any lighter as more fuel is used. Additionally, canister stoves are extremely easy to use; they can be lit with any flame, and some even have piezo ignitors to auto-light. Canister stoves are very low-maintenance because they generally have no moving parts, except for the screw threads used to assemble and attach the stove to the fuel canister.  Two gases are used in the pressurized canister: iso-butane and propane, which will burn fine in temperatures above freezing. Lastly, it is recommended that no windscreen is used because the canister can warm up from trapped heat and explode.

My go to canister stove
Primus Yellowstone Classic Trail Stove

 Esbit (Solid Fuel) Stoves

Jack (Esbit Pocket Stove) and I (Gram Cracker Stove) both have solid fuel stoves, but Jack has more experience using his on our adventures. Through our initial testing and field experience, this type of stove is slower at boiling water and is possibly the most affected by wind.  Additionally, unless you buy a fancy tool, there is no way to control the burn, so for most, simmering isn’t an option. However, with a windscreen, Esbit stoves are incredibly lightweight and have an average boil time. 

A simple stove for solid fuel
Esbit Pocket Stove

The Esbit tabs are a chemical called hexamine, but you can find other tabs at military surplus stores called trioxane which has comparatively poorer performance. Moreover, solid fuel stoves are an incredibly lightweight setup, easy to use, and require no maintenance. Other than opening the stove/platform up, there are no moving parts, and all you will need is a flat/level surface. Furthermore, low temperatures shouldn’t have a significant effect, but energy output makes solid fuel stoves less than ideal for melting snow. Finally, Esbit tabs have a really strange smell, and the tabs will leave a residue on your stove and the bottom of your pot.

can be used with the Caldera Cone
Trail Designs Gram Cracker Stove

Stay tuned for the second part, as well as our coverage on alcohol stoves and wood stoves. 

The Giveaway


First off, Team Adventures with BeeGee would like to congratulate Anais R. for winning our Wildo Kasa Mug, and a big thank you to everyone who joined the giveaway.

The winner of adventures with BeeGee Giveaway
Jack is taking a photo with Anais and her new Wildo Kasa mug.

This month, we are giving away an Exotec PolyStrike fire starter that Jack received in a recent Prepper Gear Box. It will be more than enough to light your stove of choice.

This month's Giveaway: Exotech PolyStrike Fire Starter

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Go ahead and let us know about your go-to stove or that dream stove you’d love to have one day. Additionally, if you enjoy the blog, follow us on Facebook to stay up to date.

Jarrett Morgan

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 3, 2016 at 12:33 PM

    I don't know anything about stoves but this was really interesting to read :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. JarrettNovember 4, 2016 at 8:27 AM

    I'm glad you found it interesting. Let us know if you think of any stove questions.

    ReplyDelete

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