How Much Gas is Left? - A Backcountry Magic Trick
When you're camping out in the hills, or part-way through a backpacking route, it's sensible to keep tabs on how much gas is left in your canister. Perhaps you'll have to start rationing yourself. On the other hand, maybe there's enough for that extra cup of coffee. But how will you know, until you run out mid-brew?
Most of us give it a shake and make a barely-educated guess. But there's a more accurate way, explains Jan Miksovsky, in this brilliantly geeky but ultimately really useful short film.
Using just a trekking pole and a penknife, and with a bit of simple preparation at home before you leave, it's possible to create a balance scale that can weigh the contents of your can to within a gram or two - as much accuracy as you're ever likely to need. Here's how: