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Post by nextridgeover on Apr 7, 2017 13:19:26 GMT -8
I was much more of a backpacker in my youth. Much of the joy came from cooking outdoors in the wild and that still appeals to me to a certain extent. Not that I want every meal to be over the top, but I struggle with letting go of some of the old ways of doing things. It's hard for me to think of my up coming 9 day trip eating out of a freezer bag for the entire time. I like to pan fry some trout in a skillet or hash browns with onions and a baby bell melted in. Just reading about how freeing it is to reduce weight makes me want to ditch some heavier items but letting go is difficult. Have you ever had fresh biscuits and bacon gravy on morning five? It's incredible, not heavy, but brings weight with a skillet, yes even a light skillet. Not sure if it's the nostalgia or worried that I'll tire of the food from freezer bags. Heck, I'm even concerned about no bowl.
Was it difficult for anyone else to embrace the lighter cooking techniques and give up the dragonfly, bakepacker skillet, and small billy pot? What helped you push past those old ways? Heck, many of you are just now experiencing your future old ways, I guess we all are to an extent. Maybe I should accept that's what I like and deal with white gas and some extra weight.
Any thoughts or experiences to share would be great.
Thank you
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Post by trinity on Apr 7, 2017 13:58:30 GMT -8
Maybe I should accept that's what I like and deal with white gas and some extra weight. This. We all have things we love about backpacking. I'm strictly a just add boiling water type, but there are many who really enjoy preparing a nice meal in the outdoors. It sounds to me like this is one of the things that brings you joy, you shouldn't let anyone tell you that you should lighten up. By the way, in my younger days, I used to cook from time to time. I still remember a cutthroat trout I grilled up for breakfast in the backcountry of the Winds. It was one of the most memorable meals of my life, so I totally understand the appeal. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Apr 7, 2017 14:01:23 GMT -8
I cook from scratch at home. Plenty of utensils and a dishwasher. On the trail, I do not want to spend time washing up. Boil water, re-hydrate my food, and get on with enjoying the trail. Yes, I enjoy cooking, but the clean up is not a chore I want to do while bp'ing. I gave up cutting stuff up, dicing, etc... while bp'ing several decades ago. Not going back until I have someone else who will clean up the dirty dishes and still hike the miles. I like to break camp early, eating breakfast an hour or so down the trail.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Apr 7, 2017 14:37:52 GMT -8
Never gave up real cooking...well maybe for a short span when first giving the myriad of FBMs a good go, but eventually decided that trout, sauteed garlic, pancakes, and biscuits all have their place on the trail too. On a typical 10-day trip, still carry a few FBMs...maybe half, but if eaten too many days in a row...nope. BTW, after eating a few days of Mountain House, Backpacker's Pantry, etc, I discovered that these meals must attract evening visitors. Somebody keeps sneaking into my tent at night, leaving behind horrendous farts...wish I could catch that guy.
Can understand that alcohol stoves don't give out the heat needed for trout, and a Jetboil type just boils water...obviously both superb stoves, but this leaves a few holes in your desired menu, especially when high up - in the "no fire" zone. Not really understanding though why a remote canister stove (MSR Windpro <7 oz) couldn't figure into the equation...works well for me...eat a lot of trout too...fries fish and simmers rice. And why white gas?...because it's Old School? Unless winter, my old MSR XG stays on the shelf. Try a remote canister stove...just like cooking at home.
Yes, you will also need a lightweight fry pan then too for cooking fish, pancakes, and for any saute action. This is in addition to your cooking pot, but the fry pan then also doubles as your bowl. I found me a 10-inch Ti fry pan from Japan...5.5 oz.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 5:36:19 GMT -8
I use to do the great meals out there thing. I was annoyed with the clean up, especially the early morning clean up with the more elaborate the meal the longer the clean up the later the start. I began to be a frequent reader of PCT hiker journals. From reading several seasons of PCT hiker journals, I began to see how the on trail meals could be made with less fuss. Our focus became get on the trail and make those miles, not death marches.
We like to eat a nice meal of some decadence before we head out. On the way to the trailhead we talk about where and what we are going to eat when we get back and we like to leave some treat in the car for when we return.
HYOH.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Apr 8, 2017 9:06:16 GMT -8
Eating good, miles from nowhere, is justification for lightweight gear in other categories. Exactly my opinion. You've spent years assembling the best kit (light...$$)...get out often...know what you are doing too. Some days are trail days and nobody wants to cook anything...Boil-n-bag is best option. Other days, lay-over days, (read out fishing for Goldens!), nothing like living large. a typical evening's menu - 10,000 feet Sierra: Cocktails at 6:00...161 proof pineapple rum and Crystal light slushies, Cheese Course...2 - 3 chunks of assorted cheeses...Wasabi peas, 3-minute Trader Joe's pasta...sauce - olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, diced Pastrami...finished with Asiago. Foil-wrapped trout...pink meat - de-boned. Small chunk of dark chocolate wee dram of Grand Marnier. Usually allows some extra time afterwards for fishing...Alpenglow over the evening rise. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 8, 2017 21:30:35 GMT -8
My goal is to make my freezer-bag dinners worthy of the setting. Best of both worlds. I do like a 3-course dinner, though: soup, entree, and dessert. All without any dirty dishes beyond my cup, spoon and sometimes a bowl.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2017 6:03:21 GMT -8
When I introduced my wife to backpacking, it was important to have those meals that packed a wallop of delights into tiny packages.
Lat year my wife brought up the idea that she’d like to try her hand at catching some fish, from Blackmare Lake, and cooking them up over a fire. So I see some return to actual cooking on a few trips.
Which brings up the question of LNT and minimizing my impact from catching some lake trout of what do I do with the fish guts in wolf and bear country? Blackmare Lake is a place that I’ve watched a pack of wolves take down an Elk and bears are regular visitors.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Apr 9, 2017 6:54:26 GMT -8
what do I do with the fish guts in wolf and bear country? Good question! Always ask - check local rules before, as there are a few different schools of thought on this depending. At "drive to" lakes, fish guts should go in trash cans that should be provided. At wilderness lakes, some jurisdictions advocate throwing them into hidden bushes, out of sight (using the "scavengers gotta eat too" theory.) Some say bury them but when doing this, most just get dug up quickly. Better deep in the brush, and always some distance away from camp. Some say throw the guts into the fire...but a bit of a hassle and stinks...however, the bones often end up here. Other areas say, as the guts are nutrients, should be thrown back into the water...but not where drinking water is usually filtered/taken. Nothing like walking down to the lake and seeing shiny chunks of guts strewn about. Try for deeper drop-offs. Myself, I try to clean fish alongside fast moving water if possible. Guts get washed down...gone. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2017 12:51:37 GMT -8
Ah yes, filleting a fish, something I learned how to do when I was 9, would work to contain the bones and guts in one neat package for disposal.
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Apr 9, 2017 18:33:22 GMT -8
Well...you don't have to go totally UL ;-) Find a spot between the 2 ways.
However....one thing is to think about your cook kit. Carry a wide/shallow pot versus a tall/narrow pot. Then you can boil water, but also cook if you want. It doesn't weigh much more than carrying a .9L pot.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Apr 10, 2017 6:30:33 GMT -8
I always carry a treat for every meal (say a brownie) or plan a nice meal every other day. The extra weight can be worth it.
Now when I go car camping I try to bring fun stuff to cook. After all the car is doing all the carrying.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 10, 2017 10:53:59 GMT -8
always carry a treat for every meal (say a brownie) or plan a nice meal every other day. Backpacking brownies. One of our favorites  Now when I go car camping I try to bring fun stuff to cook. After all the car is doing all the carrying. When car-camaping, we also often pass through towns where treats can be picked up. Like ice cream |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 10, 2017 19:14:45 GMT -8
Sometimes due to injury and/or age light is required. If you can still do heavy you can choose what you like. When I have been with hiking with friends that are in better shape than me I have tried to go light to help keep up. When I have been in great shape and hiking with less trained newbies I have traveled heavy then cook up a storm at camp to impress them. There have been times when achieving the objective necessitated being as light, both weight and cleaning energy-wise, as possible. Then there are other times when the objective has been just to get a few miles from the trail head into the woods and hang out. A heavy load of food and drink is called for then.
I kind of look at the ultralight thing like my diet. You can be like a pious gluten free vegan (some ultralighters sound like religious zealots to me sometimes) but I think it is better to eat just generally healthy and occasionally indulge in a plate of chicken wings and a microbrew (travel light most of the time but heavy and fun sometimes).
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Post by nextridgeover on Apr 11, 2017 7:43:34 GMT -8
I spent a great deal of time this past weekend thinking about what I want out of my time on the trail. The answer is experiences and memories. Many of the memories of past trips revolve around some great food at a fire or above tree line where an incredible meal under the stars was just the thing. I'm going both lighter while maintaining the habit of more complex meals at times. I'm currently looking to replace some gear and did a tremendous amount of research and think I have an approach that will work for me. Give me a few days to firm up those ideas and then I'll be back for your thoughts on the plan.
Thanks for the wonderful replies
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