0 members (),
241
guests, and
8
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
|
OP
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742 |
I have been interested in a thread on the PCT forum related to hiking without stoves, and the food involved. I was fascinated by the following post. This person hiked ~3,000 miles! I completed this year's thru-hike stove less (and gluten free!). Hike was ~85 days without zeros (117 days total) I had a bit over 2lbs of food/day (trailmix, power bars, pemmican, chocolate, meat products, protein powder) I had 27 resupplies, each about 3 days apart. I ate as much city food as i could in resupply towns. Omelets, burgers, steaks.... I made my own trailmix, power bars, pemmican and jerky. Never missed a stove.
Trail mix: Nuts: macadamia, coconut, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, walnut, almond, pistachio, cacao nibs... Berries: mulberry, blueberry, golden berry, goji berry.... Dried Fruits: dates, percinamon... Power bars: Coconut oil, nuts (see above), honey. Pemmican: 1/3 dried grassfed beef, 1/3 suet, 1/3 dried blueberries Primal Fuel protein powder Lots and lots of dark chocolate. Maca. Grassfed beef jerky Sausages, Speck, Prosciutto, Lardo...
I am sometimes astonished by what I see people bring up the trail, in terms of food. (yes, Laura, you!) It's one thing if you are the fitness queen and know how to sling a 70 lb pack by preference. But it is another if you are the average duffer, trying to claw your way uphill.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582 |
My breakdown for the walkabout this past August: Yup: I tore through this daily, still lost somewhere around 15 pounds during the trip. Dinners were Mary Jane Farms meals, unless I could fish. The gourmet meals are left to very short trips, 1-3 nights in length tops. I have decided, yes, that cooking and good food are an integral part of my experience in the backcountry, but I'm also trying to learn how to do more with less in terms of those meals. Contrary to popular belief, the 60+ lb pack is not my favorite thing to lug around. For now, while I can do it, I will continue. And this year/summer, I am not the fitness queen. I just celebrated my year anniversary of my knee surgery, and am very proud that I can scramble and claw, just like everyone else, at the levels prior to my initiating training for the Challenge. I know of a select few people, my friend Sean - who just decimated the 14r record - is one of them, who can eat the same things day in and out and never get tired of it. That's just not me.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261 |
What is in the plastic bag next to the String Cheese (kind of a reddish blob??)
Food is a nightmare for me; I am so allergic to some things that I need to carry an Epi Pen (different from a Steri Pen)It only gets worse as time goes by, so some of the standard items that most people carry are off-limits to me.
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158 |
Are those hot wasbi peas in the middle bag?
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 103
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 103 |
> What is in the plastic bag next to the String Cheese (kind of a reddish blob??) Looks like salami. I'd like to know: How long can you trust string cheese and salami to be ok without refrigeration? - - - - On another note: The "stove" setup I carry could almost be considered "stoveless" when compared to other stoves. My "Esbit Titanium Folding Stove" $14.95 at REI plus homemade aluminum foil wind screen plus lighter weighs less than two ounces. The esbit tablets at half an ounce each last more than a day each. The stove, lighter, wind screen and 3 tablets weigh in at 3 oz, about equal to the Snow Peak 600 ml cooking pot/water cup.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572 |
> The "stove" setup I carry could almost be considered "stoveless" when compared to other stoves. My "Esbit Titanium Folding Stove" $14.95 at REI plus homemade aluminum foil wind screen plus lighter weighs less than two ounces. The esbit tablets at half an ounce each last more than a day each. The stove, lighter, wind screen and 3 tablets weigh in at 3 oz, about equal to the Snow Peak 600 ml cooking pot/water cup. Cool: but I'll bet the custom granite stand adds to that . . .
Wherever you go, there you are. SPOTMe!
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582 |
Yuppers, Bee: hot wasabi peas (more for the zing and crunch rather than any real caloric value). The meat is salami.
Steve, I've had no problems with salami or string cheese for up to two weeks. The cheese is sealed, so no bacterial growth. Can't vouch for the salami, and I know DUG has had issues in the past.
Actually, my greatest weakness, requiring a stove for hot water, is coffee in the mornings. I mostly combine it with hot chocolate to make mochas, but at least there are better options in the instant coffee market now (Starschmucks, TJ's) that pack small and taste really good. I also find that having tea before bed helps me get to sleep more easily.
I do admit I need a pack intervention: again, I'm not as big a fan of hauling giant loads as people think. I just *can* do it.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261 |
"Pack Intervention" -- love it!
It would bee fun to see the contents of a big trip before beeing stuffed in the pack.
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 908 Likes: 2
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 908 Likes: 2 |
Meadow Farms Elk/Beef salami, jerky, and Laughing Cow Babybel cheeses seem to last a long time.
There are also lots of natural veggies to choose from in the mountains. Pussy-Willow stew is an excellent source of protein, but perhaps a little bland.
But seriously, shouldn't a tasty, well-prepared, hot meal be part of the wilderness experience? That's why I carry an Enzo Trapper bushcraft knife for skinning out those little creatures I trap - marmot is a little greasy, but packed with calories. Or try a little belly-tickling trout fishing for some backcountry shushi.
In the interests of ultra-light travel, if someone could come up with a reliable GU I.V. we'd be well on our way to a no-solid-food carry. "Better living through chemistry", I say!
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251 Likes: 1 |
You don't need a stove for Marmot Boodog. Just a fire and some stones, which you shouldn't have to carry.
Marmot Boodog
With the opening of a marmot-hunting season, Marmot Boodog becomes a very popular and fun outdoor activity for Mongolians, especially men. Marmot hunting and boodog cooking is a prerogative of men. A freshly killed marmot is separated from intestines and cleaned. Then, a prepared marmot is filled with preheated hot stones and tightly sealed. The marmot meat is cooked by the heat of stones from inside. Additional heating is provided by open fire or gas burner. The same amount of precaution as described above must be used for handling the marmot cooking process. When done, the marmot meat is very tender and tastes like wild duck according to some foreigners.
Ingredients (5 servings):
1 medium marmot
Salt
Cooking gear:
From small to medium sized smooth stones
Firewood
Cooking time:
Approximately 1.5 hours
Clean the marmot, separate the intestines and slightly remove hair from the skin. Rub the inside with salt, fill up with hot stones and seal tightly. Additionally, roast the marmot on slow open fire or with a gas burner. Usually, Mongolians do not use seasonings in order to keep the specific taste of marmot meat. When the cooking is done, the stones are pulled out, rolled in hands, the meat is cut into pieces and served hot.
Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
I am not an ultralight backpacker, but probably "light," (meaning 30 lbs for a 6-7 day trip) and strategizing about eating well is, for me, an enjoyable part of the challenge. I use a snowpeak stove to boil water for food and drinks, but not otherwise for cooking (at least on longer trips). Eating tasty, satisfying, nutritious food during a trip is important to me, but probably just as important is having hot drinks at breakfast and dinner. I am not a coffee drinker. For me, hot drinks include tea, bouillon, instant miso soup, hot chocolate, and my newest and greatest find, Alpine Spiced Hot Cider , which I found at a Dollar Store. I haven't had problems with String Cheese or Salami for 7 days at a time, but your experience may differ.... I've also brought the mini Babybells which, like string cheese, are supposed to be refrigerated, but haven't had problems (yet). Laughing Cow makes a truly shelf-stable cheese product that is available at Trader Joes and other places...personally, I wouldn't call it cheese exactly, but it can spice up a tortilla. I do buy some Backpackers Pantry offerings, but my favorite freeze-dried foods are MaryJaneFarms and Packit Gourmet. I supplement with shelf-stable products found in dollar stores, K-Mart, Target, and the like, including mashed potatoes, instant bean soups, foil-wrapped tuna, salmon, and chicken. Basically, these stores sell food that never goes bad, which is a little scary to me, but it offers a potential treasure trove for backpacking.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572 |
"Pack Intervention" -- love it!
It would bee fun to see the contents of a big trip before beeing stuffed in the pack. Does Winton Porter have a PCT counterpart? Nothing beats the Esbit rig yet for minimalism, but I am working on it. A titanium wood gas stove is in the works that will actually challenge the weight of the Esbit (and beat it cold on longer trips). See all that plastic and paper? Every 1/2 ounce of that stuff holds about the same energy as one Ezbit tab. The WG stove turns that into clean burning fuel
Wherever you go, there you are. SPOTMe!
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
|
OP
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742 |
Laura, I'm sure that you understand, but others might not, that my comments to you regarding wonderful backcountry cuisine and crushing backpack loads, are created simply out of jealousy! I didn't even mention the occasional spirits, which I gave up for it's weight 20 years ago.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 908 Likes: 2
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 908 Likes: 2 |
Thanks for the culinary advice, Wagga. I guess I've been doing it all wrong.
My wife and I will be hiking in Ecuador in November...so we'll try the local Hamster. I understand Hamster is very good if cooked the Andean way.
Boy, are we a bunch of savages...
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 249 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 249 Likes: 1 |
... Boy, are we a bunch of savages... "An old Englishman I met in Africa was reminiscing about his exploration in earlier days, and the shock of one culture meeting another for the first time. 'Can you imagine', he said, 'people so primitive that they love to eat the embryo of certain birds and slices from the belly of certain animals? And grind up grass seed, make it into a paste, burn it over a fire, then smear it with a greasy mess they extract from the mammary fluid of animals?' While I shuddered at such barbarism, he went on: 'What I've been describing, of course, is a breakfast of bacon and eggs, and buttered toast." Gaskill, G (March 1964), from Reader's Digest Dale B. Dalrymple
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
My wife and I will be hiking in Ecuador in November...so we'll try the local Hamster. I understand Hamster is very good if cooked the Andean way.
Didn't see hamster when I was there, but here are some gourmet Ecuadorean preparations of guinea pig to whet your appetite. (Avert eyes now if not interested. Though actually, the pictures are a step above McDonalds.)
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,251 Likes: 1 |
No video on YouTube, but if you've seen the movie...
Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee: [a goanna is sizzling over a fire. Sue looks ill] How do you like your goanna? Medium? Well done? Sue Charlton: You don't really expect me to eat that? Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee: Yeah, its great. Yeah, try some of these yams, try the grubs and the sugar ants. Just bite the end off, they're really sweet. Black fellas love 'em. Sue Charlton: [tentatively tries a yam] What about you, aren't you having any? Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee: Me? [Mick starts working on a tin with his knife] Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee: ...Well, you can live on it, but it tastes like shit.
Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582 |
Laura, I'm sure that you understand, but others might not, that my comments to you regarding wonderful backcountry cuisine and crushing backpack loads, are created simply out of jealousy! I didn't even mention the occasional spirits, which I gave up for it's weight 20 years ago. Of course I know you're joking, but others may not, and I sometimes get feedback that I'm "intimidating". So, I thought I'd put the rumors to rest...
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 6
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 6 |
time for a mountaineering literature food quote
Most expeditions have some story about their food and attitudes to it vary from the haute cuisine of some French expeditions to the blunt assertion of Tilman, the famous eccentric and explorer, that he did not mind as long as there was some. Joe Tasker, Everest the Cruel Way page 158
as for me. get up, quart of Tang and a granola bar, GORP,etc for lunch, cold snacks at end of day for dinner. No stove, no fuel, no pot, no cleanup, less bear bait. Just some "human fuel"
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572 |
time for a mountaineering literature food quote
Most expeditions have some story about their food and attitudes to it vary from the haute cuisine of some French expeditions to the blunt assertion of Tilman, the famous eccentric and explorer, that he did not mind as long as there was some. Joe Tasker, Everest the Cruel Way And another: "Stand up ya voracious man-eatin' sonofabitch and receive yer sentence. When ya came to Hinsdale County, there was seven Democrats. But you, ya ate five of 'em, goddam ya. I sentence yah t' be hanged by th' neck until yer dead, dead, dead, as a warnin' ag'in reducin' th' Democratic population of this county. Packer, you Republican cannibal, I would sentence ya ta hell but the statutes forbid it." -- Hon. M.B. Gerry (reportedly) sentencing Alferd S. Packer
Wherever you go, there you are. SPOTMe!
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 93 Likes: 7
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 93 Likes: 7 |
packit gourmet has some items/meals that require cold/cool water only (though many you have the option to add hot instead). You can absolutely get away without a stove with those. =)
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158 |
> The "stove" setup I carry could almost be considered "stoveless" when compared to other stoves. My "Esbit Titanium Folding Stove" Cool: but I'll bet the custom granite stand adds to that . . . FYI Salty Dog, it also comes in a Super Ultralight model without the granite stand. Titanium and Hexamine, this little 6oz setup will be one of the last pieces of gear I leave behind for weight considerations. I really look forward to the warm meal at the end of the day, a little hot water to wash up, and a cup of Joe in the morning.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 103
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 103 |
Cool: but I'll bet the custom granite stand adds to that . . . Come to think about it, that might just be the oldest granite counter top in the state! SierraNevada wrote: > Titanium and Hexamine, this little 6oz setup will be one of the last pieces of gear I leave behind SN, is that a titanium wing stove? And where do you get the hexamine tabs? How do they compare to Esbit?
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158 |
SN, is that a titanium wing stove? And where do you get the hexamine tabs? How do they compare to Esbit? Yes, mine's a titanium wing stove, less than 1/2 oz. for $15 on campsaver. Steel or aluminum probably wouldn't weigh much more since its so small. I always use Esbit because its readily available. I think you can get off-brand hexamine at an army surplus store or somewhere online. I read the generic hexamine doesn't last as long and it's more smelly. Fuel tabs are usually hexamine or perhaps trioxane. The stuff is a bit noxious and leaves residue on the bottom of my pot, but that's easy to work around. So worth it. It's so light and small I sometimes bring my Esbit setup on long day hikes to enjoy a Mtn House meal for lunch. According to Wiki, Esbit is an acronym for Erich Schumms Brennstoff in Tablettenform, invented in 1936. It's a genericized trademark as it is used to refer to similar products made by other companies.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742
|
OP
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 742 |
From another forum: ================ Here's are three of my favorite make ahead at home stoveless meals. Forgot where I stole these recipes from as I've had them for years - they are very good. Bruschetta4 servings. 2/3 cup each (2 ounces dried) Puree in a blender or food processor: 3 cloves garlic 15 ounces canned small white beans, rinsed and drained 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes juice of 1 fresh lemon ( 2 tbs juice) 1/4 tsp ground pepper 1/8 tsp salt Spread on covered dehydrator trays and dehydrate for 4 hours at 145 degrees. To rehydrate, add a little water, stirring until a thick spread consistency. Put on crackers or bread. Szechwan Chicken Salad (my all time favorite) 6 servings. (3 ounces dried) 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 tsp Szechwan chili oil 1 tsp Dijon Mustard 1 lb thin sormen (Japanese noodles) 10 Ounces canned Chicken 6 green onions, thinly sliced 1 red pepper, coarsely chopped 1 green pepper, coarsely chopped 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced crossways 8 ounces canned bamboo shoots, drained 15 ounces canned miniature corn on the cob, drained and thinly sliced 8 ounces petite frozen peas 1 Tbs dried Cilantro 2 Tbs lightly toasted sesame seeds At Home: In large bowl, mix soy sauce, chili oil, and mustard. Cook noodles. Drain and toss in soy sauce mixture. Spread out on thin nylon drying tray. Also dehydrate chicken and vegetables. When Dried, break noodles into 1 inch long pieces and toss with rest of ingredients. Add the cilantro and sesame seeds When done place each serving in separate resealable plastic bag. On the Trail: In morning add water as needed. At lunchtime eat. *Tuna-Spinach Couscous*2 servings. (4 ounces dried + tuna) 2 3-ounce tuna packets 1 cup couscous 1 package (1.8 ounce) Knorr Cream of Spinach Dried Soup Mix 3 Tbs powdered buttermilk or Nido At Home: Mix all dry ingredients together and divide into two resealable packets. Toss in Tuna packets. On the Trail: Add 3/4 cup water to mix. Open and add Tuna. Let sit 1 hour before eating. Enjoy Day-Late
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 582 |
The latest and greatest in stoves: Chris (SoCalGirl) was up for the weekend with her family, and wanted to see sunrise from Lone Pine Lake. So I did what I usually do: I cooked breakfast up there. For everyone. Recipe for success: Coleman 2-burner camp stoveColeman Propane Coffee Maker Tablecloth/bowls/plastic silverware/insulated cups Spiced Cider/Hot chocolate mixes One bag grapes Blueberry Muffins (large) 2 packages of bacon 18 eggs for scrambling 1 package Bisquick pancake mix shaker bottle 1 lb Starbucks Espresso Coffee Hazelnut Creamer Add 3 teenagers, 1 high school friend and her hubby, 1 fiance meeting me for the first time, and my best girlfriend on her birthday. Chill lightly in early morning shade and shake/shiver gently through big smiles and semi-quiet laughter. Love you, Chris!! -Bigsis
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
Then again, ultraheavy backpacking also looks good. Especially if there is bacon involved.
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 103
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 103 |
Laura, next time you plan on a Big Breakfast at Lone Pine Lake, I want to be invited! Wow!
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
I bet Steve would even carry the 2-burner stove.
I say principles, schminciples, if bacon is involved. (I am so stuck on bacon now.)
|
|
|
Re: Stoveless hikes?
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,158 |
Jeezz, when you go big, you go really big. It's coming through my new 4D surround-a-smell speakers...
|
|
|
|
|