I've done some searches and found some threads that have some info but I would like to hear from some of you that pack in and hunt.
Everything will be on my back.....
I am interested in foods that can be acquired from local stores not just the pre-packed stuff (Mountain House, MRE's, etc.). There is a COSTCO in the town I land. I would need food for three days at a time...also now that stoves are not allowed on most airlines what do you cook with and what do you take for fires and fire starter (I'm going to and area that can really dump some rain, Kauai).
There is tons of stuff on line but I'm interested in your thoughts.....
You can get heat tabs from a military surplus store or on line. They are great for heating up a canteen cup of Ramin noodles(10 for a buck at any grocery store and they weigh nothing). MRE and LERP(long range patrol meals) meals are great The lERP meals have a better choice of foods and are bigger portioned.Fritos are great for snacking and the oil allows you to light the chip and start a fire with it.Granola bars,Tuna(can eat out of the can)a few candy bars for the sugar energy,small spam or small caned meats that are pre cooked,BIG bag of beef jerky.Dont get to crazy with dehydrated meals for the fact you have to have a lot of water for them.Oh and military surplus stores carry emergency water packs(they are small and great for the emergent situation)Try Coleman military surplus . com for some of the items I listed.
Oh and fire starters would be the magnesium stick.And waterproof matches from the hardware store,Strike on anything type.If you cant get them I can and send them to you.
For three day trips, there are lots of good options that don't involve freeze-dried.
I eat a lot of rice and couscous in the field. Couscous is great because it is even lighter and absorbs more water than rice and it only takes five minutes once the water is hot. I doctor up the rice or couscous base with: those packets of tuna, salmon, etc or slices of salami or summer sausge, chunks of cheese, or rehydrated beans, peas, carrots etc (careful with the rehydrated veggies, your gut needs to adapt to them slowly). I often just bring a couple fresh veggies on short trips (a red bell pepper is pretty easy to pack in for a night or two).
For other meals, instant oatmeal, some sort of coffee powder, bagels on short trips (Pilot bread on longer ones), more summer sausage and cheese for lunches, peanut butter or jam is another option (on short trips), and tons of snacks (dried fruit and nut mixes, bars, chocolate, crackers, etc. I like to graze on snacks throughout the day while in the backcountry.
Stove-fuel shipping problem: I just spent a month in Patagonia and rather than deal with the airlines, I just bought a stove down there. In hindsight, I wish I had just stuck a brand new little "pocket rocket" style stove in my checked bag and then bought the fuel down there. If you don't want to buy one locally, consider shipping your cooking gear in a USPS flat rate box in advance and then buy your fuel locally.
Another option is maybe a kindly Hawaiian on this site will lend you a stove for three days? Never know with all the friendly folks in these parts.
You could also buy sterno cans locally in lieu of a stove or just bring a stainless pot and plan on a fire, but that is more of a survival exercise than fun in a really wet or really dry place.
I take a flint/magnesium sparker as an emergency fire starter in my checked luggage and then buy cheap lighters at my destination.
Check out the new ultralight weight sil-nylon tarps, they pack down to nothing and do a good job in the rain.
Oops, double post... oh well, I will use the space to add, I always like to look in local markets for good backpacker friendly options... never know what new delicacy you will find in a funny little local market.
Here is what I have settled on for daily meals after bivy hunting sice 1998.
1/2 cup of trail mix made from pistacchios and craisens plus some M&Ms.
2 chocolate chip chewy granola bars.
2 packages of oatmeal cooked in the bag. Just add 1/2 cup hot water and stir.
2 coffee bags.
Lipton rice or pasta meals. These can be cooked in the bag by adding a cup of boiling water and using your clip from your hydration bag to hold it shut for 10 minutes or so. They have plenty of calories, between 500 and 600, and cost about $1.50.
8 oz tuna in oil.
1/4 lb venison jerky.
I also carry a jar (plastic) of peanut butter and have 3-4 tbsp per day.
I have a pocket rocket stove and just carry a titanium cup, no pot needed. No dishes to wash. Burn the remains of the packages and then recover the stuff that doesn't burn and pack it out.
This is $5-$6 and 1.5-1.75 pounds per day. Somewhere between 2500 and 3000 calories.
you can buy fuel canisters almost everywhere. If you find out there isn't a fuel canister source, buy a stove that can use white gas like a MSR whisperlite
Thank you
Tracks did you pick your stuff up at the post office? Will they hold it for you?
"If you don't want to buy one locally, consider shipping your cooking gear in a USPS flat rate box in advance and then buy your fuel locally.
________
lpcjon2, I never would have thought of this in a million years :)
"Fritos are great for snacking and the oil allows you to light the chip and start a fire with it."
_________
John, I think everything on your list will be available on the Island...simple I like it.
___________
The statement below is from the Hawaiian Airlines site, that why I asked about cooking methods.
"Camping StovesHawaiian Airlines does not accept new or used camping stoves or any camping device which may have contained a flammable liquid fuel or other dangerous material in either checked or carry-on baggage.
In addition, Hawaiian Airlines does not accept new or used fuel or gasoline canisters, whether cleaned or not, in either checked or carry-on baggage.
Hawaiian Airlines also will not accept warmers either as carry-on or checked baggage. If you are a known shipper and are permitted to ship hazardous materials, Hawaiian Airlines will accept camping stoves through its cargo facility.
We will accept your unused camping stove through our cargo facility if you are (1) a known shipper and (2) permitted to transport hazardous materials. If so, please contact are Cargo Facility for more information at 1-877-HA-CARGO (422-2746). For your information on packaging instructions, labeling, etc., visit our Cargo page on our website: Quick Links, Programs, and then Cargo."
http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm
Great site, and some cool designs that are proven. I carry a little side burner and my ti stove and a little bottle of methyl hydrate (drugstore alcohol works in a pinch). Everything needed can be purchased at most convenience stores and gas stations anywhere.
COOL SITE :)
Thank you Daz...
I'm not a vegetarian but I play one in the kitchen while cooking for my vegetarian wife. ;) Since that's a daily occurrence, I've had to do some serious investigation of foodstuffs. Along the way I've discovered quinoa. It's a grain-like product cultivated for several thousand years in South America.
It keeps for an incredibly long time. It cooks in about fifteen minutes with boiling water. (I haven't tried at high altitude yet, but that's its home environment.) Take a look at this for nutritional content and then put it alongside any grain, rice or pasta you care to compare: Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Quinoa (http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5705/2)
It takes very well to south-of-the-border spices and flavors. (Combined with sweet potato, black beans and chipotles in adobo sauce, it makes a veggie burger that would have all of you fellow carnivores asking for seconds.)
I also like oatmeal for breakfast when backpacking or just eating out of the back of my vehicle at o'dark hundred. It packs light and is long-lasting, through-the-morning nutrition.
Kip, I sent you a PM with some info. I'd check out Wood gas Stoves. They are about the size of a large soup can, and only weigh 6 or 7 oz. The beauty of them is they burn small twigs and sticks that will be all around. Here's a link for an idea on them. Might be a problem if everything is soaked though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq3FeciMfEc&feature=related
If you want to buy Alcohol when you get there Trangia is a good stove. I have a cook-stand to set mine in to hold a pot/cup and it works well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tyg_tC1jjI
For sleeping a hammock might be good. I think I remember a thread about Hawaii hunting and the guy was using a hammock. The ground was rocky and not flat. Something with a mosquito netting for sure, like a Hennessey.
I've not been hitting it for three days at a time, but like to go out dark to dark plus have a nice meal around miday. If you have a food dehydrator, you can make some great stuff yourself. Dehydrate a package of frozen mixed vegetables and boil it with some home made jerky for lunch.
Not that much Help I'm sure, but might work for you.
Zen Stoves is an excellent source. I have made and used a few stoves but like the simple Lenny Stove the best. You can make one ahead of time and not put any fuel in it. Or can make one when you get there. Boils a cup of water no no time. By the way, i have 7 commercially available stoves, some of the best in my opinion and still use the alcohol stoves on a regular basis.
Also, for food. Check out "Freezer bag cooking.com"
I think its called trailcooking.com now. They have dozens of homemade receipts for what you are looking for. Most everything is prepared ahead of time in a freezer type ziplock bag. All you do it add boiling water and let rest. When you are done you throw away the bag and you have no clean up. i use this style on many of my backpacking trips and when i travel abroad. Most everything i buy is available from the local grocery stores.
Good luck and let us know what you do. Love to hear others experiences. Jack
Breakfast- homemade granola, powdered milk, and a scoop of protein powder in a baggie. Add water, shake, and instant breakfast. Hot or cold.
Lunch/snack- homemade trail mix, homemade power bars or Larabar. Jerky. Pemmican bars(homemade). Dried fruit. Small packets of honey, almond butter or peanut butter.
Dinner- For longer trips, I use FD meals. Alternatives can be any of the above, as well as some of the easy to heat box meals available in stores, with some added dehyrated meats. Personally, I prefer to stay away from the highly processed stuff as I dont normally eat that stuff anyway, but sometimes for backcountry eating you haveto make some compromises.
A Nesbit stove with fuel tabs is a good option for a stove as well.
I just found powdered eggs "OvaEasy" by Nutrium LLC in Lacy WA. 1-360-413-7269
I tried them this morning and they were great.
The next thing to try is to cook them in a freezer bag in boiling water so there are no dishs to clean up
Tim
Great ideas!!
My sleeping is a hammock Danny just got my Clark NX250 can't wait to try it out (still in the box)..
I've never heard of Quinoa but I'll check it out... Jack the Zen site is great I went to it and banged out a crude Pepsi can stove not anywhere near perfect but wanted to see how it worked.....Cool!!!
John I like the protein powder in the granola idea. What a powerhouse breakfast!!
Thank you this is great stuff :)
I agree with Autumn Archers suggestions. Our backcountry trips are 3-7 days in length. However, we take stock so our food is much more elaborate. (dutch ovens, fresh food, I even bake bread on summer trips etc) However after 2-3 days our fresh food is exhausted and we eat like a backpacker. So....
My big suggestion is PROTEIN. Its easy to carb out when going light weight. Unfortunately that will leave you feeling like crap. We chase elk in very rugged terrain and I have noticed diet is crucial as well as fitness. With out preaching too hard on nutrition...try to get Protein, Fat, and Carbs in every meal. Google Crossfit and look up their suggestions on the Zone diet for performance. The summary is "eat like a cave man".
Breakfast:
1)Oatmeal(carb) with (protein) powder and nuts (fat).
2)Dried fruit (c) protein bar (p) nuts (f)
3) My Favorite: Oil a pan and toast (sort of fry) a split bagel. Mix up some powdered eggs. Oil pan liberally and fry eggs. FRIED EGG Sandwich! oil,carb, and protein. I like to add powdered cheese for flavor or fresh cheese if we still have some. Thats a breakfast that sticks to the ribs.
Lunch.
Standard is: (Any) Nut butter on bagel. Summer sausage or protien bar. Hand full of nuts. Bag of trail mix. Dried fruit.
We eat half of the above at 10 and the other at 2.
Dinner: You want to make it very easy because usually you are so tired.. cooking is last thing you want to do!
We buy or make dehydrated ground beef. Buy Lipton or equivilant noodle or rice meals. (Parmesan is our favorite) They cook in about ten minutes and are $1.50 versus $6 for dehydrated meals. We use a pin to prick them while packing and roll out the air in packaging. You add a little extra water and ground beef and canola oil and you get the magic three. Dessert is usually a fruit bar or candy bar. After several days afield... snickers tastes like gourmet!
Jeff
PS. I forgot to mention stoves. I would look into a bushcooker if you can't use a gas stove. However... I would order or send a gas stove ahead to pick up while there. The newer generation light weight isobutane canisters and stoves are very nice.
I like the Protein/Carb/Fat idea and the protein power and dehydrated meat are perfect.
Jeff I've never tried dehydrating Ground Elk maybe I'll give that a try with your Lipton. I've got lots of time to experiment and thanks to you folks some new things to try :)
There are a number of cookbooks on Amazon, etc. about making your own backpacking food. Some of that stuff is really good and a fraction of the storebought price.
I eat basically a Paleo diet. I do not eat any grains, icluding rice, no pasta etc. no dairy.
My regular diet consists of meat,lots of it, veggies and fruit, nuts, seeds etc.
The trouble I have in preparing lightwieght backpackin meals is all the FD stuff is loaded with either pasta or rice. The other problem with them is they are loaded with chemicals, preservatives, and soy.
I can deal with adding some grain products in, but Im concerned with my insides revolting on me.
My search to find Paleo friendly foods is pretty tough. Since Ive eliminated all processed foods, grains etc from my diet, I feel 100% better. More energy, losing weight, stronger etc. Its well worth it to me.
I'll be packing plenty of dried fruits for carbs, probably make up some packets of dehydrated veggies. Protein is tougher, lots of jerky, pemmican etc. I try to keep my calorie/wgt. ratio at 100calories/ounce. Tuna and salmon pouches dont quite cut it, but if you add in some olive oil it helps.
Jasons Nut Butters make small single serving squeeze pouches of almond butter and in several flavors. Honey stingers are good too.
We're shooting for 2500-3500 calories a day.
Get your hands on a book called The Backpack Gormet. The authors last name is Yaffee. You will never eat better in the backcountry.
Some things ive tested and used were:
- damper:
mix 4 coups flour, 1/2 tsp salt; add 2 tbsp. oil and rub in, add 1 1/2 cups reconstituted milk powder and mix till firm dough; form round and flat (ap. 1-2") love; bake ontop of not to hot embers on a griddle (you can make one out of green sticks) until done, alternatively, if you have sandy ground make a fire and let it burn down, put the embers aside, dig into the hot sand place the loaf there, hot sand and embers on top.
About half an hour is good, then dig out and brush the sand of. works pretty good.
- bannock:
4 cups flour (or potatoe flour)
2 1/2 tbsp. baking powder
1 tspp salt
1 tsp sugar
bit of oil
mix everything except the oil up, add water till thick smooth batter like light cream;
heat the oil in a skillet, pour in 1" of batter, place on hot coals; after 5-7 minutes skip it over, another 5-7 minutes and it should be good, check if done.
Sounds like work and time intensive but if you decide beforehand what kind of bread you like just prepare the dry mixture and make it in the evening at the camp fire, probably after having youre meal. Youll have fresh bread for the nxt day and it is done really easy.
a ready made dry mixture for pancakes is also easily made out of eggpowder, milkowder flour and a bit of salt and then just needs some water and a pan and voila theres youre breakfast.
Some mor ideas:
If you like noodles, take small ones that arent holoow, saves time while cooking and packing space.
when cooking rice without time pressure,take 1 part rice two parts water, just let it boil for 30 seconds, place a lit on top and wrap the pot with clothes/blanket/sleeping bag (CAREFULL NOT TO MELT ANY SYNTHETIC FABRICS!) after 20-30 minutes youre rice is done and you have saved fuel or can use the stove for something different meanwhile.
If water is scarce, teflon coated pans and pots pay off as you dont need water for cleaning, one piece of toilet paper or some long grasses are enough for wiping it out;
I love instant broth for it is great as a hot drink in very cold nights and can be used to season all dishes.
If you like fish, get youre hands on some stockfish. makes for really good stews and soups and has alot of protein.
hope that might help a little
I'm loving this thread!
I'm a fan of sandwiches for a quick snack when I'm hunting. But instead of packing in bread to camp and having it either get squashed or wet, I buy flour tortillas. There's so much you can do with em, they're nearly indestructible, don't take up much space and you can buy em anywhere.
Always carry some Coco Wheats hot cereal. Weighs nothing, deeply satisfying, and high in energy. Do not go to the woods without it.
Wow been on a bell to bell at work... Great stuff, I'm paying attention .... Autumnarcher hopefully lots of meat is part of the plan but it's stiil called hunting ..... Stone Sheep just found Backpack Gormet on line (less than $10), sound interesting...
Thank you and keep it coming :thumbsup:
If you are only going in for three days, no need to bother with cooking meals.
Make a big supply of good jerky, make a custom trail mix with almonds, cashews, raisins, and add some dried fruit. Throw in a tin or three of sardines or kippered herring and your set for three days easy, with lots of energy.
If you're going three days in cold weather you will want some thing hot at the beginning and end of the day. A cold can of slimy fish first thing in the morning is pretty bleak.
bigbadjon-------I don't think he has to worry much about cold weather. He is going to Kauai. It's paradise!
You're right Rik it is paradise :)
I'm still interested in what others do for cooking and food stuffs for backpack trips. I may use them for a fall hunt and that is a whole different can of beans. Colder temps and more days in country... I really appreciate all the contributions so far. I hope to put this to use for more than just Kauai. I am also hoping :pray: to puts some fresh meat in the pot :)
I really like the Lipton rice with some pre packaged chicken, tuna or salmon in them. The rice comes in a lot of flavors so I don't get bored eating the same thing over and over. For breakfast I eat oatmeal (also comes in a variety of flavors). I sometimes pack in frozen bagels for the first day or two. Lunches are crackers, gorp and a candy bar. Pretty simple menus but they agree with me and they are light in weight.
For a stove option the Zen works great, As stated above you can use alcohol...
Another trick i learned is to heat up some vasoline and soak some cotton balls the put them in a bag. you can use it as lip balm then take a cotton ball out an lite it, as its pure patroleum...
Another option is to do a search on soda can stoves, I have never used one but they seem like they would work just fine as long as you dont get to crazey in elevation...
I used to be more elaborate, but when I hunt till dark in Sept.-Oct. I want something quick. Now I'm fond of "Dave Canterbury casserole". A six pack of ramen noodles is $1 at the dollar store and weighs nothing. Tear up some beef jerky in it and you've got a meal in a few minutes.
From my backpackin days; The mac&cheese in a box, taken out of the box. Noodles in a ziplock, throw in the cheese sauce packet, some oil in a plastic bottle, a packet of cooked ham (the kind like tuna is in), a couple of dehydrated morels and you've got dinner. Breakfast mix up a bag of quick oats, powdered milk, raisins, cranberries, etc and some powdered protein, pour in some hot water and you're golden till lunch.
Those single cup coffee packets(like tea bags)for the morning and when you get back in the evening. Pretty darn good!
A large bag of homemade trailmix will last more than a few days. Granola, Nuts, Dried Fruit, and some good ole M&M's.
Instead of the coffee bags, I have becomne very fond of the Via instant coffee from Starbucks--really does not taste like instant and less mess than the soggy coffee bags.
I'm a couple pages behind your follow up question, so sorry about that, but the answer is you can ship to "Your Name, General Delivery, Any US City, State, ZIP" I suggest putting the date you will pick the package up on the outside so the postmaster knows what to expect... you may want to call the post office ahead of time to give them the heads up it is coming.
Disclaimer: While I have done this a lot, I have only done it in Alaska and sometimes things work a little different up here!
The other option would be to ship to a hotel or other place of business that you know you will be visiting anyway.
This is a great thread!I'm learning all sorts of good stuff to use. :campfire: :archer2: Coaster500, good luck on your hunt in Paradise!
OK, I'm getting ready for a trip to the Boundry Waters for some canoeing with the Boy Scouts. We went on our first shake down this past weekend. You folks are giving me some good ideas! Thanks!
A light dinner consisted of canned chicken and Zatarain's Jambalya! What a great meal. I also made Corn bread in a pan. The meal cost $2.50 a person. It het the spot.
You can live good in the woods! Keep the ideas coming.
Martin
Don't forget Idahoans and starbucks instant coffee.
No more Zatarian"s Jambalya for me.....kept my sleeping bag warm all night though :)
Don't forget Idahoans and starbucks instant coffee.
No more Zatarian"s Jambalya for me.....kept my sleeping bag warm all night though :)
Got to have my Coffee !!!
"No more Zatarian"s Jambalya for me.....kept my sleeping bag warm all night though"
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Depending on where you are going on Kauai, wet doesn't begin to cover the climate. The central peak gets around 400 inches of rain a year. Last I checked it was listed as the wettest place on the planet.
Since you're hunting, I'm assuming you are headed for the Na'pali coast. Drier than the interior, but still pretty wet. Either way, finding water to rehydrate dried foods shouldn't be a problem!
Oh, forget packing coffee. Buy local when you get there. Ain't nothing in the states that comes close to real Kona coffee.
I quit carrying a stove and cooking anything on bacpack hunting trips or spike camps a long time ago. There is so much ready to eat food available now that it just isn't worth the extra weight or time to cook. when I get into camp after hunting hard all day I want something to eat that I don't have to spend alot of time with and hit the sack fresh for anther days hunt. I bring protien bars and fresh apples and other dried fruits for breakfast. I make my own trail mix and jerkeys for lunch. Peanut butter and crackers. For dinner I eat alot of packaged fish and veggies. There is a ton of ready to eat nutritional food available, You just have to look around in the stores and be a little creative. You will never miss the hassle of lugging stove and cooking utensils around again.
I cold camp on occasion but I really like a warm meal and definitely coffee so I have settled on this. Weighs less than a pound even with a full canister which this one is not.
(http://jdspics.webs.com/photos/Outdoor-Pics/cookset-1.jpg)
John, I'm with you there. I like a cup of coffee and a warm meal. That's a nice stove but won't work with the airlines. I've been experimenting with alcohol stove building and I think I can build a stove there very quickly. That way I don't have to take it on the plane. I have a BushcookerltII; it burns anything, from four dogs and may use that. I've got to check with the airlines.
Nice Kip.... I'm a fan of the BushcookerltII myself. Its slower and more work than canisters, but its pretty nifty for ultralight adventures. Plus its just cool burning any available fuel vs sweating how soon your canister is going to run dry.
I have used alcohol stoves and they work fine but if you can build a fire, that works better and you don't have to carry anything except a lighter or two.
I use a homemade alcohol stove made out of an aluminum beer bottle. I take it to Colorado in September and I camp around 11K - have never had a problem. I burn HEET for fuel, it boils water pretty quick and doesnt require a lot of fuel to do it.
My main meal of the day usually consists of a Mountain House (sometimes 2) - I stick to granola bars, trail mix, jerky, and dried fruit the rest of the day.
John I'm with you about the stove but I wonder how dry the fuel (wood) will be. With the BushcookerltII I can use a small amount of alcohol (you can use a small jar lid or snuff can under the cooker) to dry and start the wood; a camp fire would be much easier if it has not been raining. I have never been there so I really don't know what to expect but want to be prepared.
They may cost a little bit more but I'll go with the Mountain House meals anytime. Easy to make and they taste great.