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Backpacking Recipes – The Simplest

By Brian on Thursday, September 29th, 2011 | No Comments

By Steve Gillman

I need simple backpacking recipes because there is never a stove in my backpack, even on week-long trips in the wilderness. I often backpack with less than fifteen pounds total pack weight, and total means all food, water – everything. It’s often in a daypack, so I don’t have much room for a stove and fuel cannisters.

I also don’t want the extra weight. I don’t want the extra trouble of cooking either. I prefer to spend my time to hiking and exploring and picking wild berries. I leave the stove home. If you’ve considered doing the same, try some of the following simple backpacking recipes to add a little variety to that diet of crackers, nuts and granola.

Peanut Butter And Wild Fruit

Peanut butter is a great backpacking food because it is so high in calories for the weight. Put some on a wheat cracker and top it with a few wild strawberries or raspberries for a healthy treat. My wife and I have eaten as many as nine different kinds of berries on one day hike, so you can have quite a variety of taste sensations with this plan.

If it isn’t the season for wild fruit, you can bring along a handful of jelly packets borrowed from your favorite restaurant. If you bring jam or jelly from home, ditch the heavy glass jar, of course. Jelly in a small plastic tub will be lighter and safer, and should stay fresh for at least a few days.

Trail Mixes

A good trail mix is one of the most convenient backpacking foods. Here’s my recipe for a good one: Mix peanuts, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, and raisins in any proportions you like. Taste and adjust the quantities. Add whatever else you can think of and taste it again. Is that simple enough?

A Full Dinner Backpacking Recipe

Want a delicious dinner in the middle of the wilderness without cooking? Pack whole wheat crackers and two types of cheese. Hard cheeses, like a good smoked gouda last longest. Bring a foil pouch of tuna. These don’t have to be refrigerated. Put a few olives in a zippered plastic bag with a small handful of baby carrots. Then get a boxed wine, drink all but about four glasses, remove the bag from the box and pack that.

Have this special meal on your first or second night out, while the carrots and cheese are still good. Prepare crackers with tuna on then. If you come across some wild onions, sprinkle some chopped up leaves or bulbs on these. Prepare crackers with the two types of cheeses and top these with the olives. The baby carrots will be ready to eat as is, and will have been flavored by the olive juices.

Enjoy it all with a water bottle half full of wine (I never carry a cup). The wine bag, by the way, can then be used to carry up to six quarts of water, or can be blown up and used (wrap in a sweater) as a pillow. These bags weigh less than three ounces and are very tough.

Salad Recipe

Backpacking doesn’t have to mean giving up fresh foods, not even if you go really light. Throw a few carrots and radishes in a plastic bag and they’re usually good for at least several days. Add some edible wild greens, like dandelion leaves, and some wild onion or peeled and chopped young thistle stalks, and you have a salad. Carry you veggies in a large zippered plastic bag, for easy mixing.

For dressing, get one of those eight-ounce plastic water bottles. These weigh less than an ounce and don’t take too much room. Put a few ounces of olive oil in it (a great high-calorie backpacking food), an ounce of wine vinegar (or any other vinegar), and a pinch of salt, pepper and oregano. Add a touch of honey if you like it sweet, and a bit of cayenne pepper if you like it hot.

This should be enough for two salads. Just wash your salad ingredients, put them in the bag, add some dressing, close and shake. You can eat it right from the bag. The salad dressing container can be used as an extra water bottle when it is empty. I like backpacking recipes that keep it light, and multi-use containers help with this.

About the Author: Copyright Steve Gillman. To get an ebook on Lightweight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips) for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Source: www.isnare.com

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Cheap Backpacking – A How to Guide

By Brian on Monday, September 19th, 2011 | No Comments

By Steve Gillman

Cheap backpacking is accomplished in two basic ways? The first is to cut the cost of the trip. The second way is to spend less on the gear you buy. Here are some tips for doing both of these.

Cheap Backpacking Gear

Don’t bother with high-tech gear. Is it really important to have a super wicking poly-fiber t-shirt for when you’re hiking? Probably not, especially if it is the middle of July. Any regular t-shirt bought on sale for a few dollars will work. For that matter, a cheap plastic emergency poncho can replace that $200 breathable/waterproof rain suit if rain is unlikely and it’s warm out there. You might want to spend the money for better gear if you want lighter versions. In that case, you can still save money by putting the next two tips to use.

Look for the deals. An obvious tip, but easy to forget when you get excited about that shiny new equipment. Shoes and hiking boots in particular can be bought inexpensively if you watch for the sales. Apparently some people won’t buy last year’s styles, so those $90 shoes go on sale for $40. Look for the closeouts from online vendors and local shoe stores. Thought outdoor clothing is most likely to go on sale, tents, sleeping bags are sometimes half-priced when newer models come out.

Look for used gear. Though I would never buy used shoes, I’ve found that thrift stores have plenty of used jackets that are in great condition. I’ve even found decent lightweight hiking pants at times, as well as aluminum pans that are really light and some other backpacking equipment.

Make your own gear. I know of backpackers who sew their own backpacks and sleeping bags. That seems like too much work to me, and I’m not sure the savings would amount to much. But I have modified cheap pans for backpacking, made hats from old thermal shirt sleeves, and bivy sacks from plastic and duct tape. And now that I think about it, I did make a backpack once from an old aluminum frame and a duffel bag. It weighed less than any commercial frame pack for sale at the time.

Skip the expensive foods. You don’t need freeze-dried meals to enjoy backpacking. Snacks are a good way to go, and if you really need those cooked meals, bring simple foods like instant rice.

Cheap Backpacking Trips

Plan your own backpacking excursions. Although guided hiking trips can be nice, they are expensive. Just plan your own. Choose a location, do your research online, and start looking for the cheapest plane tickets that will get you there.

Go to free places. Many people automatically think of national parks or other places that have fees when they think of a wilderness experience. But there are many places that are just as beautiful and don’t charge anything. Try national forests with hiking trails, for example, or BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, or state forests. One advantage of this approach – apart from the money savings – is that you’ll likely find such area less crowded.

Find a location nearby. For many backpacking trips the cost of getting to the trailhead is the biggest expense. Isn’t there someplace interesting to see within an hour or two of where you are? Visit those areas and you might save a lot of travel money.

Now put it all together. Plan your own trip to a free place close to home and outfit yourself with basic clothing bought at thrift stores and equipment bought on sale. That’s cheap backpacking.

About the Author: Copyright Steve Gillman. For more tips on Cheap and Light Backpacking and to get the ebook “Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)” for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=301158&ca=Travel

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Backpacking Light – Move Faster, Further and More Comfortably

By Brian on Wednesday, September 7th, 2011 | No Comments

By Jonsky

Hiking light is much more comfortable and enjoyable than hiking with a heavy backpack. Of course what is defined as light may not be light for another person. It also depends on the level of fitness and strength of the person carrying the backpack. Being fit does make your backpack feel lighter.

Choose gear that are lighter but perform the same function is the obvious solution. Or you can also choose gear that serves multiple functions.

So hiking light is about carry less equipment and lighter and smaller equipment. It’s not about sacrificing essential gear for a lighter backpack.

Benefits of Lighter Load

When you carry a lighter load you feel more comfortable and happier in general. There’s less stress on your shoulders, back and knees. A good backpack will distribute the weight to the different parts of the upper body and make the load feel lighter by reducing stress on the shoulders.

You can also move quicker and cover more miles in a day. In an emergency, you can move away to safety so much quicker without having to sacrifice your backpack.

Reducing Your Load

If you want to travel light by reducing the amount of gear you carry, it’s better to do it in stages than to cut down to bare minimum in one go. Take note of the things that you don’t need or can go without.

Take into account the weather too. You don’t want to leave your raincoat on rainy day.

Five Ways to Keep Your Gear Light

1. Get rid of extra clothing, pots, boots, etc if you can. Usually one pot and one pair of boots is enough but during cold weather extra clothing may be essential.

2. If you’re hiking with a partner or in a group you can share some equipment like tent, stove, cookware, first aid kit, insect repellent and more.

3. Use equipment made of lighter material. For example, use down sleeping bags instead of synthetics and use internal frame backpacks instead external frame backpacks. If available, use simple designs that functions well and minimizes weight.

4. Use equipment that can perform several functions. A poncho for example can be used as rain gear or rigged up as a tent.

5. Carry smaller portions of consumables such as sunscreen, soap, toothpaste and spices. Instead of using the original packaging, whenever possible pack in a small ziploc bag.

As a guideline, your backpack should be no heavier than 4.5 lbs, your 2 person tent should be no heavier than 5 lbs, solo tents tent no more than 2.5 lbs, your sleeping bag should be less than 2 lbs, hiking boots less than 2 lbs, rain gear less than 1.5 lbs and food no more than 2 lbs per day.

However, some hikers prefer to carry more equipment for convenience and ease of mind. It depends on how well you can go without extra equipment in return for a lighter backpack. Be sure that you reduce your load in stages so that you don’t have any regrets on the field.

About the Author: Jonsky writes for Hiking-Camping-World.com where you’ll find camping gear such as lightweight sleeping bags and light hiking backpacks.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=367716&ca=Recreation

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Five Tips To Have A Fun-Filled Backpacking Trip In Rain

By Brian on Sunday, September 4th, 2011 | No Comments

By Brod Neil

If you plan on doing some backpacking in the rain, be sure you take precautions like using a waterproof backpack, equipping yourself with lightweight rain gear and covering items in the exposed portions of your backpack. Also, if your clothes get wet, dispose of them immediately and dry yourself with camp towels rather than cotton ones.

The weather can be unpredictable and can be any thing from beautiful, bright, sunny, dismal, gray or even drizzly. To make the most of your outdoor adventure be sure to plain for all weather conditions, including rain. These backpacking tips will help you to have fun even on a rainy day:

A waterproof backpack is a necessity

At the top of your list should be a waterproof backpack. You will find varieties of them in camping stores and specialty shops. Make sure you find just the right size you need depending on the type and duration of your outdoor adventure, the contents you need to put inside, and the load you can carry. Find one with straps that fit you comfortably and has outer pockets for easy access to your rain coat and tarp in the event of a heavy downpour.

Include some lightweight clothing in case it rains

You also need to pack rain gear to take on your expedition so you can carry on with your plans in rainy weather. Just the right size, find some that are lightweight.

* Rain coat-It’s vital that you get a showerproof mac. Select a poncho or one that can fit your backpack in it. Make sure the length is just right to cover your pants, but so big it will get in the way of hiking. Pack your raincoat and place it in the outside pocket of your backpack so you will have easy access to it when it begins to rain and to avoid exposing the other items stored in your bag.

* Lightweight shoes-To avoid blisters and keep your feet dry you may want to consider using light weight shoes. Also be sure that their soles are nonslip.

Remember also to wear clothing that dries quickly. You want to stay away from clothing made from absorbent material like cotton. Woolen fabric is a nicer choice to bring. Be sure to pack some extra clothes.

* Rain tarp-If you are in need of a fast temporary shelter then you can use a rain tarp, also known as a rain fly. It’s a good idea to have one in an easily accessible outside pocket in case of rain.

Make sure all items in the bag, especially those stored in exposed pockets, are covered up

Other items that may require protection from rain, such as your sleeping bag, may be in the outer pocket of your bag, Keep your sleeping bag dry and free from damage is possible if you roll it up and use the carrying case or purchase a waterproof carrying case for extra protection.

Get out of those soggy clothes with the greatest possible speed

To avoid getting sick or worse, hypothermia, immediately change out of those wet clothes, as soon as the rain stops. Change into warm new clothes as soon as you can and hang your wet clothes to dry.

Camp towels can keep you drier than cotton ones.

While cotton towels are known for their ability to absorb liquids, they’re not all that practical for hiking or backpacking. They are quite heavy when wet in addition to being bulky. Alternatively, use a camp towel, available in many specialty stores, which can soak up effectively and dry up easily.

Assuming that you have the correct gear put together in preparation for rain and other types of weather that you may encounter, you are certain to enjoy your outdoor adventure. Not even the rain could spoil your adventure because these tips will assure that.

About the Author: Please visit this site for waterproof backpack choices: http://www.waterproofcases.net/backpack.html.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=648812&ca=Travel

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