What's in My Backpacking Kitchen
My motto is "Hike Strong. Hike Long. Hike Happy."
You may have heard this before.
And to achieve it, you have to navigate the delicate balancing act of paring down what's in your pack but still saving room for little luxuries that will satisfy the happy part of this equation.
On the one hand, lightening your load will help you hike long.
On the other hand, eating well on the trail is, for me, near the pinnacle of hiking happy.
(Right after my pillow.)
Your backpacking kitchen won't make or break you on a long hike, but it will definitely be worth shaving ounces where you can and putting your cookset and food choices through the same scrutiny with which you address your shelter and sleeping system.
I've decided to make my evening meal my happy meal.
To make it easy, I'll be whipping up some freezer bag meals with loads of dehydrated veggies and other nourishing ingredients.
At least as nourishing as powdered eggs and other prepper stuff can be.
The point is, all I'll have to do is add hot water and unfold my spork.
Easy peasy.
(Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of the spork. I just like the word. I actually have a spoon and a fork. And, yes, they fold.)
I love all things kitchen, so I'm surprised I was able to get my little system down to 10.1 ounces, not including the fuel. It all fits in my one little titanium pot, which boils enough water for dinner and a hot beverage in about eight minutes.
Here's what it looks like.
This is how is comes out of my pack, all snug in it's little pot cozy.
I made the cozy myself. (Did the flowered duct tape give it away?) It's double layered for extra warmth.
BTW, stay tuned for instructions on how to make your own pot cozy. Sign up for the Ruby Throat Journal News and you'll be the first to know when I release that video!
Unpacking all the goodies.
That little spaceship thing at the bottom is my stove and the foil thingys are my windscreen, which I made out of an aluminum cookie sheet.
My stove is a Vargo Titanium Triad XE mutli-fuel stove. It burns both alcohol and Esbit cubes. I plan to carry the cubes. They're heavy and a little stinky, but they work well and there's no chance of spillage.
It's nice to know, though, that if I can't find cubes on the trail, I can always switch to alcohol.
Unpacked and ready to go. My pot is originally from backcountry.com. But I just stole it from my husband's pack.
My folding spoon (from MSR) is unfurled and I'm digging into my breakfast Sweet Potato Porridge, my first foray into inventing my own dehydrated meals.
It actually turned out yummy and if you don't believe me, you can try it yourself. Find the recipe for Sweet Potato Porridge right here!
So what's in your cookset? Did I leave anything out or do you have any suggestions?
Leave a comment below and let's talk!
Happy hiking, y'all.
