Dining on the trail..............

[Rob]

What is everyone eating on the trail? On extended trips? Day trips? Overnighters?

Matthew, How is the dehydrator thing going?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Day trips? Whatever I have in the house that will fit in my bag. Usually oatmeal cookies, fruit snacks, or some sort of grain/ola bar that I have for "lunch" at school.

Long day trips? Usually oatmeal cookies or some sort of grain/ola bar from lunches, and purpose-procured beef jerky, which helps me feel a little better if I sweat a whole lot (usually do) and also drink a lot (usually do) while hiking. I also keep a 12-pack of diet Mountain D.. "beverage" in my trunk at all times for driving excursions and short hikes, for a little flavor in the car. If I could just figure out how to carry lots of water AND a full camera bag without a sherpa I'd be set.

[Skippy]

NO MORE CLIFF BARS

[Joshua Szulecki]

Skippy,

I heard about the huddled hiker incident... What is in a chuck bar that made you so sick?

[Nalgene Ninja]

Day trips: Tuna, summer sausage, salami, cheese, gorp, fig newtons, gatorade (Fruit punch is my fave), crackers.

Overnight: Mac-n-cheese, panckes, hot dogs, clams and linguine, pulled pork.

[cwhiker]

For day hikes: tuna, some kind of granola bar, crackers, and some dried fruit. with a  stop at Hardees or Sonic  in Moulton on the way back to Decatur

[noladiver]

I only eat dried ready to eat oatmeal or grits for breakfast. Granola with a small jar of peanut butter to dunk them in for snacks. I love Progresso soups even though they are so heavy. I always pack Gatorade powder to add to the water. I have only been on 5 or so weekend trips so I am still working on my meu

[Nalgene Ninja]

Matthew, How is the dehydrator thing going?

I got one myself a few weeks ago and tried drying a papaya last week. Should've waited for it to ripen more I guess, wasn't all that good. I'll try to do some jerky or fruit this weekend.

Has anyone tried drying in leiu of canning, I've got a big garden planted and don't want to waste the crops?

[Rob]

WOW!!! Great responses so far. I Usually take gorp, granola bars, tuna, small loaves of bread usually used for appetizers ( light weight and doesn't squish as easily), pita bread or tortillas  also work well, dried fruit, lipton noodle concoctions, mac and cheese, oatmeal, sweetener substitute, crystal light, tea bags, and instant coffee. Sometimes I also carry freezedried meals like the ones by Enertia. I adjust these things according to the hike.

Sure like the dehydrated stuff made at home but no longer have a dehydrator. Flemdog, you may want to try drenching the papaya in lime juice, that's the only way I find it to be palatable.

Really like the sounds of the skittles and Sonic!  Happy Trails.

[Suz]

fruit, cheese, nuts, triscuits, prepared spaghetti, pickled beets, pb&j's, whatever...smell iest was sardines, mustard, and crackers, but so good!  My son likes to take salami.

[Lostsheep]

I have been using my dehdrator a good bit lately making very tasty meals for the trail. Currently in the freezer I have nearly 2lbs of dried hamburger, another 3lbs of dried chicken(shredded), and probably 5-6lbs of dried venison. Excellent dried meats. Another thing is dried sauces and soups such as ravioli, spaghetti, chicken noodle, and chili.

Also, in the pantry/fridge I have many assortments of homemade granola bars, dried fruits, and dried veggies. I also usually keep on hand several packets of oatmeals, instant lipton dinners, bread stuffing and stovetop meals.

Another thing are cans and pouches of tuna and chicken. These come in very very handy as well.

I would like to recommend the two following books that will help greatly in more diverse foods for the trail if anyone is interested. I have been using them for quite some time lately and really enjoy a majority of the meals.
#1 Freezer Bag Cooking by Sarah Kirkconnell
#2 A Fork in the Trail by Laurie Ann March

Most of the meals are typical "add boiling water meals" that will require a little prep at home, but the outcome is well worthit while out in the woods. I really recommend some a trial if anyone is interested.

[cwhiker]

I am looking to buy a dehydrator what brands is everyone using?

[Nalgene Ninja]

I am looking to buy a dehydrator what brands is everyone using?

Ronco, el cheapo! Haven't used it enough to give a verdict.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Does the book, Freezer Bag Cooking by Sarah Kirkconnell, include alot not on the website?

[Chris]

I eat this dehydrated stuff. Right now I can;t remember the brand and I don't have any around so I can't tell you what it was.

What I like to do is bribe people to run to Mcdonalds for me.  Did that at Porters Gap once! It was an 18 mile day I was within my rights! 

[Lostsheep]

Does the book, Freezer Bag Cooking by Sarah Kirkconnell, include alot not on the website?

Yes. There are plenty of dehydrating tips, and more recipes available. If I were you though, before you order, shoot her an email about the second book. She's currently working in on it and it should be available soon for purchasing. If it's almost ready, I'd hold off. It's a great book though

As for dehydrators I'm using a Nesco FD60 which can be found at target, walmart, and most kitchen stores. It came with a jerky gun, seasonings, and recipe booklet for $60.

The best I figured is that a dehydrated meal costs between $5-$8 each, so it's paid for itself already!

[Lostsheep]

Also, I'm pretty active on another Backpacking Forum site and they have a specific cooking forum that may answer several of your questions. They often post up recipes, tips, gear, and how to's at home...It's worth checking out:

Backpacker Magazine Cooking Forum

[Nalgene Ninja]

I didn't realize you were that old BL. You look good! 

[Lostsheep]

If I can look that good eating Fish & bread, then I guess I better start signing up

[lawnmowwer]

 I carry lots of things, but lately it seems to be oatmeal for breakfast, Vienna sausage crackers mustard and hot sauce for lunch, and a Zatarain's for dinner. I like nutragrain bars (blue berry) for snacks.

[ednotmilkman]

Help me - I've caught a fish and can't eat it !

what's the easiest way to prepare a bluegill, or whatever bites my hook. while hiking with limited culinary skills?  I do have a telescoping rod and reel that I could pack ( in my dreams at least) . I think I have scaled and gutted one once or twice but not lately.

[Nalgene Ninja]

How you prepare a bluegill is dependent on how much trouble and stuff you carry.
There are basically 3 methods:
1. Pan-fry (easiest but have to have the materials on hand (cornmeal/flour/breadcrumbs, frypan, oil)
 -scale and gut fish, remove head and fins. then rinse to ensure all the scales are off
 -wet the fish (water, beer, egg yolk, etc), then dreg in seasoned (salt and pepper are fine) breading material (can be anything from cornmeal (preferred), to breadcrumbs, corn chips, etc)3
 - place in hot oiled fyypan 3-5 min/side

2. Foil pouch (only need to season the fish then wrap the fish in foil, and toss onto some hot coals)
 - clean fish same as above
 - fold fish w/ seasonings in a square of aluminum foil. The seasonings can be fancier here anything from simple S&P, to fresh herbs (experiment)
 -Place fish on top of a bed of hot coals, flip the pouch over after 5-10 minutes, should be done in 10-20 total.


3. Fish on a stick (Survivorman-style)(least amount of material (leave the head on the help it hold on the stick), but the toughest to do right w/out dropping it)
- clean fish but leave the head on.
- season fish w/ whatever you've got on hand.
- take a stick and spear thru stomach and up thru the mouth.
- hold stick 1 ft over hot fire until meat is flaky.