Backpacking without a stove

Nick

Nick

-
.
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
12,967
The more I think about the food I will eat as a paleo backpacker, the more I wonder if I should even bother bringing a stove anymore. Right now, my meal plan is going to involve fruit, nuts, fresh vegetables, jerky and a bit of canned meat. So the only thing I would ever need a stove for is coffee, right? The thought of going without my morning cup of jo doesn't sound all that appealing, but it's just not worth it just for coffee, right? Or maybe that Backcountry Boiler I'm waiting on will come in handy after all. Any suggestions on getting around the coffee conundrum?
 
Do you drink it out of ritual (hot drink in the morning) or for the perk (caffine)? If the latter, just pack some 5hr energy :-).
 
Tyler said:
Do you drink it out of ritual (hot drink in the morning) or for the perk (caffine)? If the latter, just pack some 5hr energy :).
Click to expand...

Probably both, but definitely the caffeine. I guess I could do the 5 hr energy but it's got stuff in it that I normally wouldn't eat like artificial sweetener. Hell, even if it was raw sugar cane, I wouldn't eat it. But I might suck it up since it would be such an infrequent thing. Hmmm....
 
ibenick said:
Probably both, but definitely the caffeine. I guess I could do the 5 hr energy but it's got stuff in it that I normally wouldn't eat like artificial sweetener. Hell, even if it was raw sugar cane, I wouldn't eat it. But I might suck it up since it would be such an infrequent thing. Hmmm....
Click to expand...

I gotta have my morning coffee or I'm useless.:p I can see how an alternative would be nice if you're not packing a stove. Would not bringing the stove save much weight though?
 
pixie1339 said:
I gotta have my morning coffee or I'm useless.:p I can see how an alternative would be nice though if you're not packing a stove. Would not bringing the stove save much weight though?
Click to expand...

Quite a bit actually. Here are the two lightest setups I could imagine that would still get me hot water for coffee.

1. Minimum Pocket Rocket Setup - 14.3 ounces total weight
Pocket Rocket (3.5oz)
Miniature isobutane canister (6.8 oz)
MSR Titan Kettle (4 oz)

BTW, I love how every time I search for 'Pocket Rocket' on Amazon, the first two results are FAR from a backpacking stove! :lol:

2. Backcountry Boiler setup - 8 ounces total weight
The nice thing about this is that it runs on found fuel, needs no pot and is quite light. The problem with this is that it has to be somewhere where I can throw some twigs in and build a fire inside. While I wouldn't actually be building a ground fire, it still might not be okay in national parks and places where fires are banned. And I would have to do something with the ash. It also make me feel like a tool for packing a half pound that has no other usage! I guess being able to make hot water should be thought of as a first aid item too though...

3. Titan Kettle Only - 4 ounces total weight

So I'm starting to lean towards option #4...

4. Get whoever I'm backpacking with to heat me up 2 cups of water in the morning - PRICELESS! :lol:
 
I have been taking packets of Starbucks Via instant, which I find to be pretty good, just dumped in my water bottle first thing in the morning with a couple of Splendas, and drinking it cold. It gets me going. To each his own.
 
John Fowler said:
I have been taking packets of Starbucks Via instant, which I find to be pretty good, just dumped in my water bottle first thing in the morning with a couple of Splendas, and drinking it cold. It gets me going. To each his own.
Click to expand...

I use the Starbucks Via too. I really like it. Well at least as much as one can like instant coffee, it's certainly a lot better than normal instant. I never even considered drinking it cold. Not a bad idea! I think I might give that a try tomorrow and see if I like it.
 
MRE heaters work well :).. I also like my coffee but can't stand the starbucks fake crap so I will usually just cold brew some coffee the week before and let it evap down so it is really concentrated and then just have cold coffee (or luke warm if I want to sleep with a water bottle the night before)
 
It really all depends on your priorities I guess. Counting ounces is helpful to try and keep your weight down for sure. There are a couple luxuries that are worth the extra weight, in my opinion. Mine would be my 3 pound sleeping pad and my cup of joe in the morning. :)
 
I use a pop can stove, with a titanium cup. Doesn't get much lighter than this, short of not packing a stove. I for one really like a warm meal in the evening.
Go with out coffee? What are you nuts?! :eek:
 
ibenick said:
Okay, now that IS crazy! :confused:

At least coffee is dry!
Click to expand...
I don't do it very often and when I do it's usually one 16 or 20oz bottle. Someone needs to invent a powder Mt Dew mix that I can dump in some water!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top