LIGHTWEIGHT MEAL PLANNING In the Backcountry

1. LIGHTWEIGHT MEAL PLANNINGIn the Backcountry Herb Haake University of Scouting March, 2011

2. Lightweight Meal PlanningDISCUSSION POINTS • Cooking Groups / Cooking and Associated Equipment • Menu Planning • Stoves and Water Treatment • Leave No Trace • Food Protection • Summary

3. Lightweight Meal PlanningCooking Groups • Troop (>10) • Form independent patrol-sized groups • Patrol (4 - 8) • Buddy (2 – 4) • Lightweight / backpacking stoves

4. Lightweight Meal Planning • Use foods and menus which have: • Short cooking times (5 to 10 minutes max) • Little water content (dehydrated or freeze-dried) • Minimal number of cans • High ‘concentration’ of protein & calorie content • No refrigeration requirements

5. Lightweight Meal PlanningMINIMIZE WATER CONTENT • Use Dried or dehydrated vegetables • Use instant dried “fillers” like • Stove top stuffing, Minute rice, Couscous • Powdered mashed potatoes or hash browns • Pasta (but avoid pasta with long cooking time) • Avoid raw meats • Limit number of cans • Use only small-sized tins (ie- chicken, tuna, or sardine)

6. Lightweight Meal PlanningMEAL PLANS - OVERVIEW • Choose compact and compressible foods, high in calories • Rice, tortillas, jerky, pasta, nuts, dried fruits, peanut butter, candy and nutritional bars • Leave strongly-scented items behind • Plan out your menu • Each meal, snack, drink and condiment  • Pre-measure and pre-mix your food

7. Lightweight Meal PlanningMEAL PLANS Breakfast - Use hot water approach • Instant oatmeal flavored w/ nuts, raisins, craisins • Hot drinks like coffee/ cocoa/ tea/ Tang Lunch - Keep it simple • GORP mix high in nuts and dried fruits • Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, raisins, craisins, cheerios, figs, dates • Tortillas, crackers, peanut butter • Nutrition bars, candies

8. Supper -- water-based with simple cleanup One-pot dishes (plan on 5 oz per serving) Start with ‘instant dried filler’ Stove top stuffing, Minute rice, couscous Pasta, lentils Instant mashed potatoes / hash browns Add ‘concentrated’ protein and dried vegetables Beef stick, beef jerky, pepperoni, chicken, tuna, salmon, shrimp String beans or broccoli Add spices to taste, use cooking oil as needed Lightweight Meal PlanningMEAL PLANS Lentils

9. Objective Keep cooking area / odors SEPARATE from tent site Camp away from others Methods Cook main meal in early afternoon, or before reaching your final destination Finish your evening meal well before sunset Select camping site away from water sources Lightweight Meal Planning“STEALTH” CAMPING

10. Use lightweight stoves for cooking Use wind protection around stove Limit number of people per stove Keep meals simple Reduces fuel consumption Turn off stove as soon as water is hot Consider “no cook” breakfasts / lunches Check airline regulations for stoves / fuel when flying Lightweight Meal PlanningSTOVE CONSIDERATIONS

11. Purification only needed for your drinking water Boiled water does not require separate treatment Obtain drinking water from clean sources at highest elevation possible Chemical treatment (Iodide and Ascorbic Acid clarifier) is usually most convenient for small groups If filtering, let water impurities first settle in a pot Lightweight Meal PlanningWATER CONSIDERATIONS

12. Plan ahead Repackage food to minimize rubbish Avoid use of foil for packaging Camp on durable surfaces Find rocky site for cooking Dispose of waste properly Human waste at least 200 ft from campsite Carry out what you carry in Lightweight Meal PlanningLEAVE NO TRACE CONSIDERATIONS

13. Leave what you find Minimize campfire impacts Use lightweight stove for cooking Respect wildlife Be considerate of other visitors Lightweight Meal PlanningLEAVE NO TRACE CONSIDERATIONS (con’t)

14. Lightweight Meal PlanningFood Protection • Animal habituation • Avoid easy access to food • Methods • Bear bags • Hung from trees or cables • Bear canisters

15. Lightweight Meal PlanningBEAR CANISTERS • Easier / more effective than hanging bear bags, and now required in many backcountry areas • One canister can hold up to 7-10 days of food for one person, or 5 days worth of food for two people • Use plastic bags for repackaging to allow max fit • Store canister on the ground, 100’ away from tent • Avoid placing canister near heat, plastic can melt • Store ALL scented items inside the canister • Includes food, toiletries and garbage • Therefore, avoid taking scented foods like fresh fruits, raw meats, and items like cosmetics

16. Lightweight Meal PlanningSUMMARY • Minimize water content in the foods you carry • Use dehydrated or freezed-dried foods • Use compact, compressible, high calorie foods • Rice, tortillas, jerky, pasta, nuts, dried fruits, peanut butter, candy and nutritional bars • Plan quick cooking, one-pot suppers • Instant dried filler mixed with protein • Use bear canisters in the backcountry • Plan carefully and repackage everything • All scented items go inside canisters,