Tuna has almost caught Spam as the go to trail protein. The many flavor choices is a big part of that. Plus the pouches are easier to pack out than cans. Spam singles are hard to beat for lunch though. Just wrap it up in a tortilla, and you don't have to break out your stove.
Peanut butter is also good.
It's just about the most calorie dense food. That is the most calories per ounce. Honey roasted peanuts may have a little more. Lots of good fats as well as the protein. I haven't packed a jar yet, but if I was thru hiking, I would pound it. Honey too, even though it will make a damn mess in your food bag.
Any fruit packed in I call my 9 pound hammer. I keep it in the brain {the top part} of my pack. On one hike, every time I would record, I would say, I feel like there is a 9 pound hammer, hammering on my brain. Then at the end of the day I acted like I was surprised they were there. {most likely to never be on a You Tube near you} Two apples and an orange can feel like nine pounds after a day of carrying them. But they sure do taste good at camp. Fruit is the best trail magic.
And they make a pretty good pipe in a pinch! Apples, anyway.
I bought a $2 charcoal grill at a yard sale this morning. It's a piece, but perfect for carrying to the river bank, dinking beer, cooking cased meats, and wetting a hook.
I love to find deals. I've built a new shelter, so I've been moving the tubs of stuff from the old one to the new one. I have so much camp cookware it isn't funny. I'm leaving the damn cast iron where it's at. That shit is heavy.
What fuel does it use?
Denatured alcohol. Sold as glass cleaner in most hardware stores. One ounce will boil two cups of water.
I love cheap DIY camping gear. I only visit REI to laugh at the schlock- and their prices.
There are a lot of 10-12 dollar stoves for sale on Amazon. Some of the cat food can stoves are pretty fancy. As well as the double wall aluminum bottle stoves. That is what I would carry for a summertime stove. The carbon wicking material is a must for cold weather though.
Thanks. I have been around the world a time or two. But I've always ended up back here with sand in my shoes. And as much as I like to talk thru hike, these little 3 day hikes have been kicking my butt. I may have to be happy section hiking.
