Posterity's Cloud - Backpacking Hints


Backpacking Pages:  Backpacking  -  Backpacking List  -  Links/Books  -  Equipment Reviews and Specifications - Hints


 


Mountainhouse Dried Foods
Saving Weight and "Useless" Packaging- When using these meals, I remove much of the packaging before going on the trip.  This saves on weight and garbage to pack out.  I open up the foil bag and take out the dinner.  Do this very carefully because sometimes, the meals are not sealed well.  Remove the tape wrapped around the package and discard the cardboard with the "pop-out ring".  Twist seal the bag and wrap the tape around the meal to seal it.  I then put all of the Mountainhouse meals in a ziploc bag.  The cardboard is not needed and, instead of using the ring to hold the bag closed while it "cooks", just wrap the tape around it.  The foil bag is supposed to be used to put the meal in to keep it warm while it "cooks".  I just seal it up and put it into my already warm pan with the lid then place it inside of my sleeping bag to "cook".  By doing this, you will save about 1.1 ounces per meal which, when multiplied out, adds up.  Plus, you have less to pack out.
Cooking Time- I've found the cooking times given on the packaging to be minimins.  It's been my experience that you cannot "overcook" these.  It's more of a matter of keeping it hot.  I always wait a minimum of 30 minutes.  As long as it's in the sleeping bag it will be plenty warm.
Eating- After the meal has "cooked", I just undo the tape while the bag is still in the pan, open up the bag and wrap the edges over the sides of the pan.  This prevents the bag from moving and possibly tipping over (on to the ground), frees up a hand that would normally have to be always hold onto the bags and allows you to dig ever little bit out.
Stretching Meals- I bring one of these meals to be eaten every other day.  On the other day, I eat a Ramen Noodle mixed with corn or items taken out of a Mountainhouse.  If on a week long trip, I bring one extra Mountainhouse just for the purpose of taking parts of it and mixing with the Ramen noodles.  There are two advantages to this. One, it is cheaper and, two, I use the bag from the Mountainhouse on the previous day to put my Ramen noodles in for cooking.
Purchasing Meals- When purchasing Mountainhouse dinners, it is cheaper if you can buy them in bigger packages (4-person versus 2).  For example, a 3.75 ounce Beef Stew is currently $5.75 and a 7.5 ounce Beef Stew is currently $9.99 and the 7.5 ounce is simply a bigger package with two individually wrapped 3.75 ounce meals in it.  Also, Mountainhouse often runs specials on their website where they offer "Just-in-case" 7 day food units that give you a good selection of food for a good price.  To check and see if they are offering this package, go to their web site at: www.mountainhouse.com.  If I don't buy their special package, I usually buy my food at Campmor at: www.campmor.com.
Click here for a complete printable product listing on their web site

Water
Drinking-Before hitting the trail for the day, drink a lot of water.  It's better to carry it in your stomach than on your back.  I put aside 1 liter of water and drink it while I'm finishing packing up.  It find that I do not get as thirsty on the trail and, I've never had any problems with cramping.
Pumping-
Carrying-
 


Backpacking Pages:  Backpacking  -  Backpacking List  -  Links/Books  -  Equipment Reviews and Specifications - Hints

Email me: mike@posterityscloud.com

(C)Copyright 1999-2003 Mike Tremblay
Posterity's Cloud / Life Lines Publishing
All Rights Reserved
All photographs are Copyrighted and may not be used in any form without permission.
If you are interested in using them, just email me, I'm a pretty agreeable guy.
This site is not affiliated with any official or commercial organization.
The information presented is to the best of my knowledge.

Last edited: March 28, 2003