Gearing Up
A few weeks back, I promised a column on how to dry your own spaghetti sauce, which is a fantastic and easy way to bring some home-cooked flavor to the woods. You either can make your own sauce from scratch (see my favorite recipe below), or use your favorite jarred sauce -- just choose a brand that doesn't have chunks of veggies or meats in it. Smooth marinara works best.
July 22, 2004
Gearing Up
I recently had the privilege of judging the first nationwide REI/Backpacker Camp Cook-Off outside Denver. Two days of chowing down on gooey s'mores, fruit-infused pancakes, crazy trail mix concoctions, even backpackable sushi and more pasta dishes than I could count. So much for my low-carb lifestyle.
The grand prize winner was Chris Gilliam, a 32-year-old Denverite, whose hearty, spicy lentil stew stole the show (and it's really a show; the competition will be featured on a one-hour special next spring on the Food Network).
July 8, 2004
Gearing Up
Ask most folks what they're craving after a few days in the wilderness and the answer is almost always "a burger (or steak) and a beer." That's because it's so hard to pack perishable meats on multiday trips. Instead, we tend to subsist on carbs and fats (Dr. Atkins would have never made it as a backpacker).
June 3, 2004
Gearing Up
Once upon a time, I could not take a backpacking or camping trip without forgetting some critical item. Once it was my headlamp. Another time it was the water filter. But the worst was when I forgot my sleeping pad on a five-day trip into Wisconsin's Porcupine Mountains.
My back still hurts when I think about that trip.
May 20, 2004
Gearing Up
Last time, it was coffee talk. And while I've never met a soul who did not appreciate the deep, dark aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee, there are lots of folks out there who would rather sniff the stuff than drink it.
So, for those of you who do not partake in the ebony nectar, I offer you some recipes for equally delicious hot drinks that don't involve those little black beans.
The first is a thick, yummy drink with almost a pudding consistency, so it makes a great dessert as well as a cold afternoon pick-me-up.
Hot Chocolate Smoothie
February 12, 2004
Skiing isn't the only way to enjoy a snowy winter day. And since it takes lots of practice -- often years -- to master the art of the telemark turn, many people are finding out that snowshoeing is a fantastic way to get out into the woods and mountains once summer says goodbye.
Here are some of the benefits:
January 8, 2004
Gearing Up
When you fork over 200 to 300 bucks for a fancy waterproof/breathable rain jacket, you expect it to keep you dry for a good long while. And you should.
But the time will come when your jacket seems to be absorbing rain rather than repelling it.
This is because the outer fabric's DWR has worn off. DWR stands for "durable water repellent," and it's the magic ingredient that makes water bead up and roll off the fabric.
November 20, 2003
Gearing Up
Have you ever let the rain dictate your hiking plans? When the weatherman calls for thundershowers all weekend, the easy thing to do is to blow off your trip, stay home and rent some movies. I know, because I've done it plenty of times. And I always regret it.
After all, I have the right stuff to keep me dry. I have rain gear that's so effective it's like walking around in my own private tent. This winter, when I get tired of watching the puddles form in my basement, I intend to get out there and enjoy the green, dripping canopies of the woods. How about you?
November 6, 2003
One of the best trips I ever took was an early winter hike up Mount Hood with a group of friends. The snow was powdery, the sun was warm and the scenery was stellar. Half of us wore skis, the other half snowshoes. A friendly rivalry developed between the two camps, and we spent the better part of one day competing in a series of relay races and contests to see which mode of travel was the "best."
October 23, 2003
Gearing Up
After days of freeze-dried this and dehydrated that, there is nothing so satisfying and tasty as a mound of crunchy green sprouts. Nothing. Put them on a sandwich (see recipes below), make a salad of sprouts and grated carrots with oil and vinegar, or top your favorite Thai noodle dish with a mound.
The best part about sprouts is that you can make them while you're on the trail. They weigh virtually nothing and if you time it right, they'll continue to sprout throughout your trip, giving you day after day of fresh greens.
October 9, 2003
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