[pct-l] COLD FOOD

[Mike Cunningham]

Esbit tabs weigh 0.5 oz each. A tuna can or cat food can with holes punched in the side for air flow weighs about 1 oz. A metal (titanium or aluminum) cup to heat on with aluminum foil for a top weighs 2-3 oz. 
 
So for about 5 oz you can make a cup of tea, or coffee or whatever. I keep this arrangement in my daypack for coffee emergencies.
 
hm

--- On Mon, 11/8/10, giniajim <jplynch at crosslink.net> wrote:


From: giniajim <jplynch at crosslink.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] COLD FOOD
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Monday, November 8, 2010, 6:10 PM


I'm intrigued with the idea of cold food.  But I do like a cup of coffee or hot chocolate or instant soup.  I'm thinking that the simplest, lightest and reliable heating option might the Esbit heat tabs.  Any thoughts about this? 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Shawn Hudson 
  To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 5:54 PM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] COLD FOOD


  >
  > While on the AT (be hiking the PCT in 2012), my buddy and I switched to
  cold food during the Summer to avoid heat and weight. What we found was that
  since cold foods are traditionally heavier (hydrated), we also didn't notice
  a difference in the weight.

  That said, I enjoyed a lot of good food for that month of cold foods, and my
  favorite/most versatile was 'the wrap.' Just pick up a pack or two of flour
  tortillas in town and then let your imagination run wild.

  These are some of the things we bought along the way ...

  - pre-cut pepperoni (greasy, but lighter and easier to deal with ... plus it
  comes in a resealable pouch)
  - tuna/chicken packets (the Starkist tuna is great, as it comes in tons of
  different flavors)
  - salad dressing packets (some stores/delis) will offer these things for
  free to customers (or you can pick up some at a fast food place. Adding a
  nice balsamic or ranch to a wrap makes a world of difference, and they're
  usually single-serving.
  - bacon bits
  - Easy Cheese (don't knock it 'til you've been out in the Wilderness for
  only God knows how long)
  - block sharp cheddar (the sharper, the longer it lasts)
  - SPAM
  - peanut butter, honey and bananas

  Other cold foods that I found vital:

  - PopTarts
  - CLIF Bars
  - any kind of ridiculously caloric cookie

  Hope that gives you some ideas.

  - Voodoo


  > Brandon Reed wrote:
  > I'm gonna starts my hike with cold food options to save the weight on fuel
  > and
  > stove, plus with the heat, desert, abundance of resupply, and generally
  > just
  > being more tired in the start of a hike,?I normally don't eat hot meals. I
  > will
  > mail?my stove?to have later in the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions
  > or
  > sites to review?for cold food options that wont bore me?by day 2. I can
  > only eat
  > tuna and candy bars?for so many meals before I start to?go crazy.
  >
  >
  >
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