Why I stopped carrying a full cook kit after a chat with a thru-hiker on the Wonderland Trail

I ran into a guy named Dave at a camp near Reflection Lakes who was doing the whole 93 miles with nothing but a plastic cup and a spoon. At first I thought he was joking (you know, like one of those ultralight people who cut their toothbrush in half). But then he explained how he just cold soaks everything - ramen, instant potatoes, even coffee - and hasn't carried a stove in 5 years. He pointed out all the extra weight I was hauling with my MSR PocketRocket, a fuel canister, and a titanium pot. That conversation made me realize I've been overcomplicating meals for years. I did the math and my cook kit was adding 1.2 pounds to my pack, plus the hassle of finding level ground and dealing with wind screens. So on my next trip up to the Enchantments next month, I'm trying his method with just a freezer bag and some cold water. Has anyone else here switched to cold soaking and regretted it or loved it?

2 comments

2 Comments

lily36024d ago

Wait, hold on. You ran into a guy named Dave who carried just a cup and a spoon? That sounds like something from a bad joke. I mean, I get the whole ultralight thing, I really do. I once saw a guy trim the straps off his pack to save three ounces, but no stove? No pot? No way to actually cook anything? That's wild to me. I would be absolutely miserable eating cold instant potatoes, especially on a long trip like the Wonderland Trail. I like my coffee hot, like really hot, in the morning to wake up. One point two pounds doesn't seem that bad when you think about a hot meal at the end of a long day, you know? But I have to admit, the math does make you think, even if my gut reaction is total shock.

christopher_flores4624d ago

Ha! I actually read a blog post by a guy who did the whole Pacific Crest Trail with just a quart jar and a spork. He swore by cold soaking too, said it made him appreciate simple food more. I can see the appeal of saving weight but I'd miss the ritual of boiling water for tea at camp.