Favorite Pack Foods?

[Soinkuhndog]

I'm new to rendezvous and even camping. Just wondering what your favorite foods you pack in?
I assume a lot of jerkey, dried veg. and fruits, nuts, wild rice... Please help me make the ultimate list.
Any favorite web sites for camp cooking ideas?

 

[Desert Rat]

There is a typically a big difference in rendevous food and pack foods. Food that can be taken to rendevous can be fresh and kept in a cooler. You can make yourself one of the accepted "primitive" coolers or just keep it in your vehicle and make the hike whnen you want something. The rendevous around here even will accept coolers in camp as long as they are not readily visible. Pack foods are more for trekkers. Although to be more PC at a rendevous the menu's should be closer related.

The list you made is pretty close to what I typically take for treks. For rendevous I will go all out and bring some steaks, or chicken, potatoes, something sweet, some beer & soda, fixins for biscuits & gravy etc, coffee(I take that trekking to).

Anything you can cook on the grill at home, or fry on the stove you can do pretty easy with a camp fire. Just remember to use your coals and not the flame. Baking takes a little extra practice.

 

[Swampman]

I usually take parched corn, jerky, a sugar cone, & coffee. Sometimes I take slab bacon & rice.

 

[Thomas Roach]

As stated at an event the list is almost unlimited. However, for trekking and woodsrunning I carry, corn, peas, bacon and jerk, sometimes I will carry some dried fruit and home made trail bread as well.

There is one vendor that I like to use for my food stuffs, it is Turkey Foot Forge, they have all of the above at good prices. The bacon is really good and well keep in the pantry. They also have parched peas, which cook faster than dried, and can be eaten with our cooking (they taste like peanuts).

Just some humble ramblings.

Take care,

ThomasR.

 

[shmrck1]

Kuhndog,
I'm not a trecker,camper or rondy person, but I do know food.Anything dried(beans,rice,lentils,corn) rehydrate great in water
or broth.Especially broth. If PC is a problem then boullion cubes will be problem, but if not work great.Although a lot of seasonings can be found in the wild like onion,garlic,sage and many others it would serve you well to carry salt. Dried mushrooms or fresh found will add to any camp stew.
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

[Soinkuhndog]

Thanks everyone -- keep those ideas coming.
Can you tell me more about the bacon?
I can't imagine these guys carrying more than they had to, so right now I have only a small "corn boiler." Do any of you use only a corn boiler? I will also boil my coffee in it. Suggestions.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I can't imagine these guys carrying more than they had to, so right now I have only a small "corn boiler."

There's a difference in "Rendezvous" and "Trekking".

At rendezvous, most likely you were on horseback and had a pack animal. You might/could carry more than just a boiler.

When trekking on foot, you would obviously carry a lot less.

At today's Rendezvous, people tend to bring quite a bit of gear. (some people)

As has been mentioned, you can keep an ice chest in your car. You can go "hunting" (visit your vehicle) and bring back fresh meat. :grin:

 

[Desert Rat]

I can't imagine these guys carrying more than they had to,

True, but remember this was their way of life. They carried what they wanted and needed. Like Claude said they had pack animals. While I'm sure they would try to reserve as much weight/space as possible for plews they defanitley hauled more than a person can on their back. Ned was frowned on by some of the original trappers but it is sure yummy on a cold morning :grin: When I pack bacon for trekkin I also back a light sheet metal pan for frying.

I get my slab bacon from a local Polish deli that also does their own sausages and smoked meats.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

Grits, salt pork and salt beef. Brined and dried beef, fish and pork also. Sweet potatoes and cheese. Dried apples, beans and peaches. Bare in mind the 'trekkers' counted on taking some game along the way. Don't know of a website that could be of help, sorry.

 

[spudnut]

I like dried sausages,and dried farmers cheese.Wrap it in cheesecloth and hang in a cool dry place until it stops dripping and dries out.A little in your mouth reconstitutes and tastes pretty good.Beef boiled in vinegar and spices will keep for a couple days and is good roasted over a fire in slices.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

Got to talking 'bout sausage and i have to go get some out of my freezer - to have w/my grits!! :grin:

 

[Thomas Roach]

The bacon is very tasty and if you cook it in your kettle, pot, what have you, you have grease for trail bread, peas, beans etc.

The average size is around 3 lbs and it will last one person for some time, or a couple of trekkers over a long weekend or two.

Another product that is pretty good for a pack food from Turkey Foot is the shredded jerk, makes a great little stew with the peas and corn.

Take care,

ThomasR.

:thumbsup:

 

[Soinkuhndog]

Thanks,
Keep those ideas coming!