This morning took a little walk in a local park on the Sandy River and had a great cup of coffee..
Enjoy this weeks Sunday Morning Coffee as we try our Starbucks Medium Breakfast Blend brewed up using a French Press.
As always, keep your comments and suggestions coming. I’m still looking for the perfect cup of joe.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Category Archives: Cooking
Winter Camping Leadership Tool box
*** EDIT NOTE: This post was scheduled for today (12-14-12). I contemplated ”pulling it” in light of the tragic events that have shaken us in Connecticut. Our hearts go out to those families. The reason I did not ”pull” this post is simply this.. We must go on. I am sorry about the devastating events of today, but as our thoughts and prayers flow to those victims, we can not live in fear and can not let the actions of a few dictate how we live our lives.
I am sorry if this is ‘too soon’.. but this coming Monday our Troop will still meet and we will be getting ready for not only Winter Camping, but Troop Junior Leader Training and we will go on.
God Bless. ***
Winter camping is like no other camping. It requires skills, smarts, and the right attitude. It also requires strong leadership. Leaders that accept responsibility and leaders that understand that the group comes before the individual. In my Troop Training for winter camping is a significant part of the process. We make certain rules on participation in winter camping events such as; You must participate in the 4 meetings that lead up to the camp out. This way you get all the necessary training. This is important as your buddy is counting on you to be there, understand what he is looking for, and is a part of the team when it comes to the in camp routines that are unique to winter camping.
A lack of discipline will also get a Scout “Uninvited” to a winter outing. There is no room for a lack of discipline when it comes to camping in cold weather and high risk activities.
Part of the training that our Scouts receive are from the older Scouts. They are given the training and the tools to ensure that proper training is being conducted. I have given them the following to add to their Leadership Tool box. The following is directed at the Leader and speaks directly to them so they can properly set the example, train their Patrol’s and have a great winter camping experience.
You are welcome to all of this information, feel free to copy and paste. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. You can always send an email or drop a note in the comments section.
Here are some items for a leader to have in his tool box for camping in the winter.
1. The right attitude. You must demonstrate a positive attitude in the winter. The people following you depend on it. As you go with you attitude, those that follow you will go.
2. Be an example of right. The leader must possess the skills and attitudes that make winter camping successful. The leader must demonstrate those skills and teach others to use them. The leader can not take short cuts and look the other way. The leader must set an example by doing the right thing.
3. Skills. There is a list of skills that make up a good winter camper. Here are some that the leader must use and teach.
Gear- use the right gear and use it properly. More importantly taking the right gear with you and packing it right. Every item in the pack or SECURED to the outside and covered with a pack cover.
Staying dry. – Wet kills in the winter.
In camp routines. Camp set up.
Getting in and out the tent without dragging snow in.
Storing gear. Everything stays packed unless needed.
Gathering and “Making” water.
Gathering fire wood and making the fire.
Setting up camp. Looking for best placement of tents/shelters. No widow makers. Building up snow walls. Cooking areas. Designated BIO area.
Anchoring of tents/shelters.
Morning routines. Get up and cook right away. Get things cleaned and stored. Pack un used gear. Hang anything that is damp to dry.
Cooking. Have a plan.
Store food in bags in order they will be eaten.
Repackage meals to reduce trash.
Hot meals always
3 good hot meals and lots of snacks.
Hot beverages
Clean up as you go and never leave dirty dishes lying around.
Pack it all out. Do not dump uneaten food in the snow.
Just because you can bury it does not mean it is right.
Monitor water use and stay ahead.
Watch fuel consumption. No flame without a pot on it. NO empty pots.
Don’t be lazy. Cook and eat well.
Sleeping. Dry equals warm. Stay out of wind and wet and you will stay dry and warm. Open your sleeping bag as soon as your tent is set up. Get the loft going. Make sure to have insulation under you. Closed cell pads work great in the winter. An extra blanket works too when used with a pad. If nothing else your jacket should go between you and the pad or under your feet.
Your boots go in the tent and under your sleeping bag (foot end). Do not wear anything wet to bed. Change your socks and clothing before you go to bed if you are wet. ALWAYS change your socks before you get in your sleeping bag.
Avoid condensation in your sleeping bag. Wear a hat and keep your face out of the bag. Short guys. Fold unused portion of sleeping bag under you.
Take a trip to the pee tree before you go to bed. Relieve yourself and then get comfortable. You do not want to hold it till morning. You won’t sleep and you won’t stay warm.
4. Be a Good example. Yes, we say it twice. This will get you farther as a leader than anything else in the cold weather. If you do things right and maintain a positive attitude, those that follow you will to.
IMPORTANT. Leaders are responsible. You are the last ones in the sleeping bag after everyone is checked. You are the last ones to eat or eat before the rest. This way you can check, assist, monitor the rest as they prepare and eat.
Leaders. You are the key to success. You have been given the responsibility to teach and coach. Use it.
Build your tool box. Fill it with those things that make you a great leader and you will be. Collective knowledge and a willingness to learn, practice, and share is the success of all leaders.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
More tips of shaving weight
In our last post we talked about getting weight down by looking at the pack you are carrying. That is an important part of the process of getting your base weight down.. so now lets talk about ways that you can shave weight on the stuff you put in side.
1. Make lists. Make a spreadsheet or list of everything that you have. Weigh every piece of gear. Now, I am no gram weenie and the thought of looking that close at gear at first was just plain wrong, but then I noticed how quickly ounces add up.
2. Prioritize your list of needs and wants. What do you need and what do you just want to have out there. Some folks think that they need something, but then learn that it really was just a want. Look closely at your gear. One thing that I do is after each outing I dump my pack, clean and dry everything and then lay it all out. If I did not use a piece of gear I assess whether I want it in my pack or I need it my pack. A first aid kit is a need even though it may never get used (hopefully). I have found that in most cases if I did not use a piece of gear on one outing, I probably won’t use it on the next.
3. Look at your seasonal gear. I store my winter gear in a separate tub. I pull it out when needed and put it back when the weather turns. Don’t get in the habit of just keeping seasonal items in your pack. Winter tent stakes or anchors are heavier than your regular stakes. Gloves and other cold weather gear just adds un needed weight in the summer.
4. Food. Plan, Plan, Plan.. You can shave lots of weight in food. The best part of food packing is that meal after meal your pack gets lighter. Repackage your meals. Do not take any boxes, cans, or heavy wrapping. Zip lock bags work great and can reduce the size and weight of your meals. Even if you use Mountain House of other Freeze dried meals. Take them out of the original packaging. Cook it in your pot instead of the bag. Mountain House (and other brands) bags are heavy and bulky.
Plan your meals. Just because you are in Scouts does not mean that you need to cook a 3 course meal every meal of the day. Trail foods, Gorp, energy bars, breakfast bars, jerky, and peanut butter packets make a great trail lunch and will fit in 1 ziplock sandwich bag. Eat hot meals in the morning and night, but repackage them and take out the stuff you are not going to eat anyway.
5. Water. Purification tablets like the Aquamira tablets or the Katadyn tablets work great and take up little or no space in your pack. You don’t get the instant drink of water, but you do shave some significant weight. Also, ditch the Nalgene bottle. Go with a bladder or even an old Gatoraid bottle. They both are lighter and now a days.. just as durable.
Just like everything when it comes to backpacking.. planning and preparation are the key to success. You can shave weight instantly by being a better planner. Have a critical eye and accept that you can live without that one piece of gear that was bright and shiny and just would not let you run out of REI without it.
Yep.. These are lessons that I learned the hard way. I used to carry the kitchen sink because that is how I was taught. But as gear gets lighter and my body gets older, its time for the old dogs to learn new tricks and lighten up the load.
Last thought on this. After the last post, I received emails about shaving weight and some folks left comments. I really appreciate the comments and tips and tricks you all use to shave weight and have a great time out in the woods. What I do want to say, and I have said it before, that you need to hike your own hike.. you need to find what works for you and tinker with your set up.
When teaching the Scouts we give them the tips and tricks and then see what they come up with. Some of them really take that critical eye and get their weight and volume down. And those that do find they have a better time on the trail. Their pack is not constantly kicking their butts and they are fresher when they get to camp. Those that choose not to take a look at their gear..well, they do one of two things. Struggle or suck it up.
Last tip.
Upgrade. I know gear gets spendy. Try to upgrade one item a year. Your sleep system, your shelter, your pack, whatever. If it’s not every year, set a goal and look at the one piece of gear that will give you the highest pay off in weight savings and volume reduction and get it when you can. Then set a new goal for the next piece. Spend a few hours at your favorite outfitter and test it all out. Get in the sleeping bag, set up the tent, feel the weight and look it the item packed and set up. See what will work for you and get what you like and what will best fit your kit.
Hike your own Hike and Have a Great Scouting Day!
Sunday Coffee -Medaglia D’oro
Well, I think this is going to be a pretty regular segment on the blog. I am trying to do gear reviews also, and since I really like my coffee and am always in search of a good cup o’ joe for the trail, this is a good way to talk about gear and have some coffee while chatting to ya.
You may have noticed that I am putting out a few more videos than I have in the past, and the blog seems to be morphing into a Vlog… but I can assure you, while video is going to have it’s place in the blog, I am not converting it to a Vlog. I have a lot of fun with the video’s and really enjoy sharing my gear addiction and camping hobby with you all.
So here is this weeks Sunday Coffee. In November I asked the readers to send me suggestions for a good cup o’joe for the trail. I got two emails suggesting some instant coffee’s. The first one was Medaglia D’oro instant espresso coffee. So this week we are brewing up a cup and letting you know how it is.
If you have a brand that you think I should try, let me know. So thanks Tom for the suggestion on the Medalia D’oro coffee.. yeah.. it’s a good cup o’ joe.
Email me your suggestion to tbirdironchef@gmail.com or leave your suggestion in the comments section of this post.
Enjoy.
And Have a Great Scouting Day!
Sunday Morning Coffee
Had an opportunity to get some gear hung out today, thought, I’d just get lazy and hang around in the hammock.
Yep, this is my Sunday…
Talking about gear and enjoying a good cup o’ joe.
Hey… I’m looking for some real good coffee for the trail. Any suggestions?
Leave a comment or shoot an email.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Thoughts on gear
As you are fully aware by now, I like gear. I have had many discussions with parents of the Scouts in my Troop that my obsession with gear is rubbing off on their sons. Half jokingly I often reply that it’s a good thing. I say “Half jokingly” because I think that gear is an important part of the camping experience… Well no duh right?
A long time ago in a Scouting world far far away I had a Scoutmaster that would talk about having the right gear for the type of camping that we were doing. He would wax on about taking care of that gear so that when needed it would be there for you. “If you take care of your gear, it will take care of you” he would say. And I believe that.
Later in life as I started to get back into camping and backpacking, I began to toy with different types of gear. Cook kits, stoves, backpacks, sleep systems, tents, hammocks, gizmo’s and gadgets that make camp life fun and easy.
It seems that the more you play with gear, the more you find your likes and dislikes, what works for you and what doesn’t. In the backpacking community there is a saying online when offering advice, gear reviews, and opinions. YMMV. That’s.. Your mileage May Vary. Meaning, to each his own and what works for me, may not work for you or you may get different results.
So back to our Scouts. Now, I don’t want to break their bank, but I do want them to start learning what they like and what works for them. I understand that I do have an influence on these young men and that when I come out with a new piece of gear or start playing with a new camp gadget, they tend to watch and learn. I do want these guys to develop a habit of exploring what works for them. I want them to try new things and not just gear that someone says is a must have a piece of equipment. Developing that habit now will keep them interested in being outdoors and hiking. It is a way that will test them and keep their minds thinking about different ways to accomplish different tasks. I assume that my old Scoutmasters wanted me and my Troop mates to develop an appreciation for the outdoors and that is what I wish for my Scouts. Gear is a big part of that.
When your gear fits, works, and is fun to use, you have a tendency to want to go out and use it. A backpack that is ill-fitting and squeaks a lot is not something you want to take on the trail. A comfortable pack will keep you on the trail longer. If you are cold at night because you got a cheap Walmart sleeping bag rated for slumber parties, you won’t want to be in after your first miserable night. Spending a little more up front though and getting a good sleeping bag makes for toasty comfortable nights of good sleep and you want to be out in it more.
It seems that I have turned a lot of our Scouts in to gear junkies. And that may or may not be a good thing for their parents, but it’s a great thing in my opinion for the Scout (YMMV).
With the fast approaching Holidays coming up, I am encouraging our Scouts to get their list together. Ask for a new pot set or stove. Maybe that single person tent you have been eye balling or better yet, join the hammock way of a great nights sleep. How about some new gaiters or winter boots? New rain gear is aways in vogue here in Oregon. Maybe it’s just a new spork that tops your Christmas list, either way this is the perfect time to add to your backpacking gear loft.
Thanksgiving a time to be with family and give thanks for all we have. It’s also a great opportunity to corner Grandma and Grandpa and slip them a copy of your gear needs. Or you can slip it into the Dinner conversation. “Grandpa, can you pass the gravy? You know, there is this pot set that I have been looking at that would be awesome for making biscuits and gravy while on our next camp out.” You know, be subtile, but get your wish list in where ever you can.
The other side of the gear collection is what you can share. As I collect new gear I have two bins. One for the stuff that I really love and can’t part with and the other for the stuff that I have tried, didn’t really fall in love with, but there’s nothing wrong with it, just not my cup o’ tea. That stuff usually ends up going home with one of the Scouts. This last camp out and set of rain gear that my boys out grew a set of gaiters, and some odds and ends made their way into the packs of a few of our Scouts. I don’t mind sharing (giving away) gear that I’m not using. If it helps with meeting their gear fix needs than I really find it nice to be an enabler.
So parents, understand that yes, I am trying to turn your son into a backpacking gear junky. And yes, I am trying to develop in them the habit of discovery. And yes, they are doing a great job in joining the cult of Backpacking gear guys. You don’t have to worry about them wearing uniforms.. errr wait.. scratch that.. You won’t have to worry about them hanging out in gangs.. ahhh.. scratch that too… Ok.. yeah, they will be with their partol and they will be in uniform, but you will never have to worry about them wearing foil hats and chanting to the golden pogo stick. They will be out in the woods having the time of their lives, comfortable, cooking great meals, singing songs, and exploring a world of adventure. And all that great gear is going to help them in their journey!
Thanks for being patient and understanding.
Now I have to go play with my stove and put new guy lines on my tarp.. you know we have a camp out in January I need to prepare for.
Oh and my list of gear that I need…
A new wind screen for my cook kit. An underquilt for my hammock. Griz beak doors for the Tarp. Oh, I can go on and on.. after all, if it’s gear, I want it.
Whats on your gear list for this Christmas. Leave a comment and share you gear needs and wants.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
My Cook Kit
I was recently asked what I use when backpacking, or camping in general, for my cook kit. So here it is. It’s real simple and it works extremely well. I am very happy with this set up having used many different cook kits, pots, pans, stoves etc. This set up is by far my favorite and most used. And yes, this cook kit set up is used all year long, even in the snow.
If you have questions and/or comments, please drop me an email or leave a comment here on the blog.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Gear Review
This weeks gear pick is one of my favorite pieces of gear. The MSR Whisperlite Universal.
I bought my first Whisperlite, the Whisperlite International back in the mid ’80′s. I drug it all over the place and got every penny out of that stove. It is perhaps one of the best stoves ever made. Durable, easy to use and maintain, and super efficient.
The MSR Whisperlite Universal is the new generation of the Whisperlite line. It is lighter, its stability has been enhanced, and they added the feature of being able to burn canister fuel.
The MSR Whisperlite burns liquid fuels and canister fuel with a quick transition of fuel connector and fuel jet. It does not take a tool box and a lot of know how to quickly change from one to the other. I prefer the liquid fuel options over canister, but it is nice to know that I have the options.
The Whisperlite will burn White gas (Blazo), Unleaded, and Kerosene. Burning Kerosene is messy and the least efficient, but it works.
Here are the specs:
| Minimum Weight | 11.5 oz / 326 g |
| Packed Weight | 1 lbs 3.4 oz / 549 g |
| Burn time (white gas) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fuel | Appx. 110 minutes |
| Burn time (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g / 8-oz. canister | Appx. 75 minutes |
| Burn time (kerosene) per 600ml / 20 oz. of fuel | Appx. 155 minutes |
| Boil time (white gas), 1 liter | 3.5 minutes |
| Boil time (kerosene), 1 liter | 4.4 minutes |
| Boil time (MSR IsoPro), 1 liter | 3.75 minutes |
| Water boiled (white gas) per 100 ml of fuel | 4.4 liters |
| Water boiled (white gas) per 1 oz. of fuel | 1.3 liters |
| Water boiled (kerosene) per 100 ml of fuel | 5.3 liters |
| Water boiled (kerosene) per 1 oz. of fuel | 1.6 liters |
| Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 227-g canister | 15 liters |
| Water boiled (MSR IsoPro) per 1 oz. of fuel | 1.8 liters |
| Country of Origin | Made in Seattle, USA |
Like I have said, the MSR Whisperlite is my favorite stove. It works great in all the weather conditions I have backpacked and camped in. It is super efficient and packs well. I have used it to simmer and boil. It is a great stove.
Now let me address the liquid fuel question. I have met Scouters that for some reason feel that liquid fuel is not allowed in Scouting. Wrong. Liquid fuel is not only allowed but recommended at the high adventure bases like Philmont. The key is to teach the Scouts how to use them properly, but that is like anything else. I find that the MSR Whisperlite is safer than a Jet Boil and a heck of a lot more useful, allowing the user to actually cook.
I am on my second MSR Whisperlite, having purchased the Universal before our trip to Philmont, my oldest son is now using my old Whisperlite and it is still working great.
I highly recommend this stove for all your camping cooking needs.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Backpack cooking – Follow up
I received an email the other day asking some questions about the backpacking video that I recently put up on the blog. They are great questions and so I thought I’d share the email and answers here.
Question: What sort of Food Bag do you use? Is it insulated? Does that keep frozen foods cool enough to prevent bacterial growth over a summer weekend?
The food bag that I use is the Sea to Summit Trash Dry sack. It is a 10 liter dry bag. Total water proof and more importantly reduces the oders. I repackage all my food into heavy-duty zip lock bags and then it all goes in the “inner bag” of the food bag. It is not insulated. In so far as frozen foods. The foods that are frozen I put in the freezer and keep it there until Friday when we leave. Typically it will stay cold and thaw in time for me to cook it. I have never had a problem with bacterial growth. The food stays cold enough. Having said that though.. I live in Oregon.. and our temps don’t get to high until August. I have used cold streams to store the food in also when I think there is a need to keep things cold. Our water is never warm. That is another nice feature of the bag. It can be placed in water and everything stays dry. I love the hooks on the side. Makes it easy to hang. This bag is endorsed by the Leave No Trace Organization.
Question: Was that a metal spork you were using to stir up the meal? I had always been taught that metal utensils will damage the anti-stick coating in pots. I could see using a plastic spork, but I wanted your opinion if you thought this was important.
Yes that is a metal (Titanium) spork. It is the REI Ti ware spork. I have used that spork for years now. And yes it will scratch the surface of a non stick pot if you are not careful. I would not recommend this to Scouts that do not care for their gear, but it works for me. I think it is worth teaching the Scouts to be careful.. even plastic utensils will begin to scratch if not careful. I have an ASM that cringes every time I do that.. but my pots seem to not be worse for the wear.
Question: What sort of lid lifter do you recommend for Scouts? I have looked for something like this to purchase, but have not been able to find anything under a “lid lifter” search.
I actually have an MSR pot lifter that came with the pot set. Since I started using the Imusa mug to do most of my cooking however it have been dropped from the packing list. Here are some of the types of lifters that I would suggest for the Scouts. LINK. Most if not all of our out fitters locally have them for purchase. They range from about $4 to $15 dollars depending on the brand. I have gotten so used to using the rag with the Imusa mug that it has become routine. But pot lifters are a great idea.
Question: What sort of coffee do you prefer? I take it you must bring along the instant packets if they fit in that little Nalgene bottle.
I have been using Maxwell house instant coffee lately. I transfer it all into that Nalgene bottle so I only have to fill it about every 4 camp outs. I like the Starbucks Via coffee also, but the Maxwell House International Cafe stuff is cheaper and tasty. I don’t have to add anything also. As much as you could argue that there is nothing better than fresh brewed coffee.. when I can roll over in the hammock and fire up my stove, boil water, and in minutes have some good tasting coffee.. I will take it. Besides, when backpacking, sometimes less is better and a Nalgene full of flavor and a little pick me up, well, that’s all I need. I think talking about coffee is like discussing religion or politics… everyone has an opinion. I generally use the backpacker philosophy of “Hike your own Hike” when it comes to coffee. everyone’s mileage will vary and everyone have their own taste. As with all my gear, it is what I am comfortable carrying and using, I do not proclaim that how I do it is the best, but it all works for me. Having said that though.. It is how I teach our Scouts, how they adopt it and use it is up to them.
I have often said that I am not a big fan of the Jet Boil.. and yet many of the Scouts of my Troop use it.. They Hike their own Hike. We always reinforce this idea. “Here are some ways to do it, some gear to do it with, and recommended skills that will help… now find your style, gear, and routine and hike your own hike”.
I hope this helps. Sometimes I look back and see that I put something out… and of course it makes perfect sense to me.. it’s my stuff. Glad you asked the questions.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Backpack Cooking
As most of you know I am Troop Guide for Wood Badge Course W1-492-11. One of my Might Buffalo patrol members needed some help with his ticket. One of his items is to introduce his Troop to the many different ways of preparing meals while camping. So he called me up and asked if I could do a presentation on Backpack cooking. Well, one thing led to another and we just could not get dates that worked for me, him, and his Troop.. So I thought.. the next best thing to being there is video. So my son and I shot this video on Backpack cooking. It was an excuse to get out a bunch of gear and a way that John could break in his new GoPro camera.
Hope you enjoy.. I did.. got to eat some good chow at the end!
Have a Great Scouting Day!
