Fires, Stoves and Not.

Backpacking without a stove or a fire? 21,000 people will die today of starvation and malnutrition. Yet, the desire to eat like we're at a five-star dining establishment keeps our backpacks heavy, bulky and our hearts unmindful of this reality. Hey, I enjoy fresh and delicious meals on the trail. Even those dehydrated food choices are yummy. Yet, I often remind myself that 21,000 people will die today from starvation. This sobering fact allows me to often be comfortable on the trail without a stove or without a fire.

Fires, in many circumstances are a dangerous and even illegal option. I love using fire to make a meal and stay warm in cool, cold or wet conditions. However, a stove is usually the preferred method of preparing food in the back country. Yet, even a stove takes up space and requires more "stuff".

I get a very satisfying feeling when I eat in the beauty of nature and replenish calories spent, with nuts, oatmeal, dehydrated fruit and a few edibles along the trails.

A pound of almonds is roughly 3000 calories, and combined with oatmeal, sweetener and some fruit, it is a healthy and lightweight option for the minimalist backpacker. Quick oats can simply be eaten with some creek water, sugar and dried fruit. This humble alternative to more common trail cuisine nourishes the heart and soul while sauntering through the very places and stepping on the very soil from where it was grown and, in the case of nuts, prepared "ready to eat".

Try a short over-nighter with this in mind and I assure you that your outing will offer a special reward that bathes the soul in quiet contentment and joy.