I still think of myself as a backpacker, even though I haven't done any actual #backpacking, per se, in many years.
In 2013, I permanently damaged my knee in a #rollerskating crash in Seattle, and I am now partially disabled. Carrying a pack is hard.
Since then, all of my #camping has been car camping, but I am now coming up on 2 years of being #carfree.
Last year, I got an #ebike, and I would like to explore the possibility of going ebike camping, but I live in a hilly to mountainous region.
And while I can carry a substantial amount of gear on my bicycle, it's #battery power that is the primary limiting factor. My battery has a theoretical maximum range of about 40-45 miles, so probably 20-25 miles, realistically...if we were talking about flat ground and a light load and a lack of luggage creating aerodynamic #drag.
There are no sites where overnight #camping can be enjoyed out of sight of civilization closer than about 20-30 miles, and there are #mountains in between.
Even if I were able to afford a second #battery for my #ebike, I'm not sure I'd have enough range to get there with a full #camping load.
Worse, my bike is single-speed, so pedalling uphill is still really hard, even with 500 W of motor assist.
In any case, I am still trying to wrap my head around lightening my gear load, now that car camping is no longer a possibility.
And probably the biggest discretionary area is food, water, and cooking gear.
I don't want to go #nocook, but I may have to. The #bushcraft gear definitely has to stay home. No #axe for me, probably not even my trusty Gränsfors Mini Belt Hatchet.
I am really digging the new Victorinox Venture Pro #knife system, but affording that is not in the cards anytime soon.
My usual #backpacking #cooking gear is a SOTO Amicus cartridge stove and a GSI Outdoors Halulite 1.1L boiler.
Also, I have to carry my big bear canister. I have the BearVault BV500. I never used to think much about it when I was younger, and was happy to hang a bear bag, but I now really think that everyone should always use a bear canister when #camping. Black #bears (Ursus americanus) are very common in my region.
Just make sure the canister you plan to use is approved in your region. The BearVault is fine near my home, but is not permitted in some parts of the Adirondack mountains not that far away.
I will say this, because it was the first thing I thought when my BV500 arrived. The BearVault BV500 is a *lot* bigger than in looks in pictures, yet ironically holds a lot less than you think it will, unless you are going exclusively with expensive, commercially-packed freeze-dried #backpacking meals.
I can't afford those.
One easy way to reduce weight is to go #nocook. Not only does it obviate the need for a stove/fuel/cookpot, it also means you don't necessarily need to worry about washing dishes, with all the gear and water that entails.
Up to a long weekend #backpacking or #camping trip, you can get by just fine without losing your mind on pre-packaged, shelf-stable foods like granola or energy bars, dried meat bars, dried fruits, nuts and nut butters, instant coffee/tea and hydration drink powders.
You can fit easily fit 4 days' worth of non-freeze dried foods plus your toiletries in a BV500. That's 3 days, plus an extra day for emergencies.
Any longer than that, though, and I'd go mental eating uncooked food.
I spent some money during the pandemic designing and assembling my ideal #backpacking spice kit. I may ditch the whole thing before ever using it.
salt, sugar, msg, citric acid, cayenne, onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom. Everything but the salt & sugar goes in tiny vials.
At first, I used the small plastic spice jars from the supermarket. That was too much weight and bulk. I bought a bunch of 30 mL (1 oz) Nalgene HDPE wide-mouth bottles. Still too much for #backpacking or #camping for one.
Then I bought the GSI Outdoors two-sided spice jars. A bit heavy and very expensive for what they are, but finally the right size. 4 vials for 8 spices.
With that set of #spices, I can cook a wide variety of dishes, or smarten up anything pre-made into something I'll enjoy.
If you are #cooking, one of the things I like to do is stir-fry meat and veg with the salt, sugar, msg, onion, garlic, ginger, citric acid, and cayenne. It makes a great Asian-inspired meal. But, I do need to work on my #backpacking rice cooking skills.
I kind of want that Keith Titanium rice steaming pot, but I can't justify it to myself.
There's a Japanese YouTuber I follow who cooks perfect rice in a small Lodge cast iron pan over a twig stove. That is serious skill.
Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐