Camping

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‘Cos Hikers Hike on Their Stomachs

Some of us do anyway! Hiking, camping, back packing, what do you need? You need somewhere to walk - well there’s definitely no shortage of wonderful hikes around, somewhere to camp – yep, camping is available in the majority of the most popular hiking places, and something to eat - you can’t hike far on an empty stomach, so unless you’re happy to live on two day old cheese sandwiches and granola bars (even if it is a secret recipe handed down over generations of hikers) with cold water to drink, you’ll need some sort of stove to cook yourself something hot and tasty (or more generally, rehydrate something dried to make it hot and tasty) and make nice hot cup of coffee in the mornings – who can function in the mornings without coffee . . . not me!

Well that’s one problem sorted out anyway! Do make sure that you use a clean handkerchief though won’t you . . .

Different Hiking & Camping stoves are available, oh, in case you were wondering, you’re not actually allowed to start an open fire these days in most wilderness areas, for three very good reasons:

• #1 – Danger of forest fires in many hiking and back packing areas
• #2 – There’s often a shortage of firewood available anyway, even if you were allowed to light a fire
• #3 – You’ll be able to leave the country exactly as you found it, without scorched rings of earth . . . . which is what all hikers, campers, back packers and afternoon walkers should strive to do

So, there you have three very good reasons why it’s a good idea to take a cooking stove with you on your back packing, hiking or camping trip. They’re very often light and they’re very reliable, there are even hiking stoves suitable for those who like to travel ultralight. Camping and back packing stoves do have one disadvantage however . . . they’re not quite as much fun to sit around singing “campfire songs” – I mean, who’s ever heard of “stove songs”.

 Choosing The Right Camping Stove

Camping stoves have one major advantage over stoves suitable for back packing . . . you don’t have to carry them around all day in your pack so they can be much bigger, heavier and more substantial than hiking stoves. Many of them are two burner (hey, why not) and fold up very neatly for storage.  There are, however, still a few things you need to think about before you choose the right camping stove for you and your family:

• How long will the fuel last . . . some camping stoves are more efficient than others and even if you take a spare cylinder of fuel you will not have an unlimited supply.
• Do you often camp at high altitude or in very cold conditions . . . some camping stoves and types of fuel are suitable for this type of  camping, some are definitely not (just when you need something hot to warm you up from the inside).
• What about a wind block . . . the trouble with cooking outside is that you don’t have any control over the speed or direction of the wind . . . your only option is to block it out as much as possible.
• Will the case be rust resistant . . . your camping stove is likely to be left out in all weathers so a rust proof case is always a good idea.
• Is there somewhere to dangle your cooking utensils . . . it’s always handy to have somewhere to put your spatula after all.
• Do you need a camping stove with legs, or do you have a camping table where it can stand safe and secure.
• Do you want burners and grills, or just burners on your camping stove . . . depends on what you plan on cooking really.

I want one of those, but be honest, how many cowboys do you know who cook like that? You do, well what are you waiting for? Call me and let me have his number . . . .

She sure talks fast . . . my ears are having problems keeping up with her, but she seems to know what she’s talking about. Hey, re-wind just a minute to the second one, did she say dung . . . yes, I can just see the kids all fighting for that chore can’t you? Hmmm, now I’ve often been told that my cooking tastes like s*** but that’s going a bit too far. I’ll stick with the first option for an overnight hike and the third option for a no holds barred family camping expedition. Cheers!