RE: [Philmont]: An alternative Cooking Method

Just got home ourselves (808-F1) and have to throw in a comment. First,
it should go without saying that whatever works for YOUR crew should be
just fine as long as everyone is eating well (some of the younger
Rangers don't seem to share this opinion, which is a shame). However, I
hear a lot of people mixing foods that shouldn't be mixed like mashed
potatoes with chili mac (that just ain't right). Our expert Ranger and
all around excellent backcountry guide, Kyle Mckay suggested the
following:
 Make the main course what ever way you do it (turkey bag or pot) then
mix the mashed potatoes (or whatever the side dish is) in either the bag
it comes in, or a personal bowl (by pairs of eaters). The eaters can
either share the bowl, or split the portion after it is ready. This
worked great for us, except the one night when the boys thought chili
mac and potatoes belonged together, and I was no longer paying
attention. Actually, I admit that it didn't taste half bad that way
either.
 To summarize, there are many ways to cook your meals. The main thing to
remember is that you don't have to eat garbage on the trail. The meals
that Philmont provides taste great if properly prepared, you only have
to put in a little effort. That cheesecake they had (which everyone
complained about and had me already hating it before I arrived at the
Welcome Center) was just FANTASTIC when mixed right in it's own bag and
allowed to sit. As a bonus, there was no cleanup. I have a package
sitting in my pack right now which I got out of a swap box at Apache
springs, then carried for 20 miles waiting for a special occasion. I'm
still waiting for that occasion.
 I had no complaints about the trail food at all (ok, the rice and beans
were not so great, but we ate 'em), or the cooking required. (The dining
hall was a different story, maybe they should look at the trail menus.)
 I've been backpacking for 30 years and have had everything from
dehydrated beans to wine, cheese, and bread on the trail. I'd have to
say that the Philmont meals are right up there near the top of the list.
Remember, it's not about SURVIVING the trip, its all about living in
style and comfort with what you have. Kyle's rule 3#: Look GOOD doing
it.

 Happy Hiking,
 Tom
SM, Troop 66
West Hurley, NY

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-philmont@troop47.com
> [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Anthony Tissot
> Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 3:10 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
> Subject: [Philmont]: An alternative Cooking Method
>
>
> An alternative Cooking Method
>
> This is bound to stir up some controversy among purists - but
> here's what 804-H did in 2003:
>
> Boil water for cooking and cleaning. Rehydration directly in
> the serving bowls. Everything that was opened was eaten.
> Cleanup was just the bowls, spoons and cups.

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Received on Wed Aug 25 20:06:59 2004