RE: [Philmont]: Coffee Questions

> Folgers singles always work for me.

 As with boots, packs, tents, and hiking sticks, Coffee is a very
personal choice on the trail. I share my method with the group just to
provide another thought. I hate carrying milk powder or sugar due to the
extra weight and mess it makes in my cup and consequently, since the age
of 14 I have taken my coffee black. I drink a LOT of coffee (about a
quart and a half a day at work), but on the trail I cut back quite a
bit, and at Philmont even more. Many mornings I would forgo the coffee
in the interest of the crew. (Yes, I was the earliest riser also, ALWAYS
up first, but that wouldn't be my "quiet time" if I were messing with
pot and stove, now would it?) My crew could easily get packed and on the
trail in short order, and I had heard a few youth members in our sister
crew complaining lightly about waiting for their advisors to finish
their coffee so they could get going. I took the hint even though it
wasn't addressed my way.
 I carry a simple permanent coffee basket, such as comes in some of the
drip coffee makers. It is a very fine mesh screen and you can usually
find them in the department stores. I carry my coffee in a 500ml (1/2
liter) rectangular Nalgene HDPE bottle with a nice tight cap (available
at Campmor). These pack very nice, last forever, and are bullet proof.
You can also use the imitation Nalgene Lexan bottles (1/2 or 1 liter)
that cost about $4.00. A 1 liter bottle will hold about a pound of
coffee. I set the filter basket in a large sierra cup with enough coffee
in it and pour boiling water over the whole thing. In about 2 minutes,
its coffee. If you want to make several cups at one shot, just use more
coffee in a larger vessel. Let the basket seep in the coffee.
 I have tried coffee bags and they just don't work for me, plus its more
garbage to carry. I would rather carry a perk pot, which I do when I'm
off hunting for more than a day or backpacking on a leisurely route.
 If you are addicted to your coffee (as I am), and concerned about
missing your morning brew at Philmont (as I was), I offer the following
thoughts for your consideration:
 a) You will NOT die without your coffee every morning.
 B) Too much coffee is bad for you anyway, consider that missing a few
mornings will enhance your wellness.
 3) Most of the value in that morning coffee is the relaxation benefit,
you can find other ways to do that, such as watching the mule deer feed.
 D) You didn't spend all that time and effort preparing to go to
Philmont just so you could drink coffee.
 E) Missing a few mornings will make those others mornings that much
more special.
 6) Water is better for you anyway, especially cool water in the
morning, very refreshing stuff.

Happy Hiking in the New Year,
Tom

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Received on Tue Jan 4 15:40:27 2005