Good evening,

I have an upcoming hunt that will involve backpacking-in for no more than 2-3 days at a time. Some (possibly a lot) of my camping will take place next to the truck.

I am looking at MH packets, as I had a great experience with these back on my 2013 hunt in AK. However, the 10# cans look much more cost effective and there is no sense in buying these packets if I have the can handy (insert needing the can after MH joke) for daily usage or access them every couple of days.

What experience do you have with the MH cans for a situation like mine? How do you prep it for consumption? Would a big ziplock bag work just like the packet, especially for those 2-3 day pack-ins? I would assume just using Tupperware at the truck would be easy.

Let me know what you've done in this department when it comes to penny pinching, please.

Thanks!

Just be sure to get the dehydrated ice cream.

Always mixed and match to make them better.

Don't screw around and worry about saving a couple of bucks. Get the dinners for two and be done with it.

I've done the math on cans and I wouldn't save enough money for the hassle.

If you are going to break the cans down into meals, you'll need to vacuum seal the separate meals you make.

A Zip-lock (most of the time - 99.9999%) will leak a bit over time, and you'll draw moisture into the meal.

Not an issue if you plan on eating every one of them in 2-3 days, but it will be if you have leftovers.

However, I think the posts above are spot-on, unless you get a killer deal on the cans, the cost to repackage isn't going to save you much...if any.

You must be very careful with Mountain House this year. This year the west is at the top of the cycle for the dreaded Rocky Mountain Barking Spider. They are attracted by Mountain House. You probably won't see them but you'll hear them around camp at night after Mountain House draws them in. Some of those [bleep] are small and squeaky while others let loose a full on battle cry which can be most disturbing. Unlike normal spiders who have a venomous bite, Rocky Mountain Barking Spiders kill with a noxious odor.

So far as Mountain House itself, I think the packets are the way to go. You can have 2-3-4 different kinds instead of being stuck with a single flavor. If you're cooking at the truck, it might be worth taking bowls to dump them into after they reconstitute, makes eating easier. Salt and pepper, garlic salt, maybe even a little vegetable oil or butter, and if you get the Italian flavors, a small amount of ground parmesan can turn them from ok-ish to pretty damned good. There aren't any of the dinners I don't like. Breakfast eggs with bacon is good .. personally, I drink whatever water didn't absorb rather than pour it out. Mid-day, the granola is good 'cause y' just add water, no heat needed, and you can eat it immediately. Biscuits and gravy is bland.

But .. do watch out for those "spiders".

Tom

True.

The 10# cans include a lot of stuff that you don't need like peas, pasta, etc. I like Chicken Fajita Bowl, Breakfast Skillet, and Italian Style Pepper Steak. BTW dinners for two only feed two midgets or children. I take a dinner for two and eat it all myself.

Oatmeal, Cup-O-Noodles, beef jerky, sandwich crackers.

Breakfast cereal and powdered milk.

Take some tortillas.

Dried fruit & peanut butter.

Tang & cocoa.

KC

Check out Alpine Aire, Backpackers Pantry and Good To Go, you get more selections and the food is pretty damned good too.

Personally, I wouldn't want to make a habit of pouring boiling water in a zip-loc, letting it sit ten minutes, and then eating out of it.

Freezer bags yes, Zip lock no way, it will be melted and your food all over the ground in about 10 seconds. lol

I don't think I'd want to do it with a freezer bag either, soft plastic has some nasty sh** in it and hot water might leach it out.

I still want to hurl at the thought of the MH eggs. Tried it twice. No glory.

Stews, chicken and rice, etc. AOK

For me the cans are not worth the hassle. Just get your flavors in pouches or the pro packs if space is at a minimum. I really like the chicken breast and spuds. It is like real meat!

The meals for two are just right. I don't consume a lot of calories but when hunting I throw down more. I am gluten intolerant but find the MH ones like the chicken fajita bowel great and a few others. I tend to use just a little over half the water recommended for the meals to thicken them up. Tortillas don't spoil, good call. I like the jar of Justin's Honey or Maple Almond Butter over peanut butter, not only is it not affected by heat as much but you eat a couple tables spoons for breakfast and you'll park a dry-docker the length of your arm ASAP.
Might help when eating MH for three days.

I'm not so sure I would characterise any freeze-dried food as "pretty damned good". Just my opinion.

Yes, AlpineAire and Backpackers Pantry offer some other options that are not too revolting and some are quick and easy. But make sure that you read the cooking instructions because there are also some that require complex procedures, simmering, etc. Mountain House just needs boiling water and patience.

BTW wait about 1 1/2 longer than the package recommends when you are at high altitude because water boils at lower temperature and therefore it takes longer to properly rehydrate the food.

I'm not familiar with Good to Go.

KC

Chicken al a King
Breakfast Skillet

Don't see any advantage to buying in bulk. The packages are very easy to eat out of and it's too easy to puncture Ziplocs in a pack.

I could go a week alternating between beef stroganoff and turkey tetrazzini

Might need an enema after two weeks but you'll survive!

Anyone repackage bulk in food saver bags? Seems like they could take boiling water but I haven't tried it.

Crack me up.

I like the pro packs, better portion size for me, and takes up a little less space in the pack. Beef Stroganoff and Chili Mac are my favorites. They will stop your azz up after a few days though.

Originally Posted by KC

Originally Posted by John_Havard

Don't screw around and worry about saving a couple of bucks. Get the dinners for two and be done with it.

Tang [b]And Peach Brandy & cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps.

KC

[/b]

Fixt it for you.

Have the granola with milk and blueberries for breakfast a few days in a row and you won't have to worry about getting plugged up or enemas, but be ready to drop trousers quick when it hits.

I keep hearing about the meals for two aren't.... Carolyn and I have only ever done meals for two. Of course we split one, and we usually have a bit of other stuff like a few pilot bread crackers and maybe a bit of cheese and some chocolate, but I've never been able to eat a complete 2 person meal from them.

That said we've not been climbing for sheep or goats yet either... only elk, moose, mule deer, and fishing. And only to about 10K feet max.

Personally I like the pro-packs which are about 1.5 servings, supplemented with a tablespoon of olive oil and other odds and ends as you say. But on my one and only sheep hunt the guide and I had no trouble snarfing down a double serving each. He went about 145.

another thought, though its all just mine and Carolyns, but really how bad is freeze dry food? I mean you are on your feet, not showering, packing around and you are going to complain that light, easy to fix food doens't make the gourmet list?

Heck I ate at a new place last night that has a "chef". Rice was bland. Black beans fine. FIsh tacos were damn sure nothing other than good.

New rope syndrome I call it. Had it at a big fire once, guy was "starving" I gave him one of my GU gels out of my bunker gear... he spit it out... LOL. I dont' give out my stash anymore either...

I don't like most freeze dried foods. For 2-3 day hunts, I'd do wheat toast, heavy dose of peanut butter, bacon cooked extra chrispy, and honey sandwiches. The calorie, fat, protein loads of those are very nice and I actually look forward to eating them. That along with trail mix and a variety of snack foods last 2-3 days easy. Plus no need to pack a heat source.