Why I stopped cooking at camp

Food has a way of taking center stage in all parts of life. We spend much time and money to make the meal fit the occasion, and more often than not, dinner is the main attraction for social events.

For most people, camping is no different with regards to food. After a long day of hiking through the woods, across rivers and over mountains, nothing beats a hot meal. Knowing that there is something delicious to look forward to at the end of the day is all the motivation we need to continue putting down miles, especially when dealing with bad weather or rough terrain.

However, two years ago I tried something I had previously considered to be too radical: I stopped cooking meals altogether and relied solely on cold, dry food. I did this intentionally going into a 10-day trip on the North Country Trail in the UP, and I’ve never looked back.

Why?

1. Bears. Cooking in the backcountry may attract bears, and it’s especially dangerous when done at camp where the aroma of warm, savory food wafts around for miles and clings to clothing and gear. (I’ve met backpackers who cook and eat their food at least a few miles before stopping to make camp, but not only do I find this inconvenient, it also doesn’t get around the fact that you and your clothes will still smell like food by the time you arrive to camp.)

2. Better sleep. Many campers devour as much food as possible before climbing into their sleeping bag and falling asleep. This inevitably impacts one’s sleep, as the stomach struggles to digest the massive amount of food throughout the night. Minimize eating late in the day, and avoid eating altogether at camp. You may find sleeping on a somewhat empty stomach makes for a much more restful night of sleep.

3. More time. Cooking dinner isn’t an efficient use of time. Depending on your philosophy with backpacking and camping, that extra hour or so spent cooking, eating and cleaning up could be put to better use getting more sleep, stretching and relaxing at camp, hiking more miles on the trail or taking more rests throughout the day, perhaps at some beautiful spot that begs you to stay awhile and enjoy the scenery.

4. Less water consumed. Cooking a dehydrated meal means consuming water without the benefit of hydration. This isn’t much of an issue in areas with plenty of rivers and streams, but we’ve all hiked through dry stretches, and campsites don’t always have a source of water. This means carrying more water in order to eat your dehydrated meal, and then drinking more water to aid in digestion and to offset the amount of sodium you just consumed.

5. Less waste. The packaging of dehydrated meals, even homemade ones, add up and create a lot of extra bulk, before and after consumption. By sticking to cold, dry trail food, you consolidate a lot of your food and therefore require less space.

The major drawback to eliminating hot food at camp is that it’s a powerful motivator. Especially in cold, wet weather, a hot meal can lift your spirits and provide much comfort. My compromise on this front is to enjoy a cup of hot coffee or tea in the morning while breaking down camp. A special treat for breakfast each day is a great motivator for hitting the trail early.

The benefits of foregoing hot meals at camp outweigh the costs, and I’ll never go back to it on a solo hike. If you’re someone who thinks you wouldn’t be able to survive in the wilderness without a hot meal, give it a shot next time you’re out there. You might be surprised to find that you won’t miss it either.