Backcountry Camping

Written by Alex

Introduction

Camping is a word that is used loosely by just about everyone. Most people's idea of camping is spending some time at their trailer. Some people actually tent camp, but they do so at a park, and remain at the same campsite the entire time. There is nothing wrong with these defenitions of camping, but this guide is to a more back to basics type of camping. You've been warned, or hopefully enticed!

What is backcountry camping?

Backcountry camping is simply camping in the backcountry. That is, camping in a park (usually) where you are not confined to one camp site, but are free to canoe the lakes in search of different sites. A typical trip will last about a week to two weeks. On this excursion, you will need to bring everything with you:

  • Food, clothing, and shelter.
On a typical trip you will stay at a campsite 1-2 days, and then canoe through one or multiple lakes to access different camp sites, and a different environment.

Packing

Like any trip, you need a packing list. However, as this trip will have more demands than a shopping trip to NY, you will need a different packing list. Packing light, and packing everything you need is important. Here is an outline that you can use as a starting post for your packing list. Note that this list is generally considered to be a heavier packing list than many choose to follow on longer trips.

Preparing

Besides knowing what to bring, you need to do some prep work. This includes calling the park in which you would like to visit to book dates. Although backcountry camping is very different than trailer camping, the parks need to know where you are going to ensure that there are not too many people on the lakes. Note however that when you are at the park, you are free to go wherever you want, so long as you stay the night on the lake you booked.

Proper Distances

Make sure you plan an appropriate trip.

  • 8km/day including 2 portages- This is realistic and a good bench mark for a first trip.
  • 14km paddle should take you about 6h
It is a good idea to have a day or two where you do not change campsites, and spend two nights at the same place to relax a bit.

Food

Hopefully this will give you an idea of what to bring as far as food goes. Always bring more than you think you’ll need.

Breakfast:

  • Oats for oatmeal
  • cinnamon
  • apples, plums, oranges,raisins, dried apricots, other dried fruit
  • brown sugar, maple syrup
  • juice crystals- 2 cups is plenty total
  • bagels
  • peanut butter/ jam lots!

Lunch:

  • Breads: pitas, torillas, bread sticks, English muffins
  • hummus (home made won’t keep longer than 4 days)
  • sprouts, cucumber, red onion, Tomatoes
  • peanut butter/jam
  • soup mix
  • Mustard, Pesto

Suppers:

  • muffin mix (dessert)
  • Frozen soy burgers- keeps about 4 days
Pasta Primavera
  • pasta 1/2 kg (boil separately and add at the end)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 onion
  • pesto ½ cup
  • 10-20 baby carrots- these don’t keep as long as reg carrots- bring 4 lg
  • 1 brocolli
  • 1 can baby corn
  • 1 boullion cube
  • ½ cup sundried tomatoes
  • 1 cup cashews
  • (*1 kg pkg pasta will feed family of 7)
Chili San Carne Barley Pilaf
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 20 baby carrots chopped (3-4 regular/large carrots)
  • 4-5 cups of water
  • 1 pkg veggie Swiss Knorr cube
  • 1 cup barley
  • 1 cup of dry lentils; soak them overnight or pre-boil first
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • 1 tsp lemon rind
  • ½ tsp black pepper
Fajitas
  • 3-4 veggie burgers,
  • 1 english cucumber
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 15 soft tortillas
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 onion
Extras:
  • salt and pepper
  • mustard
  • ketchup
  • trail mix
  • chocolate
  • Graham cracker wafers
  • Cookies eg Oreos
  • cooking oil
  • tea
  • hot chocolate
  • granola/vector bars
  • almonds
  • cashews
  • Garlic 10-20 cloves


Stay Positive!
Alex