Lightweight Camping (1961)

At a glance..

Backwoods cooking is a method of cooking without the use of kitchen implements. Some variants of backwoods cooking allow the use of items of cookware such as a cooking pot. This book talks about lightweight cooking, covering topics such as tools, fires, and gadgets; cooking directions, mountain and expedition rations; and aluminum foil cookery.

The details..

Published in 1961 by The Boy Scouts Association, Lightweight Cooking is a practical guide for anyone who wants to enjoy good food while hiking. Written by Gerald Baerlein and Eric Colley, the book provides tips on building different types of fires without heavy equipment like spades or axes. Instead, they suggest using knives and folding pruning saws that can be easily carried in rucksacks. They also explain how to remove sod before making a fire so as not to damage grass roots.

The authors describe two useful types of fires: the Pyramid Fire which gives quick heat but burns out quickly - suitable for boiling tea or heating up soup; and the Hunter's Fire which lasts longer - ideal for bigger meals that require more time to cook such as foil-cooking. They provide step-by-step instructions on how to build these fires using softwood sticks called Fuzz Sticks along with thin pieces of wood from twigs.

In addition to teaching readers about different types of fire-building techniques, Lightweight Cooking offers advice on choosing lightweight pots and pans that are easy-to-carry yet durable enough for outdoor use. The authors also share recipes specifically designed for camping trips including breakfast dishes like porridge oats cooked over an open flame.

Overall, Lightweight Cooking is an excellent resource for hikers looking to travel light without sacrificing delicious meals during their trip.