Cheap backpacking meals/meal starters

[colonel00]

Jdog, any more info on the Hawk Vittles? That one is new to me.

 

[colonel00]

Also, interesting that you should bring this thread up as I tried another one today. I was cruising through the grocery store the other day to get some chicken and spiced tuna and I saw that they have beef too.

It's a little slimy in the package but overall I was pretty pleased.

Now, I did make one fundamental mistake and I mixed the meat with the uncooked noodles.

This really threw off the rehydration of the noodles and after 15 minutes it was still soup. So, I put it in a bowl and nuked it for a bit to reduce the liquid and get the noodles going. Next time, I will just leave the meat in its pouch and put it in the reflectix pouch next to the ziploc to allow it to heat without being mixed. Overall, it was pretty decent and quite filling.

 

[Jdog]

Hawk Vittles http://hawkvittles.com/

I was just looking for a Mtn House alternative. Used them last year for the first time and they are pretty good.

The baggie you use to reheat the meals is a pain...I bring a cup with a screw on lid...much easier and no worries of spills. http://www.rei.com/product/785021/gsi-outdoors-fairshare-mug

From their webpage...

Q. What are HAWK VITTLES ?

A: HAWK VITTLES are meals that combine taste, fuel and light weight for backpackers and other outdoor enthusiasts.


Q: How did HAWK VITTLES come about?

A: As a lifetime backpacker, camper, and professional chef, not happy with the selection of specialty backpacking foods available, I began cooking and dehydrating my own food. I often hike with other people and would provide or share the food for the trip. I was asked to prepare some for friends and then it was suggested that I sell the meals to others.


Q: Why should I buy Hawk Vittles?

A: Because they are the tastiest food available and contain more carbohydrates and proteins, fuel needed for strenuous activities, and come in the biggest portions.


Q: Are Hawk Vittles "assembled" from dehydrated ingedients like one of the other brands?

A: NO! Hawk Vittles are cooked from the freshest ingredients and dehydrated


Q: Can I order HAWK VITTLES without certain ingredients because of allergies?

A: Yes, however in some cases it may affect the taste. You must order a minimum of 2 double servings (1 batch) of any meals that require special preparation.


Q: What's the shelf life on HAWK VITTLES?

A: Stored in a cool dry place, HAWK VITTLES are good for over 1 year.


Q: How do I rehydrate and eat HAWK VITTLES?

A: Directions are on each package. You may also just add boiling water to the bag and let it set for 15-20 minutes.


Q: Is each double serving really 2 servings?

A: Yes, I base my serving size on the appetites of two full sized men who have spent a day of hard exercising. Many of the meals have been more then my hiking partner and I would finish.


Q: Are HAWK VITTLES loaded with sodium to enhance the flavor, like some of the other brands?

A: NO salt is added. Some have a small amount of salt in the ingedients, (base, sauce, etc.)


Q: What artificial ingredients are used in HAWK VITTLES?

A: None. All ingredients are natural. I use fresh ingredients whenever available.


Q: How about preservatives?

A: None. The dehydration removes the moisture that bacteria need to breed.


Q: What is the turn around time for an order?

A: In most cases, if the item is not in stock, I ship within five businessdays. Large orders or busy times of the year might take a little longer. Get your order in early.



Q: Are your vegetarian meals ALL vegetable? What about the stock, do you use a meat stock?

A: All meal listed as vegetarian cantain no meat, poultry or seafood. Those requiring a stock are made with a 100% vegetable stock.

Q: Are HawK VittleS Organic?

A: No, however natural and organic ingredients are used whereever possible.



Q: How come you no longer vacuum pack the meals?

A: We found that the sharp edges of pasta and other dried ingredients often punctured the packages. Since the vacuum pacgaging was originally to compress the package and give a professional look, we discontinued the vacuum sealing. We also found that the pouch is more flexible and easier to pack if not vacuum sealed.



Q: Can I call in an order or pick it up?

A: No. I only accept orders through the website.



Q: I'm a thru hiker with a large order. How much lead time do you need?

A: It's best to order at least a month ahead of your preparation date.


Gonna give some of these nut butters a go this year as well. http://www.pocketfuelnaturals.com/products/nut-butters/

Bagels and these should be great.

Often use Justin's almond butter as well. http://justins.com/

 

[Jdog]

they are not cheap...but pretty tasty

 

[Tim M]

Since you have used them how do the actual serving sizes compare to MH? is a double about the same size and are they comparable in weight?

 

[JoshTX]

Since you have used them how do the actual serving sizes compare to MH? is a double about the same size and are they comparable in weight?

ive tried just about all the Hawk Vittles and IMHO a single serving is actually enough to be a single serving. You will not need to double up. I haven't weighed them but they SEEM slightly heavier than a single MH meal. I will say that some of the dishes taste similar to others but all in all they are pretty good. The salmon stir fry is a no-go. Steer clear of that one. My favorite is the hot italian sausage and pasta and the cowboy pasta. With red pepper flakes and a Parmesan packet dumped in it, it's excellent.

 

[Tim M]

thanks, I may have to get some of these to try. Thw MH double always seems to be just a tiny bit more than I want at the end of the day and I always end up packing pepper, or hot sauce to go with... and I have never found a packet or tiny bottle of Cholula hot sauce yet.

 

[colonel00]

Tim, if I can find the link from where I ordered them from, I will post it up but I have a few of these little bottles. This one just has a little dish soap in it but I also fill them with hot sauce or other things that can make a mess. Works really good.

 

[Tim M]

Brad, do your freezer bags seem to collapse a bit or get soft when they are warm? The last time I made my own meals that was my only real complaint and haven't found a bag that is really stiff enough to not get food on my fingers while trying to eat. I don't know why I didn't think about filling a small bottle with hot sauce.

 

[colonel00]

Oh, I can't say that I have really noticed an issue with it. I am using the Heavy Duty freezer bags so that may help. I will see if I notice a difference next time I give one of these a try. Usually I am either leaving the ziploc in the coozie or pouring the food into a bowl. Those little plastic bowls that the noodles come in are so light that I am really debating taking one along with me.

 

[Tim M]

Ok, that was kinda what I was wondering. I have been using my beanie as a coozie so the freezer bag dosn't have any support when I take it out and am eating. Have thought about bringing a bowl or something along with, maby even a used (cleaned) MH bag to use a a reflector puoch and to help hold the ziplock but the bowl always brings up the idea of cleaning and scent at my campsite...

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, it will definitely depend on your hunting situation and your surroundings. For me, when I was considering taking the bowl, it would be for situations like this year's caribou hunt where I will be near a stream where I can easily wash stuff. However, on my mule deer hunt, water will probably be more limited so I will probably skip the bowl and just deal with the bag and possibly some messy fingers.

 

[mtswampfox]

Tim, if I can find the link from where I ordered them from, I will post it up but I have a few of these little bottles. This one just has a little dish soap in it but I also fill them with hot sauce or other things that can make a mess. Works really good.

needed these for a project one time. enter 2 oz. plastic bottle on e-bay and you will get some hits.

 

[Tim M]

Seems like I always end up dealing with that because water is at such a premium in the country that I hunt, it is either few and far between or is 500-1500' elevation drop to get to it so I really try to do minimal cleaning (except maby washing a pair of socks when I get a chance.)

 

[Tim M]

I ended up really thinking about it while up on the mountain the last few days and realized I have been dealing with the bags sagging and drooping even with the mountain house meals so why not just clean one of the MH bags as a reflector bag and just deal with the dirty hands.

 

[Becca]

We picked up some long handled Sea to Summit spoons after watching Stid and his wife use them on our sheep hunt last year. The longer handle helps keep your hands clean when you are eating out of a bag, and they are a lot more durable than the light my fire sporks we had used previously (we were always breaking fork tines off it seemed). Maybe an option you might find useful...
http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Alpha-Light-Spoon/dp/B002IAJ5W4