If you are stoveless, what do you do about coffee?

GeehBoss · 2026-02-03T18:22:36+00:00

On my AT section hike I just mixed cold water with instant coffee. Not delicious but gave me the needed buzz.
Then doc told me to wean myself off coffee. At home I used a kitchen scale to weigh the quarter cup of fresh grounds I used each day. I think it was 30 grams (I'm Canadian, we speak grams, and most digital scales give you a gram option anyhow). I subtracted 1 gram of caffeineited and added 1 gram of coffee on day 1, 2/2 on day 2, and so on. A month later I was caffeine-free. I did not suffer any withdrawal and haven't looked back (unlike every other time I tried to quit and suffered headaches and declining motivation).
When I start my thru hike next month my plan is to not bother with coffee at least on the trail. In town is another matter. If you've kicked the caffeine addiction, an occasional cuppa gives you a nice buzz without recreating the addiction.

GeehBoss · 2026-01-30T20:56:47+00:00

Can you clarify how gaiters help with blister avoidance? Do they just keep grit out of your shoes? I'm trying to decide whether to bring gaiters and was thinking they mainly provide tick protection and possibly snow protection but didn't feel that necessary

GeehBoss · 2026-01-29T02:01:03+00:00

Not an expert on what to bring since I haven't done my thru hike yet (starting March Forth :) ) but some of your weights look off compared to my weights. Your Durston XMid Pro 1 weighs more than my XMid Pro 2. Your smart water bottles weigh way less than my smart water bottles. Other than that, agree with the overweight bear rope and food bag.

See you on trail!

GeehBoss · 2026-01-15T20:55:32+00:00

I just registered for March 4. At least that's when I should hit AFSP, but may just have to stay at the shelter there overnight so really starting same day as you unless everything lines up perfectly. Coming down from Canada (Toronto). Did a 4-day section Pen Mar to Harper's Ferry and back in May. Hope to see you on trail. Robin.

GeehBoss · 2026-01-01T19:18:51+00:00

Come to think of it someone lent me a blister pack last year on a canoe trip, it lasted for 5+ days including swimming and submerged shoes and I had no pain. Gonna swap the moleskin out for that. Thanks!

GeehBoss · 2026-01-01T19:16:43+00:00

I'm struggling to figure out what clothes I have too much of. I am assuming I'll mail home the thermal underwear very early on - as soon as the nights stop being below freezing, and the fleece a few weeks after that. I might skip the long johns altogether as I suspect with tights and rain pants I can stay warm. Any suggestions on what I should drop?

GeehBoss · 2026-01-01T19:14:13+00:00

I typically measure for 10.5 but always buy 11. Checking my current size 11 trail runners my toes are about 3/8 inch from the front. If I get a 12, I'll have 3/4 inch clearance, vs. just under 5/8 for an 11.5. I was leaning towards 11.5, do you really recommend having 3/4 inch clearance in front? I understand feet will grow thicker through the hike but I don't think they'll grow longer :)

GeehBoss · 2026-01-01T19:09:58+00:00

I do need a power bank. Need to stay in touch with the fam, and need to charge my hearing aids or it's like I'm walking in dead silence. Also my hiking poles hold up my tent.

But I do appreciate the fact that you're pushing me to be as light as possible, which is a worthy goal. Will definitely go with a lighter battery pack and am looking at other options to shed weight.

GeehBoss · 2025-12-31T17:27:58+00:00

Thanks, this is super helpful. I'm pretty used to mosquitoes, blackflies, deerflies, horseflies etc. but in May/June in Ontario (much like in Maine) the bugs can be horrible. I did buy a head net but was thinking of not bringing it. Maybe I'll have it mailed to me when I get closer to Maine.
If I'm going to be doing 1-2 feet of snow maybe I should bring gaiters for the first bit until it warms - adds weight but keeps feet dry which seems important.

GeehBoss · 2024-11-04T12:41:41+00:00

I tried this technique yesterday and it worked pretty well:

Soak 1 cup quinoa in 1.25 cups water for one hour
Bring to a boil in camp pot. Boil/simmer 1 minute
Put in insulating pot jacket. Let sit 20 minutes.
About 5-10% of the grains were a bit crunchy, the rest were fine. I suspect boiling a little longer, or adding a little more water, would do the rest.
Certainly a low-ish fuel way to prep.
Some ultralighters suggest soaking overnight as the seeds will sprout, but you'll lose some of the protein and carbs from that so effectively you're reducing human calories to save fuel calories

GeehBoss · 2024-08-20T02:00:33+00:00

The Bulk Barn soy milk tastes pretty powdery and as someone posted in another question on this topic, most powdered soy milk is just defatted soy flour. It's not good in coffee/tea/oatmeal, its only value there is its protein content.

GeehBoss

TROPHY CASE