backpacking

How to make camping coffee?

I was planning to go out for a lunch time walk and brew some camping coffee but the weather had other ideas – too much rain.

On a recent walk the wind shield I used was not effective so I was going to test out a new one I made from a used food tray. I moved the test to the doorway of the summer house office.

Making camping coffee in the office

The wind break was cut to fit tightly around a Bushcraft Essentials mini twig stove when using an up-cycled Burt’s Bees tin as a gel fuel burner. As the fit was close I punched some air holes low down and on two sides for air flow.

Outdoor Pocket Micro Stove EDCBox
Outdoor Pocket Micro Stove EDCBox with homemade wind shield

The idea of this stove is for me to have the makings for camping coffee or soup in my lightweight cookset bag. There is a very small gas burner in the cookset but no gas – the gel fuel for the Bushcraft Essentials stove is carried an up-cycled hand sanitiser bottle in the cookset stuff sack.

Outdoor Pocket Micro Stove EDCBox adapted for gel fuel
The Burt’s Bees tin for the gel fuel – alight!

To test the stove wind break I made coffee.

Making Camping Coffee

There are many gadgets on the market for making coffee when camping – I have a 750ml titanium bush pot/cafetiere for when I am car camping – but when backpacking and walking I like this lightweight solution.

For a while now I have been using a plastic tea strainer as a reusable coffee filter (see my camping coffee page). Since I wrote that page I have cut down the handle and made some cut-outs so the filter sits level.

Tea strainer adapted for making camping coffee
The notches keep the filter level

The process I use is:

1 I fill the strainer mesh with ground coffee until it just covers the the plastic rim.

2 Wet the coffee grounds and then wait a minute or so.

Camping coffee wetting the grounds
For the best results the coffee grounds need a little hot water and a rest!

3 I then carefully add water to the brim of the strainer and let it drain through.

Coffee for camping in a small strainer coffee making gadget
Care is needed when filling the strainer so it does not overflow

4 It takes about 100ml to 150ml of water to make a strong brew. I top up with hot water.

Ground coffee when lightweight backpacking or camping
I never drip all the water through as it is not necessary

5 I take mine black and no sugar when camping – but I do carry coffee creamer and brown sugar for caffeine and energy boost.

This gadget and method only generates used coffee grounds to dispose of, no paper filters and there is no comparison when it comes to the weight or price of this coffee maker when compared to other backpacking/camping coffee gadgets. And it can be used as a strainer as well!

Light and simple bushcraft coffee gear
This is an excellent coffee making kit for my haversack gear

The 30ml Nalgene bottle shown in the photo when “tap” filled (start to fill the bottle and tap it to settle the coffee grounds and repeat until no more settling happens) can hold two measures of ground coffee.

The Wind Shield

It worked better than its predecessor, keeping the heat on the mug. It will also fold up small enough to store in the stove slip case with the stove and the Burt’s Bees tin.

The next test will be later in the week when I can get out for a walk.

How to make camping coffee? Read More »

New gear

Now the MSc has been passed – I will be able to get out and walk more. I have bought a small, rugged tripod, that can be attached to my day pack – I want to get some long exposure exposure shots, to steady the camera when it is windy and May be even some video.

Tripod and backpack

The legs of the tripod look like they will survive some mud and water. The smartphone mount that came with it is very simple in design so it too should survive outdoor use.

The tripod also came with a Bluetooth camera shutter release and fittings to mount a camera or Go-Pro.

New gear Read More »

Updated website image

I have been tweaking my lightweight backpacking cooking kit.

lightweight backpacking cooking kit

I have replaced my Alpkit Kraku stove with the latest version. I bought one of the original models when they were released in December 2013 and it has done excellent service, but the o-ring seal became unreliable in September last year. Alpkit sent me some replacement rings but they kept failing – the latest design has a higher valve assembly and a different type of o-ring. So it was time for a new stove.

I have changed my tea-towel for a lightweight pack towel, replaced the battered homemade windshield for another homemade windshield and found an even lighter lid to use as a chopping board.

Updated website image Read More »

2000 days

2000 days

Today is the 2000th day of making “a photo a day”.

The first photo.

The 1000th post.

The photos have covered many subjects, from flowers and plants (one of my most popular subjects) to mountain views, camping and computer screens. The subjects of the images have been very varied, it depends on what catches my eye that day.

The photos made whilst camping, walking and backpacking are among my favourites.

Wild Camping – Old Man of Coniston

The view from my tent at 5am – hot coffee in hand

First “Camp Coffee” of 2016

Some days I get plenty of time to find a shot, others it is jammed into a busy schedule, hence the computer screens! Some photos have been for the Octagon Technology blog – that particular image was going to be yesterday’s photo but I passed a rose in my way home, that had caught a few rain drops, so I changed my mind.

Using my iPhone makes this project sustainable – it is always within reach and the image processing and blogging software is right there. Occasionally I have been without internet access and the photo has been posted the next day, (I adjust the blog date so the sequence is not broken), but that does not happen often.

No big tips on how to take a photo every day, except have your camera at hand.

So that’s it – day 2000, onto 2001, 2002, 2003…

2000 days Read More »

Backpacking to Woodhall Spa

Saturday

Snail

Early in the day I had to share the path with a huge number and variety of snails.

Bardney Lock
Bardney Lock


Lunch

I found a quiet corner just off the path for a substantial lunch – in a cold wind and light drizzle. The poor weather did not continue, it brightened up by the time I reached Kirkstead Bridge.


Southrey public art


Water Rail Way

Blossom

Sunday

Coffee when camping

Woodhall Spa Campsite
Gone – Woodhall Spa Campsite

Sunday morning was sunny and bright. I had breakfast with fresh coffee by the lake. Packing away is easy when carrying all the gear, I do not have much with me so it does not take long to pack up.


Ostler’s Plantation

Early morning light

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