Prepping my meal plan for this season & comparing prices I paid last year elevated my blood pressure a bit. The ghee I bring is up 60% yoy & the package size was halved to hide the increase, MH meals are up 12.5-25%, I'm afraid to even look up what I paid for jerky last year though this year the count per package is down & I'm betting the price per stick has gone in the opposite direction. I'm glad I bought my solo gear outfit last year, I'd probably no longer be able to afford it haha [sad face].

Have food or other rising costs (or falling dollar value depending on one's viewpoint) affected your trip planning?

Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.

Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food.

Ghee is overpriced. Make your own using butter bought on sale or at wholesaler. Simple to do.

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.

Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This is the dream. Once I get some property I hope to have a similar lifestyle to that which you enjoy.

I'm packing for four months so it's more than a few meals unfortunately (or fortunately?).

Banksiana: "Ghee is overpriced. Make your own using butter bought on sale or at wholesaler. Simple to do."

I considered making my own though I'm under the assumption that the ghee bought prepackaged would have less contaminants & store better as a result. If the trend continues for 2024, I may need to make my own & hope for the best.

Last year, I started making my own ghee. Yes, the price of butter has gone up, but not 60%, especially if can find it on sale or a coupon. There are a number of YouTube videos. I recommend watching a couple because they often have differing tips. Here is one I watched: Making ghee

JohnGalt: "

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.


Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This is the dream. Once I get some property I hope to have a similar lifestyle to that which you enjoy.


I'm packing for four months so it's more than a few meals unfortunately (or fortunately?)."

Dang, that's a long trip! I would say I'm envious, but even I might start pining for civilization. And I'm about as antisocial as anyone lol.

I READ IN ANOTHER THREAD THAT CAMP CHOW IS HAVING A SALE RIGHT NOW.
GOOD FOOD, GOOD PORTIONS.

straighthairedcurly: "Last year, I started making my own ghee. Yes, the price of butter has gone up, but not 60%, especially if can find it on sale or a coupon. There are a number of YouTube videos. I recommend watching a couple because they often have differing tips. Here is one I watched: Making ghee "

Thank you for the link! That lady is living the good life :).

Mocha: "I READ IN ANOTHER THREAD THAT CAMP CHOW IS HAVING A SALE RIGHT NOW.
GOOD FOOD, GOOD PORTIONS."

Good tip, thank you Mocha! I'll check them out today.

NEIowapaddler: "Dang, that's a long trip! I would say I'm envious, but even I might start pining for civilization. And I'm about as antisocial as anyone lol. "

A few brief flashes of longing were had, though only a few days & not enough to discourage me from being eager for the 2023 season before I'd even left the park last Oct (if the weather skipped from Oct to May, I'd probably not have left). Having the Zoleo was nice as it enabled me to keep in contact with family/friends via text. I found I quite missed having access to information, from 'current events'/market action to simple questions I'd normally google (e.g. at what elevation is O2 required when hiking/climbing? I was looking longingly at the map of the Alaskan mountain ranges for that one following reading Lure of the Labrador & trying to find any remaining true wilderness...I digress). I had a weather radio which picked up WELY, a Catholic station, & NPR, as well as some AM talk shows after sunset, though it's not the same as currating your own content via the interwebs. I'll be signing up for a few newsletters this go around so I can get some additional information on current events which interest me. It's such a simpler life up there, no consumerism culture prying me to spend recklessly, no bills to be concerned with, no driving or worrying about staying on the right side of the gestapo, just peace & harmony with God's creation. Pure bliss with a hint of mosquito & dash of rain haha.

You and BeaV are my heroes. My friends think I'm tough when I go and do a 6 day solo, but I really love what you did and are repeating the adventure no less! I hope I run into you out there.

JohnGalt: "at what elevation is O2 required when hiking/climbing?"

One might argue that O2 is required at all elevations ;)

With four kids age 6-10 going this year I'm actively avoiding thinking about the food planning. We'll only be out three nights so it can't be that bad, right? Just fill a pack with 50 cans of Pringles and we'll be set...

Mocha: "I READ IN ANOTHER THREAD THAT CAMP CHOW IS HAVING A SALE RIGHT NOW.
GOOD FOOD, GOOD PORTIONS."

Any favorites you have from them?

OneMatch: "You and BeaV are my heroes. My friends think I'm tough when I go and do a 6 day solo, but I really love what you did and are repeating the adventure no less! I hope I run into you out there."

I'm humbled by your kind words, OneMatch. I hope to cross paths with you as well! It will be my 'summer home' for the foreseeable future, so there will be ample opportunities :)

prettypaddle: "

JohnGalt: "at what elevation is O2 required when hiking/climbing?"

One might argue that O2 is required at all elevations ;)

With four kids age 6-10 going this year I'm actively avoiding thinking about the food planning. We'll only be out three nights so it can't be that bad, right? Just fill a pack with 50 cans of Pringles and we'll be set..."

Hardy har har lol quite a witty reply, I like it!

Three nights, you got this in the bag. Snacks, snacks, & more snacks ;)

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.


Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This.

You know inflation is out of control when regular folks need to cut back on staples, like GHEE. If you can afford to take a 4 month trip I think you should find some way to manage. I will be eating hot dogs at a campground between 50 hour work weeks this summer

gravelroad: "

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.

Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This."

Kick it up a notch and get a freeze dryer.

mirth: "

gravelroad: "

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.


Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This."

Kick it up a notch and get a freeze dryer."

Don't think I haven't given them some furtive glances. :-) But the chest freezer and dehydrator are inside the Marital Harmony Boundary. Not sure where I'd be sleeping if I brought a freeze dryer home ...

Seems like a near infinite number of people out there with fistfulls of cash and endless free time. Yeah, the mountain house is up 25%, but there's still a line a mile long to buy it. My problem isn't prices, it's the line. I'll be staying close to home one more year, as there still seems to be no end in sight. But yeah you need a dehydrator.

KarlK: "You know inflation is out of control when regular folks need to cut back on staples, like GHEE. If you can afford to take a 4 month trip I think you should find some way to manage. I will be eating hot dogs at a campground between 50 hour work weeks this summer"

Inflation occurred when the currency was created, price increases are a reflection of that inflated supply of credit permiating through the broader economy as the increased supply of currency chases the same (or reduced) supply of goods. Henry Ford said something to the effect of 'if the American people knew the truth behind their money, there would be revolution by morning, though their paycheck depends on them not knowing'. Possibly misattributed or a poor paraphrase of the actual quote, though the general point remains. You should be upset with those controlling the levers of our failing currency, not some dude on the internet who lives in the woods half of the year to cut costs & enjoy life.

Ghee can become a bit of a staple to one who lives in the woods for months at a time... Would you consider butter to be a staple for folks living in 1st world western civilization? Ghee is butter with milk solids removed, a requirement for folks intolerant of lactose or without access to refrigeration. Ghee is also consumed much more in the east, so I'm betting it is considered a staple food item by many of them as well (last I checked, India had quite the population on its own, let alone the rest of the eastern states). Imho, the line of reasoning presented will eventually lead to 'you know things are bad when people are complaining about the price of eggs /s, they should be eating cricket protein like the rest of us!'.

To me, it is not so much a trip as it is my new temporary way of life. I was putting in 50+hr weeks & traveling for business M-T before I was involuntarily resigned for refusing to bend the knee over certain medical information mandates made by my former employer fall 2021. Four months out of the year in the BWCA was the cheapest cost of living I could devise to stretch my savings as long as possible while I consider my new path. If not for the harsh MN winter I'd be up there 12 months out of the year - it is what I love to do at this juncture in my life & it is within my budget. 'A penny saved is a penny earned' - currently, my job is saving pennies & every food item I require which increases in cost cuts into my limited potential earnings. In this world, I have myself, my gear, a 20+ y/o suv, a storage unit containing my old life, quality family/friends, my word/reputation, & an eye for the future - God provides what I need to survive & I just play the cards He deals to me.

mirth: "

gravelroad: "

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.

Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This."

Kick it up a notch and get a freeze dryer."

Some day... Someone I know moved on to a homestead not too long ago & they freeze dry some of their production, such as eggs. One day, I hope to be in that position, though it won't be this year haha. I do have a dehydrator, though it is in storage several states away from where I'm currently staying (no permanent residence puts up some barriers to self-preparing food).

gravelroad: "Not sure where I'd be sleeping if I brought a freeze dryer home ... "

Next to the freeze drier, it would appreciate the comfort as it adjusts to its new home lmao.

NotLight: "Seems like a near infinite number of people out there with fistfulls of cash and endless free time. Yeah, the mountain house is up 25%, but there's still a line a mile long to buy it. My problem isn't prices, it's the line. I'll be staying close to home one more year, as there still seems to be no end in sight. But yeah you need a dehydrator.
"

I encountered that issue last year when assembling my gear outfit. My fly reel & a camera lens were delayed for months, made me quite nervous as my trip date approached. I actually eBay bid on the same lens I was awaiting, used, for more than what I had paid for the new product. Fortunately, I lost the bid & either that day or the next I received a shipping notice. I could have turned around & flipped that lens for 20% profit before it even arrived at my residence. Same thing was happening with PC graphics cards, not sure if that has resolved itself though perhaps it has.

I 'need' to get a permanent residence so I have a place to use the dehydrator haha. Ideally, something with some land under it so I can raise some chickens, garden, & other such wholesome endeavours. Some day...

prettypaddle: "

JohnGalt: "at what elevation is O2 required when hiking/climbing?"

One might argue that O2 is required at all elevations ;)

"

I am used to my O2 being at 21% purity, might like it a little stronger if I am at higher elevations.

SIde Note: I just went to the food coop in Duluth today and bought a jar of Ghee. I had to try it out and only 7 bucks, I can learn more on this site by accident, than most can learn on purpose.

mirth: "Kick it up a notch and get a freeze dryer."

I didn't know life could be any better until I tasted a friend's freeze-dried watermelon.

LindenTree: "I am used to my O2 being at 21% purity, might like it a little stronger if I am at higher elevations.

SIde Note: I just went to the food coop in Duluth today and bought a jar of Ghee. I had to try it out and only 7 bucks, I can learn more on this site by accident, than most can learn on purpose."

I looked up the elevation today - 8k meters is the 'death zone' beyond which it is necessary to avoid death, 6.5k meters is where o2 supplementation starts being considered more important, & past 3k meters something like 75% of average folks will begin having issues (if I recall correctly,bI read this before my nap :). Interesting stuff

Curious to hear what you think of ghee. For my meal plan, it is a breakfast calorie booster. I have a cup of oatmeal with some brown sugar, walnuts, dehydrated fruit, & a few tablespoons of ghee. Add hot water, stir, & enjoy :). I'd like to devise a way to make it savory by replacing the sugar/fruit with a protein base, i feel it would be better nutrition.

schweady: "

mirth: "Kick it up a notch and get a freeze dryer."

I didn't know life could be any better until I tasted a friend's freeze-dried watermelon.
"

That sounds interesting & delicious. Will need to share that with folks I know with the proper tools.

mirth: "

gravelroad: "

NEIowapaddler: "Not really. I dehydrate my own food, and generally grow/raise/hunt most of what goes into it. And even if the price of the things I do buy goes up, I almost never eat out, so I figure I can afford to splurge for a few meals in the outdoors.


Might be a good time to invest in a dehydrator and start making your own backcountry food. "

This."

Kick it up a notch and get a freeze dryer."

You know, I was just thinking about that. I'm single, so I wouldn't have to justify it to anyone but myself. And judging by my bank account, I'm apparently pretty good at doing that lol.

I'm packing for four months so it's more than a few meals unfortunately (or fortunately?)."
So you're doing it again? When you plan on going in
Oops I just read the rest of the thread. And I was afraid of hijacking it!
At least two of us are committed to The Q this August. PP to carp and the Man Chain. Maybe we'll cross paths again.

Seriously- the northern Minnesota winters are not worth avoiding. In the mid-eighties I moved to Ely due to my love of the country and canoeing. It is the joy of moving through the land in winter that has kept me here. Nothing better than the forest and lakes on skis. Bent my life to accommodate maximum exposure to the land.

BonzSF:So you're doing it again? When you plan on going in
Oops I just read the rest of the thread. And I was afraid of hijacking it!
At least two of us are committed to The Q this August. PP to carp and the Man Chain. Maybe we'll cross paths again."

Yep, round two is approaching quickly. I think trying to 'OD on nature' last year just made my addiction worse haha. Targeting being ready to drive north by the end of April & once the ice is off of the lake, I hope to be on it :). Moose lake is still my planned base of operations, so I'll be in the region when you are & it would be great to cross paths with you again. I'm not sure where I'll be in August, though if feasible I'll shoot for traveling through that region about that time (I'll have a resupply towards the end of August, so being in that region shouldn't be too out of the way). Hope you have a good season!

Banksiana: "Seriously- the northern Minnesota winters are not worth avoiding. In the mid-eighties I moved to Ely due to my love of the country and canoeing. It is the joy of moving through the land in winter that has kept me here. Nothing better than the forest and lakes on skis. Bent my life to accommodate maximum exposure to the land."

I do hope to trip up there during the winter, I just have no experience with winter that far north, let alone camping in it, & I want to avoid becoming a statistic haha. I'm thinking that staying the winter may be possible, especially if I used the summer months to prepare for the winter months (e.g. collecting/storing firewood in locations near where I intend to stay during the winter). It would take some additional gear as well, so I'd need to price that out to see if it is feasible with my budget. I may try to rent a place up there for the off-season to dip my toe in the water err winter. I've considered moving to Ely, it is nice & quaint, almost in its own bubble.

Buy butter flavored, liquid cooking- grill oil from a restaurant supplier (Sams or Costco maybe ?) actually has better flavor then ghee, far less expensive and has a long shelf life.

Thanks for the aggressive lecture on economic theory. If an economical life on the land is what you seek, why not work or volunteer on the SNF? Or work for an outfitter? If you have the stamina for a 4-month run why not work fires? Much better food than mountain house, and you could replace that tired SUV and have cases of ghee!

KarlK: "Thanks for the aggressive lecture on economic theory. If an economical life on the land is what you seek, why not work or volunteer on the SNF? Or work for an outfitter? If you have the stamina for a 4-month run why not work fires? Much better food than mountain house, and you could replace that tired SUV and have cases of ghee!"

I believe that my reply was quite tame considering the the attitude which your reply contained & you're welcome for the economics information. As I said in my reply, I'm living a low cost lifestyle until I determine my next steps, I have the SNF + forest fire fighting on my shortlist & I was offered a guide position with an outfitter following last season though if I'm going to be in the woods, I like to be living that life on my terms & if I'm going to trade my time for money, I can likely find better value trades elsewhere. Lastly, my 'tired SUV' which I bought for $500 runs fine, why replace it? I had a limited edition challenger which I sold to live the life I'm living at the moment. This 'replace what doesn't need replacing' consumerist attitude is exactly why I appreciate being in the wilderness. You get snarky with me for my qualms with the increase in the price of ghee, implying that it's some posh luxury like Evian, & then you get snarky about me driving an economical vehicle haha what wonderful & consistent input!

Anyways, have a good rest of your day & best of luck.

KarlK: "Thanks for the aggressive lecture on economic theory. If an economical life on the land is what you seek, why not work or volunteer on the SNF? Or work for an outfitter? If you have the stamina for a 4-month run why not work fires? Much better food than mountain house, and you could replace that tired SUV and have cases of ghee!"

I think the saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" applies here. How someone wants to live their life is their business, and as long as they're not hurting anyone, they should be free to do what they want.

John,
Gandma L here. Please send me an email - I am interested in tracking your travels again this summer.