{"id":160242,"date":"2022-04-04T08:55:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T12:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=160242"},"modified":"2024-08-03T19:43:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-04T00:43:11","slug":"simple-gourmet-peak-refuel-backcountry-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/simple-gourmet-peak-refuel-backcountry-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple Gourmet: Peak Refuel Backcountry Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Simple<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A couple of years ago, my buddy and I backpacked into Idaho’s Sawtooth mountains for the spring bear hunt. The first morning, we found two excellent bears feeding together. We spotted them from almost three miles away and spent the morning closing the distance. We finally made it to within 300 yards across a big draw. The two bears reappeared in the grass opposite, one black and one chocolate — just what we were after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, we miscommunicated with each other and flubbed our shots. It was incredibly disappointing, but it was an amazing adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Spring, I backpacked into the same spot looking for redemption. I never did spot a bear, but even though I was hiking all over and spending lots of energy, I felt great. I think a lot of it was due to the meals I’d chosen to bring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simple
Peak Refuel just tastes like good food.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I’m all for making food from scratch, and this column is normally all about crafting tasty meals from the animals you kill. But when you’re planning to add the challenges of backpacking on top of the challenges of hunting, I think you should keep it simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some folks dehydrate their own meals to take backpacking because backpacking meals have historically been less than excellent. Eating them for a few days can leave you feeling pretty poorly and wishing for better bathroom facilities. So, making your own made sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simple
The test kitchen has normal people who create tasty recipes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These new Peak Refuel meals have changed the game. They are simply made of food without weird additives. Last fall, I got the chance to tour their plant, which is one of the largest freeze-drying facilities in the country, and I’ve met the chefs and hung out in their kitchen. I can attest that these meals are just good food made with normal ingredients. Then freeze-dried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simple
Freeze drying is itself fascinating. These huge vacuum chambers can make a lot of meals in a short time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other backpacking meals I’ve used, these don’t taste like freeze-dried food. They taste like something I made at home. Plus, they are packed with protein so your body can recover faster and feel full longer. Amazingly, Peak Refuel doesn’t use any soy or vegetable protein to pad their protein count — it’s just from the meat and other ingredients. And their meals usually have the highest protein count on the shelf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simple
Bring tortillas to add some calories and eat your meal as a wrap.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You just add boiling water, wait a few minutes, then eat out of the pouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few tips for cooking backpacking meals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n