Contributor: Brittany Hopkins
The first thing I always ask when packing for a camping trip is... "Who's bringing the coffee?" No matter how perfect the weather, scenery or company may be, happy campers require a sufficient dose of morning joe. Here are a few easy ways to get your fix when you don't have the pleasure of electricity or overpacking.
Starbucks Via
I'm pretty certain the good people at Starbucks designed the Via Instant packets with Urban Deers in mind. I always throw a handful of these packets in my bag just in case. You'll need a pot and camping stove, jet boil or fire to heat your water. Or do you...? In dire situations I'm not afraid to drink this stuff cold!
Cold Brew
Another easy solution is making a big batch of cold brew before leaving town. Unlike coffee brewed with heat, cold brew doesn't go stale. Business Insider's step-by-step directions for cold brew are nearly fool-proof. The result is a highly caffeinated concentrate you can pack in a canteen and mix with water when you're ready for a nice jolt of caffeine.
Light-weight Drippers
If drip coffee is what you're after, there are plenty of solid options on the market. Outdoor Gear Lab recommends the Melitta Ready Set Joe Cone, GSI Collapsible Java Drip or Hario V60 Plastic Dripper for their "packabliity", affordability and ease of use. To use these, you'll definitely need a way to heat your water, coffee grounds and coffee filters. If packing out your trash is a concern, you may want to stick with the filter-free options above.
Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans
Sometimes a caffeine craving is totally mental, and that's where chocolate-covered coffee beans are your best friend. While packing my daypack for my recent 24-mile hike through Yosemite, I knew we'd be out hiking from sun up to sun down and at some point along the way I'd find myself craving a latte. When the going got real tough and we still had hours to go until we were home, these were the perfect comfort.
How do you play barista in the woods? Let us know in the comments!