Mosey, just remember that for everything you bring that is totally dehydrated, you're also gonna have to carry or find water to rehydrate it. To me, backpacking is also about good food. There is no badge of honor given to us for suffering through bad food on the trail just to save a few ounces, or for that matter, to save a few pounds.

I think some of us get so caught up in just how deprived in the name of weight saving we can be, that we miss the whole point of enjoying ourselves when on the trail. And a good quality meal on the trail every evening is an excellent way to enjoy yourself. There are people on this forum that even bake breads while backpacking.

For the dehydrated foods, I buy them already made up from the grocery store. I look for packaged soups that have dehydrated beef or chicken in them, and instant mashed potatoes, three minute rice and grits, and macaroni and cheese, and a dozen other ready to cook with boiling water foods that cover the shelves in every grocery store. I have never purchased a Campmore or Mountain House dehydrated, over priced, camper's meal in my entire life, and I've eaten well and packed light too. Lighten up on yourself, and don't be so concerned about the weight of your food, eat well, and enjoy yourself on the trail. I carry about 14 pounds of food for a seven day hike because I'd much rather carry good food (heavy or not) than eat Ramon noodles at night. Just my thoughts. Brum