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#196306 - 08/09/16 05:49 PM Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips?
Ian Campbell Offline
newbie

Registered: 10/23/15
Posts: 10
I've always got a flask of whiskey on me - do you bring booze with you on your backpacking trips? What's your go to?

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#196308 - 08/09/16 07:54 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
a little Irish Cream for coffee or maybe a nip of Bourbon before bedtime.

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#196309 - 08/09/16 09:15 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: BZH]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
We usually bring an airline mini for each night...but each night is a different tipple, just for fun.
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#196312 - 08/10/16 11:15 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: balzaccom]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
I don't drink a whole lot of alcohol. I usually buy alcohol at the grocery store but it usually only comes in 750 ml or larger containers. Maybe I am naive but I recently discovered that neighborhood liquor stores have lots of stuff in little bottles that are nice for backpacking.

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#196316 - 08/10/16 03:35 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Yup...good bourbon or 100% agave tequila. 1/2 pt. Platypus is perfect for it.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#196317 - 08/10/16 03:42 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Dryer]
Pika Offline
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
Nope, I'm back to being a teetotaler again. I walked the West Highland Way last July, basically from pub to pub, and enjoyed the various beers, IPA's and ales that I drank. But aside from that interlude I have been an abstainer for most of the last 40 years and plan to stay that way.
_________________________
May I walk in beauty.

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#196320 - 08/10/16 04:45 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Pika]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
When at home, I enjoy a beer or a glass of wine with the best of them, but I've never felt the desire to imbibe when out in the woods. Just my surroundings are enough to relax me and make me feel good without adding booze to the mix.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#196321 - 08/10/16 05:51 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
No, I've just never felt a need for it. (I also don't drink "in civilization" either; no moral convictions - it just never appealed to me, except for an occasional beer with pizza or wine with spaghetti. Gave that up, though, as part of controlling diabetes without medication.)

I don't object when my close circle of hiking friends bring along a spot of refreshment; I know they can handle it appropriately. If the group I'm going with isn't known to me, I ask about group policy or intent, and make a decision I'm comfortable with.

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#196326 - 08/11/16 08:06 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
aimless Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
Similarly to OregonMouse, I'll drink a glass of wine with dinner just about every night when I am at home or if I am eating in a restaurant. When I'm car camping I'll drink wine or beer very infrequently, maybe one night in twenty. When I am backpacking, never.

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#196349 - 08/14/16 01:15 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: aimless]
Snappypepper Offline
member

Registered: 08/02/16
Posts: 18
I usually bring an airplane bottle or two of vodka or Fireball. Sometimes it gets carried back home, sometimes only the empty bottles make it home. I enjoy it mostly when it's cold and a little nip helps take the edge off the chill. But I would not feel comfortable drinking to the point of being inebriated since I'm out there to enjoy nature and also feel like I need to keep my wits about me to stay safe!

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#196361 - 08/15/16 01:08 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
ndsol Offline
member

Registered: 04/16/02
Posts: 678
Loc: Houston, Texas
I didn't use to, but generally do now (although only for medicinal purposes. grin) "During the prohibition period in the U.S., Laphroaig was the only whisky legally imported into the country. Apparently, due to the distinct smell of iodine characteristic of the spirit, customs officials could easily be persuaded that the liquid was in fact medicinal."


Edited by ndsol (08/15/16 01:08 PM)

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#196592 - 09/15/16 06:39 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: BZH]
Franco Offline
member

Registered: 04/05/04
Posts: 1010
Loc: Australia
I usually buy alcohol at the grocery store but it usually only comes in 750 ml or larger containers.[b][/b]
I have heard that some have managed to transfer some alcohol from 750ml bottles into smaller containers...

Almost never in "3 season" but on my winter trips I liked to have a nip of brandy with my very chocolaty hot chocolate at bed time.
I use the smaller solid Nalgene containers for that.


Edited by Franco (09/15/16 06:41 PM)

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#196595 - 09/15/16 08:36 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
JustWalking Offline
member

Registered: 01/12/16
Posts: 293
Loc: PNW
Usually a bit of single malt. I have a dram or so in the evening after dinner - and usually carry enough to share with a few others.

I'm going to have fun this weekend though. Doing a short 2-night trip with a few folks, I'm bringing a small bit of wine to have with my Friday dinner (pasta beef bolognese), and small bit of sake to have with my Saturday dinner (salmon chowder), and a small bit of single malt as an apertif both nights. I even have a nice titanium sake cup for the wine and sake (though the single malt will inhabit the titanium sake bottle).

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#196596 - 09/16/16 09:24 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: JustWalking]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Ok--but what KIND of wine? Grand Cru Burgundy or Hearty Burgundy?
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#196609 - 09/19/16 03:19 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
BrRabbit Offline
member

Registered: 03/15/16
Posts: 58
Loc: Milwaukee, WI
It depends and I have ventured backpacking for days without any booze frown

But if the trip is not really challenging, I will do my best to grab some booze. Either some boxed red wine, or Sailor Jerry rum.

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#196639 - 09/24/16 09:29 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: balzaccom]
JustWalking Offline
member

Registered: 01/12/16
Posts: 293
Loc: PNW
It was a Merlot, actually. :-)

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#196641 - 09/24/16 10:39 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
I generally bring a pint of IPA in a can for each of the 1st two nights and that's it. I won't lug anymore than that along but I do plan trips that take me wandering back to my car where I can grab a couple more and keep on exploring if I want.

We're only a month away from our prime backpacking season here. The creeks are still running pretty good too so that should help make it a great season. I'm sure ready for some time in the forests.
_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



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#196777 - 10/17/16 08:11 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
Jim M Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
Recently I took along a 5 ounces of Scotch Whisky and had an ounce after dinner each night. It was very pleasant to have it along and I think I enjoyed the evenings looking forward to my wee nip each night. (Famous Grouse; and quite good for a blended malt).
_________________________
Jim M

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#196789 - 10/18/16 11:53 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Jim M]
Zuuk Offline
member

Registered: 09/22/15
Posts: 70
Loc: NB, Canada
A lesson I learned many years ago golfing... 12 cans of beer weighs a lot less than 12 bottles! especially on the back nine. Oh to be young & foolish again.

I used to grab a pint of Fireball (hot cinnamon whiskey) to take with me, and while I still enjoy a sip now and again, I find it gives me heartburn now. As I've gotten older, the sips have been getting smaller. I doubt I would bother to take anything now. A good cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea works for me just as well as a sip would.

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#196877 - 10/31/16 10:19 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Zuuk]
Stark Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/07/16
Posts: 1
There's nothing better than a nice whiskey at the end of a long day.

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#196890 - 11/01/16 02:11 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: BZH]
Linden M Offline
newbie

Registered: 01/23/15
Posts: 6
Loc: Alaska in the summers, NOrther...
I bring EverClear "Grain Alcohol" to save weight when backpacking.
I then mix some Kool-Aid with my filtered water for a mixed drink. I do this in moderation of course.

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#197545 - 01/30/17 09:56 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
HPD Offline
member

Registered: 12/22/16
Posts: 75
Loc: Colorado High Plains
I usually bring something for that end of the day, relaxation time. Whiskey, scotch or brandy usually. Thought about taking 151 rum but decided against it after reading the warning label about having it near fire! It is heavy though, but still worth it if you're into it.
Has anybody ever tried Palcohol? I'm not aware of it being available yet, at least not around my neck of the woods. Still waiting for freeze-dried beer to be invented!!

However, the legalization of some previously illegal organics has opened the door to truly lightweight options! wink

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#197546 - 01/30/17 11:35 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: HPD]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
The thing about Palcohol is that everclear is the most dehyrdated form of alcohol you can get (~5% water). Whatever they do to solidify the alcohol must include adding something to it. Palcohol is not dehydrated alcohol it is solidified alcohol. It cannot be lighter than everclear.

In terms of beer: https://www.patsbcb.com/

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#197551 - 01/30/17 01:29 PM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: HPD]
wgiles Offline
member

Registered: 05/19/14
Posts: 182
Loc: Central Illinois near Springfi...
Here is an article about powdered alcohol.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-big-deal-about-powdered-alcohol/

It appears to use sugars as an absorbent.

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#197574 - 02/02/17 11:28 AM Re: Do You Bring Booze on your Backpacking Trips? [Re: Ian Campbell]
HPD Offline
member

Registered: 12/22/16
Posts: 75
Loc: Colorado High Plains
Very interesting, thanks BZH & wgiles!!
I did find a place in town that supposedly sells the Backcountry Beverage product. I'll have to check that out. The article on "powdered" alcohol says that one would need a 1/2 cup of Palchohol to make a drink, which doesn't sound too efficient in terms of weight & bulk.
I guess the "old ways" are still the best!

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