+imajeep Posted November 21, 2008 Posted November 21, 2008 I am planning a four-day rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon for next spring. I am thinking about carrying some summer sausage for lunches. I haven't carried it on a hike before, but it seems pretty popular on the trail. How well does it keep on the trail? Will it last three days in a backpack? Thanks. Quote
+cerberus1 Posted November 22, 2008 Posted November 22, 2008 Summer sausage, those "unknown meat" sausages' left over from butchering scraps are usually dried or smoked and made to last without refrigeration. Usually pork with beef or venison (my favorite.) Don't care for meat smoked, but I know dried will last your trip with no problem. If I get hold of some venison, we switch between that and pepperoni for our hikes. Pepperoni is reserved to one day hikes only in warmer weather (gets greasey quick.) I like to bring along some farmers' cheese too, while CJ likes mozzarella, but neither would last your trip. Enjoy. Cache safe. Quote
Relief Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 Some say its does not need to be refrigerated at all and will last indefinitely (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-summer-sausage.htm). Some say its will last six weeks (http://www.hoptechno.com/booksausage.htm) in the pantry. This site also indicates the bacterium E. coli can survive the drying process. I highly doubt your particular sausage would have E. coli but hiking up the other side of the canyon would not be fun with food poisoning. I say strap on your sausage filled pantry and give it a try. Quote
+briansnat Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 It should last 3 days, unless it is really hot weather. I prefer harder sausages like chorizo, soprasatta and pepperoni though. That stuff will last for a long time and is great on crackers with a little cheddar. I bought some chorizo last week and the expiration date was 1/2010. Of course that is assuming the package isn't opened. Quote
+delphic Posted November 29, 2008 Posted November 29, 2008 Summer sausage is a classic item in my food bag for lunches. I usually split a log with one other person and eat through it in a few days. I have never had a problem...nor have I ever heard of other folks having problems. Another option (and to add variety):Tuna Packets! Tuna packets are simply one of the most revolutionary food items to happen to backpacking. A small packet is good for one person and a large is good for two when it's lunch time. No can to drain and carry. The empty foil pouch can be rolled up and takes up very little space in the garbage zippy. Quote
+ironman114 Posted November 29, 2008 Posted November 29, 2008 Summer sausage is a classic item in my food bag for lunches. I usually split a log with one other person and eat through it in a few days. I have never had a problem...nor have I ever heard of other folks having problems. Another option (and to add variety):Tuna Packets! Tuna packets are simply one of the most revolutionary food items to happen to backpacking. A small packet is good for one person and a large is good for two when it's lunch time. No can to drain and carry. The empty foil pouch can be rolled up and takes up very little space in the garbage zippy. If you go for Tuna make sure you do have enough water to swallow it! Last Sept. Criminal and I did a hike. We underestimated the time it would take to get to a water resupply point and my 2 liter bladder developed a leak. We were forced to make camp without water for our dehydrated dinners on a steep hillside. I decided to eat the tuna in a foil packet because it would help give me energy the next morning. I was barely able to swallow the tuna, it was so dry and I had very little saliva. Tuna in a foil packet has much less water and moisture than the kind packed in cans! The next morning we aborted our hike and hiked 2 hours back downhill to a water supply it took us 8 hours to hike uphill from. Quote
+delphic Posted November 29, 2008 Posted November 29, 2008 Summer sausage is a classic item in my food bag for lunches. I usually split a log with one other person and eat through it in a few days. I have never had a problem...nor have I ever heard of other folks having problems. Another option (and to add variety):Tuna Packets! Tuna packets are simply one of the most revolutionary food items to happen to backpacking. A small packet is good for one person and a large is good for two when it's lunch time. No can to drain and carry. The empty foil pouch can be rolled up and takes up very little space in the garbage zippy. If you go for Tuna make sure you do have enough water to swallow it! Last Sept. Criminal and I did a hike. We underestimated the time it would take to get to a water resupply point and my 2 liter bladder developed a leak. We were forced to make camp without water for our dehydrated dinners on a steep hillside. I decided to eat the tuna in a foil packet because it would help give me energy the next morning. I was barely able to swallow the tuna, it was so dry and I had very little saliva. Tuna in a foil packet has much less water and moisture than the kind packed in cans! The next morning we aborted our hike and hiked 2 hours back downhill to a water supply it took us 8 hours to hike uphill from. Of course tuna needs water...its a fish dammit! Quote
+jimmyreno Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 "I am planning a four-day rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon for next spring." IF THE TEMP DOESN'T GO OVER 75º YOU CAN KEEP IT FOR A WEEK, I USE IT ON MANY TRIPS. BUT.................. NEVER TAKE IT TO A NATIONAL PARK, THE BLACK BEARS LOVE IT MORE THAN YOU. AND YOU'LL HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THEM. AFTER THEY EAT THE SAUSAGE THEY'LL EAT EVERY THING ELSE YOU HAVE. OUTSIDE THE NP's THE HUNTERS PICK OFF SCAVENGER BEARS EVERY HUNTING SEASON, SO HIKERS ARE SAFE. KIPPERED SALMON IS ANOTHER NICE FOOD WITH THIS PROBLEM. Quote
+jimmyreno Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 "I am planning a four-day rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon for next spring." IF THE TEMP DOESN'T GO OVER 75º YOU CAN KEEP IT FOR A WEEK, I USE IT ON MANY TRIPS. BUT.................. NEVER TAKE IT TO A NATIONAL PARK, THE BLACK BEARS LOVE IT MORE THAN YOU. AND YOU'LL HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THEM. AFTER THEY EAT THE SAUSAGE THEY'LL EAT EVERY THING ELSE YOU HAVE. OUTSIDE THE NP's THE HUNTERS PICK OFF SCAVENGER BEARS EVERY HUNTING SEASON, SO HIKERS ARE SAFE. KIPPERED SALMON IS ANOTHER NICE FOOD WITH THIS PROBLEM. Quote
+dlgps Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Another option (and to add variety):Tuna Packets! Tuna packets are simply one of the most revolutionary food items to happen to backpacking. A small packet is good for one person and a large is good for two when it's lunch time. No can to drain and carry. The empty foil pouch can be rolled up and takes up very little space in the garbage zippy. And don't forget the delicious pork meat in a foil packet called Spam Singles. It is very moist and smells delicious when browned in a pan over heat. It can also be used fresh out of the package in sandwiches or on crackers. I'm not sure how widely distributed it is, but we have it here in Minnesota in grocery stores. DLGPS Faribault MN Quote
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