Can you take bacon on long backpacking trails?
July 7th, 2008
pippinstar asked:
I know on the oregon trail emigrants packed bacon in barells of bran to keep the fat from melting. They could travel with bacon FOREVER like preserved and cured hams. Today, bacon from the store says it has a shelf life IN THE REFRIGERATOR of about a week. Some people say if you cook the bacon at home before you go it will store for several days in a plastic bag.
I know on the oregon trail emigrants packed bacon in barells of bran to keep the fat from melting. They could travel with bacon FOREVER like preserved and cured hams. Today, bacon from the store says it has a shelf life IN THE REFRIGERATOR of about a week. Some people say if you cook the bacon at home before you go it will store for several days in a plastic bag.
Is there something so different about the preparation of modern bacon? I want to take it with me on a really long backpacking trip but I don’t want a sack of rotten meat.
BAD IDEA!!!
The smell of bacon seems to attract bears like nothing else. Even after you’ve eaten it, the smell will be in your clothes and on you. The grease will be on your equipment, and get onto your pack. I can’t think of anything worse to bring on the trail, unless it’s maybe a yappy dog.
Old days they cured bacon, different process than the modern day store bought stuff.
The answer about a bear attractant is true, but if you really want to do this go to a meat market, not the grocery store,
Buy a slab of un-slicced bacon, and tell them you want it cured.
Not sure you have this available to you, lucky for me I do in my town.
If not, get some cheese cloth, and salt. Rub the bacon slab coating it heavy with salt, wrap it up with cheese cloth that is wet and salt covered as well. hang in a celler, or shed and Let dry, leave for 3 weeks, and you’ll have cured bacon.
good luck keeping the bears away
I always take the pre-cooked bacon available at most stores.. not quite the same.. but works well with pastuerized eggs …