The Minneapolis/St. Paul Backpackers Meetup Group

We will also make pocket cozies for cooking these meals in the field.

We'll break up into small groups, each group making several of the meals for everyone. Each group will have a lead chef giving direction.

By default, each attendee will take home one of each meal (10 total) plus a cozy. If you would like to customize your meal count (more of some meals or less of others), reach out to Craig M through meetup messages at least one week prior to the event.

TIME
Show up a little before 1:00pm. It's OK if you can't make it till later. We'll probably finish by 3:30pm then head to a local restaurant to socialize.

COST
We charge ingredient cost only, $3.50/meal. For default 10 meals the total is $35/person. Pay Craig M at the event with Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, cash, or check. I need to purchase ingredients in advance based on attendee count, so please do not reserve a spot unless you plan to attend.

RECIPES
We will make recipes from Skurka Adventures who host backpacking trips across the US. These are their top 10 customer rated and trail tested recipes. All of these recipes are available online.

Breakfasts

• Cheesy Potatoes
• Quickstart cereal
• Southwest egg burrito
• Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
• Fruit & Cream Porridge

Dinners

• Beans & Rice with Fritos & Cheese
• Peanut noodles
• Polenta & Peppers
• Coconut cashew curry
• Pesto noodles

We will assemble and package dry ingredients plus a desiccant packet into quart-size BPA-free zip-lock freezer bags, intended for freezer bag cozy cooking on the trail. Or you can cook these in your pot if you prefer. Some ingredients will be packaged individually inside their own ziplock. A few perishable ingredients are not provided (olive oil, butter, tortilla, real cheese) so you will need to purchase on your own.

We'll label each bag with cooking instructions.

WHAT TO BRING
Kitchen scales are helpful and we could use a few extra. Please comment if you can bring one. We will supply everything else.

FOOD SAFETY AND LONGEVITY
Meals with perishable ingredients should be kept in your freezer until use.

### By signing up for this event, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release the Minneapolis/St Paul Backpacking Meetup group, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####

• Flyer with Schedule / Activities / FAQ
• Map to event
• Presentation Notes

DATES

• Weekend of May 16-18
• Come for a few hours or camp the whole weekend

EVENT DESCRIPTION
This is a grass-roots community event for anyone passionate about backpacking. All experience levels welcome. Show off your favorite gear and techniques, and ask others about theirs. Talk about past and future trips, local and global, training spots and bucket-list hikes. Ask lots of questions. Make future backpacking plans and friends.

As always, please reach out early if you have ideas for activities or want to present this year (backpacking trip reviews, techniques, gear, etc.).
LOCATION (Same as 2022-2024)

• Three Rivers Baker Park Reserve in the Twin Cities West Metro
• Katrina 1&2 Group Campsites
• Gated access (code: tba) just 1/2 mile from Jct of I-394/US-12 and CR 6 in Maple Plain, MN
• Park along gravel road leading to Katrina camps. Do not drive on the grass, we are liable for turf repairs.

EVENT CONTACTS

• Directions and Parking: Hilary 612-236-5949, Joe 651-699-6075
• General info: Craig 612-440-7523

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / ACTIVITIES
NOTE: Presentation order will be determined by attendee survey sent out before the event -- highest requested shown first.
New for 2024

• Backpacking bear safety (MN DNR)
• Hammock camping
• Ultralight vs standard backpacking gear comparison
• Wilderness First Aid class overview
• Giving Back: Empower Minneapolis Youth in the BWCA
• Trail mishap & recovery stories (group sharing)
• Trail clearing the BRT
• Backpacking trip reviews for Brooks Range Alaska, Cayambe Ecuador, Kilimanjaro, Isle Royale, Hut-to-hut in the Presidentials NH, and The Liechtenstein Trail

Returning

• Backpacking gear camp walk, show off your favorite items
• MacGyver techniques and emergency repair
• SHT trip planning
• Gear shakedowns Sunday morning (1x1 feedback on your gear)
• Gear swap Sunday morning (bring gear to sell/donate)
• Good MN/WI/MI weekend trips
• Metro parks for overnight shakedowns
• Fire building
• Knot tying, ropes and boots
• Park hikes grouped by pace

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

• Your own backpacking gear: tent, sleep system, cook kit, food, headlamp.
• Your own meals: we will have food samples during lunch Saturday but not enough to fill you.
• Some backpackers slept cold at previous events. Be sure to bring a pad/mattress to insulate you from the cold ground.
• Your own camp chair/cushion for group discussions and bonfires.
• Hammockers welcome, there are many suitable trees
• Park hammock rules: 12" minimum tree diameter, protective layer between tree and strap, no stacking, stay on edge of campsite
• OPTIONAL: If you prepare your own trail food, bring samples to share and discuss.

SITE AMENITIES
Katrina 1&2 are large mowed-grass campsites surrounded by forest with:

• faucet for drinking water
• two-stall outhouse
• large bonfire pit + firewood
• at least 20 picnic tables
• large roofed open-sided shelter with picnic tables & power outlets we will use for group meals, discussions, and presentations

GEAR SWAP SUNDAY MORNING
Buy/Sell/Swap/Donate your used backpacking gear.

EVENT RULES

• $10/person fee to cover the campsite cost. Pay me when you arrive with Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, check or cash.
• Attendance limited to 100 people and 40 cars
• Park quiet hours 10:00 pm – 7:00 am
• Adults only (18+)
• No pets, No illegal substances
• Beer/wine allowed in moderation

DISCLAIMER
### By signing up for this event, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release the Minneapolis/St Paul Backpacking Meetup group, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####