More often than not, I go on my backpacking trips alone. Over several years of solo backpacking and trying different cook systems and set-ups, I’ve dialed in my gear list to my ideal solo backpacking camp kitchen.

In this guide I share my minimal and lightweight solo camp kitchen gear list, tips for leave no trace, and backpacking meal suggestions.

Gear Guide:

• Camp Stove: JetBoil Stash Cook System
• Fuel: JetBoil Fuel Canister 3.5oz
• Utensil: Sea to Summit: Frontier Ultralight Spoon – Long Handle
• Cup: Sea to Summit: Frontier Collapsible Cup
• Bowl: Sea to Summit: Frontier Collapsible Bowl (you can skip this one to save a little weight and just eat right out of the JetBoil pot)
• Water Filter: CNOC: Water Blatter w/ Sawyer Squeeze Filter
• Water Storage: CNOC: ThruBottle
• Food Storage:
  • In Bear Territory: Bear Vault BV450 Jaunt
  • Everywhere Else: Hilltop Packs: Food Bag Ultralight DYNEEMA Bear Bag
    • Use code: BEESWILDLIFE for 10% off

Tips for Leave No Trace:

1. Cleaning your dishes in the backcountry: When it comes to cleaning your pot after cooking a meal, there are a few methods you can use, it’s most important to follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. If you are having a dehydrated backpacking meal you can just add the water directly to the pouch which means no cleanup is necessary. You can also put any other trash in the bag and seal it closed.If you are cooking the meal directly in the cook pot or using a bowl to eat out of,
2. Trash: Rather than stuffing your trash into random pockets, or letting it float around your food bag/bear can, having a Ziploc bag (one that seals closed) is a good idea. When you have one place to keep your trash, its easier to get rid of when passing a garbage can. If you bring a dehydrated backpacking meal you can use the pouch to keep your trash without having to pack an extra plastic bag.

Meal ideas:

1. Buffalo Mac 🌶️
   1. Boxed Mac n’ Cheese
   2. Packet of hot sauce
2. Spicy Peanut Noodles 🍜
   1. Ramen Noodles
   2. Packet of peanut butter
   3. Packet of hot sauce
3. Chili Mac 🌮
   1. Boxed Mac n’ Cheese
   2. Beef-less Crumbles (Plant Boss makes a taco flavored one)
   3. OR bacon’ bits (made from TVP)
4. Side dishes 🍚
   1. Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides: Spanish Rice, Taco Rice, Rice Medley, Marinara Pasta
   2. Near East Sides: Couscous, Rice Pilaf

Would you like me to share more of my favorite easy solo backpacking meals and recipes? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and happy trails!