Grub Menu for 2019

Two Week (14 day) Grub Menu for 2019


For one trip, I can typically take enough grub for three months.
All grocery supplies are off-the-shelf items.

I drink hot water alone with supper, and cold or hot water for other meals.  Water is sterilized by boiling for one minute or by a filtration system. The latter removes bacteria and parasites (but not viruses, so is technically not sterilized).


Breakfast - 7 days:
scotch mint
Premier Protein™ bar 72g (30g protein)
seed mixture 1/4c (hemp hulled, chia, buckwheat toasted, pumpkin hulled roasted salted)
peanut butter smooth 1tbsp
vitamins

Breakfast - 4 days:
scotch mint
1/2 hot cinnamon bannock (See below.)
grated Parmesan cheese 1/4c
real bacon crumbled 1/4c
vitamins

Breakfast - 3 days:
scotch mint
1/2 hot cinnamon bannock
seed mixture 1/4c
peanut butter smooth 1tbsp
vitamins


Lunch - 7 days:
scotch mint
1/4 cold cinnamon bannock
almonds roasted salted 1/4c
Mini Babybel™ cheese 20g (stores well in its wax cover unrefrigerated if wrapped to protect from damage)
Premier Protein™ bar 72g
gum

Lunch - 7 days:
scotch mint
1/4 cold cinnamon bannock
almonds roasted salted 1/4c
Mini Babybel™ cheese 20g
gum

Plus for Lunch - 3 days:
granola bar Nature Valley™ Sweet & Sour 35g


Supper - daily:
scotch mint
white chocolate square 42g (Even though I pre-tested, after I tried eating it for a few meals with no success, ended up burning my supply )
fresh salad 3c (fireweed, or alder or birch leaves/catkins)
    (with sugar 1tbsp, lemon pepper seasoning 1tsp, grated Parmesan cheese 1/4c)
fresh fruit if available 1c
    (lingonberries, bunchberries, blueberries, red currants, raspberries, highbush cranberries, cloudberries, rose hips, Saskatoon berries, pin cherries, crowberries, bilberries)

Supper - 10 days:
macaroni and real cheese 2c (Kraft™ Deluxe Four Cheese or Original Cheddar 400g)
OR both of the following
potato flakes 1c, or bulgur, whole wheat couscous or orzo 3/4c (plus nutritional yeast 1tbsp, chicken soup mix 1tbsp, and butter 2tbsp)
sardines 106g or canned meat 85g portion (corned beef or Holiday™ Luncheon)

Supper - 4 days:
stuffing mix 120g with butter 2tbsp, or oriental noodles 170g
PLUS one of the following
fish coated (cornmeal 1/8c, Montreal steak spice 1tbsp), fried in Crisco™ shortening (1/2lb saved and used over a period of two weeks)
OR
fish diced, boiled and added to the potato flakes (or to the noodles)
OR
small game (roasted over coals, or meat sliced and sautéed in shortening 1tbsp)


NOTE:
Starting in 2019, I have boosted the content of the cinnamon bannock so it is even more nutritious and filling, however it is not as tasty and may not be suitable for some people.  My wife Jeanette made me test bake it at home before switching to whole wheat flour; she did not like the new recipe.  Previous recipes back through 2013 each have fewer ingredients and lower concentrations of some items so the older the recipe the tastier, and more like bakery food.  My intent is to reduce the instances of being hungry enough to eat a jackass stuffed with firecrackers.

I will no longer take currant bannock so that meal preparation will be easier and faster, especially in inclement weather.

Cinnamon bannock:
3c premixed before the trip (whole wheat flour 1c, Purity® cornmeal 1/4c, quick rolled oats 1/4c, whole wheat couscous 1/4c, skim milk powder 1/4c, dark toasted wheat germ 2tbsp, white wheat bran 2tbsp, baking powder 2tsp, salt 1/2tsp, sugar 1tsp, Crisco™ shortening 6tbsp)
The dough is split into two layers, between which is added raisins 1/4c, cinnamon 1tbsp, brown sugar 1/4c, butter 3oz (3/8c).  A large tart is formed and then baked in Dutch oven.

Salads Through the Seasons

The following shows how fresh salads, picked to accompany supper each evening, track the seasons from spring through summer.  A word of caution is to avoid collecting on or directly next to animal trails or under bird roosts, where vegetation may be contaminated with fecal parasites.

June 8

Birch leaves, spruce tree buds and Labrador tea flowers.

June 13

Fireweed shoots.

June 17

Fireweed shoots and rose petals.

June 24

Fireweed leaves and "green" red currants.

June 28

 Fireweed leaves, dock flowers/green seeds, a few mint tops and alumroot flowers.

 July 10

Red currants and fireweed leaves.

July 11

Fireweed leaves/flowers and Saskatoon berries.

July 14

Fireweed flowers/seed pods.

 July 19

Green and partially ripe lingonberries and a few blueberries.

July 19

Lingonberries, a few blueberries and fireweed leaves.

July 21

Ripe and partially ripe Saskatoon berries and a few raspberries and green gooseberries.

 July 26

Pine mushrooms whole, diced and seasoned/fried.

July 26

Blueberries and green/partially ripe lingonberries.

July 28

Golden rod flowers, fireweed leaves, red currants, raspberries and a few mint flowers.

July 29

Northern comandra berries.

July 30

Green dock seeds, fireweed flowers/seed pods and a few raspberries.

 August 1

Raspberries.

August 2

Raspberries, pin cherries, fireweed leaves/flowers.

August 4

Partially ripe lingonberries.

August 5

Bunchberries and blueberries.

August 6

Blueberries.

For the period of August and September, I continue to harvest fresh salad for supper, most commonly lingonberries and fireweed.

East Central and Central Saskatchewan 2018 Overview

I start my 2018 canoeing season June 1, ending on September 21, travelling a total distance of 515 km over a period of 16 weeks. My first trip is from June 1 to July 26 in eastern Central Saskatchewan, extending into Manitoba, 302 km in and out on the same route, south of and into the Churchill River.  The second trip in the centre of Central Saskatchewan is 213 km south and north of the Churchill River, July 28 to September 21, also in and out over the same route.  Except for a short distance, both trips involve old portages, some of which need extensive clearing.  The first trip covers the route unable to be completed last year due to forest fire, and allows me to retrieve my "good" canoe in exchange for an old aluminum canoe.  The second trip was intended to be a circle route, but I reach an impasse in an area that had been extensively burned and do not have enough time to cut portages through the mass of down trees.

The shortest stay in camp is one day on only two occasions.  I prefer to camp at least two days in one spot as it is more restful after sometimes arduous travel.  The longest stay is eight days when stormbound, a near record length of time.  There are 39 campsites over the 16 week period, with only three rapids run, and 44 portages totalling 12,166 metres, with several strenuous ones.  This year there are very few forest fires in Saskatchewan, only one near me.  There is much rain and cool weather, and I am very thankful to use the canvas tent and wood stove many times.  It would have been miserable camping without the stove to provide warmth and to dry clothes.

The first trip has numerous rapids and falls providing excellent walleye fishing (36), only eight pike.  The second trip, with more flat water, produces two walleye and 54 pike.  In addition to fresh fish at least twice per week, all meals are supplemented with fresh salad or fresh fruit.

Interesting encounters: 

- awesome sunset, camps 2, 6 and 29

- magnificent waterfalls provide excellent walleye fishing, camps 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17

- sounds of migrating waterfowl, camp 4 Canada geese, camp 36 snow geese, sandhill cranes

- portage requiring extensive clearing, camp 5

- dragonfly hatches, camp 5

- ancient pictographs, camp 7 and 38

- very steep portage and deep river gorge, camps 9 and 13

- patching canoe with glue stick and duct tape after upsetting in rapids, camp 9

- rainbow, camp 11

- retrieving my Clipper canoe, camp 12

- close humorous encounter with a black bear, camp 13

- heavy rainstorm, camp 16

- abandoned cabin site, camp 17

- pelican and gull partners, camp 19

- sky mirrored in lake, camp 24

- gorgeous sunrise, camps 24, 26, 27, 31, 36

- woodland caribou with her calf, camp 33

- curious mink, camps 33 and 36

- ominous clouds, camp 34 and 36

- vole in canoe, camp 36

- Cree tribute of animal bones hanging in tree, camp 36

East Central Saskatchewan 2018 Camp 1 (Jun 3-5)

My first trip is from June 1 to July 26 in eastern Central Saskatchewan, extending into Manitoba, 302 km in and out on the same route, south of and into the Churchill River.

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Rainfall accompanies me on the drive to my launch point on June 3, and continues as I canoe three km to my first camp, where I have camped previously.  It has been a long day after arising at 3 am and driving for eight hours so I am glad to camp early.  A tarp protects my gear from the rain where I plan to set up the tent.

A second tarp covers other gear that will stay under a tarp shelter after it is erected.

Because I had to be flown out by float plane but leave my "good" Clipper canoe at the last campsite the previous year due to forest fire, I am using my 5 m (17') Grumman aluminum canoe which is 44 years old and has seen better days, having been patched where it leaked at the keel.  Hopefully it will not start taking on water during the one month trip to retrieve the other canoe.  More importantly, I hope the canoe I left on an island in Manitoba last September will still be there.  I would hate to have to canoe back out with the Grumman.

New this year, is a "65 Litre Harmony Waterproof Barrel", that dampens odours and is small-animal proof and bear-resistant.  It has a sturdy gasket in the lid which locks into place with a clamp.  To "lock" the clamp I insert a metal clip through it to hopefully make it more difficult for a bear to open the clamp.  Thanks to Steven for making the clip out of spring steel.  I have permanently removed the handles to eliminate a means of  grabbing by a bear.  I also remove the harness in camp for the same reason.  The "North Water Quick Haul Harness" is only required for carrying the barrel on portages.  A concern was that the barrel system would be heavier than the pack and waterproof bag previously used, but surprisingly the weights are the same.  I can already see that I will be purchasing two other barrels for transporting grub, one barrel holding a one month supply.  Another advantage of the barrel is that fragile gear is better protected.

Also new this year is a sturdy PVC waterproof "NRS 65L Bills Bag Dry Bag" pack for day-use and travel supplies.  For simplicity sake I refer to this bag as my "Rubber Pack".  I have tried various systems, including non-PVC bags, over the years that have never stood up to wear or remained waterproof.  (This pack proves to be quite robust and in great condition at the end of the season, exceeding my expectations.  Another advantage is that on portages, I am able to carry the pack on my back along with the canoe to help streamline the number of portage carries.)

The first currant bannocks being baked.

While eating breakfast, I am updating my journal.  Two gray jays visit while I sit near the fire.  They softly talk to each other while I update my journal.  I hear red-breasted nuthatches nearby and gulls overhead.  A flock of migrating tundra or trumpeter swans fly high overhead sounding their occasional deep "hronk" call.

The first spring flowers, bearberry (top) and lily-of-the-valley.

Because of the rain and cool 6℃ weather, I erect the canvas tent and wood stove.  It rains on and off for two days and all one day and night.  There are already a few lazy blackflies and mosquitoes active once the temperature reaches 10℃.  The warmth of the stove sure feels good, especially after I have my first very cold lake bath.

As I usually do, I test fire expired bear spray which generates 13 one-second spray bursts.  It is good to be comfortable and practise use of the spray so as to be prepared if ever needing to use.  I learn an important lesson after testing.  Some liquid spray runs down the canister and contaminates my fingers.  Even after rinsing my hands, there is residue that contaminates my lips when applying lip balm.  Thank goodness I did not transfer any spray to my eyes.

East Central Saskatchewan 2018 Camp 2 (Jun 6-7)

Grumman canoe packed to leave early morning June 6 at Camp 1.  I have not used this canoe for over 10 years and it will take some getting used to, both in packing and in handling in the water.  It definitely does not pack as well as my Clipper 5 m (17') Prospector canoe, the gear not sitting as low. The Grumman handles like a tank compared to the Clipper.  It takes me a lot longer to break camp than it will later when I get back in a routine.  I arise before 4 am when "Wilson" my alarm clock rings.  I prefer to rise early and stop early to have the next camp set up well before dark.

I start the season with a short haircut.

American white pelicans are encountered soon.  I continue to see many pelicans all season.  They look so awkward in the water, but soar gracefully and majestically aloft.  There are also many ducks, some mallards, but mostly common goldeneyes with the distinctive in-flight whistling sound made by their wings. 

The first portage, a short 100 metre carry bypassing small rapids and beaver dam.

I see my first beaver, bald eagle and chipmunk.

Soon after I stop for lunch, and do a stupid thing.  While walking to the canoe to leave, I am carrying too many loose items across boulders at shore and drop the compass in the lake.  Aie!  At first I think it has descended out of reach, but when the water clears I am just able to retrieve it at arm's limit, getting my shirt wet at the shoulder.  It stops on a boulder so I have to be careful not to push it off into deeper water.  Stupid, stupid!  Aie!  I now place such loose items into a mesh carry bag to help prevent such accidents.  A compass is absolutely necessary in many waters to properly orient canoe with topographical map to find the correct route.  I do carry a spare small compass, not nearly as effective as the larger Suunto one.

A male red-winged blackbird, already singing its heart out with the characteristic trill to recruit mates and establish a nesting area.

The second 100 metre portage bypasses another short rapid.

As I enter the next lake, the weather turns to rain and I start looking for a campsite.  I check two possible campsites but they are not suitable, even heading back to look at one spot.  It seems that this lake may have nothing very suitable, so I don raingear and head north again, stopping at two islands with no luck.

At the next 100 metre portage, I am greeted by a bald eagle in a tree overlooking the rapids and falls.  I walk to the far end hopefully finding a good campsite.  Yeah ... there is!  These photos are of the magnificent evening sunset casting a rosy hue to the clouds overlooking the outlet into the next lake.  The temperature has warmed to about 20℃ so I erect the nylon tent rather than the canvas one.  I have travelled 15 km, including three 100 metre portages.  All the portages are in good shape and do not require any clearing.

The next day, the skies have cleared and it is a beautiful sunny day.

I catch two nice walleye for supper, and catch and release two pike.  I only use barbless hooks which make it easier to safely release fish, and are just as effective as the barbed type.  There is no suitable place to fish from shore, so I canoe out into the lake and cast the lure near the falls and lower rapids.

In the 2016 season, the top section of my fishing rod had broken but the shorter rod still functioned well.  At the end of last year another section broke but I thought I had it mended well enough with (of course) duct tape.  On using it now, that section fails badly so I am down to the bottom three sections (which continue to perform admirably all season).

As usual, as soon as I catch a fish, a gull shows up looking for handouts.  It is amazing how they appear seemingly from nowhere.  However, I throw the guts of filleted fish out into deeper water where usually gulls cannot retrieve them.  I do not want to leave remnants on shore which may attract bears.

Pelicans are commonly found near rapids and falls.  In the bay below the falls there are several goldeneye ducks, and a beaver swims by camp several times during my stay, slapping his tail and diving to vent his displeasure at my presence.

Along the last portage, I gather enough dandelion leaves, flowers and stems for supper salad, a welcome addition after picking birch leaves at the previous camp.