How I choose my Gear- Building a Cook Kit 

Hi, I used to camp alone. I am 70 years young. You are an inspiration to me. Contemplating starting back up to camp again. Thank you 👍

Please share a video on your homemade dehydrated meals. Thanks.

Cookie sheet is a great idea for a wind screen!

Thank you Wendy. Yes please share with us those 2 topics. You are a gentle soul. i am 74, obese and trying like mad to get in better physical shape. I want to go hammock camping. I camped as a girl scout and loved it. God bless you dear lady@

A simple way to keep the canister fuel warm is to stick a hand warmer with an adhesive backing to the concave bottom. Works like a charm. (Or stick a regular hand warmer packet on with a bit of tape.)

It's wonderful to see a woman of my own age range successfully getting out in nature and sharing her skills and wisdom. Always been a city girl but I and a friend plan to get out and enjoy the plentiful bush areas where we live in Port Alberni. We are mature widows who treasure our comforts but also need the serenity that comes from being in nature. Thank you for sharing.

I use the Trangia alcohol stove. I like it because it’s so quiet. It may take a little longer to boil but whose in a hurry. Love your videos.

This was great!! Nice set up! Like someone else commented - some of your recipes would be appreciated Thanks!!

Gosh Wendy, your videos are so beautifully composed and edited. I'd love to hear about the clothes/hiking boots, especially some of the quick drying hiking pants. Your favorite jackets per season. More than a few videos? You are so fabulous, thank you for great information! Carry on!

Thnx Wendy I'm kinda old school, l use a usgi canteen cup & stove which will burn twigs or l can use an alcohol stove. I'll 65 on my next b-day & hope to get out even more. ✌️🖖🇨🇦

Good info. If I may... Coleman makes Extreme Gas for cold temps down to -27C. I also use foldable stand for the gas canister. Very useful, particularly after I lost a couple of my meals when stove flipped on uneven ground. I used titanium pots before, but now switched to regular aluminum pots from hardware store - weight is the same, heat distribution feels better, cost less than 30% of titanium. Nowadays I actually prefer 600 ml camping aluminum kettle of the same weight. Easier to use than pot. Finally I like to use food thermos 500ml to cook dehydrated meals, pasta, noodles, oatmeal and such. Saves a lot of gas and keeps food hot. Be well.

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you!

Great information!! Thank you! I especially like the insulated pouch for the baggie. So smart!

I was hoping you’d make videos like this!! Yes, I’m interested in your other camp gear, especially the sleep setup. :) Have a great day Wendy! 🌲💚

This was a wonderful video. Very helpful information and suggestions. The future videos you’re planning sound good too. I’m really enjoying your channel!

Very nice and interesting video ❤️ 👍 I subscribed sometimes ago, but watched many video the past week Your channel is relaxing and interesting

I recently got the GSI Glacier camp stove; it's simple and inexpensive. Also have an MSR Windpro, which connects to the isobutane fuel canister with a hose. It's been a great stove, but it doesn't sit solidly. I just got a Pinnacle Dualist pot. Haven't used it outdoors yet (just tested it at home), and I love it. I agree about using just a bowel. I have a UCO dish which is a bowel with a flat bottom. It's great. I have the same skillet you have. For car camping, I'm not as concerned about the lightest weight; however, I do care about keeping things simple and fairly compact. so I favor backpacking gear. That's a great windscreen idea. I will probably try that. Thanks for the video. I love camping and camping gear. I just spent a long time investigating, trying, and finally settling on a new tent. (No one makes exactly what I'd like.)

Hey Wendy...you are sooo cool. you are an inspiration for me and I can really say: ham a fan of you. I send you really warm regeards from Vienna/Austria/Europe.....Tanja

Wonderful video. I will watch the others you have planned too. Thank you!

I would love to hear more about your gear picks! I’m heading up your way soon for a little backpacking adventure in Garibaldi. I’d love to know what your favorite cold weather gear is :)

Thank you so much for the tip on the windscreen! I've been eyeing an aluminum casserole dish gathering dust in my kitchen, and now it has new life, haha!

Great video! Would love to know how you make your dehydrated meals. Do you cook the pasta then dehydrate it,,,,

Really enjoy your videos. I’d love to hear about your sleep system.

Thanks so much - lots of useful information! Looking forward to the shelter and sleep system videos!

Love the videos you've already done, continue! Also love van tours, camp cooking.

This was so helpful! I'd love more videos about your gear or some recipes/food ideas for bringing along on the camping trips! :)

Hi Wendy, thanks for the video. I like the ideas for the wind screen and foil pack warmer. I'll be trying these out. Very inexpensive and light. Love what you are doing!

I’d love to hear more about your gear! I liked your idea of folding the cookie sheet for a wind screen, and I’m planning to give that a try. I’m in my 50s and getting back into camping (solo car camping) after 27 years. I’ve been enjoying your videos as I’ve been dipping my toes in and learning how to do this again. Thank you!

A campfire is my first choice, but you've given so many good options!

Your cook kits are so similar to my own. I have the Solo,Stove Lite and the Titan, both for Bio fuels and with alcohol burners. For Canister stoves I use the Optimus HE Weekender cook set, like the Pocket Rocket it folds very small. Your windscreen... I used a hold punch and placed 3 holes at the bottom ( 1 hole near each end and 1 in the center). Take 3 small stainless steel tent pegs and secure it down with them. No more windswept windscreen during wind gusts! For rain day cooking nothing beats the Trangia 25T or 27T full-on Stormcooker Cook Sets for use with alcohol or gas burners... a great option for Kayaking. I always carry 2 different cook stove types if one grows legs or fails to be suitable for the current weather conditions I have my backup reserve at my reach.

Hi Wendy. A nice and informative video. It got me to thinking about which stove to look for. Since I won't be using a canoe, and if I hike just a little, I'll definitely look into a smaller one than I was considering. I love your little pot with a lid but I might want one with a knob so it would be easier for me to lift off. Ill look for a small spatula that folds. I like your cup with a closeable lid. I love a nice wood fire and I sometimes collect wood that I wish to use on a project so it is very dry. I would vote yes on your 2 other ideas for videos. Thanks from Central Oklahoma

Excellent video, and I've always been a believer that simplicity is best. Your ideas are spot on, and good for anyone watching who may see an array of 'must haves' at the local sporting goods store. Well done! Looking forward to the next one. 🌲🌲

im here for more! yes please

This is all great information and much appreciated. Love your homemade wind shelter and cozy!

Wendy, Thank You so much for sharing your tips and Yes Please to sharing more videos like this. My bf and I are looking into maybe doing a small hike on the Appalachian Trail and these tips are very helpful even for a couple of overnights. Your experience and knowledge is very valuable

Yes, please more videos of 🏕 equipment.thank you for sharing

Enjoy your videos, it was great to see how you chose your gear! Love the ingenious creativity for a windscreen and warming pouch for rehydrating/keeping food warm. It’d be great to see more similar videos, including lessons learned (i.e., trial and error stuff). I think the years of experience give you expertise. Safe travels!

Very helpful especially using the tin foil.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this video Wendy!!!! So many dead brilliant ideas on here that both my husband and I never even thought of and are thrilled with!!! Just up recovering from a multi day pain spike again but looking forward to getting back out there and this gives me an excuse to do a little shopping too!!!!! Sending you a gentle hug dear lady, as always you are such an inspiration!!!🏕😍🚣‍♀👍

👍👍👍 .. Great Advice 😊. MSR Whisperlite is a very good Stove ..35 years 👍. I have an Optimus 8R 'Hunter' White Gas Stove which I purchased new in the early 80's and which I still use regularly. +40 years and going strong 😊. Another 'old timer' accompanying it, is my 'Camping Gaz Bluet 206' Gas Cooker. This, I bought in the mid-70's and have never felt the need to 'upgrade' to more modern Burners. Yes, the Gas Cartridges are non-movable until empty but then, as a 'Boomer' (YOB 1950), we grew up not letting 'minor inconveniences' get to us 😏. And .. I can still get the '206' Gas Cartridges at my local Grocery Store and cheaper per gram gas than the more modern 'screw on / off Cartridges. Wood / White Gas / Gas / Alcohol-Based Liquid and Gel Burners (store-bought and home-made) form part of my collection and I love and use them all .. each has it's time and place. A good share .. thanks. I'm sure that many will benefit from this post and others. Take care ..

You're Amazing! Such an inspiration!. Great video! I learned some new tricks. Yes, I would love more videos like this please.

Wendy, you never disappoint! This was a great video, maybe because I have so many of the same items. You have such great information for women who might not know where to start. I have that first stove that I purchased many years ago. You keep doing what your doing. We love it!

Yes please Wendy. More on camping gear videos. I got a couple of good homemade suggestions out of that video. Will put them to use after i make them up. Less is best as they say and you kitchen certainly is very compact. Look forward to the next one. 🏕🏕

I've just started solo camping at 61 and this was a very informative video. I love the cookie sheet wind screen & will be doing that!

Oh, we've all made mistakes. Thank goodness. We continually tweak our camp gear. We're off soon to take three grandchildren camping for a weekend. Should be lively!!

Hi Wendy, thank you for this informative video! I’m refining my cook kit and loved your suggestions, especially the wind shield and insulated bag for rehydrating. I mostly car camp using Optimus white gas stoves. After an unfortunate incident that ended with spilling the eggs that I’d cooked perfectly in the lid of my pot, I’m looking into a frying pan. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you!

Very nice video . Well Done Thank you very much . Single mom camping with 10 year old boy . Both differently abled. Wanted all the tips possible for a fun safe trip

very interesting and informative video. Have used various bits of kit over the years but as you say, there's so much to choose from these days that making the right choice can be a challenge. I'm a big fan of Trangia cook systems but love the gear produced by Firebox Stove and am starting to build quite of collection of their gear. The Firebox Nano is my current favourite to use together with their new Boxpot for cooking in. Formidable combination, very compact, versatile and easy to fit in my pack. ATVB from sunny Malaysia. New subscriber to your channel btw

Thank you for some very clever tips❤You are an inspiration!

What a wonderful channel! I just caught your episode about disappointing weather but you made the best of it anyway. Excellent! I saw your dry meal that you rehydrate. Can you do a video on some ideas and how to's? What was in your meal bag besides pasta? Wendy, you are such an inspiration to me. I watched your video on loading a canoe and wowza!! I'm 73 and I recently sold my 2 kayaks because I just couldn't figure out how to load and unload it on my SUV roof. I'm thinking about getting another kayak to try out. I'm really excited again to try! And all because of you! ❤

Hi Wendy. LOVE your channel. I wondered if you might share your advice on any apps that you use to help find great solo camping spots. :)

Very nice cook kit! Like you I have tried different stoves and different fuel and my favorite always seems to lead me too the fuel canister. For camping, hiking, or car travel day trips I always pack a small cook kit. I do often bring the smaller size canister fuel. For me everything revoles around weight and size. I must go as small as possible on gear. I am 59 now and my back is not great, and has never been the best really. I like the flexibility to be able to make a hot drink or a little meal anytime. So I have the Toaks 750ml with bail. A small collapsible bowl, just the Walmart brand. The tiny BRS stove probably half the size of MSR. I have a small wind screen and a small titatium grill top. (Big enough to cook one burger). Some allumin foil. Like you, a small container of olive oil. I pack a small container of butter flakes and some spice mixes i just put in small medication size zip locks. One for teas, one for food. I too pack a Salt and pepper tiny two side travel container, the size of detail floss. Some Dove dish soap in a repurposed eyedrop container. I little square of Scotchbright I cut out to scrub my pan. One mini Bic. One tin of LiveFire brand fire starter. And I keep this in my daypack with a titanium fold up spork also by Toaks, and with that a little fold up serated knife by Victorinox made for food. Love that knife. I store it all in a food cozy and the brand escapes me, but sadly they don't make them anymore anyway. What is unique about it is... it has a piece of material on each side you can slip your hand in. Makes it so easy to hold and eat your dehydrated meals. Occasionally, in cooler temps I bring my MSR Titanium kettle and I really love using a kettle. My canister fuel fits well in that too, it's just not as compact as a pot yet will do everything a pot does. It's nice for when I am boiling water to make several hot drinks, like teas or dehyrated soup to warm up at a camp site for a several day trip. The lid stays on well. I do have a titatium plate and pan which looks like a similar to the fryin pan you have. I switched out my plastic cooking utencils and replaced with small folding stainless, a China brand, for a spatula, a proper soup spoon, a straining spoon and tongs I use often caming when we bring fresh foods. I love a good homemade beef stew or hearty chicken soup especially in the autumn. I prefer fresh food over the dehydrated meals if I can. Sometimes we bring little Cornish game hens and those come out so yummy.

Thanks, Wendy. I have done very little tiny bits of camping. Mostly, I'm learning how to van camp, and spend extended times in my van. A lot of the info you share helps with what I'm learning. Plus, you inspire me to think of other things that would be fun to do in the great outdoors. yes, sleep system would be especially interesting to me.

Thank you, Wendy, this is a great video! I like hearing about your upcoming projects, my camp kitchen looks a lot like yours. I cook on a butane stove or over a campfire. Lots of fun 🩷

Very helpful. I'm looking forward to the sleeping and shelter videos. My tent is too heavy, and I think my sleeping bag is also.💚

Great video! I would be interested in your sleep system. I have been solo car camping because I like winter camping in SC, but would like to do some kayak camping. Some canoe or kayak friendly options for cooler weather would be appreciated.

Thank you for the informational video, I'm a fan from the Philippines

When solo camping, I bring a small stove with a line that can hook up to a small propane or butane bottle, and a collapsible twig stove as a backup. When I camp with my husband, we bring a 2-burner Coleman stove. He likes to cook more complex meals when camping, not to mention gourmet coffee. 😂. Either way, we have managed to keep our largest kitchen kit confined to a 1’ square milk crate. Our favorite cooking surface is either a cast iron or carbon steel skillet, a pot large enough for a typical can of food, and a Stanley pot (the one that comes with 2 cups). We ended up getting collapsible dog bowls rather than standard bowls.

Great video. I've used everything, also, over the years, and my main comment would be to consider a base plate for the fuel canister - the pocket rocket makes a tall stove, relative to width, and when you put a full pot on top of that, it is quite a potential spill hazard. I think Coleman sold them for their propane canisters, and maybe others sell them now, also. I'm in my 70's as well, and so appreciate your wonderful photography and editing, along with the adventures themselves. Thanks so much!

Hi, love your videos. I van RV with my two pups, traveling to visit family and friends. Please keep on, you're an inspiration!

Thanks Wendy, I appreciate your thoughtfulness in what you present. I just watched one of your videos yesterday (afraid to camp alone) and you mentioned your emergency beacon that you said you use with your phone. Can you share why you chose that? Also, I didn’t understand what you said was in your bottle that looks like an eye dropper❤ Thanks

Do you carry a satellite ready phone or Garmin when canoeing and backpacking for emergencies? And can you track Watch Duty app when offline with alerts for wildfires in camping areas?

I hope you continue to share your tips with us .!

Wendy, I'd love to see any more of those videos! I do have some of those collapsible bowls (and cups) and think you'd love one and prob would carry it even backpacking as they are so light and pack down so much better. Also, in my opinion, an expert is someone who has done a lot of it, so I'd say you are one. (LOL, even experts can still be learning.)

I loved this and would absolutely enjoy the other videos you mentioned. I am hoping to start backpacking in a year, when I retire and am working towards that so that information would be very handy. I used to backpack with friends and with my children when they were younger and then life got in the way. I have continued camping. But I love the solitude of being out far from other people and am looking forward to being able to do that again. I loved the cozy and the wind breaker, so clever. Can you reuse the cannisters? Otherwise, I have an issue with that for myself. I lean towards the alcohol stove and fuel, but it makes sense to have a couple of options for whatever the purpose. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Nice video, Wendy. Thanks for all the great tips! 🏕️💕

Hi Wendy, I seem to have had the same trajectory and came to similar conclusions. I had the whisperlite stove which I used quite a bit, but lost it in the nineties, in northern Ontario. I presently have a light Bushbuddy wood stove of very similar design, a 1L titanium Bushbuddy pot (sounds like its just what you're looking for, as it has a bail) that the stove fits in, and an alcohol stove that fits in the Bushbuddy stove, and a light isobutane stove.

thanks dear lady for sharing your great ideas ... take good care and enjoy your summer as I head into winter in Perth Australia. Thankfully it really isn't too bad, never ever snow !!!!

Love all this info! Could you please share the artist name of your gorgeous painting behind you? I ❤ it!!!

save the lint from dryer for fire starter...also would like your ideas on bug repellent..something non toxic of course!!

Awesome. Tutorial on making that windscreen from the pan?

I'd be interested in any suggestions for equipment that you could share. I had a question, but by the time I finished the video, I forgot what I wanted to ask. LOL

Nice video. Thanks for sharing. 👍87

Another great video and I appreciate the way you approach your gear purchases. I disperse camp and get there via my canoe or truck so weight is not an issue. I’ve used a Kelly Kettle for several years and absolutely love it. It heats with twigs, and I can have my morning coffee in about 5 mins with lots of extra hot water left over for washing, cleaning, whatever. It comes with a complete mess kit that all tucks back inside the kettle, and then back into its bag. I’d love to see your menu plans, how you pack your food, what you dehydrate, and what kind of cooler you use. You always seem to eat quite well! Thanks Wendy- I just love your channel!

This was so helpful. I love how compact everything is.

I love your videos. You give excellent advice and perspectives that are realistic. I follow many backpackers that I enjoy but most of their advice is out of range for me for many reasons. I truly believe you are inspiring many others to get outdoors. I am currently on a 5 week solo camping road trip and people like you help encourage me.

Perfect video, I have the same pocket rocket stove but that's as far as I got..lol..this is a great help for me completing my new set up , I currently camp with a coleman stove but its big and although i dont backpack i want to use the smaller setup instead.., look forward to the other videos in this series. Thx

Nice informative videos', Love the wee storage bags you made as well as wind break and your tips for what gear to take ive started cutting back as well depending if anyone is going with me or if it is car camp or backcountry . many useful tips. I appreciate all you do to help folks with camping info through videos , be it fear of going solo, to what gear you find useful and meals you cook.

new subscriber here , have to say I'm hooked on your videos ..i'm pushing 70 and thought i was over the hill to be able to camp or do anything outdoors ..you proved me wrong. Thank you for a great channel

Another great video Wendy. Trial, error and experimenting. Your cooking system is the same as I pack on my motorcycle. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences. You're right, not everything has to come from retail camping stores.

The windscreen, from my experience you are correct. Bought one years ago when I didn't know any better and have been using the ones i made ever since. You can tailor them to your exact need. The only item I use that is different enough from yours to be worth mentioning is a large Wildo Foldacup. Large enough to be used as a cup or bowl, compact, durable and light though maybe not big enough if you are cooking something more elaborate. The Wildo stuff is generally good but the Large cup is the item that gets the most use.

Great video, I have no suggestions, since you have perfected a system, I intend to use your system, thank you.

i love my little MSR rocket, but honestly i just purchased a small alcohol stove and i prefer it mostly because its so quiet! this was a great video, i love seeing what people recommend for cook systems because there are so many different options. I would love to see the other two videos too! and i think "expert" is a silly term. i think if you are successful at hiking and camping and are safe and have fun, thats all that matters.

Great video! I’ve been trying to get back into camping. Learning from others shortens the learning curve

I too love the art behind you in this video. Just wondering how you manage clean up after cooking/eating?

I get wonderful ideas from your videos. I find them very informative and practical. Thanks for sharing!

Just a FYI if your using a liquid fuel stove like the whisperer lite, use methyl hydrate to preheat. Small squeeze bottle and it burns clean and leaves your stove clean verse the white gas preheat that burns dirty. The preheat is what makes white gas stoves interesting to start.

Thank you for your help and information. It was very informative on Cook stove.

Thanks so much Wendy. As usual I always find so many new and good ideas just by watching your videos. Looking forward for the next one

Interesting video Wendy with some good sharing & tips - almost makes me tempted, but think I will stay sharing your adventures from the comfort of my home, and remember of those days when I could participate in such activities. Keep sharing your adventures and 'living life fully!'

My biggest fear are bears

Great video. I would like to see more on your dehydrated meals. Food intolerance I can't eat over the counter ones. Thanks.

What do you use for toilet methods and staying clean, How to clean your clothes? Washing face and hands other parts?

Hi Wendy, I enjoyed this video and would be very interested in seeing one on sleep systems especially for us campers with older bones.

Keep the video's coming Wendy you are an inspiration !!

I have two Coleman two burner camp stoves I recommend a propane converter. Cabela's or any other outdoor stores sell them.

Get it girl! Such an inspiration! So informative and perfect set up! Love the painting hanging on your wall!

Very helpful 🇩🇰

Love your videos.How do you film when you are walking away from somewhere?

How do you store your food overnight to prevent critters from helping themselves.