Author: Michael Rohani

Four-Season Tents 2023 Update

Post author By Michael Rohani
Post date January 6, 2023
14 Comments on Four-Season Tents 2023 Update

If you have been looking around for a four-season tent, you have probably already discovered that the best lightweight versions, such as the MSR Advance Pro 2 costs around $800 and the Big Sky Chinook 1 cost around $600. The Chinook 1 is really the only light solo 4-season tent available on the US market that has a double-wall construction to mitigate condensation. However, there is a way to get the Leipen Air Raiz (Air Rise) tent from Japan, which is the most affordable double-wall 4-season tent.

4-season tents on a frozen alpine lake. Photo courtesy of Nancy Yu.

The Leipen Air Raiz 1

I have long maintained that the 4-season tent most ideally suited for backpacking in PNW winter conditions is the Snow Peak Lago 1, once made by Snow Peak and originally designed for mountain climbers. The good news is that there are other companies in Japan making a similar tent, one of which, the Leipen Air Raiz 1, that can be shipped to the USA.

Tags four-season tents, Leipen Air Raiz 1, Tents, Winter Backpacking Gear

Creamy Mushroom Pasta easy-to-make backpacking recipes Plant-based backpacking meals Recipes for Winter Backpacking

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

A creamy sauce with savory mushrooms and pasta is perfect after a hard hike. This dish has the added virtues of being simple and easy to make. This recipe will work well mild winter conditions (above freezing).

Tags cashew cream sauce, easy-to-make backpacking recipes, pasta, Plant-based backpacking recipes, Recipes for Winter Backpacking

Baked tofu Doubanjiang Doubanjiang Chili Ramen Plant-based backpacking meals Ramen noodles Recipes for Winter Backpacking Shimeji Mushrooms vegan backpacking recipes

Doubanjiang Chili Ramen

Doubanjiang is a super delicious spicy bean sauce made with chilies and fermented bean paste. It is more salty and umami in flavor than Gochujang. This Ramen broth will be satisfying with or without the optional ingredients of veggie stock and Kombu. This recipe will work well in the winter conditions we typically encounter on our coldest trips (0–15ºF).

Tags Baked tofu, Doubanjiang, Doubanjiang Chili Ramen, Ramen noodles, Shimeji Mushrooms

easy-to-make backpacking recipes Plant-based backpacking meals Recipes for Winter Backpacking vegan backpacking recipes

Spicy Tahini Noodles

This is similar to Pad Thai but has a peanut tasting sauce instead of Tamarine. You can use Tofu or peanuts for protein. Sometimes I use both. Works best in temperatures above 20ºF.

Tags Plant-based backpacking recipes, Winter backpacking recipes

easy-to-make backpacking recipes Garlic Chili noodles recipe Plant-based backpacking meals

Garlic Chili Noodles

This is one of my favorite quick meals. More challenging to make with a small 1 liter pot than a Ramen or Phö, but sometimes you just want a savory noodle dish and this one will not disappoint. The Korean chili powder gives it a smokey flavor. Best in temperatures above 40ºF.

Tags Korean chili, Noodle recipes, Plant-based backpacking recipes, Winter backpacking recipes

cheese quesadillas easy-to-make backpacking recipes Recipes for Winter Backpacking

Pepper Jack Quesadillas

One of my favorite backpacking foods is cheese quesadillas. They are good for breakfast, lunch or dinner and snacks in between. Most every hiker will want them as soon as they smell them cooking. I expect the only reason I have never seen anyone else making them is that most hikers are using super-weight saving and efficient cooking systems that simply can’t handle anything as large as a street taco.

Tags cheese quesadillas for backpacking, tortillas, vegetarian cheese, Winter backpacking recipes

easy-to-make backpacking recipes Plant-based backpacking meals Recipes for Winter Backpacking Simple Ramen vegan backpacking recipes

Super Simple Ramen

Ramen is a popular backpacking choice, but usually in ready-made and prepackaged forms. Here I’m going to share a very simple way to create your own fresh Ramen. This recipe will work well in deep cold winter conditions (0–15ºF).

Tags easy-to-make backpacking recipes, Plant-based backpacking recipes, Simple Ramen, Vegan Backpacking recipes, Winter backpacking recipes

Homemade Muesli Plant-based backpacking meals Recipes for Winter Backpacking

Make Your Own Muesli

Granola is common in America, but in Europe, Muesli is the popular choice. It takes many forms depending on the country and usually contains no added sugar. The Swiss and UK versions may contain mostly oat flakes, wheat flakes, barley flakes, mixed dried fruit, such as sultanas or raisins, and chopped Hazelnuts and/or Almonds. Some will include whey powder (cows’ milk).

Tags Homemade Muesli, Recipes for Winter Backpacking

Plant-based backpacking meals Recipes for Winter Backpacking Winter Backpacking food

Tortilla & Tofu Scramble

Packing eggs can be tricky. One solution is substituting some crumbled tofu with turmeric and then go next-level with chili power or sauce.

Tags Plant-based backpacking recipes, Winter backpacking recipes

Plant-based backpacking meals Recipes for Winter Backpacking Winter Backpacking food

Oatmeal and Dried Fruit

Typically, I eat oatmeal most winter days and muesli most summer days. At home I’ll eat rolled oats and when backpacking I’ll switch to quick oats or instant oats. My own preference is plain oats with raisins as a sweetener.

Tags Winter backpacking food, Winter backpacking recipes