Words, Photos, and Video by Jeff Wohl
*FILE UNDER: "Why Wouldn't Ya?" Our good friend and longtime NOLS Instructor and Andrew Skurka guide, Jeff Wohl, shares this crowd pleaser for those times when the crowd is small, hungry, and in the middle of nowhere.
My parents got me started with backpacking in the early 80s. I had a Kelty frame pack that would fit my still slight five year-old physique. The pack was adjustable so it could grow with me. We used a white gas Svea stove, a North Face four-person dome tent, and a three-pound synthetic sleeping bag. I have no doubt that my parents' packs were quite heavy since I likely was not caring my full share of that weight. My gear has changed a lot since then, my go to set-up being an UltaMid 1, a 40-Degree Quilt, and a Trail Designs alcohol stove. But one of my Dad‘s favorite trail snacks still makes my packing list.
Trail popcorn! Every time I make it either clients or friends are surprised. I often pull it out and make a pot of popcorn on the summit of a high pass, or on a peak, or just as a rainy day trail snack in my tent.
It’s so much fun! It packs so small yet poofs up big, and cooking oil is quite calorie dense. But even more than that, it makes me happy.
Making popcorn is actually easy to do:
Cover the bottom of your pot in an 8th to 1/4 inch of your favorite oil. (I mostly use olive oil because it’s so versatile in the backcountry.)
Sprinkle enough kernels to cover the bottom.
Put the lid on and heat over the stove, shaking until all the joyous popping sounds stop or just a bit longer. I even like it a little burned and smoky.
Add butter, nutritional yeast, and salt for calories and flavor.
Wow your friends the next time you try it!
Or just post a photo.
Jeff Wohl grew up in Wyoming and has been backpacking since he was five. He has taught for NOLS since the late '90s, leading trips with teenagers to astronauts. He also guides for Andrew Skurka Adventures. He loves getting out on personal trips with Nikki, his partner, and their many rescue dogs.
