Fall Backpacking Overnight Cookoff (Beginners Welcome)

This October Blaze has its second overnight Gourmet Cook-OFF at Lake Skenonto in Harriman State Park.

If you'd like to join us, please get on the waitlist and the organizer will reach out. Note that everyone gets waitlisted automatically until we have a chance to touch base and discuss logistics and such. Once plans get more solid, people get moved over to “going”.

This is an overnight backpacking trip where the challenge is to cook an elevated dish (relative speaking for the backcountry) and hike in the supplies. There’s no minimum criteria (except maybe no dehydrated meals) so don’t be daunted, but also see if you can strut your culinary prowess in a fun new way! Ideally make one main dish and a side to share with 2 – 3 people.

Past examples included orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage, blue cheese steak, and tequila lime tofu tacos.

The plan is to drive out to trailhead Saturday morning, which is near the Tuxedo train station. Ideally we’ll have enough seats in cars for all, but if not anyone can catch a NJ transit train from Penn Station to Tuxedo where we’ll all meet up. Both the train ride and the drive are about 1h15m.

There’s a farmer’s market open on Saturday from 9 AM - 2 PM right at the Train Station, so there’ll be a brief excursion to seek out some fresh ingredients for those meals or pick up some lunch. Then it’s a ~10 min. walk to the trailhead. (https://www.facebook.com/tuxedofarmersmarket/about_details) It’s about a 3 mile trek in, which can be as hard or easy as you want it to be depending on how much of the kitchen sink you bring. The elevation gain is a modest 500 feet.

Once we’re lakeside we can set up camp, lounge a bit, and maybe venture a swim? Weather is currently projected with a high of 73 and a low of 52. Then we roll up our sleeves and get to some creative cookery, dish sampling, and satisfied fireside chit chat for the evening.

The following day I’m projecting a mimosa toast to kick things off, and then a 4.5 mile hike out with a swing past Dater Mountain to bag a peak. Then we descend back to the Tuxedo train station and likely grab some lunch in town.

You should have basic backpacking gear, and reach out to the organizer for tips and questions. Be sure to bring a suitable sleeping bag, tent, and pack to port in all your delectables. You should be relatively fit and be able to carry 30-40 pounds of weight up and down mountains. Also the weather very well may be colder than projected so pack accordingly. There will be a logistical spreadsheet to coordinate rides from the city. Beginners are welcome to join. We are happy to work with you to ensure you have the right backpacking equipment.

Let’s have fun and enjoy some good cooking out in the woods!

(Brief but notable shoutout to Blaze member Keith for inspiring this trip series. Note that nobody technically wins the competition, except that we all win with happy bellies. Gastrointestinal distress that results in foul odor may cause ejection from tent.)

Lastly, if you RSVP and attend this event, please understand that you assume all risks and responsibilities. BLAZE NYC is not liable for any injuries, accidents and personal damages that occur during the event.