Ingredients
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3 Heaped Tbsp Porridge Oats
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1 Tsp Sugar
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1 Tsp Dried Milk Powder
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1 Tsp Chia Seeds
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1 Tsp Mixed Seeds
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Pinch Salt
Directions
This protein-packed Wild Camping Porridge is the perfect breakfast for your next lightweight adventure.
Wild camping in the Mournes
We recently took a trip to the Mourne Mountains to walk the famous Mourne Wall. Construction on the Wall started more than 100 years ago and it was designed to enclose the catchment area of Silent Valley Reservoir which, to this day, serves Belfast with its fresh drinking water. The Wall spans 26 miles and includes 15 summits, 7 of the 10 highest in Ulster!
When wild camping, I have learned to pay close attention to where your tent is. Obviously look out for hollows which could become cold or flooded and windy spots. You should also consider where the sun will rise. Our original plan was to camp between Bernagh and Meelmore but the descent off Binnian and the climb of Slieve Muck took longer (read: were much harder) than we anticipated. The terrain was rough and unpathed for much of it and we ended up having to climb a fence. We made it to the saddle between Slieve Loughshannagh and Meelbeg and pitched camp here.
This turned out to be a blessing. When we did reach the west side of Bernagh the following morning. It was freezing! Even though the sun had been up for almost three hours, it hadn’t reached the shaded and very windy Pollaphuca. It’d have been baltic if we slept here! So lesson learned, consider where the sun will rise when you’re planning your wild campsite!
Luckily for us, we did manage to choose a great sheltered wild camping position with a beautiful sunrise to enjoy our Super Seedy Porridge!
Other Options
If you aren’t a massive fan of seeds, there are so many things you can top your porridge with without compromising on weight or flavour.
- Super Seedy Porridge – Mixed seeds and chia seeds.
- Apple crumble – An apple with survive easily in your pack for a day, chop into matchsticks and add a pinch of cinnamon.
- A handful of raisins is super easy, I like the ones soaked in different fruit juices.
- Chocolate chips and hazelnuts or peanuts
- Banana and honey – a small jar or sachet of honey won’t weigh much! You will have to look after that banana in your pack.
- Stir in a single serving packet of your favourite jam or marmalade.
- A sprinkling of walnuts drizzled with maple syrup.
Of course, simple plain porridge with be just as tasty on the mountains but most of these things are easily acquired. When the weather is nice and the sun is shining, it’s easy to get up and get going. When it freezing and lashing down, it’s harder to get motivated. Having a great breakfast to get up for is one of the best reasons to crawl out of your pit!
Steps
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1
Done
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Mix all of your ingredients together and put them into a ziplock bag. If you're using any wet ingredients like syrup or jam, keep them in their own small container. |
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2
Done
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At your wild campsite, hopefully during a lovely sunrise, bring a pot of water to the boil. Remember it'll boil much faster with a lid. Pour in about 200ml of boiling water, you can measure this out beforehand and mark it on the bag. But otherwise fill the bag about 1cm above the porridge or about twice as much water to oats. Seal it up. It doesn't need to be exactly right, it'll be thicker or runnier depending on how you get it. |
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3
Done
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Give it a good squidge about and let it sit for about 8-10 minutes. I stuffed mine into my boots, alternating between the two to take the morning chill out of the them... |
