On the road 'Tube Feeder'??

[KirkFord]

G'day all,

A tip, I suppose if no one has used these before.

Years ago I used to go backpacking around the mountains here for days at a time, and I used the film canisters from 35mm film as a way of keeping some of the niceties of life with me on the trek. EG: peanut butter, vegemite (horrible stuff to most non aussies), jam, oil, butter, pills, potions and lotions etc. I worked to a menu and specific amounts of relevant foodstuffs that I would have with me, and cram the required amount of 'goodies' into the canisters. It is surprising how much you can get into one tube. A bit like a miniature grease gun cartridge. Naturally you have to write the content on them but I found that stuff remained fresh OK for a few days without many issues.

If you pack them in the middle of something, clothes as an example or where they can get some insulation from direct sunlight and heat the contents keep for a while. Butter/marg tends to melt a bit but lasts for a couple of days, or more depending on temperatures. They are light, compact and surprisingly carry a good amount of stuff if you cram it in AND adhere to the amounts you have allowed yourself.

They are getting harder to find but 35mm film is still around and some photography outlets, that also deal in developing film, have them by the bucket to get rid of (just have to track them down).

I'm about to head off on a week long trek and will use them again.

Hope that helps someone...Cheers
Greg O

PS: give them a good clean before you stuff anything in them AND try to get the black canisters as they keep light away from the contents. UV can be a good thing but it causes mould to grow.