Trail Birthdays. How do you celebrate?

Once upon a time, a friend of mine was going to have to temporarily quit backpacking so that she could go to grad school. So, we had a group backpacking trip for about eight of us, and I brought the treats.

We backpacked in, and people could not tell that I had a big lump in my pack. That was a whole angelfood cake (very lightweight) in a box. Upon arrival in camp, I had somebody distract her so that I could spread icing on the cake in her favorite color. Then on top the icing read "Happy School Days." While all that was being prepared, I had a bottle of Champagne, and it was stuck into a summer snowdrift to chill.

As soon as we finished dinner, the treats came out.

You could probably scale this down to a two-person deal. There are some very small bottles of Champagne.

–B.G.–

Not sure how regularly over-the-top chivalrous you are, but coffee in bed is nice (unless that's what you always do…then keep that up I guess). Hot towel or wash bowl can be made up nicely, perhaps with some local scents infused (pine, etc) for a "spa" time.

If you have a choice of destination, you've probably given some thought to a good view or swimming hole.

For dessert, could you bounce-box something to that resupply like brownies?

Bring a lightweight game she likes to play and in which she can usually beat you. My wife gets frustrated by me being "good at things," so if I want her to have fun we switch over to card games involving arithmetic (cribbage or gin) or or speed (slap or rat screw). If there's a book or magazine she might want to read, or crosswords or other things she likes to do but normally doesn't bring along, bring those.

Most importantly, make sure it doesn't rain. ;) Good luck.

Does your wife drink alcohol?

how soon?

As far as cakes are concerned I once brought the ingredients for a Tiramisu into the woods. This was a common boxed mix, very light weight. Some protection was needed to prevent the crushing of the lady fingers. It worked well as I recall but did take some time.

Here are pictures of a cake (or brownie, too long ago, I don't remember) that my companion cooked on the coals of a wood fire.

Yes, 79 years old.

One other thing we would do is to take a well-known song, change the words to celebrate the location we were in and group-sing the tune to the birthday boy.

My experience with birthdays on the trail is with long distance hikers. What seems ideal there is to wait for the next trail town and chip in to buy them a pizza (a large, just for the birthday boy or girl alone …).

Extrapolating that to more normal world circumstances, perhaps something lightweight that's nevertheless a real treat on the trail, coupled with a more complete celebration after the trip?

One other possibility is to make PackitGourmet's lava cakes. Not too hard to make and yummy. Does require steam baking, though.

"How does everyone in the lightweight or ultralight backpacking world celebrate birthdays while on the trail? I'd love some more ideas."

Watch a beautiful sunset, find a suitably comfortable and secluded spot, and make love. About as UL as it gets. And as meaningful.

For us, the birthday present IS the backpacking trip. I will also dry bake her a brownie.

after topping out on Zodiac (El Cap) pulled out a Cliff Bar, stuck a single birthday candle in it, lit the candle, ate the cliff bar (after removing candle).
completed celebration with a great night atop El Cap gazing at stars.

On my last trail birthday, my friends packed in several mini-bottles of tequila. A mini-bottle or two of cognac might go well with the cupcakes… and few women have said "no thanks" to a foot massage from their s.o. (or any massage, for that matter).

It'll be a great birthday!

This is awesome, you guys, thanks!

Okay, we're resupplying today and her birthday is tomorrow, so no time to bounce anything but I had a pretty good selection so here's what I've come up with thanks to a bunch of input. First, it's going to rain (pretty good suggestion to make sure that doesn't happen, but apparently I failed). No big deal. Sunset should be awesome and the tarp will keep us dry. I'm packing out a pair of cupcakes and some sparkler candles. I also found a 5 pack of birthday balloons that have little LED lights in them that are supposedly good for 12+ hours. So I figure I can do a couple of those in the tent for a couple of nights and bonus…multi use as they save headlamp batteries! I'm also packing a 1L platy of red wine since that's her favorite (tequila is probably a better ultralight solution and everclear is multi use, but the girl likes wine). But the winning suggestion? Spa day! Holy s&%t what a great idea. I've got a cuben bowl that we use as a camp sink. Picked up a few bath salts and I can make use of some local plants (we'll see what I can find, maybe even some aromatic flowers). Warm water is about the only think we're prepared to cook, so spa day is totally possible. You guys are the best!

Oh, and for those who mentioned it, this trip kind of IS her birthday and Mother's Day present (what she asked for!) so she's not expecting anything at all while on the trail. I can't wait. Thanks guys!

Angel food cake with chocolate pudding would be awesome.