Drink: Coffee on a Norwegian mountaintop; how I make coffee while hiking

As an avid enthusiast of the great outdoors, I easily forgo a myriad of daily trivial luxuries. When embarking on multi-day hikes in Norway, I carry only the absolute essentials. However, the one luxury I never relinquish is coffee. I just NEED my coffee while hiking.

I love making open fire to cook my water

I always bring a small ziplock bag of coffee that I grind at home before setting off. In the morning, I prefer to kindle an open fire to boil my coffee water. However, if it’s rainy or the midst of summer, I resort to using my Primus stove. Being somewhat of a romantic (and a bit of a traditionalist), an open fire brings me the greatest satisfaction. Allow me to share my favourite coffee options for when I crawl out of my sleeping bag in the morning. Anyway, here are my three recommendations:

Finalpress

This tiny device weighs next to nothing, yet allows me to brew a delightful cup of fresh coffee in the morning. At home, I always use a percolator and freshly ground Arabica beans for my coffee. The Finalpress comes closest in terms of experience and taste, giving me a sense of home even when I’m perched on a chilly mountaintop. As I mentioned, it’s small, sturdy, inexpensive, and easy to carry.

The Finalpress

Stanley The Camp Pour Over Set

If I have a bit more space in my backpack, I bring my Stanley Pour Over Set set, although this is a rare occurrence. I usually only pack it for day hikes. This product is more suited for use alongside a kettle in your workshop or garage, preventing you from having to enter the house with dirty hands. Nonetheless, it has become a trusty companion on tours. Using my Primus stove, I boil some water sourced from a stream and swiftly pour it over my ground coffee beans. Moreover, Stanley products are renowned for their durability, lasting a century, so why not bring it along?

Wacaco Nanopresso

My father-in-law is a gadget aficionado, so it was no surprise when he gifted me a Wacaco espresso machine last year. I must admit, it produces a marvellous and robust espresso. Perhaps it’s my age and generation, but I am adamant about not creating more waste than I already do. This device requires Nespresso or similar capsules, which I find a step too far, especially on a mountaintop. All that waste needs to be carried back down the mountain and disposed of properly. Therefore, while the coffee is excellent, it feels somewhat superfluous to me.