How to brew the perfect cup of joe on the trail

By Peter Flax, BACKPACKER Features Editor

Today is going to be beautiful. I awaken to warbling and the cheery glow of sunlight streaming through nylon walls. I lie in my bag, imagining the sweetness that awaits: the miles of empty trail, the triumph of switchbacks tamed, the bracing dip in an alpine lake, the hearty Asian dinner and starry dessert. It's going to be epic.

Of course, if I don't get coffee in the next 15 minutes, all those warblers and switchbacks and even that glorious Pad Thai can go screw themselves. Without a rousing cup of java, there's no point in unzipping my bag.

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