There’s something special about the first hot breakfast after a night in the backcountry. Maybe it’s the chill in the air or the sound of a distant loon calling across the lake. Either way, for me, few things beat waking up early, firing up a lightweight stove, and flipping golden banana pancakes as the sun climbs over the ridgeline.
On a recent 3-day solo recon mission for a kayak-to-hike route I’ll be guiding later this season, I brought along the SnowPeak GigaPower Stove and the Trek 900 Titanium Cookset, and decided to break up the usual instant oats monotony with something a bit more celebratory: pancakes. Specifically, banana pancakes—easy to prep, fast to cook, and a crowd-pleaser whether you’re solo or feeding a small group.
The Gear
SnowPeak GigaPower Stove
Let’s start with the heart of the cook system. The GigaPower stove is absurdly light (under 4 oz), fits in the palm of your hand, and lights reliably—even in cool, early-spring alpine temps. I’ve used this stove in damp coastal conditions and breezy high ridges, and it performs far better than its size might suggest. The flame control is precise enough to go from a roaring boil to a gentle simmer—an essential feature when cooking pancakes instead of boiling water.
Setup takes seconds: screw it onto your fuel canister, flick the built-in piezo igniter, and you’re cooking. That simplicity and dependability? That’s why this stove has a permanent spot in my cook kit.
Trek 900 Titanium Pan
Titanium cookware sometimes gets a bad rap for hot spots and uneven heating, but the Trek 900 proves that thoughtful design goes a long way. While the pot is primarily designed for boiling water or making simple one-pot meals, the lid doubles as a shallow fry pan, and that’s what I used for this breakfast.
After a little preheating, I dropped in a bit of clarified butter and poured in the banana batter. The pan held heat surprisingly well and released the pancakes cleanly with just a touch of oil. Sure, it’s not a nonstick skillet from your home kitchen—but with a bit of technique and the right heat, it’s more than up to the task.
The Meal
Banana pancakes in the backcountry don’t need to be fancy. Mash up one banana, crack in an egg, and stir in a scoop of flour or pancake mix from your bag. That’s it. Optional upgrades? A splash of maple syrup or a dusting of cinnamon, both of which I stash in micro bottles.
Cooking them on the GigaPower + Trek 900 combo was a breeze. I layered the finished flapjacks with a bit of peanut butter and wrapped them in foil to stay warm while I brewed up coffee. Best breakfast I’ve had on trail all spring—and my reward for a damp, foggy night of tent-bound weather.
Final Verdict
Both the GigaPower Stove and Trek 900 Titanium Pan earn a spot in my pack not just for their ultralight specs but for their functionality in real cooking. Not just “boil water, add powder” meals—real food. They’re minimalist tools, but with the right know-how, they unlock a lot more than freeze-dried fare.
If you’re a backpacker, paddler, or general lover of outdoor living who wants to upgrade your trail meals without adding bulk, this setup is a no-brainer. And if you’re interested in learning how to elevate your own backcountry cooking—whether on a kayak expedition, backpacking trip, or your next WFR recert—I offer custom clinics where I teach trail-chef techniques that’ll make your group jealous and your belly happy.
Reach out through Liquid Rhythm Kayaking or catch me on the water this season. I’ll be the one flipping pancakes while everyone else eats bars.
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Stay wild, stay fed.
– Jeff Fabiszewski
Wilderness First Responder | ACA Open Water Kayak Instructor | Backcountry Cooking Educator
Liquid Rhythm Adventures' Journal 