Trail-Tested Heat: Wildfire Spice Co Hits the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025

If you’ve ever found yourself halfway through a freeze-dried meal on trail and thought “this could really use some flavor…” — we’ve got you.

Wildfire Spice Co was born out of a love for bold flavor and wild places. Our powdered hot sauce is designed for backpackers, thru-hikers, and backcountry adventurers who want serious flavor without mess & weight. This year, we’re thrilled to share that our spice blends are getting their ultimate field test on the Pacific Crest Trail—thanks to two incredible adventurers.

Meet the Thru-Hikers: Laura & Josh

Laura Flocchini (@thewanderingzucchini) is currently thru-hiking the entire 2,650-mile PCT. She’s new to the world of hot sauce and was hesitant at first, not being a huge fan of overwhelming heat. But after trying our milder blend, Cayenne Canyon, she’s hooked. It’s become her go-to seasoning for trail meals, and she’s been stretching one single packet for three weeks!

“I’m not usually a hot sauce person, but Cayenne Canyon is just perfect. It makes my homemade dehydrated meals taste so much better—especially after a long day on trail.” – Laura

Meanwhile, Josh Reports (@Josh_Reports), a Bend-based influencer and outdoor gear junkie, is supporting Laura on her journey and joining for sections of the trail. Josh loves heat—so naturally, his favorite is our bolder blend, Summit Smolder. It brings more punch to every meal.

“I like my food fiery—even in the backcountry. Summit Smolder doesn’t just add heat, it adds depth. It’s like trail magic in a pouch.” – Josh

Hot Sauce for Backpacking—Why It Works

Backpackers don’t want to carry heavier bottles or deal with sticky leaks in their pack. That’s where Wildfire Spice Co shines:

• Lightweight & Leak-Free: No more lugging bottles or worrying about exploded packets in your pack. (Seriously, you don't want hot sauce on your toothbrush)

• Powdered & Shelf-Stable: Designed to survive everything from desert heat to alpine cold. Ready wherever you need it.

• TSA-Approved: The only sauce TSA won't take away. We've tested it - it'll pass every pre-flight check and you won't have to stock up on hot sauce when you arrive. (Book the flight...)

• Go Further & Save Space: One pouch is equal to an entire bottle of hot sauce.

  
  

Field-Tested on the PCT

Laura and Josh aren’t just casual users—they’re putting Wildfire Spice through the paces on one of the longest and most iconic thru-hikes in the world. From Southern California’s dry heat to snowy Sierra crossings. Follow their journey on Youtube by watching here.

They’ve been using Wildfire Spice on everything: cheesy pasta, rice bowls, trail chili, breakfast scrambles—that pizza they packed in from town.

Ready to Add Some Heat to Your Hike?

Whether you're prepping for a thru-hike, planning a weekend in the woods, or just want to level up your trail food game, Wildfire Spice is here to help. Choose from:

🌶 Cayenne Canyon – Mild, savory, and beginner-friendly🔥 Summit Smolder – Bold, spicy, with a perfect, long burn and savory depth to keep you wanting more.

Both are trail-tested, ultralight, and 100% backpacker-approved.

👉 Shop Now – Your Backpacking Meals Will Thank You

Looking for the best hot sauce for backpacking? Need flavor that fits in your pack? Want trail food that doesn’t taste like cardboard? You’re in the right place. Welcome to Wildfire Spice Co. 🔥