Dunno about Ned, but I also went stove-less and preferred it.
I carried powdered milk and cereal. The cereal doubled as snack and meal, I would mix the powdered milk, water and some cereal in a screw top nalgene cup (8oz). Worked well but the cup needed a good rinse afterwards.
Also ate lots of energy bars.
No gas concerns. No pot, no stove, no preparation. Cleaning up was much easier. There are enough chances to get a hot meal as you pass through or near towns.
I started with an extra tarp and sent it home at Neels. You will take breaks in shelters or under trees.
I did, however, find use for my hammock tarp on several occasions–saw a storm blowing in each time, rigged up the tarp in time to hunker down till it blew over. One of those times was in VA, and it hailed like mad…I wsa safe beneath my tarp.
So, for find something that can double as your rest break cover–your tent fly, hammock tarp, groundsheet, etc.
And on the BB…find ways to minimize the need. I over-used mine, simply because I could. Didn’t really need to as I look back at it.
Jason