7 day trek

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on June 19, 2012 at 6:42am

I too have been perplexed by this one until I discovered banana powder online. I figured I could make it with some experimenting, and sure enough it has come out. Basically I dehydrate sliced bananas until there is no moisture. Then freeze them (so they are harder). After they are frozen toss them in the food processor or high powered blender and process till a powder form. I did this with bananas, strawberries, and spinach. I plan to bring a 32 oz container with and make liquid/smoothie type concoctions. Here's the breakdown of my four day Grand Canyon Trip coming up next week. I can let you know how the food worked out, as this is the first time I will be trying it in the back country.

Tues-

-Breakfast in the car-Melon (1000c)

-Lunch on trail-1lbs of dates (1200c)

-Dinner at camp- 1cup of spinach powder (150c)

-Snacks-4 cups of bananas (2800c)

-Total=5150c

Wed-

-Breakfast at camp-2 Cups of bananas (1400c)

-Lunch on the trail- 1lbs of dates (1200c)

-Dinner at camp-1 cup of spinach powder (150c)

-Snack-1 Cup of strawberries (350c) + 2 cups of bananas (1400c)

-Total=4500c

Thurs-

-Breakfast at camp-2 cups of bananas (1400c)

-Lunch on the trail- 1lbs of dates (1200c)

-Dinner at the camp-1 cup of spinach powder (150c)

-Snacks-1 cup of strawberries (350c) + 2 cups of bananas (1400c)

-Total=4500c

Friday-

-Breakfast at camp-2 cups of bananas (1400c)

-Lunch on the trail-1lbs of dates (1200c)

-Dinner in the car-Watermelon Large (1300c)

-Snacks-2 cups of bananas (1400c)

-Total=5300c

*5000 calories a day

*Dried bananas= 715c per cup=7 bananas (wet)

*Dried strawberries=350c per cup = 2.4lbs (wet)

*Dried Spinach=150c per cup=2 bunches (wet)

Dry Totals So Far-

*Dried Strawberries=5 cups=1750c

*Dried Bananas= 3.5 cups=2500c

*Dried Spinach=3.5 cups=500c

Need Before Trip-

*Dried Strawberries=1750c=DONE

*Dried Bananas=11200c=12.5cups or 100 bananas

*Dried Spinach=Goals-500c=DONE

I am also bringing sun dried tomatoes to munch on.

Permalink Reply by Wrecking Doll on June 19, 2012 at 7:44am

SWEET! thanks so much! I've got some time so I'll do some experimenting in the meantime but do let me know how your trip goes. Have a great trip! I've only seen the canyon from above but I'd love to hike it sometime.

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on June 19, 2012 at 8:27am

Well we do have an open spot! Or you can always wait till next year, we aim to do Havasupai 3.0 next year and we have been talking about a week long trek through the canyon on a less populated route but that is in the very early stages. Oh and my roommate and I have been kicking around the idea of a Rim to Rim to Rim in sub 24 hours, if your interested.

Permalink Reply by Wrecking Doll on June 19, 2012 at 8:50am

Hmmmm, though very tempting I live in Newfoundland which is like a gazillion miles away, okay it's only 4000miles away which is still a bit of a hike

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on June 30, 2012 at 3:11pm

Ok just got back from the trip. It was amazing, as expected. But the fueling didn't pan out as planned.

For some reason the powdered bananas became hard as rocks (they were in ziplock bags, 2 cups each). I had to place the rock hard powder in a container of water and let it sit for most of the day so it would liquefy. This worked ok in this situation, but won't work for most my trips.

The spinach powder tasted terrible and I was unable to swallow it. My GF liked the spinach powder though, so it may be a personal preference.

The strawberries turned out great. The taste was good, the powder stayed powder like, and I will be using this again.

I am now trying to think of some alternative food sources for backpacking, as I was not satisfied with my solution thus far. Any ideas? I am considering switching to cooked carbs during backpacking trips, but would rather find another solution.

Permalink Reply by Escapist on July 2, 2012 at 3:34am

"My GF liked the spinach powder though, so it may be a personal preference."

until it got warm, then it reminded me of baby food *barf* but it wasn't that bad before. Might have been better to use 15 lbs of baby spinach instead of the bulk stuff might taste better but not cost efficient i don't think.

the dehydrated tomoatos were spot though, must haves!

Permalink Reply by Wrecking Doll on July 8, 2012 at 2:51am

Thanks you two for the trip/food update :)

Permalink Reply by Nathan H. on June 19, 2012 at 8:42am

Cool, I'm going on a weeklong trek on a chunk of the appalachian trail next month. So far all I've gathered is raw nuts and other raw trail mix type stuff (Raisins and coconut to name a few). I'm planning on dehydrating a bunch of fruits so I'm glad to have learned about the powder idea (Thanks!) I was also thinking about bringing some normal fruits if my pack isn't too heavy (just to get my body going in the morning probably), I'm not sure yet but I think they should keep for a week.

Permalink Reply by Wrecking Doll on June 19, 2012 at 8:52am

some will definitely keep for a week, apples, oranges, dates, grapefruit. I'm just gonna see how heavy my pack is and then add as much fresh stuff as I can I guess

Permalink Reply by Danielle on June 23, 2012 at 11:39am

The Boutenkos hiked the Pacific Crest Trail raw and wrote about it in their book Raw Family. :)

Permalink Reply by Wrecking Doll on July 8, 2012 at 2:50am

I'll have to check it out, thanks!

Permalink Reply by Radical Raw on September 24, 2012 at 3:52pm

I'm planning on doing the PCT next year.  I better get that book!!!!!