When you get to a point in your hiker's hike where everything seems to be clicking, it's great. They're enjoying the hike, not having a lot of issues (there's always some!), feeling good, and booking miles. This is really what you're working for, right?
But it's also at this point where boredom might become an issue. From the hiker's perspective, they might be getting tired of certain meals or snacks. Or maybe some snacks don't hold up so well in shipping, weather conditions, getting crammed into a bear bag, etc.
It's pretty easy to fall into a standard resupply checklist that can become repetitive without a little extra effort to mix it up a bit!
And there's a little bit of delay in communication since the boxes are generally shipped before you have a chance to get some feedback from your hiker. So we just try to do the best we can along the way.
The last feedback I got from Jamie on these matters included some gems.
"I'm done with the FitCrunch bars for now."
"Don't need the pink drink."
"The Slim Jim Shortboi's can't take the heat."
"Let's take the Breakfast Bowls out and add back a couple peanut butter tortillas."
That last one kind of burned a little, since it was my own recipe and I even tried it myself! I thought they were great.
"They're really good, but they mess with my bathroom schedule."
Oh. Well, it's not a news flash that he's driven by his biological needs! I get it. The trail is no place for issues with the bathroom schedule.
So, when I get over the hurt (just kidding!) my first thought is that we need to figure out how to replace those calories.
This is really a tricky issue. We have already been running a little light on calories. The goal is roughly 3,000/day. But those calories equal weight and volume in a backpack, so Jamie is always looking for small, calorically dense foods. I would also layer on a "lower sugar" element when possible, but I have to be honest, there are times when I thought I might just throw in some Snickers Bars! Luckily, the summer heat and their tendency to melt saved him from this terrible fate!
When I told Jamie about the growing calorie deficit (yes, I literally calculate the calories per day of each resupply), his response was concise.
"Fritos."
Okay, that's fine. Fritos are the King of Chips. Three ingredients. Salty, fatty goodness. If only they weren't fried in canola! (Why, American food manufacturers? Why?!?)
Now I'm on a mission to get some new snacks in the rotation!
So, here is where I ask YOU for some help!
Comment below your suggestions for good, calorically dense snacks to add to the mix!
Because if there's one thing that's obvious from the state of my dining room table, WE NEED MORE SNACKS!
Dried mango and Jerry. Mixed nuts with dried berries.
seasame seeds?
Seasame sticks!