011: Beware the Raccoons

In this episode, we’ll talk about common fears on the trail and how to deal with them. Then we’ll share some high calorie trail snacks from a specialty food store that has been nicknamed “The Backpackers 7-Eleven.” The SUMMIT™ Gear Review will review a trail luxury that will keep you pumped up (without caffeine!). Next, the Backpack Hack of the Week™ will show you a sweet and simple way to add fuel to your internal furnace.

Show Notes: Episode 011

Opening



* Common fears: wild animals, hypothermia, injury, etc

* Know how to deal with fears (knowledge is power)

* Don’t let fear ruin your trip

* Be prepared



Top 5 Trader Joe’s Snacks for Your Next BP Adventure

Roasted Plantain Chips



* 140 calories/oz

* Ingredients: plantains, sunflower oil, salt

* Product of Peru



Coconut Strips



* 146 calories /oz

* Ingredients: coconut, cane sugar, sulfur dioxide

* Product of Thailand



Coconut Cashews



* 160 calories/oz

* Appear to be cashews that have been coated in coconut powder

* Product of Thailand



Vegetable Root Chips



* 160 calories/oz

* Fascinating ingredient list: sweet potato, taro, batata, parsnip, beet juice, oil and salt

* Packaging claims that” these chips will transform any occasion” (and by that they mean backpacking trip) “into a gourmet snacking experience”

* Bulky packaging, unlike the other foods we got



Candied Pecan



* 190 calories/oz

* Ingredients: pecan, sugar, canola oil, salt



SUMMIT Gear Review™: SanDisk Clip Sport MP3 Player

Structure



* Plastic

* Color LCD Display

* Comes with ear buds



Utility



* Comes with a 4GB card (but can also be purchased with an 8GB)

* Lasts 25 hours on a charge

* Charges with a micro-usb connector cable

* 42 inch ear buds that block out nearly all sound—they can double as ear plugs for nighttime

* Clips to clothes or to a pack strap



Mass



* 4 ounces/40 grams

* 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches x 1/2 inch



Maintenance



* Keep charged

* Keep dry in a plastic bag



Investment



* $40

* Purchased a cheap “no-brand” mp3at a big box store for $20 and it kept playing all my songs from the beginning from the list each time.



Trial



* Play by artist, album, random

* Listened with one bud in so that I could be aware on trail

* Only used on stretches when I needed extra energy…otherwise I was engaged with the people around me and aware of my surroundings

* Great way to get pumped up and energized on long stretches



Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Mint Hot Chocolate Mix

1/4 cup NIDO (160 cal)

6 individual Andes Mints (230 cal)

1 cup of hot water



* 390 calories

* To make the Mint Hot Chocolate on the trail, heat up a cup of water, add NIDO and 6 Andes Choc mints. Stir until smooth.

* Purchase the Andes Mints that come individually wrapped in foil/plastic (often sold in small bags at the dollar store)

* Individually wrapped mints and will be less likely to make a huge mess if they get warm

* Andes Mints have the most calories per ounce compared with other mint chocolates like Junior Mints or York Peppermint Patties

* Andes Mints are 158 calories/ounce



Trail Wisdom

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”

-John Burroughs