Ed,
Well, that depends on what kind of food you bring.
Yeah, I know you said freeze dried.
Many freeze-dried foods are mostly air. A good example
is the freeze dried ice cream from Mountain House. Mostly
sugars (lactose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, fructose, etc),
some gelatin (usually plant based, like agar-agar...
seaweed) and some vitamins & minerals. A small amount of
protiens...I do not remember which ones, though. But, it takes
up a lot of space. Calories is not that great, a lot of sugars, not
too many starches, and no fats. This is true of a LOT of freeze
dried stuff. Though they do get better in the calorie end, by
including macaronies, noodles and sauces. Still few or no
fats. Because of the lack of fats(where most flavour comes
from) they will often lack flavour and calories. No long term
staying power.
Soo, what really makes up a good hiking diet? Well,
that will vary from person to person, and, the duration of your
trip. Calories is big. You will likely burn between 3500 and 6000
calories per day if you average 15mi per day for a week. If you
are doing a lot of uphill and downhill work, you will need towards
the upper end in calories. This is considered by most to be a
*good* hike. Or, about 100mi/week. Some would not even shoot
for this...too much work, too far to travel. Some will say this is an
*easy* hike. I consider it a *good* hike.
For compact size, you need a lot of fat to achieve the calorie
intake in a small container. Protein is needed, too, to rebuild your
muscles every night, as you break them down from use. Along
with some sugars, and starches to keep the engine running, so
to speak. (I have packed olive oil and dumped a couple table
spoons into a freeze dried packet. They still don't taste very good.)
What about vitamins? Minerals? Trace elements? Well, I
do not worry about it for a week or less. Otherwise, I would suggest
you pack vitamins. No one knows everything we need in the human
body. Soo, on the AT anyway, when you hit a town, go with what
tastes good. Your body knows what it wants and needs. Indulge.
Forage where possible. Apples, even crab apples, are pretty good.
Especially when hiking....that'
know...if it tastes real good, you probably needed something in it.
Anyway, cheese, salami, pepperoni, etc. are good sources
of fats and proteins. Dried beef is good protein. Beans, wild rice,
macaroni products of all types, a bottle of melted butter, olive oil,
bisquik or the like, dehydrated veggies, MM's, freeze dried coffee
(liquified with a few drips of water and pressed into chunks), cocoa,
drink mix, salt & pepper, red pepper, Dried hot dogs, jerky, ...
Well, you get the idea. Pack some wraps on top, and add some
of your favorite seasonings. Generally, you can get everything you
need into one container for 7-10 days. First day out, you can mostly
ignore bear rules, so pocketing a few bars is OK. Spoilage is not
a concern for the first day either, soo, steaks are OK, too. Use
common sense, though, of course. Ground beef is a bit more
difficult to dry, but can be done...cook it in patties (well done), then
put it in the freezer uncovered for a week or so.
There is still a lot of water in store bought stuff. Soo, opening
a pack of jerky, and spreading it on a tray in the freezer will dry it out.
It should break, not bend. Same for dried beef. Same for the coffee.
Pepperoni is more difficult, leave the skin on, and leave it in the
freezer for about a month, before you go. Hot dogs can be dried in
the microwave till they get hard. Melted butter is easier, melt it down
in a pan, and pour it off into your bottle...mostly you want the oil for
hiking. I think you see what I am driving at.
Your diet should be about 30-60% fats. Starches, sugars and
proteins are about equal. If you are in your 30's, add more protein. Up
to about 15%. Vitamins are more of an afterthought. Generally, this
stuff is not real appealing, but, think of it as a challenge to your cooking
ability. My mom did much more with far less on occasion.
This is more or less what I would eat. Your diet will no doubt be
different. Nor, do I take the same items every time. It is only an example
of what I know works.
I am not really against the manufactured freeze dried stuff
as much as I believe that dehydrated stuff will give you more
food value in less space. But, not everyone will want to spend two
hours a day cooking, either(lunch and supper.) FD stuff certainly
has its place. I will often take one meal for those times when
I hike late and just don't care to cook till 2230. Boil and dump.
Quick and easy.
Anyway, measure out your portions by day. Then put together
a packet for X days. That should tell you wether the 700ci bear ball
will work or not. It is a good size, generally.
My thoughts only . . .
jdm
At 03:12 PM 7/21/2009, you wrote:
>Hello all, for those of you that own a bear container, how much food can you pack in one looking at ones that have capacity of 700ci. I will be packing frez dry food as well as store bought food in zip lock bags. Thanks ~Ed
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