Back Packing: 6 days (5 nights)

[HopSkip&Jump]

Hi,

I am doing the Tsitsikamma hike (South Africa, Garden Route) this December. It is a 6 day (5 night) hike. I need to carry everything with me. It will be very warm (summer) when not walking in the forest.

Fruits can last for the first two days. I've been thinking of carrying some cucumbers, also. Problem is: fruits and veggies are very heavy! :eek:
Also nuts.

I've been thinking about crackers and dried fruit - seems a bit boring (and dry!).

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[Veganforlife]

Green smoothie fruit roll ups.

Make a thicker green smoothie and prepare like the fruit roll ups. These are excellent to travel with and can be made SUPER by adding whatever you want to it. Spirulina, sea veggies, cacao, etc.

[Shine]

I second the green smoothie fruit leather....and other friut leathers.

You could bring an extra water bottle and re-hydrate fruit through out the day.

Could do this with veggies too. Put your stir "un" fry in a water bottle in the am and it's all ready with sauce in the pm!

Take almond butter out of the jar and put in a bag (if you do the plastic thing) to cut down on weight - this would go with crakers and fruit.

Bring a small jar (or find one on-line) and sprout on the trip. I myself am not the best sprouter but it seems as though it would work.

Have fun!!

[MrsJohnnyG]

What a fun trip! Have to say I'm a little envious... what a blast that will be!

Great suggestions above... if there's room, I'd also make some kale chips and put them in a bag up top (they're super-light-weight, just a little bulkier).

In addition, I would FORAGE as much as possible. I know you can't spend hours a day picking berries, but I would think during summertime along a lush forest, you will encounter a feast of greens, berries, nuts and seeds just during the course of your hiking. The key is being able to tell which you shouldn't eat. Maybe find a sheet you can print out that shows any vegetation you should avoid (either because they are poisonous to humans or they are a protected species).

[HopSkip&Jump]

Thanks for all the ideas - will definitely try some of them!

I am not too sure about the foraging. These forests don't have nuts. If there are berries, they are far above the ground. On a previous (much shorter) trip, I saw mushrooms - but I am a tadd wary of those! ;)

[kaybee]

one of those sproutman hemp sprouting bags might work better and be lighter than a jar for sprouting. just carry it in a plastic bag and rinse and drain when convenient...

[Green_Woman]

* Dried green smoothie roll-ups, here here!!!
* Dried fruit galore.
* Ultra-thin seed crackers!!
* Maca Powder/whatever green powders you can put in water, mix up, and drink for energy. :)
* Apples.. they're not light but they ARE filling and efficient.

[Tsurugi_Oni]

Nuts, nuts, and nuts!! I know they aren't the ideal food to be living off of, but they're packed with fat and protein which you're definately going to need. Also dried banana chips and mango bits would be the way to go, and maybe a dehydrated fruit syrup of sorts (maybe add honey if u allow that) or fruit leather would be the next best. I've gone on a couple hikes and if I had to do it completely raw I'd want the most dense foods I could eat.

I'm insanely jealous of ur Africa trek. Hopefully you can bring back some photos.

[Spirited]

I'd rather focus on just making sure you have plenty of energy on the trip. I mean sure, bring some fruit and stuff, but you'll be walking all day and your body will be starved for calories so I wouldn't sweat it if you have to eat some rice or what ever.

Also if they'll be cooking stuff at night then I suggest you bring millet. It's high in carbs, proteins etc and it's alkalizing, although not raw, but still good for you.

[Shine]

Oh, and bags full of gorp of course ;)

[HopSkip&Jump]

Wow!

Thanks for all the suggestions. You've got me thinking of more possibilities!
Yes, on afterthought, maybe dried fruit and nuts (calorie dense) would not be so boring after all!

@Shine - you almost got me there. I am (was) unfamiliar with the word 'gorp' - but luckiliy ... Wikipedia to the rescue!! ;) Yes - trailmix is a very good idea.

@Tsurugi_Oni - Africa trek sounds a bit ... er .. foreign and far far away. I am living in South Africa, so it is not so far. :D

[appifanie]

green smoothie wraps!! that is an ingenious way to get greens into my 3 year old - thanks!!!

[katchmoleen]

HAHA! Yes, most of what we Americans know about Africa we learned from the song, "Africa" by Toto, so to us it is the mysterious dark continent, but to you it is home!

Is America foreign and far far away to you? Funny how the internet truly does connect us all and make this a small village.

[green jeanie]

I spent last spring doing 3 months of backpacking and mountaineering

BRING CALORIES

more than you think you need.

And for super long walking days heaps of cacao at the trailhead will make it a go.

my favorite evening loading meal: sweet potato blended with nuts, dates and bananas into a custard

raisins suck
dates are great
greens get gross
raw bars with extra protein rock

and i would add that if you are doing over 12 hours a day you may want to have some extra bars that have additional minerals and supplements.

bonking sucks for you and your whole team

yea!! outside.

have fun, be safe, love the land

xoxoxox