FOOD

on 11 March 2009

This is what covers the floor of the spare room in my house. Meals on the AT are the result of ever-evolving creativity. Protein bars, oatmeal, and Ramen Noodles can get old and boring very fast and one finds themselves experimenting with weird creations (I hear blueberry muffin mix really isn't that bad). I am in the process of assembling packages which will be mailed out periodically from home to locations along the trail for us to pick up. I hear a couple Groton classes are helping out with this too! We will also make stops at stores to pick up new supplies but it is only feasible to carry 3-5 days-worth of lightweight food at any given time so a lot of planning is necessary. So here is the situation:

The average AT Thru-hiker needs to consume about 5000-6000 calories A DAY, to satisfy the energy required to hike for 8-10 hrs.

I am vegetarian (with the exception of seafood and wild game) and am a little concerned about maintaining this lifestyle on the trail. Hikers need a lot of protein and jerky is easy to pack. It may be temping to indulge once in awhile.

We will have a stove that runs on liquid fuel but it is fairly inconvenient and doing dishes takes away time spent hiking or sleeping (or crying). Bars are very convenient...but for 5 months??

That black thing in the middle of the picture is my bear canister. People used to just hang their food from a branch in a stuff sack. Bears, however, have learned how to cut them down. These canisters, although add extra weight, are bear-proof and more convenient. Plus, squirrels and other sharp-clawed mammals cannot get in.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm all ears about what's LIGHT and TASTY.

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

the cereal KIX is light weight, and it tastes amazing, you could but a big box and it could last you fro about a week(depending on how often you eat it, and how much you eat). KIX is the only cereal I really eat!

~crissy c

Anonymous said...

I'll be sure to send along some jerky... just so I can read your journal on how you determined what to do with it.

Anonymous said...

I'll send some bubblegum tape too!

Anonymous said...

I'll send some puppy snacks too. i will be curious to see if you eat them before the dog gets some!

Anonymous said...

maybe you should write a book when you are done.

Anonymous said...

Waz up this is Emma D. from Mr D.'s enrichmentb. So why did you bring a dog and are you scared you might brake your leg or somthing.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mr.Devo this is Brittany A. From Mr.D's class.I was gust wondering why are you guys bringing a dog with you?

Anonymous said...

Yo this is Tyler M. We are with mr.d's enrichment. I was wondering if you were skared on this whole trip thing. I wanted to know what you were thinking about for food. I think bananas or apples...

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is Deni
Im going to ask you some question. What are some foods do you want to bring on the trip? Are you scared to go on the trip? I love to hike. But I never been on a hike. I wish you luck.I hope you get everything for the trips.

Anonymous said...

Hi mr DeVoe I am Tristan N from mr D's enrichment claas. What foods do you want? Why are you going? Who do are you going with? Looking forward to go with you.

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is Arrion from Mr.d's enrichment grup. Do you think you will get cold a lot of times?

Anonymous said...

Hi I'm Jake from enrichment and were going to help you on your hiking trip.What kind of foods would you need? I hope you will have fun.

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is Mike from Mr.d's enrichment Mikayla P.'s brother. Are you scared? Why are you briging the dog? Did you get skunk?

Anonymous said...

Hi this is Sam
I've got a few questions for you
Why are you bringing a dog with you?
What foods are you bringing with you?
Did you get the skunk yet

Anonymous said...

Yo, I'm Colton from Mr. D's enrichment and I'm going to help you on your trip. I think that you should eat granola bars since they're light and heathy. You should also take tea it's light and heathy. See Ya!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey my name is Tess. I hope you are going to have a lot of fun. I have a few questions to ask you. Do you wish you could bring your clas with you? What kinds of food would you like to have on your trip to eat? Why do you have the dog with you? Are you afraid that you might see bears up close? Do you think that you are going to lose a lot of pounds from this trip? I would be scared to go on this trip because there are going to be a lot of wild animals. But I also like the out doors. Is your favorite thing to hike is that why you are doing this? Are you excited to be missing all this school? I hope you have fun on this trip. Make sure you eat a lot of food.
Bye

Anonymous said...

hi iam marcus , people call me marco. i would suggest tea its healthy fast and taests good. jerky is good too.

Anonymous said...

Hey,my names Kailea from Mr.D's room and im here to ask you some questions.But dont worry you did nothing wrong.Dude im also here to tell you you're INSANE!Anyway why are you taking that poor dog with you on that trip?I definitely would go on that trip but those NASTY!rats cralling around my head i would DIE!!!I feel your pain soooo i will hook you up wid some traps hopefully IDK though.But thats descusting RATS!Arent you scared?Well help you with the food and stuff also GOOD LUCK!bue-bi

Anonymous said...

Yo!!! What's up Mr.Devoe?!! It's Nikiah from Mr.D's class. We are in enrichment. I have a question. Why are you bringing a dog, I mean not that I don't like dogs! It's just that bringing a dog is a lot of work if you hiking on the appalation trail because you have to carry ALL the heavy dog food and all the heavy water for the dog. Plus if the dog doesn't want to come, you have to deal with all that hasile!! And more than that too.Its alot of work!!! It was also a good idea to bring a friend just in case something bad happens. G2G. (Got to Go)

Anonymous said...

Hi I am Phyllis Rose from MR.Dantonio's Enrichment. So mr.Devo why are you going on the trip?Are you scared?What kind of animals do you think you will meet?On your hike what animals do you think you will meet?If you want to have healthy food them I know alot of them like a gronala bar alot of fruite. Why are you bringing your friend and his dog?
Why would you hike the moutians.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Phyllis...thanks for writing. I've always wanted to do this trip and I'm a little scared...mostly of the rain though. I don't like rain but I think I will be ok. Hopefully I'l see a lot of animals. I hope to see moose in Maine. My friend and his dog are great. Plus you shouldn't hike alone.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Nikiah. I have the same concerns about Lucy. However, Lucy LOVES hiking and is very active. She has a little doggy pack where she carries some of her food.

Chad DeVoe said...

Emma...I'm a little scared of that. I'm worried about hurting my knees too. That's why it's important for me to carry a light pack.

Chad DeVoe said...

Tyler...yes, fruit is a very good choice. Dehydrated fruits are the best.

Chad DeVoe said...

Deni, I hpe that you get to go on a hike soon. In the meantime you can come with me....on the website. Good luck with the rest of the year.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Kailea...haha. Your post made me laugh. Mousetraps aren't a bad idea! I MAY be a little crazy, but aren't we all in our own way?? Lucy (the dog) loves to hike. She can't wait. Thanks for helping with the food!

Anonymous said...

I hope you dont return with a permanent cane or walking stick.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi marcus. It was nice meeting you the other day. I am definitely bringing tea. It'll be good to start the dy off with something warm and tasty.

Chad DeVoe said...

Thanks for writing, Tess. You asked a lot of good questions. I'm not really afraid of the bears. The kind in this part of the world aren't as mean as the ones out West. I'll be sure to eat a lot of food so I don't lose too much weight. I'd love to bring my classes with me. However, this website is the next best thing.

Chad DeVoe said...

Colton...I'll be eating LOTS of granola bars. I hope I don't get sick of them. Have a great rest of the year.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Sam. Thanks for writing. We're bringing the dog because it is my friend's. Lucy loves hiking though so she will have a good time.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Mike...no, I haven't gotten the skunk. I heard all about it though. Did you enjoy the hike in the trails?

Chad DeVoe said...

Jake...I'm so excited that your class will be helping me out. I'll post a list of foods.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Arrion. I hope I don't get sick but if I do I'll be sure to take a day off and get better. Thanks for writing.

Chad DeVoe said...

Hi Tristan. I'm hiking because I love the outdoors and I want to share the experiences with you and your class. I'll post a list of foods. Thanks for writing and helping!

Barb said...

coffee. Drink much and often.....of course, my husband's 'nature's best food', rice krispie treats would be good. Maybe we'll send you some.

Anonymous said...

Hi it's me,Tristan,I've learnd some stuff about water like 75% of our body is water you way 174 pounds because of water.Also 117.8 pounds is your weight.75 pounds of my weight is water out of 100.

Anonymous said...

Yo this is Colton from Mr.d's enrichment and we're talk'n about how much of our body weight is water. Mine is 60/80 % water and I figured out yours. Yours is 130.5/174 % is water.
SEE YA!

Anonymous said...

hi its Sam. I've just found out that you wheigh 130.5 of water. you have to drink alot of water on the trip like a fish.

bye

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is Tess. We learned about water. Plus we learned that 75% of your body water. Mr.d told us your weight so we all figured out your water weight. Your water weight 130.50. So what food do you have to bring with you? Is it fun to play with iphone? That is the phone I want when I can have one. Have a great time on your trip and see ya!

Anonymous said...

Hi I Michael Gregory and you sould drink a lot of water you have about 75% of water in your body.
you have 130.5% of water in you.
I weigh 100lb.and I have 75% of water in me.

hope you have fun.


hope to here from you.

Anonymous said...

What R U DOING MR DEVO remember me from enrichmenti am Phyllis Rose we are finding out our body waight is water. I figured out what your water waight is it is 130.5 in your body you have alot of water waight. hopefully you are eating alot of water.I can figure out how much food your body will need for the whole trip and where are you going to carry the dog food or is your friend? I am hoping a comment from you mr.Devo and remember that you rule.And dont be scared of the bears!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mr. Devoe! I read most of the comments and I say "Great job everyone. I can tell Mr. Devoe truly appreciates the help. :)" I send my best wishes and hope everything goes well. :):):):):):):):):):)

Cali p.8

Anonymous said...

Hi mr.DeVoe this is Phyllis Rose from mr.ds enrichment what is the sadest thing that happent to you . The most sadest thing that happend to me is when my dog died.Her name was holly she was in the family for 16 years.I was verry sad to see my grandma cry and she really dosent cry that much until that day my uncle had to go to yhe hosipital.When you go to meet your freind are you going to stop at a beach.
remember if I where you I would be verry scared I hope to get your letter bach soon.

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