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: Sansa Sport Clip (made by SanDisk) 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