Driving back from our last ABW hike (Paul’s Scorpion Springs trip pictured above), Kate and I reflected on the prominence of food as a topic of conversation around the campfire. Slowly, the conversation morphed into “we should do an article about this“. But how?
There are pitfalls. Many people have such strong views that you don’t want to be telling people what to do. Everyone has their own opinion and they are entitled to it. How to make suggestions without sounding like you’re just another mansplainer is the problem.
Then the revelation: use experience, not opinion. The club has a wealth of older members that most of us don’t meet unless we go on the Wednesday walks. Most of them started walking in an age when if you didn’t make it yourself, you went hungry.
So a plan was hatched and a good many members were spammed with a request for help. Thankfully, a large number gave their time and the results are in this issue.
It also spawned a second article once my attention was drawn to a number of excellent club resources. And serendipitously, when Mike Round sent me his excellent article, I then found a whole list of other recipes in the AUMC archives.
By the way, I encourage you to look for the mention of him as a youngster in this 1971 edition. You won’t regret it.
Of course, no issue is complete without a little bit of editorial mansplaining so I did write my own piece on something from my education. Hopefully, it comes across as helpful.
And I’ve saved the best to last. The report of ABW‘s newest tank is testament to the energy and commitment found in this club, but it’s probably going to be Trevor’s s trip report that leaves the biggest impression on you, especially once you watch those videos. Terrifyingly instructive to anyone wanting to walk the main range.
Thanks again to all the contributors, and please enjoy!
Andrew
Interesting article.on experience hikers food tips .
I have also tried many different things over the years and find that I just can’t cope with the large meals or extra fat or oil or sugar or nuts that other walkers use to boost their daily energy intake.
I am amazed and I don’t know how they can do it.
But I don’t envy them one bit.
( well maybe a little bit).
If you can have the huge meals: then God bless you go for it!
Experienced hikers like Chapman recommend about 12000 kjs day or about 900 + grams per day.
He includes in his list over 250 grams of sugar per day.
Really!?
Try measuring out 250 grams .
After a couple of days walking: I find jerky and preserved meats disgusting. A slice of cheese is great. But most commercial freeze dried packets are disappointing dog food .
So I am buggered really.
I just have to settle for the inevitable weight loss on hikes. Up to 2 kg. Per week on the Arthurs for example and 1 to 1.5 per week elsewhere.
The weight loss Does Not seem to do me any harm; if I take trace elements and electrolyte tablets as a precaution.
This is true, even on multi week hikes. I don’t get hangry. Ever.
Every kg. Of my tummy and bum fat is a resource equalling over 30000 kolojules. So how much food that I don’t need to carry does this equate to?
Here is the up side!
As a result of my peculiar physiology.
I only need to carry 500 grams of food a day and can keep that food very simple. And some days I don’t even use all of it. How good is that!,
Every multi day walk I have been on over the past few years I end up giving away food : burying parts of meals or exchanging snacks for drugs. ( Female nurses and doctors carry great analgesics)
Oddly, I dont suffer from food cravings or obsess about that big restaurant meal at the end of the walk.
But it is fun listening to other walkers fantasising about food on the last walk day.
I feel fitter and stronger at the end of multi week walks as a result.
Food is such a minor issue really.
I just think that I am so lucky to be able to still get out there doing great adventures with fantastic people.