backpacking question

Adam Lea said:

I have been considering doing some exploring of the area between the A9, the
A93 and the Cairngorms, mainly because I am curious as to what the area and
its geography is like. Because the area is so vast and empty the only
feasible way to do this would be to backpack around the area for a few days
using the glens as access. My question is how would I take enough food and
water for a four day backpacking trip if I was not going to encounter
civilisation for that period of time. I usually eat about 3500 cals/day
which maintains my bodyweight so if I add 8 hrs of walking per day then I
would need another 1-2k on top of that. What sorts of food could I take that
are calorie dense, lightweight and nutritious but at the same time easy to
prepare?

I backpack in the Cairngorms. Water's no problem - I don't carry more
than for my immediate needs on the trail and take it from the burns,
without sterilisation. With regards to food - I take dehydrated packet
food from the supermarket. I don't reckon to eat anywhere near 3500
cals/day - often less than 1000. Although I work hard, I tend to lose my
appetite. I'm 6' 4" and 14st and loose a bit of weight over a few days
(5-6), but it's no problem. I doubt whether any backpackers on this
forum maintain their weight on long trips, and I don't think it's worth
trying or worring about it. Typically, I'll have an instant custard and
a couple of digestive biscuits for breakfast with a cup of coffee, a
couple of oatcakes during the day, and a packet of cous-cous (lemon and
corriander is good), with drinking chocolate in the evening. I survive -
and so will you!

Jim Ford

Adam Lea said:

I have been considering doing some exploring of the area between the A9, the
A93 and the Cairngorms, mainly because I am curious as to what the area and
its geography is like. Because the area is so vast and empty the only
feasible way to do this would be to backpack around the area for a few days
using the glens as access. My question is how would I take enough food and
water for a four day backpacking trip if I was not going to encounter
civilisation for that period of time. I usually eat about 3500 cals/day
which maintains my bodyweight so if I add 8 hrs of walking per day then I
would need another 1-2k on top of that. What sorts of food could I take that
are calorie dense, lightweight and nutritious but at the same time easy to
prepare?

Also can anyone give me any advice about wild camping in general. I've never
done it before.

Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone

"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I have been considering doing some exploring of the area between the

A9, the

Quoted message said:

A93 and the Cairngorms, mainly because I am curious as to what the

area and

Quoted message said:

its geography is like. Because the area is so vast and empty the only
feasible way to do this would be to backpack around the area for a few

days

Quoted message said:

using the glens as access. My question is how would I take enough food

and

Quoted message said:

water for a four day backpacking trip if I was not going to encounter
civilisation for that period of time. I usually eat about 3500

cals/day

Quoted message said:

which maintains my bodyweight so if I add 8 hrs of walking per day

then I

Quoted message said:

would need another 1-2k on top of that. What sorts of food could I

take that

Quoted message said:

are calorie dense, lightweight and nutritious but at the same time

easy to

Quoted message said:

prepare?

Also can anyone give me any advice about wild camping in general. I've

never

Quoted message said:

done it before.

I ignore the nutritious bit of your last sentence in favour of the
lightweight & easy to prepare bits. Just take a look at food packets
and take things with the highest calories per weight value. You'll find
that these are things with a high fat content, like nuts, crisps,
chocolate, biscuits & cakes. If you can live off this for a few days
(and I certainly don't think you'll come to any harm by missing your 5
portions of fruit & veg) then you don't need the extra weight of
carrying cooking equipment. Most people like playing with stoves but I
just think it's a hassle.

If you're generally active anyway I wouldn't worry too much about trying
to eat a lot more than usual to maintain your bodyweight. I don't think
I ever come back significantly skinnier.

Most people find drinking from streams not to give them any problems.
If you ate enough dirt as a kid you're immune system is probably robust
enough to laugh at a few bugs.

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from AndyP
contained the following:

Quoted message said:

Most people find drinking from streams not to give them any problems.
If you ate enough dirt as a kid you're immune system is probably robust
enough to laugh at a few bugs.

It amazes me what my dog will drink without becoming ill.
--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been considering doing some exploring of the area between the A9,
the
A93 and the Cairngorms, mainly because I am curious as to what the area
and
its geography is like. Because the area is so vast and empty the only
feasible way to do this would be to backpack around the area for a few
days
using the glens as access. My question is how would I take enough food and
water for a four day backpacking trip if I was not going to encounter
civilisation for that period of time. I usually eat about 3500 cals/day
which maintains my bodyweight so if I add 8 hrs of walking per day then I
would need another 1-2k on top of that. What sorts of food could I take
that
are calorie dense, lightweight and nutritious but at the same time easy to
prepare?

What you are intending to do is what kids do on their D of E Gold
expeditions - 4 days backpacking carrying all their supplies. Visit
http://theaward.org for some tips, the side menus have all sorts of
different activities, so look under expeditions. In general lightweight
dried foods are carried, usually pasta based. It is an art creating the
best, tasty menus and still keeping the weight down. If it's possible to
supplement that diet with the odd trout as Paul says, even better. Water
shouldn't be a problem - Coal to Newcastle springs to mind.

Graham

Paul Rooney said:

Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who were
carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Jim Ford

"Graham Seed" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

expeditions - 4 days backpacking carrying all their supplies. Visit
http://theaward.org for some tips

Hmmm, thought there would be more info on expedition food on the website,
but it looks like you'll need the handbook. Try
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/ishop/877/shopscr408.html
I've been on a few expeditions which were based on the army rat pack. I
always found it difficult to use an entire pack up in twebty four hours.

Graham

Jim Ford said:

Paul Rooney said:

Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who were
carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Pound to a penny they weren't using worms. You certainly don't need a
rod (or any other equipment). They must have been doing something
wrong!
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone

Paul Rooney said:

On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 11:19:38 GMT, Jim Ford
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who were
carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Pound to a penny they weren't using worms. You certainly don't need a
rod (or any other equipment). They must have been doing something
wrong!

The rivers were very low (and warm) this year.

Jim Ford

"Jim Ford" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who

were

Quoted message said:

carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Loch Avon looked to have a lot of fish in it last time I was lazing
around by it.

It seems that you don't really know what you want/like. To go on a fairly
major outing with no knowledge of your food/kit could be said to be somewhat
foolhardy. None of the suggestions mentioned are guaranteed to be what you
like, so try something a little easier to start with. Try going out
overnight, or for just two nights to find out how you like what you take.
Build up to big expeditions rather than jump in at the deep end, that way
you'll enjoy the whole expereince much more.

"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been considering doing some exploring of the area between the A9,
the
A93 and the Cairngorms, mainly because I am curious as to what the area
and
its geography is like. Because the area is so vast and empty the only
feasible way to do this would be to backpack around the area for a few
days
using the glens as access. My question is how would I take enough food and
water for a four day backpacking trip if I was not going to encounter
civilisation for that period of time. I usually eat about 3500 cals/day
which maintains my bodyweight so if I add 8 hrs of walking per day then I
would need another 1-2k on top of that. What sorts of food could I take
that
are calorie dense, lightweight and nutritious but at the same time easy to
prepare?

Also can anyone give me any advice about wild camping in general. I've
never
done it before.

Many thanks

Adam

AndyP said:

"Jim Ford" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who

were

Quoted message said:

carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Loch Avon looked to have a lot of fish in it last time I was lazing
around by it.

The lochans teem with brown trout, usually. Often not big, but a
doddle to catch. 3 or 4 make a large meal, unless you're a fat bloke.
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone

"Gordon Burns" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

It seems that you don't really know what you want/like. To go on a fairly
major outing with no knowledge of your food/kit could be said to be

somewhat

Quoted message said:

foolhardy.

Or you could use adjectives like fun, exciting or adventurous.

"Paul Rooney" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

The lochans teem with brown trout, usually. Often not big, but a
doddle to catch. 3 or 4 make a large meal, unless you're a fat bloke.

You saying fat blokes can't fish?

AndyP said:

"Paul Rooney" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

The lochans teem with brown trout, usually. Often not big, but a
doddle to catch. 3 or 4 make a large meal, unless you're a fat bloke.

You saying fat blokes can't fish?

They only eat venison!
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone

Quoted message said:

Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone

Looks like another use for a trekking pole -> fishing rod.

Jhimmy

"Paul Rooney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jim Ford said:

Paul Rooney said:

Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who were
carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Pound to a penny they weren't using worms. You certainly don't need a
rod (or any other equipment). They must have been doing something
wrong!

Easier to tickle 'em :-0

Craven

"Paul Rooney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jim Ford said:

Paul Rooney said:

Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who were
carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Pound to a penny they weren't using worms. You certainly don't need a
rod (or any other equipment). They must have been doing something
wrong!

Easier to tickle 'em :-0

Craven

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 12:07:38 +0100, "Craven" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Paul Rooney" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jim Ford said:

Paul Rooney wrote:

> Take some fishing line & hooks. Trout are easy to catch and cook. Only
> use worms for bait. Take some thyme for extra flavour in a plastic
> container like the ones camera film comes in - almost weightless.

But I met a couple of Dutch walkers in the Cairngorms this year who were
carrying rods, but had had no luck!

Pound to a penny they weren't using worms. You certainly don't need a
rod (or any other equipment). They must have been doing something
wrong!

Easier to tickle 'em :-0

That's a skill. Pulling them out with a handline is something anyone
can do!
That reminds me - I need a new knife before my next sojourn in Area 11
(-:

--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone