[pct-l] Trail Nutrition

[ROYROBIN at aol.com (ROYROBIN@aol.com)]

There are some thruhikers who like the stoveless approach.  I hiked with 
"Little Bob" on the AT in '02 for a while.  He did the whole trail "cold".  While 
it was simple, even he complained about the monotony of the meals.  He really 
enjoyed those town stops!

Another stoveless hiker that I met just a few days ago on the AT at Rockfish 
Gap, VA, is "Grasshopper".  He's fast and light, and plans to hike the PCT N>S 
this year after he completes the AT S>N.  Wish him well if you meet him on 
the trail, and tell him, "Hello! from TrailDad". 

Just my opinion, but it's pretty hard to rehydrate pasta and other dried 
foods without hot water.  So, you end up carrying a lot of water content in your 
pack if you don't use a stove.  I don't think the weight savings, if any, 
justify the limited food choices.  But some hikers like the simplicity.   

_____

In a message dated 5/14/04 11:01:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
dmd@email.arizona.edu writes:

> Recently I have been researching an approach that would be void of any 
> cooking
> requirements at all.  No stove, no fuel; only cook-free food.  I understand 
> the
> obvious nutritional concerns and the inevitability of being without hot 
> water
> on a cold night, but is this simply insane or a legitimate option for such a
> long hike?  I was curious to know if anyone has any experience with this
> approach.