Summary: 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.<br> Show Notes: Episode 011<br> Opening<br> <br> * Common fears: wild animals, hypothermia, injury, etc<br> * Know how to deal with fears (knowledge is power)<br> * Don’t let fear ruin your trip<br> * Be prepared<br> <br> Top 5 Trader Joe’s Snacks for Your Next BP Adventure<br> Roasted Plantain Chips<br> <br> * 140 calories/oz<br> * Ingredients: plantains, sunflower oil, salt<br> * Product of Peru<br> <br> Coconut Strips<br> <br> * 146 calories /oz<br> * Ingredients: coconut, cane sugar, sulfur dioxide<br> * Product of Thailand<br> <br> Coconut Cashews<br> <br> * 160 calories/oz<br> * Appear to be cashews that have been coated in coconut powder<br> * Product of Thailand<br> <br> Vegetable Root Chips<br> <br> * 160 calories/oz<br> * Fascinating ingredient list: sweet potato, taro, batata, parsnip, beet juice, oil and salt<br> * Packaging claims that” these chips will transform any occasion” (and by that they mean backpacking trip) “into a gourmet snacking experience”<br> * Bulky packaging, unlike the other foods we got<br> <br> Candied Pecan<br> <br> * 190 calories/oz<br> * Ingredients: pecan, sugar, canola oil, salt<br> <br> SUMMIT Gear Review™: <a href="https://www.sandisk.com/home/mp3-players/clip-sport">SanDisk Clip Sport MP3 Player</a><br> Structure<br> <br> * Plastic<br> * Color LCD Display<br> * Comes with ear buds<br> <br> Utility<br> <br> * Comes with a 4GB card (but can also be purchased with an 8GB)<br> * Lasts 25 hours on a charge<br> * Charges with a micro-usb connector cable<br> * 42 inch ear buds that block out nearly all sound—they can double as ear plugs for nighttime<br> * Clips to clothes or to a pack strap<br> <br> Mass<br> <br> * 4 ounces/40 grams<br> * 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches x 1/2 inch<br> <br> Maintenance<br> <br> * Keep charged<br> * Keep dry in a plastic bag<br> <br> Investment<br> <br> * $40<br> * 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.<br> <br> Trial<br> <br> * Play by artist, album, random<br> * Listened with one bud in so that I could be aware on trail<br> * Only used on stretches when I needed extra energy…otherwise I was engaged with the people around me and aware of my surroundings<br> * Great way to get pumped up and energized on long stretches<br> <br> Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Mint Hot Chocolate Mix<br> 1/4 cup NIDO (160 cal)<br> 6 individual Andes Mints (230 cal)<br> 1 cup of hot water<br> <br> * 390 calories<br> * 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.<br> * Purchase the Andes Mints that come individually wrapped in foil/plastic (often sold in small bags at the dollar store)<br> * Individually wrapped mints and will be less likely to make a huge mess if they get warm<br> * Andes Mints have the most calories per ounce compared with other mint chocolates like Junior Mints or York Peppermint Patties<br> * Andes Mints are 158 calories/ounce<br> <br> Trail Wisdom<br> “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.”<br> -John Burroughs<br>
