Cooking in the Outdoors Sarah Rumble Bobby Oliver Jordan Finke

What to consider when ration planning Group size Special Dietary Conditions Location Food packaging Weather Spoiling Time Trip Duration Nutrition Purpose Individual Appetite levels Pack Weight Level of Exertion Food Preference

Food Guide

Backcountry Nutrition Pinnacle Fats & Sweets- Use sparingly Meat, Poultry, Eggs, Fish (when available), and Dairy – 1-2 servings/day Beans, Nuts, Seeds, Vegetables, and Fruit- 5-8 servings/day Grains & Starchy Vegetables – 1-3 servings at meals and snacks, more on active days Exercise & Water- Minimum of 2 quarts + other fluids

Menu Planning Meal by Meal vs. a Ration System Meal by Meal vs. a Ration System Rationing Pros: Rationing Pros: Group creates own menus Group creates own menus Good for longer trips Good for longer trips Flexibility Flexibility Creativity Creativity

Things to consider… How long? Less then a week: foods that won’t spoil! Less then a week: foods that won’t spoil! 7-10 days: dehydrated/freeze dried to cut down weight 7-10 days: dehydrated/freeze dried to cut down weight >10 days: Increase dehydrated/freeze dried foods or resupply food >10 days: Increase dehydrated/freeze dried foods or resupply food Ease of Preparation ~ quick one-pot meals vs. time to elaborate Ease of Preparation ~ quick one-pot meals vs. time to elaborate

The Steps of Ration Planning STEP 1: pounds per person per day (ppppd) STEP 1: pounds per person per day (ppppd) Hot days and warm nights: 1.5pppd = around 2,500-3,000 calories pppd Hot days and warm nights: 1.5pppd = around 2,500-3,000 calories pppd Warm or cool days and nights (or full-pack hiking): ppppd = 3-3,500 calories pppd. Warm or cool days and nights (or full-pack hiking): ppppd = 3-3,500 calories pppd. Hiking/skiing with full packs; cool days/cold nights of early spring, late fall, or winter: ppppd = 3,500- 4,500 calories pppd Hiking/skiing with full packs; cool days/cold nights of early spring, late fall, or winter: ppppd = 3,500- 4,500 calories pppd Cold days/extremely cold nights; full packs/sleds; mnt environment: 2.5 ppppd = 4-5,000 calories pppd. Cold days/extremely cold nights; full packs/sleds; mnt environment: 2.5 ppppd = 4-5,000 calories pppd.

Step 2 What is the total amount of food needed for the trip? What’s the equation? … What’s the equation? … # of people X # of days X ppppd: # of people X # of days X ppppd: EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE: 4 people X 8 day trip X 1.75 ppppd = Total amount of food needed: 56 pounds

Step 3: Divide the total poundage into food groups Food Category 1.5 ppppd 1.75Ppppd2Ppppd 2.25 ppppd 2.5Ppppd Breakfast Dinner Cheese Trail foods Flour and baking Sugar and fruit drinks Soups, bases, desserts Milk, eggs, margarine, cocoa Meats and substitutes

How did we know how to divide that?!?

The almighty NOLS said so… NOLS has been successfully doing it for years, so lets listen to them…it has proven affective.

Step 4: Calculate the total pounds of each food category needed for the trip (For example: 4 people / 8 day trip at 1.75ppppd) Food Category CalculationRounded Trail Foods.35x4x8=11.2lbs 11 lbs. Dinner.32x4x810.5 Breakfast.28x4x8 9 lbs. Milk, eggs, margarine, cocoa.24x4x87.5lbs. Cheese.22 x 4 x 8 7 Flour and baking.13x4x84 Sugar and fruit drinks.12x4x84 Soups, bases, desserts.09x4x83 Meats & substitutes NOLS only uses in lb. rations Total pounds: 56 lbs.

Step 5: Round the numbers up or down within categories (last column of the table in step 4) and make substitutions, depending on individual preferences Ummm, this is pretty simple….just substitute. Thank you. That’s it. Ummm, this is pretty simple….just substitute. Thank you. That’s it.

Don’t Forget! Weight Tips ~ Weight Tips ~ 3-season backpacking = how many pounds per person per day? Suggested: pounds 3-season backpacking = how many pounds per person per day? Suggested: pounds No cans! No cans! Freeze dried/dehydrated: lighter but more expensive Freeze dried/dehydrated: lighter but more expensive Fresh fruits and veggies: heavier but welcome treat! Fresh fruits and veggies: heavier but welcome treat! Eliminate water carried in foods: carry dry then rehydrate! Eliminate water carried in foods: carry dry then rehydrate! Heavy items first! Heavy items first! Packaging/Repackaging ~ Packaging/Repackaging ~ Reduce: Buy in bulk (saves money!) Reduce: Buy in bulk (saves money!) Recycle Recycle Reuse Reuse

Special Dietary Concerns: Everyone’s different! Cook whatever can’t be eaten by all SEPARATELY! Cook whatever can’t be eaten by all SEPARATELY! Diabetics Diabetics Vegetarians Vegetarians Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians~ No red meat, poultry, or animal by-products Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians~ No red meat, poultry, or animal by-products Vegans ~ Plants Vegans ~ Plants P-nut “Poultatarians” ~ No red meat or food that is shaped like an animal P-nut “Poultatarians” ~ No red meat or food that is shaped like an animal

Pearson offers her best advice: Pearson offers her best advice: “Eat often, eat a variety, and hydrate.” Petzoldt’s: Petzoldt’s: “Never become hungry or thirsty… eat when you want and what you want.” “Timeless advice from the experts for anyone heading into the backcountry.”

Ya Gotta Eat!!!!