Last week I received 23 lbs of trail food and other goodies from Packit Gourmet, my food sponsor for the TGO Challenge. I am going to be eating like a prince as I hike across Scotland.
I spent this past Sunday on final food planning and boxed up my meals. I'm sending half to my start point in the hamlet of Shiel Bridge on the west coast of Scotland, and the other half to a Post Office resupply drop in Kingussie, my half-way point.
My menu is looking pretty good for this trip and includes a lot of variety. I've eaten some of these Packit Gourmet meals on previous trips like their awesome Chicken Salad and the Banana Pudding which has got to be the best breakfast on earth! But the rest of them are going to be fresh culinary experiences, and include:
- Tuscan Beef Stew (top rated by Backpacker Magazine, 2010)
- Ramen Rescue
- Banana Pudding
- Chicken Salad
- Market Pasta Putanesca
- Creamy Italian Polenta
- Cheddar Jack Cheese Spread
- Zydeco Red Beans and Rice
- Summer Berry Salad
- Energy Nuggets
Packit Gourmet meals are generally idiot-proof to make, just requiring hot water – freezer bag style, or sometimes a cook pot. I decided to use them early on for this trip, for a variety of reasons, including the fact that I had 4 weeks of nearly continuous business travel before my trip, preventing me from dehydrating and packaging all of my own food in time. Plus there's also the sad fact, that no trail meals I've ever made come anywhere close to the taste of Packit Gourmet trail meals. So I figured, why compromise?
I had been thinking about lining my boxes with plastic buckets, but my wife told me that packages sent from the US to the UK that are over 12 oz. must be sent Priority Mail, so I just used two large USPS PM boxes instead. They're not going to be around long enough to be attacked by mice (I hope!).
In addition to food, my resupply box has spare TP, a fresh pair of under wear, zinc Oxide, Starbuck's Via coffee packets, and lithium batteries. They're off to the post office tomorrow and I'm off to Scotland in about 10 days. Can't wait!
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I haven't backpacked in 20 years. Is the food now targeted for energy and/or nutrition? My wife might encourage me to do some backpacking if the trail food is good for you!
Signed,
Curious in Colorado
Awesome! I happen to have my big spring order coming in on monday! love PIG!
Tim – I am a very clean eater. No junk food. The PG food fits my lifestyle very well. It not only tastes fantastic, it is very healthy – unlike the crap you get at REI.
I have nothing but good things to say about their food. I have used their meals on a number of trips and ALWAYS enjoy what I have eaten. If you haven't tried the Jamaican Peanut Porridge on a cold morning you don’t know what you are missing. I just got a big order for several upcoming trips and know I will eat well!
I've spent hours salivating on the Packit site putting together a big order. You can tell from the generic ingredients they offer, that these people are extremely flavor conscious and love to cook. I appreciate the referral.
~ If you are really concerned about your food boxes, consider lining them with a cage made from ¼ inch hardware cloth. Not much weight for a guaranteed rodent barrier, and a quick fab.
~ Fun fact: mice can squeeze through ½ x ½ inch and ¼ x ¾ inch holes.
Hey Earlylite, good luck with it. I look forward to seeing you on the trail!
If you see a Mariposa with an Aussie Flag badge on it, that's me!
I researched sending food from Australia, but the EC restrictions for us are such that I wouldn't be eating much. Must be easier to send in from the US! I'm using Outdoors Grub and Real Turmat.
All the best,
Michael
I don't know whether my food has actually arrived in the UK! I guess we'll have to see. Otherwise I'll be stripping the town shelves of cadbury bars, bread, and cheese.
I’m curious did you food make it to the UK? I was thinking of shipping some trail food my self.