View Full Version : Anyone ever try these pre-made packets?
Boat Drinks
10-31-2006, 22:23
Are these just stupid expensive? Do they meet the nutritional requirements of a Thru-Hiker?
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=239119
or:
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=239251
or:
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=225350
Frolicking Dinosaurs
10-31-2006, 22:38
I have no experience with Campfood, but there is more info at this link: http://www.wildernessdining.com/shopbybrand-campfoods.html
They look way to light on calories to me.
Mountain House - well, if I was starving.... maybe....
Jester2000
10-31-2006, 22:55
Boy, those don't seem to have enough calories. I can tell you I ate WAY more than that and I was still hungry all the time.
Boat Drinks
10-31-2006, 23:05
Boy, those don't seem to have enough calories. I can tell you I ate WAY more than that and I was still hungry all the time.
There were 2 servings per pack, were you guys multiplying the calories by 2?
Actually, I just went back and can't find ANY calorie info, where did you get that?
Or Holy Hell! Look at these! LOL:
http://saratogatradingcompany.com/freeze_dried_foods.html
Frolicking Dinosaurs
10-31-2006, 23:23
This link has Campfood calorie info: http://www.wildernessdining.com/shopbybrand-campfoods.html
Toolshed
11-01-2006, 07:08
I picked some up on closeout from REI. I found I didn't care for campfood. I found the taste sketchy. They are Mountain Houses's cheap entrant and while probably OK, have way too much potato starch and salt for my liking
I am sure cub scouts would love them.
They are low end freeze dried. I'd defintely take some pepper, hot sauce or herbs and spices ;) Not bad, just not spectacular!
halftime
11-02-2006, 23:04
I have tried them all. Prefer the Mountain House Brand over the others. These come in a two serving pouch. The entrees are fairly good but do need to spice them up. I don't care much for the breakfasts or deserts and only like a small variety of the dinners. I mainly use them on short hikes for convienience and easy clean up. You just boil water and add to the packet, let it sit for ten minutes and it is ready to eat right out of the pack (avoiding a dirty pot).
My favorites are Sweet n Sour Pork, Chicken Teriyaki and Beef Stew. All a matter of your own personal taste however so recommend you try before you buy in quantity.
They are expensive so unless you get a really good volume price break, would not be economial as a main stay for an extended hike. IMO would however be good and practical to pick some up along the way or to include in a few mail drops from time to time to provide simplicity and variety.
Boat Drinks
11-02-2006, 23:24
What am I missing here? I found these Mountain House bulk thingies that I assume are for people fearing a nuclear war or something. This link shows over 182 one cup dinner entree servings! (Provides enough servings for one meal/day for an 6 MONTHS)! for $450.00, thats about .40 a meal. Is this just silly or a viable thing to look into? I e-mailed the company to ask for more nutritional info and to see if they would send me some samples....:D
http://saratogatradingcompany.com/mountain_house_6_month_supply_of_main_dish_entrees .html (http://saratogatradingcompany.com/mountain_house_6_month_supply_of_main_dish_entrees .html)
So, let it go John, or hmm, you may be on to something?
Jack Tarlin
11-03-2006, 00:11
Coral:
I think the price is pretty good, and MH makes about the best food of its sort available.
I'm just afraid you might get tired of the stuff after awhile.
A lot of folks I know that pre-buy ALL of their food ahead of time later come to get sick of it, or they see people eating other things that look interesting.
I think, as a general rule, that unless one is on some sort of speacialized diet (vegan, low salt, kosher, etc.) most people are happier buying as they go, except in a few spots where it's a good idea to send yourself food.
Buying as you go has several advantages: You don't get stuck eating stuff late in the trip that you grew sick of months before: you'll also be able to get ideas from other people and try out new foods as you go along, plus you'll save the better part of a hundred dollars or more on postage costs. Oh, and you won't end up with oversized food drops. Most folks, especially in the early days of their trip, grossly OVER-estimate their food needs and send themselves humungous food boxes, much of which gets thrown out, given away, or mailed somewhere else down the Trail, i.e. you pay the postage on it twice!
Your options to "buy as you go" are better than you might think as far asplaces to shopon or very near the Trail. If you can get a really great deal on the Mountain House stuff, that's great, but I'm not sure I'd wanna buy six months of food all at once.
berninbush
11-03-2006, 18:17
This link shows over 182 one cup dinner entree servings! (Provides enough servings for one meal/day for an 6 MONTHS)! for $450.00, thats about .40 a meal.
I think you did the math backwards... divided 182 by $450 instead of dividing $450 by 182. The cost is more like $2.47 per meal. Not horrendous, but you could possibly make your own freezer bag meals for cheaper and have more variety.
Boat Drinks
11-03-2006, 20:26
I think you did the math backwards... divided 182 by $450 instead of dividing $450 by 182. The cost is more like $2.47 per meal. Not horrendous, but you could possibly make your own freezer bag meals for cheaper and have more variety.
OOPS, I did do it wrong didn't I! De-de-DE!!!! :-? :confused: :datz Thanks for pointing that out! That and all the other input here has pretty much put an end to this quandary of mine. Thanks for all the advice here gang!
Boat Drinks
11-03-2006, 20:29
...rapidly approaching the "too much effort to be worth it" threshold..
LOL, I like that! Is there a scientific formula for figuring that out?:D