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davedog
Wed, Oct-24-07, 12:17
Just returned from 4 days into and out of Havasupai (google it- the tribe's web page is pretty informative.) It is a pretty stout 10 miles in and 10 out, lots of elevation change, rough rocky trails and deep sand.

I have been LC for a few years, Paleo for a few months. For this hike I really cut the cord: I packed jerky, pemmican, pine nuts and raisins. No power bars, no peanut butter, no freeze-dried crap from REI. Ate at the cafe in the village twice, stuck to ham and eggs. OK, 2 diet cokes.

My companions packed more conventional fare. They did fine on theirs, I did great on mine. My food weighed less, took up less space, required much less preparation and left less trash to pack out.

I spent my days hiking steep trails, climbing rock faces and swimming in perfect but very cold blue travertine pools and rapids. Never got fatigued, no need for naps. The pemmican bars from US Wellness were especially good fuel.

The second night, ring-tail cats tore up one buddy's pack, and destroyed his food. He ate Paleo by default for the rest of the trip, as I had plenty. I think we may have a convert!

It was kinda sad to note the physical condition of most of the locals. As with many Native populations the villagers have adopted the worst of the SAD. At one point I sat eating pemmican while watching a Native family breakfast on pancakes, froot loops and coke. Our culture has taken more than their land from them.

Upon return, my scale was dead, but my clothes are falling off me. If I did not lose weight I certainly lost inches. Not the point of the trip but a nice extra.

I routinely bike and hike, fueled by high fat, moderate protein, very low carbs. I have learned to ignore the naysayers and listen to my body. After this hike, my body is saying "Paleo? Hell yeah!"

PlaneCrazy
Wed, Oct-24-07, 13:24
Sounds great. Where'd you get the jerky?

Pine nuts, huh? Did you eat 'em raw, or toasted? I would imagine that raw is fine, but toasted in a little hot lard with a very light dusting of sea salt would also be wonderful. US Wellness pemican? I haven't been out to their site in a while. Sounds like I need to pay a visit! :)

Also, how did you plan amounts for the hike?

Congrats, and thanks for sharing!

Plane

cmcd1070
Wed, Oct-24-07, 13:54
That sounds like an amazing hike! I usually just take almonds and jerky with tons of water for long hikes but the longest hike I've taken lately has been 10 hours.

davedog
Wed, Oct-24-07, 14:17
Salmon and Bison jerky were also from US Wellness. Pine nuts toasted, from Trader Joe's. Pemmican bars were the star though. The plain were not as tasty as the ones with cherries and honey, but dissolved in a cup of hot water made an easy soup. Raisins and nuts with the plain bar were delicious.

I estimated food needs by allowing 3000 cal/day. Used a lot less than that. I just ate whenever I had the chance. My buddies were bumming pemmican the whole trip, but I still had leftover.

Slept in hammocks slung over the creek. Drank from a spring coming out of the redrock- never unpacked the filter. Dreamed paleo dreams.

October is a great time to go, BTW. Not so crowded, not nearly as hot as June/ July, good weather, no bugs. (Skeeters are bad there in the summer.) Warm sunny days for swimming. Cool, starry nights for sleeping.

There is a lodge in the village, spartan but clean, and non-hikers can access via horseback or helicopter. The campground is 2 miles past the village, stunningly placed between Havasupai and Mooney falls. That incredible blue water runs right through the campground in a chain of pools and falls.

Most of the campers were quiet and considerate (lots of Euro and Asian campers). We did pack out some trash left by some bozos before us.

Port-a-Johns are provided; not too bad. Most folks seemed to actually use them.

Lots of dogs from the village frequent the campground. They were well-behaved but shameless beggars. Hang your food and trash up high!