Non-Pershable foods for overlanders?
 

What type of luck have you guys had with MRE's and other non-perisable foods for off road motorcycle trips.

Whats your favorite N\P food cooked and uncooked?

Why use N/P food? Enjoy the local delights. Although I don't know were you are going

I used to pack in all my food too and I still do when I go mountaineering. But when riding around on a bike, I'll buy local food. It's cheaper and there are some delightfull things to discover!
An other plus is that you safe weight and volume.
I do take some powerbars with me as emergency ratio's.

Normally I would agree whol heartedly but I plan on goin up into the far Canadian North and most of the places I'll end up at won't have any roads much less places to eat. If I'm lucky I'll be able to catch some fish and eat those.

So far I have

Ramen noodles
Oat Meal
Beef Jerky
Dried fruit and nuts

Those sound the most appealing to me any other idea's for a tasty treat would be great!

Cans of tuna
Hard-boiled eggs
Couscous
Carrots
Bananas
Concentrated milk (in tube)

Mix cans of corn, string beans and tuna. Add some tomatoes (not really N/P but it will do for the first couple of days) and hard-boiled eggs: you have a Salade Nicoise.

Cook some 5-minute rice with a can a tuna, a small can of green peas and a little bit of tomato paste (in tube too): you have a paella.

And the best... gather some wood, light up a fire, open a can of small appetizer sausages and a can of black beans, push the cans near the fire using the pliers of your Leatherman Tool (or alternatively your tire irons), heat until it boils, mix... and you're up for a real Marlboro dinner! Yummy!


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Pierre
http://www.geocities.com/skypie999/bikes/

Sounds like someone knows how to cook! Well done, Pierre.

For snacks, we like to carry the small gouda cheese in individual packages - called 'Baby Bel'.

Soup mixes with dehydrated vegetables make a good starter for soups, stews, etc. Just add fresh vegetables and whatever meat or fish you have.

Also, slightly bulky but worth the weight is peanut butter, since you can often find either bread or crackers and that way you get your protein.

For sheer extravagance, if you're going through either Vancouver or Calgary or Edmonton on your way north, stop at Mountain Equipment Co-op for a great selection of MRE's including desserts.

Have fun and good eating. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Susan Johnson
Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 15 February 2002).]

Hey thanks alot pierresas and Susan, some great idea's!


Now what are your guys's thought about water in the great Northwest(Canadian)?

Not really safe to drink water from streams, even though it looks fine. There is a risk of giardia and bacteria or viruses, so water should be purified.

REI (Seattle) has a good selection of water purifiers - see the link below:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...ravelEquipment

Search on 'water purifiers', Click on a product and then on 'Comparison Chart' to get a comparison of the products.

If you don't want to buy online, at least you'll know what to look for when you go to a camping equipment store.

Susan

re:Water filters...

I looked around last year for a filter for drinking water only, not for cooking, and concluded that ExStream was the best for me: very light, very simple, and no maintenance. You fill it up and sip through the hose, like a straw. It doesn't work very well if you need to cook because pressing the bottle to process 1/2 liter or 1 liter is a chore.

The solution for my next trip (where I won't have any water source for up to 3 days) will be to have a 20 liters jerrican containing unfiltered water, the ExStream for drinking water and a second filter (I don't recall which one but REI certainly carry it) for processing larger quantities of water (cooking + camel back)

We almost always have to carry a plastic bottle anyhow for drinking water, so why not making it one that purifies water too? The additional weight is almost negligible.
http://www.exstreamwater.com/


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Pierre
http://www.geocities.com/skypie999/bikes/

Is a chemical treatment(iodine\chlorine) water purifier necessary for Canadian streams ect, or can I get away with just some of basic filtration system?

Do iodine\chlorine water filters make water taste like crap?

thanks again

[This message has been edited by c0_re (edited 15 February 2002).]

Some very good information on the Mountain Equipment Co-op site, and also the REI site.
<A HREF="http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?navSectionClicked=section2Clicked &CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=147819&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id= 248981" TARGET=_blank>
</A>

http://www.rei.com/reihtml/LEARN_SHA...atertreatf.jsp


Here's the bottom line:

"To fully disinfect suspect water using a water filter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 1) mechanically filtering the water, 2) treating it with a halogen (chlorine or an iodine solution), 3) letting it sit 15 to 60 minutes, 4) then drinking.

Per REI, "A water 'filter' removes bacteria (e.g., Campylobacter jejuni) and protozoan cysts (Giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium) from contaminated water.

A water 'purifier' removes bacteria, protozoan cysts AND viruses (infinitesimal organisms too tiny to be trapped by a filter, e.g., hepatitis A) from contaminated water.

Devices identified as "purifiers" usually cause water to interact with iodine (often in the form of iodine resins), which can render viruses inactive.

Another purifier uses a positive electrostatic charge in its filter medium to capture viruses."

So the good news is that there is a non-chemical alternative - the First Need Deluxe Water Purifier: "The Deluxe is the only non-chemical water purifier certified to EPA Guide Standard for microbiological purifiers against bacteria, cysts and viruses. It also removes unpleasant tastes and certain chemicals."

Susan

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 15 February 2002).]

WOW! Susan that was great read thanks alot for the info, it was EXACTLY what I was looking for. thanks again everyone!

Hi Susan

I was just debating whether we would need a water filter/purifier for our trip UK to Aus. We will be spending some time out in the sticks in India, Nepal and Thailand en route.

Or is bottled water 'generally' available in enough places to make carrying supplies practical?

In fact do most overlanders carry a filter as a matter of course, or only those going to really remote places?

Cheers

Sean

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Sean

Here's a simple British solution - the Aqua Pure Traveller. www.aquapuretraveller.com An ordinary looking 500 ml water bottle that filters as you drink. Laimed to deal with dodgy water the world over. When they bring you a drink with ice in it in India or wherever, decant the whole lot into the bottle. It should keep the locals amused.

Sean

Yes, you should always carry some filter / purifier with you. Bottled water may not be available when you need it, and it isn't always safe either. When we were in Nairobi, the local news had a story to the effect that all but 2 of the 50 or so brands of bottled water being sold were just ordinary Nairobi tap water!

Nick, the AquaPure filter looks good, and is comparable in price to the US products, so that's a good alternative for travellers based in the UK.

Here's a picture so you can see the concept:
http://www.aquapuretraveller.com/Com...PTi_192pix.gif

The only two things I notice as possible negatives in the AquaPure filter are:

1. You are supposed to wait for up to 15 minutes before drinking, to let the 'iodinising sleeve' do its work.

2. It does use iodine, but then so do the similar products from REI. If someone really objects to chemical treatments or the taste of iodine, the First Need Deluxe Water Purifier seems to be it, but it is a little more bulky than just a bottle, does require pumping, and also it's US$86.00.

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/206...ges/618208.jpg

Susan

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 08 March 2002).]

Hi

Thanks for the info and I'll certainly have a good look at the Aquapure.

UK and European offices for First Need products can be found at www.generalecologyeurope.com.

ActiveTraveller are asking £100 for a SIGG First Need purifier!!!!!

Cheers

Sean



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Sean

Sean

How they translate US$86 into £100 is an amazing process! Even with shipping and VAT, I can't see that as reasonable.

If you decide you want the non-iodine product, I'd suggest you order it from REI. They do ship internationally, and are a very reputable firm, in business for a long time.

Susan

c0_re

Spam is a good high energy food.

Also when in the North country keep in mind that there is real potential for bear encounters while camped or fishing so watch how you store your food. Best to keep food prep and cleanup away from your tent and store your food in sealed containers. If the smell food...you will get an unwelcomed visit.

In Denali Nat'l. Park last year the Park Rangers said you should have a bear proof container (available in area)to store you food. And that you should eat, clean up, store your food at one location then camp at a different location at least 100 yards or meters (your choice)from you eating and food storage area.
Our room was mayby 50 yards from the restaurant.

Hi Susan

After careful consideration and weighing up the options, I've ordered one of the first need deluxe purifiers from www.adventuregear.ca.

Price was $160 Canadian or about £75 (with SIGG) including shipping to UK. Another case of rip off Britain I feel....

Thanks for the advice.

Sean

PS. Our drop dead departure date for UK, India to Aus is Sept. 2nd , so the clock is now ticking.

Well, 2 weeks after placing the order, the first need purifier has arrived all the way from Canada.

Looks good, compact and well made. I was tempted to try and filter some water from my frog filled pond, but I haven't made that leap of faith yet...


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Sean

hi
there is a great book called one burner cooking I got from mec in canada (mec.ca) when I get home I'll get the isbn no.
nobby

I have ate many an MRE and if I never have another one in my life it will be to soon. If travelling in a remote area it would be a good idea to have one or two with you for emergency rations, esp in the cold. They have 2000 cal per meal so you can live on one a day. Mountain house freeze dried meals are pretty good, but expnsive like all these type meals. Instant rice, peanut butter, oatmeal, jerky, dried fruit are all good to carry along and inexpensive. Take them out of the original container and put them in zip lock freezer bags. Easier to pack, water proof and light. If you are in cold weather freeze a couple of steaks and throw them in. They will keep for a day or two depending on the weather. Bear cannisters are very handy in bear country, just rember to put them away from camp and between rocks etc. Bears have been known to roll them away where they couldn't be found. Hope this helps.

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John

[This message has been edited by ekaphoto (edited 07 December 2003).]

One person above mentioned cans of tuna. This is a great, quick and filling meal. The only problem is, that the cans are heavy and are full of water that you have to carry and drain off. Recently some companys have started packaging tuna in vaccuume package envelopes. They are thin very durrable and quite lite. There is as much or more tuna in one of the packs and they are more condusive to being packed and stored on your bike.

I have lived in Inuvik for the past 28 years, and done a lot of travelling, hiking, float plane flying, cycling, biking, etc. I have never used any water purification systems in my life, and do not know of anyone that uses them. All the water is clean. Usually the biggest problem is that you do not have any water in some areas. Also you only have to carry emergency food unless you out in the bush somewhere. If you are on the road system, you can always purchase food at the end of the day.

Hello V8! I'm sorry to say, but your last statement is very inacurate! I' like you, grew up in the wilderness of Northern Canada, and i have never got sick from drinking the water, but this is because we have been doing it all our lives and have probably developed heavy resistance to whatever it is we are consuming. Another example is Mexico or S.America. The local people can drink the water, but it does horrible things to my body. I've seen other travellers go to the hospital after eating the same food as me, and i was fine (savichi in Peru) Basicly what i'm trying to say is what might be safe for us can be dangerous for others, although i feel Canada probably has the safest drinking water in the world, especially your far northern land mostly free of garbage and industry. In S.America, pollution is probably the #1 factor
Canada Kicks Ass!!

For Aus to Britain ... yes take a water purifier. If your going backpacking (by buss) then you won't need one.. but on the bike you'll get to some remote places (other wise why take the bike?).

The other way to purify water is to boil it .. for 15 minutes on a rolling boil. Best with a camp fire.

On the tuna .. tins or aluminum pack .. the tins are cheaper .. take more bumps.. and have about the same amount of liquid. I take 3 minute rice (takes less fuel to cook) in those plastic bags .. and a tin of tuna .. cook (with all the liquid.. may as well consume what you pay for).

When we are away from towns and cities where we eat local food, we carry pasta, rice or noodles, tinned tuna, corn beef and tinned tomatoes. A couple of times we have hung fresh garlic and an onion or two from a rucksack or the bike. A small bottle of dried herbs, Italian or French mixed add flavour.

We've been using 'Pentapure' bottles up to he end of our last trip but, the filters are next to impossible to get in the UK so we'll buy a pump type filter for this years trip.

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 11 March 2004).]