I’ve struggled a bit deciding what to post next on the blog. I finally decided to post about my last backpack trip over Labor Day weekend 2021. I had reserved backcountry campsites 98, 81, 76, and 74 for an out and back trip, starting at the Tunnel that ends at the Road to Nowhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
As it turns out, I had been on a “sort-of-keto-diet” since early July, which of course is mostly low carbohydrates. BIG MISTAKE for backpacking. I brought peanut M&M’s, dehydrated mushroom risotto, dry salami, cheddar cheese, oatmeal and some new drink mixes I wanted to try. Like running years ago, I should have foregone the “diet” and loaded up on carbs ahead of the trip. The first day was about 11 miles total and I was exhausted. The second day, I realized there was no possible way I was going to make it to campsite 81, so I just stopped at #76 at lunch and set up camp. The third day, I hiked back to site #74, about 10 miles, and set up camp on the edge of the site (there must have been 20 people already there). The fourth day was a nice short walk back to the truck. I figured about 28 miles total, including visits to two cemeteries.
I have been doing some experimentation with energy/hydration drinks. In the late 70s – early 80s, I carried Tang and mixed it up. Being in my early 20s however, I had plenty of energy, so I don’t think I noticed any changes. However, since I’ve turned 50 and 60 and don’t put in nearly the miles I used to on a daily basis, I’ve noticed the need for replenishing my system. In the last couple of years, I’ve made my own Gatorade; weaker than the bought ones – I find them too sweet. I use an empty 20 ounce bottle, about 1/2-3/4 scoop, and ~1/2 teaspoon of pink salt. That helps.
On this trip, I bought several packs of Liquid-IV Energy Multiplier and a few packs of some other energy mix (I don’t remember their name, but probably won’t buy them again anyway). The LIV were pretty good and I could actually feel it in my system. A friend of mine at work drinks lots of ZipFizz, so I’ve tried those recently also along with the Liquid-IV Hydration Multiplier. Since I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, I bounce back and forth between all of them.
Even with the humidity that weekend and the heavy sweating, I found that my hydration issues may now be a thing of the past. Funny, isn’t it, you can still learn new things, even at 61 years!
McLeod's Hikes and Such 