Need electrolytes on the trail?

[Lanthar Mandragoran]

Super JellyBellys!!

At first I wondered if they were serious... then I began wondering if they would be useful... I think they may have some potential...

[orangebug]

Well, GORP has electrolytes, carbs and fat. Perfect finger food for hikers.

[Uncle Silly]

Have you seen the packages of sports gummy sharks? Check your local outfitter or the Powerbar section of the grocery store ... I tried a package after finding them in Waynesboro VA at Rockfish Gap Outfitters. Not bad, but not really something I'd carry often.

[pooh]

you could also try these packets...
http://www.mothernature.com/shop/det...74#Description

[Mouse]

Many and many and many is the thruhiker I have seen gulping down some form of electrolyte replacement. I certainly put away my share of Gatorage, Gatorade powder, and unbrand whatever I could find at some ill stocked gas stations.

[gumby]

This is the main site for the link above it also has a version that I use called Emergen-C. It has all the ingerdients as Electro-mix plus all your B vitamins and a good dose of vitamin C.

I buy mine at Wal-Mart, We use them during the cold season, works great. I plan on having these with me and in my bounce box.

http://www.alacer.com/

l8tr, gumby

[Clark Fork]

The problem with most of these is the sugar content. Some say "Duh" but a high dose of concentrated sugar is simply rough on the pancreas. Better to get sugar slowly do prevent the ups and downs that lead to "Bonking."

Try Cytomax:

It is available in "lite" version without the sugar jolt... and is available in packets.

I came across this in a JMT 10 day menu at:

http://www.genesee.k12.id.us/Neumann2/JMT%20menu.pdf

Cytomax may be found at:

at: http://www.cytosport.com/

Regards,

Clark Fork

P.S. The menu format is "food for thought", an interesting format..and some good suggestions..including Logan Bread for trail lunches.

[gumby]

The problem with most of these is the sugar content. Some say "Duh" but a high dose of concentrated sugar is simply rough on the pancreas. Better to get sugar slowly do prevent the ups and downs that lead to "Bonking."

Try Cytomax:

It is available in "lite" version without the sugar jolt... and is available in packets.

I came across this in a JMT 10 day menu at:

http://www.genesee.k12.id.us/Neumann2/JMT%20menu.pdf

Cytomax may be found at:

at: http://www.cytosport.com/

Regards,

Clark Fork

P.S. The menu format is "food for thought", an interesting format..and some good suggestions..including Logan Bread for trail lunches.

Sugar content in Emergen-C is 5 grams, Cytomax has 11 grams, Electro-Mix has none

Gumby

[jackiebolen]

I wouldn't be too worried about electrolytes. As long as you're eating normal food on the trail and moderately healthy food while you're in town you shouldn't have any worries.

[Blue Sky II]

Diluted Cytomax worked well for me on the AT. Got about three pints of dilulted Cytomax from each 40 gram package of Cytomax instead drinking a way too sweet 16 onces. It worked well in the hot and sweaty summer months on the AT. I also took tiny capsules of Twinlab Potassium Citrate capsules, which are easily digestable, not at all like salt tabs. What I never would have figured is that I needed twice as much Cytomax and potassium during the AT summer, than hiking the desert section of the PCT (and it was hot!). Sweated profusely on the AT, not nearly as much on the PCT.

[MOWGLI]

This is the main site for the link above it also has a version that I use called Emergen-C. It has all the ingerdients as Electro-mix plus all your B vitamins and a good dose of vitamin C.

I buy mine at Wal-Mart, We use them during the cold season, works great. I plan on having these with me and in my bounce box.

http://www.alacer.com/

l8tr, gumby

Emergen-C is the bomb. I used a packet yesterday after spending 11 hours in the field birding as part of the Audubon Christmas Count - after getting 3 hours sleep the night before. It kept me going past midnight.

[gumby]

I just used some recently, everyone in the family was coming down with cold like symptoms, for 4 days I used 2 packets each day. No sniffles, no sore throat, etc.

There is a down side though. Now that everyone is sick I get to take down the Christmas tree and outdoor lights.

Happy New Year y'all

gumby

[april2006]

What I never would have figured is that I needed twice as much Cytomax and potassium during the AT summer, than hiking the desert section of the PCT (and it was hot!). Sweated profusely on the AT, not nearly as much on the PCT.

It's the humidity. That's why you sweat so much. Most of the summer here (WV) the humidity stays up around 90-100%. Really easy to get dehydrated.

[weary]

I wouldn't be too worried about electrolytes. As long as you're eating normal food on the trail and moderately healthy food while you're in town you shouldn't have any worries.

That's always been my theory. I've never found a need for such things. As near as I can tell, the best thing one can say about electrolyte drinks, if anything, is that they are simply harmless -- except to your wallet.

[Blue Sky II]

Yeah, your right, it's that damn humidity!

[longshank]

I use emergen-c, and if I dont have that I prepare a blend of tang with a little salt and I make it sort of weak to mimic gatorade. It's like medicine. I also carry chewable glucose tablets. A hugely effective safeguard.