Trekking with Alex Godard and freeze-dried meals
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Alex Godard is an adventure filmmaker who creates immersive experiences in his adventure documentaries . He combines his passions for the outdoors , cinema and music to create films where landscapes and atmosphere are highlighted. He has adopted a vegan lifestyle for several years out of concern for ecology and animal welfare.
Alex also happens to be a great ambassador for freeze-dried meals ! In fact, he always brings this type of meal with him on his long-distance hiking trips. For him, dehydrated meals have long since left his vocabulary ( since there are major differences between freeze-dried and dehydrated ).
He co-hosts the Échos de Montagne podcast with hiker Catherine Turgy.
Today we're going to take a look at how Alex eats while hiking. Maybe this will give you some ideas for your next adventures.
What does his day look like?
Morning: the classic departure
His day begins with a lunch prepared in advance using the " Cold Soaking " method. In order to optimize the weight of his luggage, he soaks oatmeal in the bag of freeze-dried meal he ate the day before. Here is his recipe in detail:
- Quick Oats
- Nut
- Dried fruits
- Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
- Bold Smoothie to add a little strawberry flavor
Since he uses his freeze-dried lunch bag from the night before, he doesn't necessarily wash it between uses. So he may end up with some unexpected flavors in his lunch. Some might not like it, but for him, it does the job just fine.
The day: have continuous energy
Since he runs very long distances, he makes sure to have a large and regular caloric intake throughout the day. Alex has a snack about every hour in the form of protein bars.
His rule is to avoid getting hungry before eating since he is aware that his body needs regular nourishment to sustain his prolonged efforts.
He may include a Treko meal during the day. He once again uses the "Cold Soak" method, which he will eat in two portions during the day.
Hydration and electrolytes
Alex Godard makes sure to stay hydrated during his long hikes by drinking plenty of water . However, he also emphasizes the importance of electrolytes to balance his levels, an increased necessity during extended adventures where sweating causes salt loss.
Electrolytes add flavor and sodium to his water, essential for keeping him fit during his outdoor explorations.
Evening: the last rush before nightfall
Before he finishes his day, he snacks to keep his energy up until setting up camp and eating dinner. When needed, his secret weapon is Treko’s powerful Smoothie . This freeze-dried smoothie sweetened with maple syrup has already given him the energy he needs to continue his hike late into the night, even in demanding conditions.
His tastes vary greatly, but his two favorite freeze-dried meals are Couscous Aventurier and Chili Sans Limite .
Finally, he completes his day by setting up his camp. Before starting, he adds water to his freeze-dried meal bag that he will eat after setting up his tent. He can afford it since a Treko freeze-dried meal rehydrates in less than 10 minutes , both in hot and cold water.
Even though this meal can sometimes be a challenge to finish, he knows the routine will repeat itself the next day.
“Cold Soaking”, or cooking without a stove
Cold Soaking is a method of preparing freeze-dried meals that involves rehydrating ingredients without direct heat. Specifically, with cold water . This eliminates the need to bring a burner on your hike and saves a bit of space in your pack.
We did a blog post about cold soaking here
What does he do on a winter hike?
In harsher winter conditions, Godard adds fat sources, such as oil or peanut butter, to increase his calories and maintain body heat .
Obviously, the "Cold Soaking" option won't work here since the water will turn to ice! That's why in these specific situations you bring a burner to eat a good comforting meal.
Final thoughts
His typical day of hiking demonstrates how essential calories are to maintaining energy and performance on long hikes. Of course, everyone will need to adapt their diet based on their needs and the challenges they encounter along the way. For him, nutrition is an essential part of his passion for hiking, reminding him how crucial it is to take care of your body to continue exploring the endless wonders of nature.
A great ambassador
Our collaboration with Alex came about through an exceptional set of circumstances. Indeed, it was thanks to one of our Mount Trail points of sale that put us in touch. Also supplying Alex during his adventures, the match was perfect for everyone. This partnership has been ongoing since February 2022 and we hope that it will continue for many years to come.
Alex's Best Movies
If we had to recommend 3 documentaries to watch , they would be these:
How to follow it
His Youtube channel: Alex Godard - YouTube
His Facebook profile: Facebook
His Instagram profile: Alex Godard (@alexgodardag) • Instagram photos and videos
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