Category: Uncategorized

Food Review: Backpackers Country Risotto w/ Chicken

by Trek4PTSD, posted in Trail Food Reviews, Uncategorized

The trail is not the place you want to try out new things.  It is always imperative to test everything you are going to take on the trail before stepping off.  Food is no exception.  The last thing you want is to make a meal after a long day of hiking and you cannot stomach the smell or the taste.  Always test your gear and your food before heading out.

Backpacker’s Country: Risotto with Chicken

This meal provides a meal full of taste and sustenance.  There is very little negative, for my taste, about this meal.  This will be a future meal on the trail for me and part of my hiking supply stash.

This meal comes in at a total weight of approx. 7.8oz (216g), the meal itself is 5.8oz (164g).  That means that you will have to pack out approximately 2oz (52g).  This may be a bit heavy for those who are trying to go ultralight.

The package contains two servings.  Eating the entire bag comes in at 600 Calories, 6g of fat (3g Sat Fat), 50mg of Cholesterol, 2440mg of Sodium, 100g of Total Carbohydrates (4g of Fiber, 8g of sugar) and 38g of Protein.  Also 20% of your daily Calcium intake, 8% of Iron and 12% of  Potassium.  Not too bad to replenish most of what you have used in a day of hiking.

It does require 2 cups (470 ml) of water, a typical amount for a meal this size.

The “cooking” process requires the water to be boiled and poured into the resalable pouch.  Stir the water and meal together and seal the pouch.  After 15 to 20 minutes, the meal is ready to eat (more time may be needed at higher altitudes).

The front of the package reads, “AN ITALIAN STYLE COMBINATION OF RICE, PARMESAN CHEESE, WHITE MEAT CHICKEN, ONION, BROCCOLI, SWEET CORN, BELL PEPPER, AND TOMATO. DELIZIOSO, ABBONDANZA”.

The meal was very good with a pleasing taste.  The water was measured in a controlled environment according to the instructions.  Although 2 cups (470 ml) were used as directed, not all of the water was absorbed after 23+ minutes.  Towards the end of the meal I noticed a slight grainy feel to the meal.  The soak/cook time is double of some of the other meals and by the time I was done eating, it was getting cold.  Such a long soak/cook time will may make the meal get cold sooner at colder temperatures (meal was served in a 70° F (21.1° C)).  The weight of the packaging and the long soak/cook time may be a reason for some people to avoid.

Overall a good meal and I give it 4 spoons out of 4.

The First Steps…And Once Again

by Trek4PTSD, posted in Uncategorized

My name is Raul Fuster and I am a United States Marine.

In January 2016 I decided that in one way or another I would hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  As I embarked on this journey, I realized that like the trail, this was bigger than me.  I needed something else out of hiking the trail than just the sense of accomplishment from hiking 1 mile or 2600 miles.  I had a new sense of purpose, and thus the Trek4PTSD was born.

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There are many ideas that were conceived.  But just as any journey, it has to start with a step and hope you can make the next one.  And the first step was to try to raise awareness for PTSD one step at a time.  As WE build the Trek4PTSD and watch it grow, we can move to bigger things that will help others who suffer from PTSD rather than just raise awareness for it.

On Saturday, March 26th, 2016, I set off on the PCT for what would be the first of 3 section hikes that year.  152 miles later, things came to a slow halt.  Due to work commitments, preparation for my retirement in January 2019 and unforeseen family issues, the trail had to be put off.  As time passed, the trail called and I tried to answer as best as I could.  A few small hikes were made, but the PCT had to wait.

My efforts to keep the Trek4PTSD moving were hard to make, but as in the trail it does not matter how slow you move what matters is that you move.  And forward I moved.

Then something hit me like a bag of bricks, or should I say tears.  It was Friday, April 6th, 2018 when I was on my way to the Southern California desert for a weekend of camping, jeepin and geocaching with friends.  My drive brought me through Warner Springs, Ca where the PCT crosses twice(miles 109.5 and 112.7 of California Section B).  My eyes began to water and an emotional roller coaster ensued.  I texted my wife telling her that I was about to start crying and she called me in return.  That was all it took, the water works began.  As any good wife would, she asked what was wrong.  My answer was one of uncertainty, all I knew was that it had to do with the PCT.  Her response was one of understanding.  She said, “It[the PCT/trail] is a part of you; you need to get back out there”.  This sparked a new sense of purpose.

That days journey was not done yet, as I was going by Scissors Crossing (around mile 75 on the PCT) I stopped and spoke to four members of the PCT Class of 2018.  I made the 45 minute detour to give one of them a ride into Julian, Ca. so that he could resupply and recharge.  His stories of his time on the PCT brought back memories and emotions.  I wanted, NO, I needed to get back out.

In the next week I watched “Wild”, again.  I watched “A Walk in the Woods”, again.  And along with woodworking videos, I searched for PCT and hiking related videos on YouTube once again.

These past few weeks have been emotional, and that is good for the Trek4PTSD.  Sometimes the small things bring you back to center.  And with retirement on the horizon, 2019 seems like the best possible year to try to accomplish the thru hike of the PCT although there are a few hurdles to jump over before then.

I hope to see you all in the coming months and years, hear your stories, and document your journeys.

Follow the Trek4PTSD here and on Facebook (facebook.com/trek4PTSD).

Take the journey on step at a time and #TrekOn!