[pct-l] Sports Drinks

[Lawrence Pelo]

I've used Hammer Perpetuem (as well as a similar product called Spiz) and
Hammer gels in a couple of 24-hour races. These are good products and I
recommend them for ultradistance racing.

Now, HYOH and YMMV and all that, and apparently Perpetuem worked for
Deadbeat Dave on the PNT, but I can't imagine using these ultra-endurance
products on a long-distance hike. They're formulated for performance, not
for taste, which is not so bad if you only have to choke them down for 24
hours or whatever, but I wouldn't want to consume them regularly over 5
months. When I'm hiking, I look forward to tasty food, and I think this
stuff tastes nasty.

If the motivation is to cut weight, Perpetuem etc. won't help you. A 69g
serving gives you 270 calories, or 3.9 cal/g, which is no better than many
other hiker foods. (Snickers = 4.7 cal/g, ramen = 4.4 cal/g, PB = 6.3 cal/g,
oatmeal = 3.7 cal/g.)

Lawrence

>
> Deadbeat Dave wrote:
> Yes, I have used Hammer.  In fact, I espoused the use of Hammer products on
> my first post on this site, where I mistakenly mentioned that I'd be
> thru-hiking the PCT in 2011 with my wife and child.  If that stains my
> credibility, pay no attention, but please don't.  Hammer works.  I have used
> it in an Ironman triathlon, in the Boston Marathon and in a thru-hike of the
> Pacific Northwest Trail.  The product I use is called Perpetuem: it's an
> all-natural vegetarian protein/lipid replenisher that is in powder form and
> mixes with water.  You can mix it to the consistency you prefer (thick
> paste/milkshake/regular sports drink).  Yes, I do know that hiking 20 miles
> a day is NOT the same as running 20 miles a day.  I know this because I do
> both.  So when I say that it works in both...I mean that it works in both.
>  Someone tried to explain to me the difference between
> hiking/running/triathlon...I get it, trust me.   Please try it for yourself.
>  If you don't like it, you don't like it.
>  But if you do, it's a great fallback reservoir if you unexpectedly run low
> on food...which can happen.  Even if you don't run low, I would recommend
> using Perpetuem as a staple of your trail diet.  Hike your own hike, and I
> hope this works for anyone who is willing to give it a shot.  Hammer, for
> those who don't know, is an excellent company out of little Whitefish, MT,
> right outside of Glacier NP.  They run a strong, local outfit and also make
> sports drink mix (Heed) and Hammer Gel which is more for bursts of energy
> for shorter aerobic exercises.  Perpetuem is specifically designed for
> continuous aerobic/anaerobic activity ranging from 3 to 15 hours.  I carry
> my Perpetuem in a flexible Nalgene canteen bag which is extremely durable
> and can conform to any part of your pack, even against your back.  Hope
> everyone's spring season is going well, and good luck to those embarking on
> their treks this year.
>
> Deadbeat Dave
>