EXPEDITION FOOD & DRINK

Maintaining a healthy balanced diet during the approach phase to the mountain and whilst above Base Camp is essential on any expedition but especially so on an 8000m peak. Following arrival at Base Camp it may be several weeks before summits bids are launched and during the intervening period all of the climbers will work extremely hard, often in adverse weather conditions. The debilitating effects of altitude and extreme cold can impact even the most resolute expedition member, thereby reducing efficiency on the mountain and preventing potential success. Food and drink must therefore be viewed as important as the latest down equipment, high altitude climbing boots or lightweight hardware.

The Makalu 2010 expedition has been generously supported by a number of companies specialising in food and drink. In this, the firsts that Food and Drink bulletin, we focus on one of the companies that have supported the expedition, MOUNTAIN FUEL, and the products they have supplied the expedition with.

Mountain Fuel is an Extreme and Endurances Sports Nutrition system. The company produce a range of 4 products, each targeted at specific elements of the endurance athlete’s day.

- Morning Fuel (Rise – Refuel – Restart) - Oats

- Xtreme Energy Fuel (Refuel – Revives –Reboot) – Blackcurrant and Tropical Flavour

- Ultimate Recovery Fuel (Rest – Recover – Refuel) – Chocolate Flavour

- Night Fuel (Rest – Reheat – Reminisce) – Chocolate Flavour

Each product comes in an individual sachet and is specially formulated to provide the right balance of nutritional ingredients to support the body throughout the day. The team used the products throughout the approach trek and they have become a core element of each mountain day with supplies at each camp. Importantly, all 4 products have also been viewed favourably by the Sherpas.

Mountain Fuel has already proved to be a positive and popular addition to the ration plan amongst all the team and the benefits will go along way towards assisting us meet our objective – an ascent of Makalu (8463m) via the South East Ridge.

Full details of the products, including details of the ingredients and supply information can be found at www.mountainfuel.co.uk