Go-to GORP Recipe

Most hikers and backpackers probably have their favorite trail mix which is some variety of GORP, or Good Old Raisins and Peanuts. While there are many commercial varieties available, I prefer to make my own. Here is my go to recipe. It is simple, easy to mix, easy to store, and does not melt in the heat.

Combine the following ingredients in a large bowl or plastic bag:
½ 16 oz jar of Planters Unsalted Peanuts
1 11.4 oz bag of milk chocolate M&M’s
2 5 oz bags of Ocean Spray Reduced Sugar Craisins
Yields about six cups

Mix all the ingredients so they are as equally distributed as possible. Each cup will contain about 600 calories. I measure out two cups each into three pint size Zip Lock Freezer Bags, each bag containing about 1,200 calories of good looking, great tasting, long lasting energy. I usually carry a bag with me whenever I am hiking, cycling or kayaking. One bag will last for several day trips. Once a bag is almost empty, I will place another bag in my pack. If I am planning an extended trip, I will pack enough to provide a cup of GORP for each full day on the trail.

I use unsalted peanuts because I think I already receive enough salt in my diet, and salt in my trail mix would only make me thirstier than I might already be. I currently use plain milk chocolate M&M’s, but in the future, I plan to experiment with dark chocolate M&M’s as soon as I can readily find them. M&M’s add a nice color mixture to the GORP and unlike chocolate chips won’t melt in the heat unless they get crushed. I am not of big fan of raisins; therefore I prefer Craisins. I opt for the reduced sugar variety because this GORP already provides enough calories for my needs and sweetness for my taste.

Be sure to follow this cautionary advice if you are going to be sharing your trail mix with others. DO NOT ALLOW anyone, even yourself, to stick a hand in the bag to grab a handful of GORP. Doing so will contaminate the contents for everyone. ALWAYS pour from the bag into the hand so that no one’s hands come into contact with the trail mix.

If you try my GORP recipe, please let me know what you think about it. I also encourage you to reply with your own favorite and original homemade recipe for trail mix.

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