I was guiding a small group through a narrow mountain valley on a cold, foggy, wet morning high up on the Tibetan Plateau in western China. In the distance, we saw a woman waving her arms in front of her nomadic yurt. Initially thinking something was wrong, we hastily made our way through her family Yak heard, to meet at the tent. When we got there, she invited us inside where she had a wood stove burning, made tea, and had warmed up bread. (Tibetans love to drink something called butter tea, which is a type of fermented and salted black tea served with yak butter and barley powder. It is quite an acquired taste.) We sat there, in near silence as the language barrier was quite significant. Though, one thing that was clearly communicated was her genuine hospitality and kindness through the sharing of what little she had available. We felt our spirits rejuvenated and as our bellies filled and bodies warmed, we shared lots of smiles and gratitude.
Backcuntry Meal – Photo by Andrew Underwood
Proper Food Planning is Essential
As we continue our series on the “Ten Essentials”, It is no mystery why food is at the top of the list of must-have items when we travel into the wilderness. At the most foundational level, we need the calories, we need the energy and sustenance to survive. Rationally and practically we have to see food for backcountry travel first and foremost from a place of need and safety. You and your participants will be in serious trouble without proper planning and attention given to the food you’ll take on your trip. Some helpful first considerations are…
1. Number of participants
2. Number of meals
3. Types of activities and terrain
4. Pack weight
5. Age and gender of your participants
6. Weather and climate
7. Diet and allergy restrictions
Though food is more than just calories and nutrition, it is a valuable and rich part of the human experience. We use it to show love and care for other people, it draws friends and family together and often stands as a deep expression of cultural identity. It is a significant emotional part of our lives whether we realize it or not. Just stop for a moment and think about it; I am willing to bet that some, or even most, of your fondest memories revolve around food.
RELATED POST: The Secret Ingredient to Tasty Outdoor Meals
A Wilderness Meal is a Rich Experience
Just like my experience in Tibet, meals often go beyond survival and can become really impactful parts of your trip. For example, food in the backcountry is often not taken for granted because of a sense of scarcity; You cannot just run to the store and get more. There are obvious natural consequences for running out of food and a real sense of relief and satisfaction when you get to eat it. This scarcity heightened by true survival tends to make meals a really joyous occasion, that almost everyone is looking forward to and excited about. That level of engagement can create quite an opportunity for powerful teachable moments, transformational reflective experiences, and bonding elements of community. A simple meal facilitated with this in mind can help participants an experiential way to see what it feels like to truly treasure something life-giving.
A Psalm of David When He Was in the Wilderness of Judah
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name, I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips…” Ps 63:1-5
The Lord Can Use Meals to Nourish Our Heart
Here in this psalm, David is expressing some really deep emotions towards the Lord. It is clear that he has experienced a real thirst in the desert and real hunger and satisfaction with good food. Those experiences have taught him what it means to really thirst after the Lord and be satisfied in Him.
What a powerful image, and what an even more powerful experience. The wilderness provides the right conditions, in the right environment, for us to experience the same thirst and satisfaction in the Lord. The meals that we pack for our trip, are yes for our physical nourishment, but they can be a powerful tool for the Lord to use to nourish our hearts. They can point us to a good and faithful Father who sustains us, provides for us, and cares for us. They can communicate, no matter the language or culture, our deep need for the life-giving presence of Yahweh.
Reflection
- Can you think of another time in scripture where a meal was a powerful lesson for God’s people?
- In a survey of the Gospels take note of every time food is mentioned. How might you use this with the meals that you bring with you in the backcountry?
- What are three big questions that you have about packing, planning, and facilitating meals with students in the backcountry? *Don’t hesitate to reach out to Wilderness Ministry Institute for more help!
