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Gu: Portable energy for desperate hikers
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From about.com.
Let me begin by stating simply that energy gels, including Gu, Clif Shots, and many lesser-known brands, taste simply vile.
I first had an occasion to sample Gu on a wild hike up Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, in the midst of a windy day and lots of sleet. Six or seven miles from the top, my muscles shuddered to a halt, my breath came in ragged gasps (seriously!) and my brain had half convinced the rest of my body that the best possible option was to curl up in a snow drift and hibernate until Spring (or at least until the weather improved). I was drained and exhausted.
"Have a Gu," said one of my hiking buddies, apparently hoping I would not hibernate for the rest of the winter.
I choked down the vile substance, which tasted something like a blend of coffee and automobile oil, albeit of a slightly thicker consistency, and plugged away for a few more steps until (I promise!) my muscles changed their sluggish attitudes, my breath was still ragged but a little more constant, and my brain acnowledged that hibernating would be a more enjoyable option if I survived the hike and slept in my own soft bed that evening.
While I wouldn't suggest eating Gu every day, there are many benefits to having a package of gu or a similar energy-inducing substance for emergencies. On the hike I survived, I packed and ate many other energy-inducing foods, including granola bars, peanuts, and lots of fruit and carbohydrates. None of these created the immediate energy afforded by the Gu. Its packaging and size make it ideal for emergencies, and taking a package or two along on long hikes could make a tremendous difference in a hiker's energy and (possibly) survival.
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