The famous "GORP" (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) of American hikers: nuts, dried fruit, a little chocolate, and a pinch of salt. Light, non-perishable, ideal for altitude and hours without a cafeteria.

Why this dish? To reach the Keck Observatory, you drive up the Mauna Kea access road to over 4000 meters. In the bag: a mix of dried fruit and nuts — quick sugar and salt to keep you going during the climb and the long night that follows.

Up there, at over four thousand meters, the air is thin and your body burns energy just to stay warm. So I never head for the dome without my little bag of trail mix. A handful of cashews, almonds, raisins, a few chocolate chips, and a hint of salt — it's simple, but it keeps you going when the telescope never sleeps. I nibble between star sightings, my eye on the screens, the center of the Galaxy scrolling overhead.

How it was made : Trail mix was born in the American hiking culture of the 20th century; the acronym "GORP" has been used by hikers since the 1960s-70s. High-altitude observation missions adopted these non-perishable snacks, easy to eat one-handed.

The contemporary twist : Present it in a bag labeled "rations for 4205 m" — the exact altitude of the Mauna Kea summit.

Andrea Ghez · Charactorium