Ryan

You will get a lot of helpful advice here, BUT you live in a place far more isolated and strange than most of us (all?) anyway please get local knowledge, preferably also some native input. Some of our Arizona/Texas boys are pretty experienced in desert travel, but a long major hike through a strange wilderness with unknown threats - Crocodile attack anyone? Does any one know exactly what to do if a crocodile attacks them?

And I agree - freeze dried food tastes like re hydrated dirt.
Jim