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While car camping can be a much-needed reset, sometimes we desire to venture further into the wilderness. Backpacking combines hiking with backcountry camping, allowing us to explore a more isolated path using only what we brought on our backs. Our essential hiking checklist considers clothing, shelter, hygiene, and of course, food. Here’s a more in-depth look on what food to take to a multi-day hiking journey.
Because your space will be limited to the size of your backpack, it’s essential you minimize the weight of your food. A lighter load will make for a more pleasant experience while trekking through your destination of choice. We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions regarding meal prep for your overnight hiking escape.
Aim to bring lighter-weight foods and plenty of snacks. While you may be accustomed to warm scrambled eggs in the morning at home, this breakfast is fragile and can create a mess on a multi-day hiking adventure. Your best bet is to keep your meal plan simple as your cooking gear will be limited.
Weigh the pros and cons of the time and energy it will take to make oatmeal and a warm cup of coffee in the morning, as opposed to opting for an apple and granola bar in an effort to hit the trail earlier. Think about all of these factors when creating your grocery checklist.
Everyone’s list will vary depending on personal preferences, but here are some ideas of items you could bring on a hiking trip. Ensure a satisfying palette by packing a variety of flavors and textures, from salty to sweet and crunchy to crumbly.
Dehydrated food is essential for a hiking or backpacking trip that will last more than a couple of days, but it can get expensive. If you have the time and resources, consider dehydrating your own food. To do this, you’ll need to buy a food dehydrator. If it’s your first time dehydrating food, opt for something more basic and upgrade later if you enjoy the process. Different types of food for hiking will require different care, so research and pay attention to your methods of preparation.
Tip: Use a mandolin slicer for consistent, thin cuts of vegetables, fruits, and meats.
Tip: You can freeze your dehydrated food to give it a longer shelf life. Just allow the food to defrost inside of the bag after you remove it from the freezer to avoid condensation buildup.
Bringing too little food will leave you lethargic and distracted, while bringing too much while weight you down. Either way, your athletic performance may suffer. Bring the appropriate amount of food per day for maximum energy levels.
Note: Hunger levels vary based on the difficulty, length, and elevation of the hike, the as well as your height, weight, fitness level, and so on.
You can use digital scale to portion your food, or simply use your best judgement with a measuring cup or by counting calories. Most hikers tend to be satisfied with 100-150 grams per meal, or about 2,500 to 4,000 calories per day. This usually equates to about 1.5 to 3 pounds per day.
Before embarking on your adventure, choose a less-demanding hike to test out how much you'll need. Ask yourself how much you’ll be hiking per day on your trip, and find a hike with a similar length. Bring your estimated daily amount, and don’t eat anything when you get home. Do you feel nourished, or still hungry? Add or subtract food items based on what our body tells you.
No matter where you’re headed, there will likely be some form of wildlife there, whether that’s tiny, bothersome mice or large, dangerous bears. Either way, you need to properly store your food away from wild animals. Whenever you go to bed, store your food at least 100 feet away to ensure adequate distance from curious wildlife. Here are the three top methods for your nighttime food storage:
The most common way to hang a bear bag is the PCT method. For this method of food storage, you’ll need to be in an area with a decent amount of trees.
How to hang a bear bag:
Canisters are probably the most reliable way to secure your food. If you are traveling through an area dense with bears, local rules and regulations may require you to bring one. The downside is that they’re quite heavy and limited in space.
If the area you are in does not require canisters, you can opt for a lightweight bear bag. These are odor-proof, water-proof bags made up with high-density polyethylene that bears are not able to rip through. The optional purchase of an aluminum liner will also prevent the bear from potentially crushing your food in the bag.
If you’re heading out on your first multi-day hiking trip, consider starting out with a more attainable length of time, such as one or two nights. Build up your distance or days as you get more practice. Always store your food safely, and always bring enough food for each day of your trip! In addition to your favorite food, you’ll want to pack a complete first aid kit, as well as your best performance gear. Shop our favorite men's and women's hiking pants below.
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