Backcountry Food

My Philosophy

Breakfasts - go go go!

Breakfast is the hardest thing for me to eat. I don't like to eat in the mornings, but before a big climb or when it is really cold, it's critical to get calories in your system. If you have a local bakery that makes great filled croissants, these are excellent non-cook, calorie-laden, easily digestable foods to get you going in the morning. Anyone venturing up the 395 corridor in California would do well to stock up on a few at Schat's Bakery in Bishop or Mammoth.

boiled eggs

croissants (almond, chocolate)
granola bars (or energy bars, but most of them are disgusting)

pop tarts
instant oatmeal (can add brown sugar, dried fruit, a pat of butter)

Lunch - keep going

We don't always eat a formal lunch. Sometimes we graze on snacks for the whole day. It depends on the type of travel we are doing. If we need a big rest, then lunch is in order. Otherwise, grazing is preferred to maintain pace, energy, and to avoid that sleepy feeling after a big meal.

tuna fish, chicken in pita, tortillas, or with crackers (mix with little packets of mayo)
salami or pepperoni, cheese, and crackers
croissants (ham and cheese, broccoli and cheddar)
boiled eggs

Snacks - anything goes

This is the catch all. We snack on anything at anytime.

peanut m&ms (a staple)

dried fruit, trail mix, dark chocolate

jellybeans, skittles, anything fruity and chewy

nuts

crackers (cheese, triscuit, wheat thins)

baby carrots (early)
apples (early)
dried wasabi peas
hard candies
peanut butter bars
cookies

Dinner - dog gone tired

Dinner is our chance to repay some of the calorie debt. I usually plan a soup with every dinner because it forces us to hydrate in addition to a hot drink or the water we drink with our meal. Of course, this means you will pee a lot in the middle of the night, but that's better than dehydration.

couscous (with flavor packet or soup flavoring and extra dried veggies)

macaroni and cheese (cheese powder, powdered milk, salt, and pepper go in ziploc). After the pasta is boiled, I leave the pasta water and toss in the dry ingredients and mix until creamy. Then I add butter or a squeeze of that liquid margarine stuff.

instant soups, instant mashed potatoes

ramen
refried beans, cheese, and tortillas (taco bell hot sauce packets)

Beverages - going to or from bed

We generally drink filtered water on the trail (water that we filtered from running streams). We have tried gatorade mixes before only to find that plain water works best. In camp at night or in the morning when it is cold, we will drink a hot beverage for hydration, calories, and to warm ourselves up.

apple cider

hot cocoa