How Many Calories Should You Eat on a Backpacking Trip?

By Anna Duncan

When you’re backpacking, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough calories. The amount of calories you need depends on a variety of factors, including your size, activity level, and environmental conditions. Here are some general guidelines for how many calories you should aim for on a backpacking trip.

Activity Level

If you’re doing light to moderate activities, such as hiking short distances or camping in one spot for a few days, you should aim for about 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day. If you’re doing more strenuous activities such as long-distance hiking or carrying a heavy pack over rough terrain, then you should aim for about 4,000 to 5,000 calories per day.

Size

Your size also affects the number of calories you need. Generally speaking, larger people require more calories than smaller people. If you are taller and/or heavier than average, then you should increase the calorie intake recommended above to account for your size.

Environmental Conditions

If it’s hot and humid outside or if the elevation is high (over 8,000 feet), then your body needs more fuel to keep going. You should increase the amount of food and water that you bring with you accordingly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, how many calories you should eat on a backpacking trip depends on factors such as activity level, size and environmental conditions. Aim for 2-3 thousand calories per day if doing light activity and 4-5 thousand if doing more strenuous activities. Additionally, keep in mind that larger people require more food than smaller people and that environmental conditions can affect calorie requirements.