Backpacking is an amazing way to explore the world, and what you eat while out on the trail can be just as important as the sights you see. Knowing how much food to take backpacking can help ensure you have enough energy for your journey and will help keep you safe in a wilderness environment.
When it comes to backpacking food, it’s important to remember that heavier does not necessarily mean better. You should focus on taking lightweight, high-calorie non-perishable foods that are easy to prepare.
Common items to take include energy bars, nuts and dried fruits, instant oatmeal, jerky, trail mix, dehydrated meals like mac and cheese or chili. Avoid bringing heavily processed foods like candy bars or chips because they won’t provide much nutritional value.
Calorie Count
You should also make sure that you have enough calories for your trip. The amount of food you need will depend on a number of factors such as the length of your trip, the type of activities you plan to do and the terrain you’ll be navigating. Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is to pack at least 2,000 calories per day for an average adult male and 1,500 calories per day for an average adult female.
Food Storage
Finally, it’s important to consider how you’re going to store your food while backpacking. Bear canisters are often recommended in areas with bear populations or when camping in designated wilderness areas as they can help protect your food from wildlife. In other regions where wildlife isn’t an issue or for shorter trips where weight is a major concern, bear bagging or using odor proof containers may be more suitable.
Overall, preparing ahead of time and taking enough food with you on your backpacking trip can make all the difference between an enjoyable experience and a difficult one. Make sure that whatever foods you take are high in calories and lightweight so they won’t weigh down your pack unnecessarily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when planning a backpacking trip it’s important to consider how much food to take. Focus on taking lightweight non-perishable foods that are high in calories such as energy bars, nuts and dried fruits; aim for at least 2,000 calories per day for men and 1,500 calories per day for women; and remember that proper storage is key when out in the wilderness.