FOOD FIT TO FUEL YOUR ADVENTURES IN BACKPACKING
The mountains beckon. We have this giant trampoline filled with azure lakes, lush forests, and magnetic rivers, with the Rocky Mountains to catch us while we play. You might not realize, as your mind will be consumed by nature’s eye candy, that each bounce is burning a huge amount of energy.
Nourish yourself, whether you’re hiking or backpacking, with these tips.
Keep the kids happy: That checklist and pre-trip meal planning is just as important as picking where you are going. Don’t have a meltdown when you run out of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Outline each day in advance.
Prepare food that fits: If you are taking the kids then you will want quick and easy-to-reach snacks and meals that are packed with energy. That old favourite trail mix is perfect. Mix a bag of nuts, chocolate kisses, and raisins for quick-grab fuel. Some easy options include cereal with instant milk powder for breakfast, a lunch of couscous and cashews, and dinner of easy-to-make beans and rice.
Lighten up: Skip bulky boxed or store-packaged items. You’ll have less weight to carry on your back and also no waste. Try resealable bags for pre-packaging and label each meal. Use Ziploc bags or use Dry Sacks and or Backcountry CAganizer from Outdoor Research. Another more costly option for über light is the environmentally friendly pre-packaged foods by Mary Jane’s Farm that include such offerings as Garlic Pesto Fry Bread, Pueblo Stew, Lentils and Rice and Indian Spice, from breakfast to dinner and more, available from Mountain Equipment Coop. This is darn good food from a backcountry ranger turned organic farmer if you are short on pre-planning time.
SAMPLE MEAL OPTIONS TO WHET YOUR APPETITE
Outdoor fresh: Once you close the refrigerator door you have one to two days until all of your fresh foods go bad in your backpack. Carrots hold up longer than most produce and are easy to pre-pack. Don’t forget that you can get many vegetables in dried form for longer trips.
Dried goods: This section is usually a big hit with the kids. Oatmeal, cereal, nuts, pasta, noodles, soup mixes and instant rice are perfect options for your lunch and dinners. They are easy to prepare, lightweight and don’t take up much space.
Freeze dried or dehydrated op
tions: This is going to be your most expensive but easiest choice as they are pre-packaged and can be prepared quickly with hot water. Great picks here are anything from Mary Jane’s Farm.
Canned foods: An option for short trips and easy trails. Easy campfire preparation and kid friendly choices abound here. Small tuna cans are a good protein source, but make sure you clean the empty cans away from camp and take appropriate steps in stowing your garbage in either bear bins or by hanging it properly from a tree or bear cache.
Don’t forget these items: Spices like cinnamon for oatmeal, pepper for soups, olive oil for pasta, flavoured drink powders for kids, and electrolyte flavoured tablets from NUUN to add to your water bottle. Also remember coffee and powdered milk for cereal.
Sunset time for couples: A great addition to that spectacular sunset is wine or beer. Try easy-to-pack, storable containers that keep your wine fresh. You can’t beat the new backcountry wine container called the PlatyPreserve by Platypus which keeps your vino safe from oxygen exposure. For beer, visit a local brewer like Village Brewery and fill up your insulated HydroFlask growler and reuse it as a water container after you enjoy your last sip.
Camp kitchen kit: The new Flex 4 System from MSR, is your kitchen camp set for the trail, including pan, pot, cups and plates. Throw in folding utensils and you are good to go.
Kids love this: Who does not like hot cocoa? It’s extra special as the night cools down for not only the kids but you.
Cooking made easy: Get the MSR Reactor Stove System for a lightweight, dependable and easyto-light option. Trust me, you don’t want stove problems when you have hungry kids swarming around. Don’t forget to ask store staff about matching up cook sets not only for pack-ability but for ease of use when cooking.
You might not realize that each bounce is burning a huge amount of energy. Nourish yourself with these tips ...