Comments on: Lightweight Trail Food – Episode 7

By: Dave Collins

Dave Collins — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:36:26 +0000

In reply to proto.

Good question Proto. Usually we bring a mix of food, some of which we'll fly in from the US and some of which we'll buy in the country. Even in developing countries you can usually find simple backpacking foods like nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, and granola bars. This will somewhat depend on the country, but you'll almost always find foods that will get the job done. Hope that helps!

By: proto

proto — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:04:37 +0000

What do you do when you go to less developed countries and most of those things are not available?

By: dre

dre — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:31:34 +0000

I like to half-dry fruit, especially peaches or nectarines, that will reduce the weight and bulk, prevent smashing, but will be easier to digest than full-dry. Pre-scrubbed, not pealed, fresh carrots will keep for days without refrigeration. Having anything that adds fiber to your super light-weight diet can be a real benefit--if you know what I mean.

A friend recently turned me on to packing olive oil. I wish I had known about that years ago. A little oil added to a freeze-dried dinner is wonderful and a good nutritional boost. Plus if you know your wild mushrooms that oil might come in handy, provided you pack a small fry pan.

One thing I have added lately is salt tablets (SaltStick capsules.) On strenuous trails on hot days you just can't eat (or don't want to eat) enough food to replace all the electrolytes you lose sweating. It is not really food, but I have been really glad to have it on a couple occasions.