So, with my backpacking trip coming up in just under two weeks and a winter car camping trip coming up this weekend I’ve been spending time thinking about food. This upcoming weekend will serve as my test for the backpacking weekend so I’ll test out my meal plan to see how I feel.
I previously wrote a post on the approach to my meal plan. At a high level my goals are:
- Aim for 3,500 Calories with a 2,000 Calorie reserve for emergencies.
- Lightweight
- High energy
- Allows for easy snacking on the trail
Primary meal plan
Before the trail
On my last trip I fueled up with a delicious bottle of Soylent before hitting the trail. Unfortunately, the 400 calorie serving didn’t get me very far. Everything consumed before the trail doesn’t need to be packed so weight is not a concern.
- 2 x Bottle Soylent 2.0 (800 kCal)
- One in the car (3 hour drive) and one before hitting the trail
- 1 x Bottle Powerade/Gatorade (80 kCal)
- 1 x Herbal Tea with honey (40 kCal)
On the trail in/out.
My previous go to would have been some tuna and cheese for quick and delicious energy. However, since Algonquin has a can ban and I’ve shifted from a pescatarian diet to a full vegetarian diet tuna won’t do. Cheese will remain a staple because I haven’t found a good replacement option. Everything here I’ll plan to eat half on the way in and half on the way out.
- 170 g cheese likely smoked gouda (620 kcal)
- 1 x ProBar Superfruit Slam (350 kCal)
- 100 g dried pineapple/papaya chunks (350 kCal)
At the site
I want to have a solid food base to warm me up before sleeping and quick and easy food to get me moving in the morning!
- Around the fire
- 1 x Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai (920 kCal)
- Warm water or herbal tea
- In the morning
- 2 x Quaker Oats Instant Maple Brown Sugar (320 kCal)
- Warm water or herbal tea
3480 kCal total
Reserve meals
Though I highly doubt our well prepared group will end up stuck in the woods, I do want to be prepared for the possibility.
- 1 x Mountain House Mac and Cheese (940 kCal)
- 130 g TVP (500 kCal)
- 1 x ProBar Superfruit Slam (350 kCal)
- 1 x Quaker Oats Instant Maple Brown Sugar (160 kCal)
1950 kCal Total
Pack/Shop List
This will become part of my checklist friday night to make sure everything is packed and in the correct location. By doing this friday night i can minimize or eliminate time spent shuffling gear around in the trunk of the car at the trailhead.
In the Car (keep in cooler to keep liquid)
- 3 x Bottle Soylent 2.0 (800 kCal)
- 2 x Bottle Powerade/Gatorade (80 kCal)
Buy on Road
- 1 x Herbal Tea with honey (40 kCal)
Pack in backpack
- 170 g cheese likely smoked gouda
- 2 x ProBar Superfruit Slam
- 100 g dried pineapple/papaya chunks
- Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai
- 3 x Quaker Oats Instant Maple Brown Sugar
- Mountain House Mac and Cheese
- 130 g TVP