Trail food and water

[Steve M]

I like to make mine:

Bread
Peanut butter
jelly
bread
jelly
peanut butter
Bread

I pack 2 of these suckers along with trail mix and water!

[Bill O]

PB&J is a staple of mine for day hikes.

For water I usually find myself carrying too much. Two liters at a minimum or my 80oz camelbak. I need to break the habit of carrying extra water when there is a safe fill up location. Especially when its Hermit Lake or a similar safe source.

Out west though I find myself drinking much more water. Two liters is often way too little and reliable water sources can be hard to find.

If I'm carrying two bottles I'll do one with gatorade and one with water. I made the mistake a few years ago of carrying two bottles or strong gatorade. I was dying for pure water half way up Mount Washington. If I take my camelbak, which is anytime during the summer, I'll make a weak gatorade mix.

[Steve M]

I have found that mixing water with a little gatorade or fruit juice helps me drink more than I normally would. The kids like it better than plain water too.

[fifteendays]

This might sound ridiculous, but I'll try to explain...

For my whole hiking life I did the standard PB&J's, GORP (with ample M&M's) and a Clif Bar. Not exactly a culinary delight, but that menu always did the trick.

Then I hiked with a buddy of mine a few years ago, I thnk it was Mt. Jackson. At the top, I pull out my PB&J. He pulls out his Leatherman, slices fresh rolls, cuts off a big chunk of sharp cheddar, adds a slice of previously-cut tomato and reaches into his pack for a ziplock bag. He pulls out his secret weapon... bacon. Crispy, beautiful, succulent bacon. He puts this magnificent sandwich together and chows down. Me, I eat my soggy PB&J.

When he saw that I was dumbfounded by his creation (and drooling), he offered me one. I was a changed man.

I have two young kids (3 & 1), so my hiking time has been limited for the last few years. However, whenever I'm able to swing a big hike (STP, for instance), I put in the time beforehand to cook up the bacon.

Mmmmmm... bacon.
(If there are any nutritionists reading this, they are probably shaking their heads at me!)

Scot
MWO Staff