AT Thru Hike: 13 What's In A Foodbag?

[@BackcountryBanter]

I use a canister stove and have found that the little 100 gram canisters last around 5 days if I have tea every morning and heat a meal every night. That said, the slightly larger (112?) canisters give me a little leeway as far as extra meals/hot chocolate goes so I like to carry them.

[@RenM908]

Get the Gatorade packets. It light and you can put it in water so you have it only when you want it. And again it saves weight.

[@Johann-4354]

The first ingredient listed on food packages is the prime ingredient. For example, Nuttella's prime source of nutrition is mostly sugar. But I like the way you've organized your days meals and what you're eating. Lots of good chow there. Hope that pesky ankle got better. Looks like it did. I got one of those too. Broke it and it's never fully healed.

[@TheCaminoGuide]

I like the instant mashed potatoes. They have flavors like garlic/butter and I even added a little shelf stable veg shortening and it was almost like eating real butter.

[@robinsmith3987]

They make Dried Gatorade that you mix with water -- way light to carry. I am assuming that there are watering sources at the rest stops or somewhere along the way.

[@BackcountryBanter]

I only resupplied at grocery stores and never bothered setting up drop boxes. Definitely possible and better (in my opinion) because you can switch up the food you are eating, don't have to worry about schedules, and you don't have to pay shipping prices.

[@pdx427]

you mentioned Spam; also available in single serve packs. great with dehydrated mashed potatoes and they have a shelf life of years!!

[@BackcountryBanter]

Don't worry about milage on your first trip, just enjoy being out there. No need to push yourself yet. If your debating on bringing something, you probably don't need it. Just make sure you can keep your gear dry, have shelter, food, water, and something to keep you warm. Also: snickers bars.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thanks Joe, great video not sure about the spam but might give it a try. I was happy to see that I had a lot of the food you carry on my recent and first hike on the AT. Unfortunately, I had a lack of water problem. But it was a learning experience.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Generally it is just too heavy and spoils too fast. There are some good solutions though. Tuna packets are great. Tyson has some cooked chicken packets that, despite being fairly heavy, taste good. Beef jerky can spice up any meal and makes a great snack. Spam is also a classic. I sometimes take chicken meat or ham but I make sure to cook it on my first night out, otherwise it is at risk of spoiling and attracting unwanted animal attention as well.

[@TheFillyfillyfilly]

#1 reason to go ultralight… load up on food :D

[@zagnit]

TheFillyfillyfilly and a cpap machine; that’s what I’ll have to do ☹️

[@carterizaiah1341]

a trick: watch series on Flixzone. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.

[@finneganyahir6868]

@Carter Izaiah Yup, have been using Flixzone} for since december myself =)

[@BackcountryBanter]

This ankle will not stop me, more videos soon to come.

[@JungleJohnArcher]

I like Spam, but until this video I didn't know it came in single serve packs. It will be in my pack next hike-if I can find some. Thanks mon! Lot's of good info here, but it makes me hungry-for food and for the trail! Thanks again for taking time to post this!!!!

[@Loner2012AT]

MMMMMM! Great video! Fast food packets were the best! I added Toco Bell hot sause to ramen all the time. Sorry you had some down time but sure you'll say it was the better choice than tring to tuff it out and cause lasting damage and end your hike like alot of people do.

[@janthony9984]

I like you vids, this one is really good. I enjoy the fact that your food is easy to find and cheap, not just saying" well i spent $100 on mt house or backpackers pantry". Do watch out for that "honey" most of the time its flavored corn syrup, not that its a terrible thing on the trail, but it is just sugar.

[@SmellNRoses]

At home we always use organic raw honey, so for the trail I pack that honey into straws or tiny zip-loc bags. Its a little tedious to do but its worth the effort to have real healthy honey even in the backcountry.

[@SmellNRoses]

Great video...I actually just watched several of your videos and subscribed. I look forward to checking out more of your stuff, keep 'em comin'...

[@sirzoso2005]

I like mixing the tuna packets with the Mac and Cheese, or mixing dehydrated ground beef and corn with the mashed potato's and melted string-cheese!!!

[@markbaker8849]

Just wanted to say thanks for making these vids and sharing them. I have never went on a hike and I'm planning a hiking/camping trip to Gros Mourne National Park next week. Your vids are super useful for a rookie like me. Your food is very low in protein though and high in sugar. How did your meals change as you resupplied throughout your hike?

[@billcampbell9886]

You might try Powerade if you don't care for Gatorade. Powerade has a milder flavor which I prefer, the bottle is about the same size and weight, and it is usually less expensive.

[@kookiemoose]

My favorite is nutella on index finger. The stuff is great on trail. In the realworld I can't eat nutella, it taste like crap unless I'm on trail. The oatmeal packets are good to. I would just add a little cold water and eat it right out of the packet like an oatmeal shot. Hope your ankle injury works itself thru without to much trouble. Enjoy your hike, and keep the videos coming if it's possible.

[@ryannowak1284]

How much did your 3 day food bag typically weigh? Not counting water or Gatorade.

[@BackcountryBanter]

It's hard to say as it can vary from trip to trip. I would estimate around 6-7 lbs maybe.

[@maggiefay1]

Very informative. Great Ideas!

[@nomadismileseeker6611]

Joe, I think you made blueberry craisins famous around CO. You can’t find them anywhere! Lol

[@matthewmclaughlin7472]

Brilliant video. 💪👍

[@flam3srock]

Serious question: How do you feel about fasting on a hike? It would suck until day3 when you enter ketosis but after that your body runs very efficiently on stored fat reserves.

[@janthony9984]

it would suck after a day or so, you can easily burn 5000+ cals when hiking with 20 lbs or so on your back. Fat reserves dont burn fast enough for both energy to hike, and to keep you alive.

[@carolgage4569]

thopkins22: Yep! As a diabetic, I can attest that I get stupid can't talk brain fog when my blood sugar is low. Then within the third sip of juice, I can already feel a come back. It's amazing how quickly carbs are refreshing medicine!

[@VomitTidalwave]

I have been watching the series.... nice vids brother!

[@vincentmiceli2554]

Starting May 1, I plan to section hike from Amicalola Falls to as far as I can get in 21 days. My initial goal is Franklin but we shall see. My plan is to eat something quick in the morning, then have my big meal at lunch - dehydrated meals, etc - and then do a quick supper, something like nuts, jerky, etc. This way I will not to worry about cooking near my shelter and I can allow more hiking time since my after hike chores are less. May I ask, how feasible is this plan?

[@vincentmiceli2554]

+Vincent Miceli Oh yea, I should mention I bought an Excalibur dehydrator so I can make lots of lightweight, yet healthy dehydrated meals.

[@BackcountryBanter]

+Vincent Miceli Nice. Having real dehydrated meals will be a huge moral booster.

[@BackcountryBanter]

+Vincent Miceli It's perfectly feasible, however eating a small meal at the end of the day may be harder than you'd expect. You'll likely be starving and craving food. One thing I would often do is stop in the late afternoon, prepare and eat my dinner, then continue hiking into the night for a few miles. Or if you are staying at shelters, there is really no issue with cooking at the shelters, as it is done by others all the time.

[@daverocker6459]

I cooked a double portion at my night time camp/shelter and ate the leftovers for breakfast to save time.i hiked solo in the off season and had no problems.I hung the food from the mouse-proof hangers(upside down tuna can on a string)or kept it right next to me.

[@gregrowan7070]

How much weight did you lose while you were on the trail?

[@jboatb]

Right on Deserthunter73----3/6 10 mile days and who cares what you eat you're still hungry

[@ScottTK]

Nice video! Was your food selection similar during the PCT and CDT?

[@BackcountryBanter]

+ScottTK No, it actually changed a good bit. I'm planning on doing a video on it soon.

[@rockk0]

gah! I was coming back for that!

[@HamishMackenzie7]

How much fuel do you figure you need for the items in that food bag?

[@nates386]

This could be its own video but i know loads of people have packages sent to the post office for them to pick up in towns(a guide for this)... but what about grocery stores? is that even a viable option as civilization is expanding? i'd like to do alot of cooking w/lentils and beans and such. I want use the post offices only for an emergency. I'm shooting for 30-50 cents per mile. after the initial update on my gear, and while still being able to enjoy some amenities. Thanks for the vids.

[@uselessjoe]

how much harder do you find it to go down hills than up them?

[@zanebryan9455]

I'm going to guess from the yard you live in NC?

[@farstrider79]

Hope your eating some vegetable off trail.

[@patty_and_thor9730]

I'm taking my 2 teen boys on the NC part of the AT. I was planning on using dehydrated food the whole way. do you think it's a good idea?

[@BackcountryBanter]

+Patricia Neathery Absolutely, if you can afford to do it, dehydrated meals are much more tasty and tend to be lighter weight as well. Obviously, you'll also need non-dehydrated snacks and stuff for when you're hiking and need a quick boost.

[@patty_and_thor9730]

That's Awesome! Thank you, and your videos have been a great help.

[@TheSmartodd]

Does your little brother know you raided his Halloween Stash ??

[@AriR6R]

you should mix hotdogs with the mac and cheese, it's delicious :o)

[@MindaFraser]

thanks for the video - i'm deciding on what to bring for my thru-hike of the pct this year. - oh and you have a pleasant accent to listen to =)

[@seandognevius4873]

bannock,pancakes maple syrup!

[@clamcrabber]

I found a can of spam, under a tree when on my thru hike. I ate it.

[@agrosyntrop]

'satisfies'? laugh my ass off! didnt see it at first haha XD nice vid. thanks for sharing

[@agrosyntrop]

wait a minute! a few moments later it changes into snickers! so it isnt a fake brand, haha they dont say satisfies in belgium XD

[@HunterHunter67]

kristoff ceyssens I saw that too.

[@randall3423]

Find out how to identify edible plants...they're everywhere!

[@thomastrotsky322]

joe I am your friend please contact me I am a physician who will retire in 10 mos I want to hook up with you to do what you and I want to do hike and publish tom Trotsky md miles city montana

[@SubZeroMG4u]

ur wrong bud..water its the best :)

[@Arthur-Silva]

That’s hardly food, a lot of high sugar, high sodium and highly processed garbage. No wonder you’re having inflammation problems with your ankles.

[@alanbrooke144]

Wouldn't want to be relying on that menu to fuel tramps in the NZ hills, you'd run out of puff after the first 600m climb on a couple of friggin twinkies or whatever that faux food thing was!

[@meishao18]

L

[@moxtr]

I am glad it works for you but it seems like a nutritionists nightmare. I guess most Americans eat like that at home anyway.

[@Tsukshiro]

+Richard M Thru Hikers burn like 6000 calories a day. These trails are thousands of miles long and it may be a week before they can restock. You have to get at least 2000 calories back per day in a lightweight and sustainable pack. I guess most non-Americans only hike short trails anyway.

[@moxtr]

+Tsuki Shiro I understand but 4 to to 6 months is a long time to go on junk food.There is more to nutrition than calories.I used to eat like Joe but couldn't imagine doing it now. I know there are websites that address the needs of the many vegans such as Scott Jurek who I believe holds or until recently held the speed hiking record for the AT, who do thu hikes that suggest healthier foods. In any event I understand the " hike your own hike" / live your own life concept. Happy trails.

[@Loathomar]

+Richard M The major issues cause by "junk food" are things like weight gain and heart health, which is entirely cured by hiking 20 miles a day with a pack. That being said, with the "hike your own hike" mentality, you can eat healthier and many many through hikers start with the "I should eat 'healthy'." mentality, but soon move to eat more of the junk food. One reason you may not realize is that eating enough food because hard on the trail, and food that is call "junk food" is the food that is tasty, and food your body digests quickly leaving you feeling hungry. This food is the worst when you are trying to lose weight, but when you are needing of intentionally eat as much as you can to stop from losing, literally, a pound per day, it is the best for you can get. Want to see how well people can physically do, look up Michael Phelp's Diet for the 2008 Olympics, it sounds like the worlds worst diet and it resulted in one of the world greatest physical performance.

[@MrManic52001]

+Richard M oh look another anti American comment...... clever.

[@moxtr]

+MrManic52001 I am a proud American. My comment was made on the basis of what I see my fellow Americans (in NYC mostly) around me eat and what I see on the supermarket shelves and what is advertised in the media. I would like for my countrymen to eat more of a healthy diet. I don't think that makes me "anti American".

[@sketbbq5601]

yike too much camera moving around and missing the photos of what you are talking about.

[@26realmc]

Is this really what a typical thru hiker eats? I understand you need calorie dense food but most of it is just junk food. Spam as a highlight! Plus so many small single serve packaging surely just adds unnecessary weight?. I like REAL food so hoping to find some more creative, nutritious ideas out there.

[@tilberry19]

from what i see a lot of people on AT go with junk food. Im sure their are much better choices but if you think about it a candy can hold you over pretty well and its size is small and wt low. I prefer to make my own food before going.

[@26realmc]

Yes I guess the realities of it only hit home after a while on the trail.Still a quick jetboil can't be too time consuming to cook something over a protein bar and candy. I guess Ill find out!

[@tilberry19]

payday

[@randall3423]

Way too much processed crap food dude. Get with the natural stuff or its not even worth it.

[@manutre3476]

Too much unhealthy food my friend.... sorry :(