My Favorite Food on the PCT

Food is probably the thing most thru-hikers talk about, so here are some of my favorite things to eat whether I'm cooking, going stoveless, or just snacking.
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[@jamesdarby3991]

Legend has it Raymond is looking for his noodles to this day

[@Nestta5252]

Raymond 😂😂😂😂

[@flyintdub1]

Is it so difficult to say RAW-MEN 😂

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

@@flyintdub1 it’s impossible

[@scottyplug]

@@HomemadeWanderlust I freakin' love that you're still commenting on a 4 year old video!!!! Hike on Dixie!

[@rayross997]

I found my noodles, but lost my mind.

[@lancelawhorn1020]

That mental trick about eat what you love first is the most genius & best trail earned advice I’ve ever heard!!! It was same in army because we would get a whole case if mre’s & I always ate my favorite first!!! Love your channel!!!

[@augreich]

Cheese Tortellini brother! Semper Fi

[@stonetoolcompany3649]

One priceless item my friends and I always carried on the PCT back in the late '60's was packets of Milkman instant milk that had some butterfat in it instead of being non fat. After a really hard day on the trail, we would empty a packet of this into wide mouth canteen (before the Nalgene era), and fill with boiling water, and shake. This was about double strength, rich and comforting, and helped relax and sleep well. Something about hot milk really relaxes you. Each of us often did this. I make soaked 9 grain cereal soaked in home made kefir, and include a few other things including dried fruit and nuts, leaving it soak for a week or so in the fridge, then dehydrating it so I have an instant product (nuts and fruits added later). This creates a very high energy breakfast, and I often reconstitute it with dried whole milk (Nestle Nido) included. My LEM dehydrator has been one of the best investments I've made for backpacking. I do many dried meats, dried fruit leather, veggie powder, etc. Noodle dishes can be made up and cooked at home, then dehydrated..... They take no cooking, just hot water like freeze dried foods, and they are personalized. You can also dehydrate cheeses and powder them for a superior product to add to your noodles, and even sauces can be cooked down to a paste consistency and dehydrated and powdered. With meats, I may make them like jerky, or just dehydrate without the intense flavor, always leaving more moisture than is typical, making them pleasant to eat..... I precook using sous vide before dehydrating. This makes it tender, and allows flavors to permeate the meat. Dehydrating scrambled eggs or just the yokes and powdering them makes for a great thickener to enhance other foods. I also find that I can make egg noodles at home that include various powdered veggies, they hold up well compared to the similar products from the store that tend to break up and lack the noodle texture. Noodles are a very powerful food due to the high egg content. There are l countless ways to make meals for backpacking, make them appetizing and nutritious.

[@andi2234]

Stone Tool Company - your comment made me want to try all of what you wrote about and then go camping. I'm too old to start now, but what you did when you went camping, to me, sounds like the real way to go!! Thanks for sharing :)

[@dianesmigelski5804]

For a whole milk powder I use Nido brand. Nestle owns it now. But it’s full fat and tastes so much better.

[@cubweekly]

Great information, than you for taking the time.

[@toughlikerocks]

I eat overnight oats every day but it never occurred to me to dehydrate them. Fantastic idea! Thank you.

[@Starburst9821]

I add nutritional yeast to almost everything I make, especially potatoes! It has a cheesy flavor and adds Vitamin B12 without carrying too much weight. I also like to add chia, flax, and hemp seeds to oats for added fiber and nutritional value; keeps me fuller longer as well.

[@sarahfryman]

I also add ground chia, flax and hemp seeds to my oats. I'll have to try the nutritional yeast.

[@leapintothewild]

Ditto all the seeds, but going to try the yeast! I also like to mix wheat germ in oats and dinners.

[@nikkineal6431]

I love nutritional yeast. We buy it in bulk.

[@AugustHawk]

We love nutritional yeast! It's permanently replaced Old Bay and Mrs. Dash for our all around seasoning! Awesome reminder!

[@jplxlabelle1681]

vegetablemonster Well done👌. Also, try quinoa. It's super fuel, and can be added to anything as it is almost flavorless. It's a grain like no other.

[@kevindblew6822]

“Always eat your favorite thing.” That was epiphanal for me. If I eat my favorite thing first. When it’s gone, the second favorite now becomes the most favorite. So seems I should always be pretty happy with my meal, right ? Blessings for your journey & thanks for your insights!

[@elizabeths.9718]

Me too! I had to sit there and pause the video to really take in what she said because it was a revolutionary thought!

[@bird.1980]

I think between Darwin and Dixie we've got everything for backpacking covered....lets see some trails!

[@montyollie]

When fuel is no object, it's rice and lentils all day long. The litte red lentils cook WAY quicker than the brown ones. And they are so yummy, so full of protein. A soup cube or powdered onion soup mix in with the rice and beans MMMMmmm

[@RTmadnesstoo]

I could see one of her mayo packets making that great !

[@herenowlife]

Red lentil cook quicker to they are good with those instant rice packets

[@vincetrujillojr510]

yummy! :)

[@Romin.777]

Yummy just as couscous.

[@EM-ol6rb]

Red lentils are not that full of protein

[@sarahdavis3345]

This past season I discovered cherry tomatoes and cut up string cheese with salt and pepper makes a nice little caprese salad to pack out!

[@Sheltonism]

Sarah Davis would make ramen extra good too!

[@kimberlymayo9951]

Or add cut up cucumbers also to the cut up tomatoes and cheese.

[@eatyoriceful]

Mashed potatoes with rehydrated corn, mushrooms and brocollii!!! Tastes like shepherd's pie :)

[@SandCrabNews]

Hot cocoa: add cinnamon, coffee crystals, evaporated milk, on cold days margarine. Oatmeal: add raisins, cinnamon, margarine, peanut butter, honey, fried egg. Ramen: raisins, canned chicken or tuna or SPAM, egg, soy sauce, frozen mixed vegetables when you have snow. Mashed potatoes and Stove-top cornbread stuffing mix with canned chicken. Snacks: Spanish peanuts, roasted cashews, sliced almonds, raisins, walnut bits, dried apricots, shelled-roasted-salted sunflower seeds, dark chocolate chips. Beef jerky (4 ounces equals a pound of fresh meat). Be sure to carry salt. In fact, I've started using Salt Substitute for Potassium to prevent leg cramps. Lite Salt combines Salt, Potassium and Magnesium. Spices: I mix ground black pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic and oregano flakes in a shaker. For breakfast a mix of sugar and cinnamon helps. You can skip refined white sugar and use brown sugar or even better dark muscovado sugar.

[@RTmadnesstoo]

I try to do a 3 week trip every couple years. I find a road crossing the trail and bury half of my food to resupply and I put a Jello Instant Cheese Cake in the hole for something to look forward to. On the Long Trail in Vermont we calculated incorrectly and ran out of food on the first half. We saved enough bread and cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich the night before the resupply and had no breakfast in the morning. By the time we dug up our food all I could think about was cheese cake and we ate it sitting around the hole while repacking. Definitely the most memorable food I ever ate in the woods. Maybe you had to be there. I have been carrying some combination of cashews, raisins and m&m plus whatever all my life.

[@BSxxxBS]

This is a great video and one that I was waiting for. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@russelljackman1413]

Time and again, you made me smile and giggle--thanks for that! Your video was not only very informative, it was absolutely enjoyable! Happy Trails, Dixie!

[@AugustHawk]

Coucous. Rehydrates so easily (w hot or cold water) and so many add-in options changes this dish each time. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. (One of our favorites is to add taco powder to the couscous along with a few dehydrated veggies and chedder cheese.)

[@bartekmuszynski1424]

I love what you said about eating the favorite food in your backpack every time. It's the exact opposite of what most of our parents told us - like you have to have desert last!

[@OutandAboutWithDiane]

Thanks for this video and all the others! You have encouraged me to put in for a permit to thru-hike the PCT

[@karljoachimgoll]

I hoped to get motivated to start hiking - now I'm hungry and motivated to try making mac and cheese.... .....love your videos.....

[@PosterQue1]

Dixie, will you please do a video on your resupply strategy? Thanks! Love the channel!!!

[@luize-ingridklimova3612]

Somehow this vid in particular got me really excited about planning a through-hike for 2018 (not the pct, shorter, but still my first). I mean, who doesn't love anything related to food :D Thanks for the inspiration!

[@briannab5296]

Awesome! .. love the tip about eating your favorite food first. TFS 👍😎

[@swagmoneymaddy]

i feel like good camping videos are hard to find but i love yours!

[@IronBubbles]

The mushrooms and seaweed are such a good idea -super healthy and light to carry!

[@scruffy281]

Love the healthy carbs..........so smart!

[@paulespi]

You had me at Ra-men Noddles :) Your videos always makes my day. Keep them coming Dixie! One of my best tricks on thru hikes is packing up in the morning, have a quick bar and just start hiking to get the body warm. I am an early starter and I found eating breakfast in camp in the cold mornings not too fun and hard to digest. So I would hit the trail and then wait for the sun to rise a bit and have breakfast in a nice sunny spot (even better with a view) down the trail. I can usually get an hour or two of mileage before craving a proper breakfast. Not for everyone but it works great for me. Another bonus is passing all the other campers on trail still sleeping or packing up - hour or so later they would catch up to me sitting at my nice sunny spot eating. Say hello and offer them some hot coffee or tea. Nice way to make trail friends.

[@jeffogden5058]

Great video and awesome topic. Food is my life while on the trail. Thanks for your positive attitude and trail motivation. Hike on!!

[@MayoGurrrl]

On Camino type long distance hikes where we pass through villages on a daily basis I usually bought pain au chocolat (chocolate filled croissant) for my mid morning snack. Lunch would be an artisan style bread /baguette freshly bought in a French or Doanish bakery with butter, cheese, fresh tomatoes (or some baguette type sandwich made up fresh that morning in a village), or a good quality dried meat sausage. Butter and cheese will keep in not too hot weather. I'd mix it up depending on what I felt like eating... Sometimes I'd pack out tuna or salad or other foods depending on my mood. All relatively heavy-ish but I pack light otherwise so it's worth the weight for me.

[@genewest7690]

always great to hear from you Dixie,I still crack up everytime you SA raymen noodle's... peace

[@catc882]

I just adore your channel! you are such an inspiration. wished you uploaded more!

[@michaeledwards7967]

Lovely sunset as this plays out.

[@sabreteeth1212]

We toast thick rounds of summer sausage over the campfire to make what we call "meat marshmallows." Greasy, salty, crunchy, hot. I love that you talked about the foods you're sick of too. Happy to see non-bar, non-tuna, non-peanut butter suggestions.

[@alexhearing3689]

Used to fry my summer sausage and then pour "just add water" pancake mix over it. Fried summer sausage is the bomb!

[@abc-wv4in]

My current favorite snack while WATCHING hiking videos is the Blue Diamond dark chocolate almonds. They aren't the usual chocolate-covered; it's almost like infused cocoa powder or something on them. My chair or sofa is the closest I'll come to hiking the AT even though I live in Georgia. LOL Love your videos! God bless...

[@minniehaha3974]

Thanks for the tips Dixie!!

[@aileenfinch4882]

You are a delight. Thanks for your pointers.

[@brianhildebrand6272]

Packet of chicken, packet of stove top stuffing, packet of instant potatoes, packet of instant gravy. It's like Thanksgiving on the trail!!!!

[@massholevanlife9597]

dont forget to add cranberries

[@duanepegg4136]

Dang! That sounds good.

[@briannab5296]

That does sound good, where do you buy it?

[@wanderingjim7402]

Was going to post my similar recipe until i saw this, I add dehydrated corn to mine.

[@junoskinner3718]

@No you - such a baby. Grow up.

[@MayoGurrrl]

I also love dark chocolate topped rice cakes. They're light weight but feel like a lovely treat on a hike.

[@Loathomar]

The issue for rice cakes on a thru hike is there size to calories. A large pack of them only has less then 500 calories, but takes a lot of room. A problem if you have 5 or more days and need all your food to go in a bear bag/box.

[@adamd8587]

Hi Dixie! Thanks, good topic. One that I tend to struggle with at times. I am planning a 2018 AT thru-hike, going to try and vlog. Definitely going to use this video to help me out. Love those almond snickers!

[@jdraganable]

Dixie, enjoying watching you each week from the canyons of Manhattan. I am 65 this year and you inspired me to section hike the AT in the Shenandoah''s this summer. As we said years ago "Keep on truckin!"

[@davidcox9115]

well done Dixie:) lots of info..im starting my thru hike third week of feb..on the AT. going to be cold but id rather have more time to enjoy the trail..more zero days.you can carry all kinds of dried beans also..early in the day pour water in a zip lock bag soak beans as you walk..its a little more weight .but in the evening you can have county Ham and pintos or your favorite meat.

[@tabithaimnottellin]

Dixie I love your video's, very informative. I section hike (one weekend at a time) This past weekend I found a new favorite dinner. I dehydrated pulled pork and some home made mash potatoes. For dinner on the trail the pulled pork re-hydrated perfectly. I re-hydrated the mash potatoes with the pulled pork and ate it on tortillas. I dehydrate my own dinners and this is defiantly one I will have each time I go out.

[@elizabeths.9718]

I'm a new subscriber and I have been watching all of your videos incessantly recently because you really inspire me and make me want to complete a thru-hike one day! Thank you.

[@RiggintheDubVee]

really like watching your content. Can't wait to see you smash the CDT. As always, looking forward to your next vid. Keep up the great work.

[@s.campbell6394]

In warmer weather Payday's are my favorite no melt candy bar. If you need fire starter and it's not too windy, Fritos burn surprisingly well. Thank you for sharing what you've learned.

[@delisubysamich]

I’ve packed out steak on a canoe trip before- they were frozen when we left in the morning and then we cooked them over a fire that night, but my absolute favorite thing I’ve had on trail is rehydrated falafel!

[@adamfleck956]

best tip i have received in a while: Cooking the oatmeal in the bag. Love it. Thank you

[@alexhearing3689]

Pro-tip: add a hot coco packet in that packet, it will change your life.

[@bobshepler]

It’s great to have seen your conversion.

[@dat2ra]

A great backpacking food resource, especially if you have 3-4 people in a group is the NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) cookbook. Amazing meals of all kinds and all well tested. For me the big breakthrough was the "spice bag" consisting of a few select spices and vinegar which, when used to create the recommended sauces and spice combination made the bland base foods really good. Check it out. Also, I do a lot of touring ocean kayaking. Gear weight (within reason) is less of an issue than volume. I make packets of pre-assembled ingredients for a meal, and often augment it with sea food: clams, oysters, fish, lobster, crab; or with black berries, salal berries, or goose berries. I remember one epic meal of clam coppino followed by black berry cobbler, baked in the suprb and light weight Banks Fry Bake pan with main ingredients gathered at the little island where we were camped on the northern BC coast. I know this is off topic, but .......

[@lorettagallagher]

My personal food tips are always having an avocado on hand use the skin as a vessel to reuse as a bowl Serrano Chile and either a tortilla or bollilo 🍞. So easy and so delish.

[@livinglike_lisa7954]

I really enjoy your videos. You have a very accepting attitude and engaging personality. I also like your video shots of all of the nature around you on the trail. I am looking forward to my first backpacking trip this spring at the age of 55. Keep them coming! I watched your entire PCT hike and a little of your Appalachian trail especially in New England since that’s where I’m from. I currently live about a half hour south of Hanover, NH, originally from Boston but I also lived in CA and visited my daughter in Oregon this past fall with all of the fires there so that was all very interesting to me.

[@frankzappa2451]

This was helpful. Always like to here what other hikers are liking to eat on trail. Thanks ✌️

[@johntaylor7406]

Thanks for the video.

[@kendog53]

A soup with bisquit on the top while cooking covered and big biscuit would form on top of the soup. You will be very happy

[@joesneon]

Another great video Dix!!!!

[@GlidingChiller]

In Germany, we typically eat Müsli for breakfast, which is rolled oats with cold milk and any mix of fresh or dried fruit and nuts. It's really good and I prefer it over hot oatmeal. So the cold oatmeal isnt weird at all.

[@gaerdner2k]

Listening to you talking about food feels like being back on the trail again :D... My favorite food was: Oriental Ramen with crunchy peanut butter, even more peanuts and thai chili tuna (+hot sauce and spices if I had any)!

[@SeanHendy]

Rice. Great carbs, so easy to pack, carry, store, cook (steam method). Add sultanas, coriander powder, ground cumin, chilli flakes, jerky, etc for a tasty meal with lots of variation.

[@knottstilting]

Great video as always, some good tips in here that I hadn’t thought of. Now I really want a snickers bar

[@cashmoney9256]

Great channel! My favorite food/snack on our AT 2week section hike was jerky during the day and chocolate poptarts at night.

[@Moodyhammer]

Got water for a few days, grow sprouts in a bag hanging outside your pack in 3 days.

[@E620SE]

no calories :/

[@Moodyhammer]

@@E620SE For the fresh food option on the track, also contains nutrients at a low cost and weight factor. Cant just trek long distance and smash sugar for months on end.

[@stellarpod]

I was so surprised to hear you name three of my ALL-TIME favorites, Dixie: 1) Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 2) Fritos and Bean Dip (I like the *hot* version), and 3) SNICKERS. You have hit the trifecta with me, girl! Great segment. As always, thanks so much for sharing. Steve

[@davidbuckles9950]

I’m a canoe tripper not a backpacker but require similar lightweight meals. One of my favourites is Mac and cheese with a packet of ham and rehydrated peas.

[@renhosti]

Great advice on eating the favorite thing in your pack. Never thought of that. I like that idea.

[@heidihudgins4793]

Snickers needs to sponsor you. 😂

[@joepiol5105]

The way she tends to show the snickers bar after mentioning it makes me suspect they already do.

[@briannab5296]

Wont they get melty in a backpack after a couple warm/hot days?

[@williambranham6249]

If you follow a boy scout troop you might have the good fortune of finding the Snicker minis on the trail.

[@williambranham6249]

@@briannab5296 Yep. Makes them slide out of the wrapper easier. I put mine in the creek before eating.

[@rebekahhoefs6598]

@@williambranham6249 Or put in hip belt to reduce heat. Definitely don't put in the hood of the pack :)

[@kellirustin7944]

Dehydrated Mexican beans and rice with beef recipe from the backpacking gourmet cookbook is bOmb cold soaked On a tortilla with a packet of squeeze cheese. Also, I bring clarified butter or Ghee to put on everything and to cook fish. Another great video!

[@SandCrabNews]

Store-bought canned refried beans can be dried in an oven. Jalapeno flavor Mmmm.

[@djg5950]

My recipe for bean burritos: 1 can refried beans, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 t salt, 1/4 t garlic powder, 1/2 t Tabasco sauce. Add 1 small can chopped green chilies. Heat on stove and spread thin on parchment paper or plastic sheet that comes with a dehydrator. Dehydrate. On the trail I rehydrate (played around with amount of water, about 1/4 cup and 2 oz bean mix) with hot water. I ended up cooking it after it rehydrated for a few seconds because it rehydrated better (fully) that way. Spread it on a flour tortilla and any kind of cheese and eat. They are delicious and taste the same as fresh made if you cook the beans for better rehydration (not really important on the trail and when you are starving so can omit doing that). I used mostly cheddar chunks cut from a 1 lb. block that I carried but you can use those string cheese sticks or any other type of your favorite cheese. Absolutely delicious meal.

[@huycao9788]

Fantastic info as usual. The mayo idea is genius!

[@heklamariaarnardottir4789]

I carry trail mix (nuts, seeds and dried fruits) to munch on over the day and then I mix it into whatever I’m eating

[@swissmiss9749]

Not a thru hiker but we camp in the Boundary Waters for a week at a time and need to carry everything. Thanks for the food tips! For dinner we like to catch fish, mix it with a starch (quinoa is good!) and wrap in tortillas. :)

[@sosteve9113]

Missy Altschwager same here

[@williambranham6249]

I met a Swiss Miss in Gorham N.H. in 1998 at the hiker hostel. You are probably not her but either way, "hello".

[@greenley77]

Horsey sauce from Arby's in the taters is great too!

[@MrPhins]

So good! Arby's hides the horsey sauce when they see me coming with my pack lol

[@leapintothewild]

I don't like mayonnaise, but will put Horsey sauce on every freaking thing! yum

[@visamedic]

I always snag some extra jelly packets from Mc Donald’s. I hate McDonalds as an adult, but I always gravitate toward them in spring before I start hiking

[@elizabethanders8069]

So does the Arby's sauce👍❤!

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

+Homemade Wanderlust Good stuff, makes good sense. Food is not only fuel for the body but for the soul. So yeah - eat what you like, not just for energy but for comfort, enjoyment, and morale. Looking forward to your CDT series in the new year. Happy Trails.

[@seantoner8094]

Awesome video. I am getting ready to hike rim to rim at the Grand Canyon with my son, so this was great to see what you do for food. Thanks for the tips.

[@jeffcuevas5918]

You can also use Fritos as a fire starter. Cooked in oil they burn for 5 to 6 min each making them perfect for getting wood fire started.

[@Jim-be8sj]

I really like this comment. It's always nice when something one carries can serve more than a single function. I never thought about food doing double duty before. I suppose olive oil could be used in the same way. For the hiker addicted to spicy foods there must be some way to concoct a hot sauce which serves a second purpose as a bear spray. :)

[@farstrider79]

I guess you can call me an addict too, I carry instant coffee everyday to work and rarely ever bother to heat it up. Honestly in the summer, instant coffee in ice water tastes just as good as a three dollar iced coffee. Enjoy the channel, keep up the good work!

[@antoniabaker7770]

Kevin does it disolve ok or is it still a bit grainy?

[@casperinmd]

@@antoniabaker7770 I use instant when hiking in cold water, shakes perfectly smooth. I add it to a chocolate carnation instant breakfast, yummm

[@antoniabaker7770]

@@casperinmd Thanks, will give it a try.

[@MsSilvain]

Girl, I just came across your videos, this is second I am watching and... I LOVE YOU! Thanks so much for sharing all this great knowledge and experience you have :) Big regards!

[@juliadaisymaygeraldes]

Great video! You inspired me with such great information

[@jeffmitchell9214]

Also tell us about the meals that you bought along the trail . The To-Go stuff and the places to go in and eat. A food guide if you will...... Thanks.

[@SandCrabNews]

Look in your local grocery stores all of the stuff on the shelf. Also visit Asian, Mexican and Natural Foods stores.

[@NoOne-mf2uj]

Julia Marshall i

[@corn_pop6082]

She does have a great blog on that on shopping in towns on the Appalachian Trail.

[@danielhansen1551]

My favorite breakfast on trail is the mountain house biscuits and gravy

[@Loathomar]

Those are nice, but for more people doing a thru hike, they simply cost too much at ~$7 a pack. If you get the can of it and repack it, it is better, at about $4 per pack, but the same calories from instant oatmeal will cost $1. If you are going out for a week of backpacking, an extra $6 per day for a nice breakfast is nothing, but for the 150+ day thru hike, it is an extra $900.

[@tarawilliams6041]

Thank you so much for the videos and ideas!

[@harlowpinson5678]

This was wonderful. Thanks!

[@bradw.5727]

I feel the same way about ramen as you do about PB. I burned myself out on them way back in the late 1980's in college, and to this day I can't imagine......

[@avelkm]

Chris Walker Bro... that story... I'm dying from laughing!!!

[@avelkm]

And for my ramen story, we used to eat them unhydrated (from the pack) as a crispy snack with a beer in highschool and University. Our local variaety is actually "tasty" dry (or so we thought).

[@ronaldstarkey4336]

@@avelkm yes... they are good that way... save the flavor packet for later... lol .

[@SinMore]

Mayo in the mash! sounds good!

[@stevebennett1584]

Hey Dixie, Thanks so much for another interesting and well-edited (good job Aaron) video...Thanks for the smiles as well...See ya next time...CHEERS !!

[@fyremanjef]

Another great wrap up video. Although I'm not going to thru hike the AT I live a few miles from it and often take the family camping near the place of the Ice Cream challenge. Makes sense to me now after always seeing people eating there. I like your meal plans as I use those with my camp/emergency foods I keep in my car and bag at work. Keep the videos coming.

[@jpawl4362]

Tortilla, peanut butter, honey, nuts and banana...superfood!

[@jasonholly7346]

love peanut butter burritos

[@wilsongranta]

One of my favorite dinners, one of the dinners that always made me happy despite whatever the AT had to throw at me, was Stove Top cornbread stuffing with bacon bits & dried veggies. One bag of stuff normally made 2 meals. Even when I was consuming almost 6000 calories while doing 14 mile days thru The Whites. I used the real bacon bits & would order 8oz bags of dried veggies of Amazon. Mix them all together, then add water & wait!!! 5 minutes later & with some stirring, you have an amazing meal! I thru hiked the AT in 2018 and I leave April 1st to hike the PCT. I'm definitely going to pack out different foods depending on the section. Yet, after completing one thru hike, I know I can drastically vary what I'm eating depending on where I am. If I want avocados & spinach, I'm carrying avocados & spinach!!! Lmao Tough resupply options on the AT really made use my imagination on how to get calorie rich food while it still being something I'd actually like to eat. I dont eat in the first place & I'm done with (jar) peanutbutter too. I appreciate the videos & will keep watching! Hammocker-for-life! - Shepard

[@daveybernard1056]

Corn bread flavor of Stove Top Stuffing is the only good one. Try frying Italian sausages, then making the stuffing in the pot you fried the sausages in. People's mouths were hanging open at 12,000 ft. watching me.

[@savannah8638]

You talking about the candy making your days better is so sweet! You're so cute! Much love! I'm a beginner and have only done weekend backpacking trips, but my fave meal on those have been veggie wraps...made with spinach, bell peppers, red onion, carrot, ginger, microgreens...super yummy! I've got a couple trips planned for this summer and am looking forward to trying some of the foods you mentioned. Thank you for all the awesome videos :)

[@garshaw8404]

Hi Dixie, I have just started watching your channel and really appreciate listening to your tips. I have done a few UK long distance walks but these pale in contrast to the huge distances on the AT and PCT. I have a career break coming up in a couple of years though and the AT is on my list! I found Army issue boil in the bag rations great for multi day hikes if you can get hold of them, they are scientifically designed to provide you with the nutrients you need to be active and pack plenty of calories. They also reduce water consumption as you can boil them up for a meal and use the hot water for a tea or coffee. The down side however is weight, because they are already hydrated they are heavy so I don't recommend carrying one bag for every meal. I generally carry 1 per day as it is a solid fuel source and make up the rest of my food with dry goods as much as possible. I also often eat the boil in the bag for breakfast, regardless of what it is, as it gives you a lot of fuel for the day ahead. Thanks again for the videos.

[@kfuller1419]

9:15 Little known fact about Fritos. They are fantastic little fire starters! Light one and hold it like a candle, and it'll burn for 5 minutes. Okay maybe not that long but pretty long

[@alexworks9659]

2:28 Did you just say “Ray men” noodles?!....😆🤣 good stuff!

[@hihi-lu4mh]

Alex Works I know this is an old comment but like how else are you supposed to say it?!

[@timadkins7124]

@@hihi-lu4mh rah-men

[@gummybear41283]

you can say it anyway!!!!!

[@sylvainatoz2045]

Very good topic. Tanks for sharing the information.

[@Randy-zk5cn]

Thank you! Great info!

[@ThruHikingwithScars]

Dixie, in prep for my Feb departure on the AT I have been compiling a list of diverse food options for months so I couldn’t believe all the new ideas you brought up. That’s why I keep coming back, you are truly a wealth of knowledge. Hey, I just did a review on efficiency when arriving at a shelter and after seeing this I would like to see you talk about how you maximize efficiency when it comes to arriving and departing from a sleep site. And, one quirky question, what is that on your left palm...notes, a tattoo, a birthmark? Thank you and cheers, Scars.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Thru-Hiking with Scars Yay! Glad to have helped. Good luck on your hike :) That is just a note I wrote on my hand. I always write “to-do” lists :P

[@ThruHikingwithScars]

Lol, last video it was purple ink if I recall and this time looked blue. I thought maybe it was a tattoo you and Perk had both gotten as a blood bond of friendship. Seriously, you’re awesome, and please think about doing a camp setup and take down or ways to cut time doing necessary but menial tasks...

[@williamburton307]

We mix Couscous with our own custom spices, not the over salted ones that a lot of them come with, then we add cashews and dried cranberries:). Breakfast is Pumpkin spiced oatmeal with chia seeds and pumpkin seeds and we add some tropical muesli with coconut, sunflower seeds, dried strawberries and macadamia nuts. Finally, I have hikes hundreds of miles and have never had to wash my pot, I use zip lock freezer quart bags because they can handle boiling water . Every thing I eat can be cooked like that, cause I'm not out there to wash dishes! Love your videos:)

[@bugscheese]

Wow William, I'm trying that...today! Thanks!

[@antoniabaker7770]

Omg William that all sounds delicious. Pumpkin spiced oatmeal. The most extravagant thing ive come across in oatmeal is chai seeds. Lol

[@Philosophy15125]

Oh Moroccan food😋

[@googiegress7459]

The statement about eating the thing that is your favorite out of what's available is really sharp. Great stuff as always, but that really stuck out. Thanks!

[@allaprima]

Always eat what you want the most! Great takeaway:) great videos, thank you!!

[@donnacostner1542]

I've never been on a thru hike, however my sister and I are planning to section hike the AT, maybe in 2018. But when I do pack my food, I'm hoping to have instant rice and tuna. Tuna also goes will with avocado 🥑..

[@28105wsking]

oh! yuck! tuna and avocado? Blasphemy! Quick! Where's my cross and my garlic! LOL!

[@markvincent719]

Snickers....Yesses!! That is my power bar of choice!

[@davidgann3251]

Snickers bar and coffee... breakfast of champions!

[@plagueratstyxx3959]

Thank you so much for these videos they have been super helpful for learning and you were SO RIGHT about getting sick of certain foods if i never see instant potatos again itll be too soon!! lol but packets of dried onion soup mix were great for when i started getting sick of potatos also those little packets of Parmesan cheese/red peppers you can get from pizza places can help add a little somethin to a tortilla wrap

[@GeocachingKaity]

Taking notes! Thanks for the tips!! :)

[@joelstudemeyer7720]

Put a packet of instant grits in your Mt. House scrambled eggs & bacon w/ some extra water - tastes great

[@HikerNine]

I've seen some cold soakers use a plastic Talenti gelato container. It's light, a pretty good size, and the lid screws down tight enough to survive a day in your pack. Heh, there's an article about Talenti containers on WaPo's web site too. :)

[@katiemayer9122]

I always use those, they work great!

[@jessicafb5398]

Also, totally going to shop your Amazon affiliate account-happy you shared this!! Thanks for all you share

[@crackercrackercrackercrack2285]

thank you you give me the inspiration to do this thing