Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Individual spam packets, cheese, tortilla, and sometimes eggs is what I usually eat for breakfast. its heavy but I always pack it for at least my first morning breakfast.

 

LOL I used to be the opposite, carrying "wet" foods. It's a real pleasure, money saver, and satisfying to make your own dry meals that reconstitute very quickly with just a pot of boiling water poured on them. I used to repackage the Mountain House and Backpacker's Pantry type foods to get rid of the mylar packaging bulk and weight, and that was a good start. Looking at the simple ingredients in them is pretty easy to replicate in the kitchen for half the price or less, and tailored to your own tastes.

I do miss bacon and eggs on the trail, but I don't miss the wait or the mess and time it took.

 

haha the only time i take bacon or eggs is when im car camping. then its balls to the walls, bring the whole damn store for breakfast mentality! our personal favorite is bacon eggs and a shit load of corned beef hash. on the trail though we normally just rock out some oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar and cinnamon. i do really appreciate the woman taking charge of the food though. its night and day energy wise on the trail.

 

I usually just eat dry foods, power bars, beef jerky, etc for breakfast and lunch, than save the mountain houses for dinner.

 

I've found that the most important key to eating enough calories on a long backpacking trip or hike is to bring foods that you LIKE to eat. Then out of foods you enjoy, maximize your calories with a good mix of healthy carbs, fats and proteins in the right ratios for exertion. You won't eat or enjoy the foods you bring out of necessity unless they're things you'd normally eat. There's nothing worse than having to choke down a protein bar if you're not in the mood for it.

Bring a variety of snack/energy/protein bars. Don't just bring your one favorite or you'll be sick of it after a long trip. Mix up the variety of tastes so you'll enjoy a new flavor every day/meal. And maximize your calories per ounce, paying close attention to good quality foods.

 

My Osprey Atmos 65 pack arrives this week. I'm taking that bad boy on a pilot hike next weekend to get the fitment all dialed in. I can't wait to have a pack that should actually fit me right.

 

I know its typical, but I really enjoy a good salty trail mix as far as snacks go. I also bring peanut butter for some good fats and proteins.

 

But can you eat it all day, every day, and still enjoy it?

 

Have you ever tried the dried squid you can get at asian supermarkets? I love that stuff. I also thoroughly enjoy the Kind bars, so many different flavors. A little expensive though.

 

hahahha that dried squid is great! but boy does it smell.

 

Yes it does! I never had any problems with animals though with just my ziplock and the bear canister

 

You both are nuts. I LOVE squid in all forms, but I tried some of those one time from the local Asian market and just couldn't tolerate the smell and the awful taste. Maybe it was the kind that I bought and the "flavoring" they put on them. Way too pungent to palate.

 

Hahaha well I'm Vietnamese so I grew up eating it. But I admit the smell is really bad. There are 2 types. they actually have whole dried squid where you can just put it on a grill for a bit then tear it buy pieces to eat. Goes great with lime and siracha. The other is in shredded form and comes with flavoring ready to eat. The whole dried is my preference.

 

I mean I don't eat it for every meal, but I usually eat it a few times a day just to stave off hunger for a while.

 

I'm Chinese and I grew up eating it too. I personally don't think it smells bad though lol.

 

Welcome to America now. The home of much tastier food to eat than dried squid!

 

It smells bad when you're not eating it. LOL

 

If you ever visit Vietnam There usually is a women on a scooter selling the whole ones off the back by all the local bars and boiled quail eggs

 

Yeah, like dried beef or Mangos!!!

 

You mean boiled Balut eggs? First and last time lol.