Suppose you are going on a last-minute overnight backpacking trip and have no backpacking food in storage. In that case, you’d be surprised to know how many choices you have at your local grocery store besides the Knorr dry pasta and rice meals, ramen noodles, and trail bars. Everyday Grocery Items Suitable for Backpacking While these items are not marketed as backpacking foods, they serve well on the trail or for traveling. For a hot meal, the general rule is to look for instant items with a cooking time of […]
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Winter backpacking can require an additional 500 – 1,000 calories per day, an average of 4,500 calories per day for men and 3,500 for women. Start planning the right foods before the start of your winter backpacking trip. Eating nutritionally sound foods will make the difference in your ability to stay warm and energized.
Cold weather means everything takes longer. Anticipate and plan for the extra time needed. Be realistic when it comes to hiking mileage. Stop to rest when hiking. Excessive sweating and non-wicking clothing will make you colder. Protect exposed skin and lips with lip balm (SPF 15 or higher) and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). Check EWG for the best-rated sunscreen and lip balms. Drink plenty of water daily, generally 2-3 quarts. You will not realize how dehydrated you are during the winter since the air is drier and sweat evaporates before you […]
What items should a backpacker carry in a first aid kit? If you hike with a dog, what extra items do you need for your furry companion? Medical survival kits are often a boring subject, and many hikers don’t pay much attention to them. However, a survival kit is one of the most important items you carry and should not be compromised when trying to lighten pack weight. It is better to carry a few ounces more in weight than to suffer through a hike. Just imagine for a moment […]
Are you planning a hike in mountainous terrain or a gorge? Extended descents can put significant pressure on the knees and cause swollen toenails. Here are a few steps you can take pre-hike to minimize painful toenails, black toenails, and eventual toenail loss. We’ve already covered protecting your knees downhill in a previous article. Lacing technique to secure your foot Improper lacing can cause your foot to slide forward on steep descents, causing your toes to bang into the front toe box and bruise. The overhand lacing technique will help hold your […]