Food and Water
From what snacks to pack to how much water you should bring. Food and water are essential on the trail.
Water Overview
Water is the liquid of life on or off the trail. Meaning without it, you're a goner. So, use common sense and…stay hydrated. This may seem like a no-brainer but, seriously, I’ve seen too many people, who didn’t bring enough water, struggle on the trail.
Here are some ideas on how much water you should bring, ways to carry it and, if need be, where to find and filter it.
Before you head out make sure to check your conditions and how long you plan to hike. If it’s a 90 degree, 10 mile, summer hike with minimal water sources you’re going to need far more water than if you’re walking in 70 degree spring weather along a river. Remember: too much is better than not enough.
If it’s winter and you're doing a 2 day hike/camp in the mountains, bring at least 1 liter of water and the correct tools to filter more if you run out. (More on filters below.)
Water Containers
Your options on how to carry water varies depending on what suits you best.
My personal preference is a reusable water reservoir that is typically carried inside your backpack with a tube to drink from. These come in 0.5-3 Liter sizes and are most convenient for carrying larger amounts of water.
Your second option is the good old-fashioned water bottle. Perfect for those going on short hikes, climbers looking to minimize their pack weight, and speed demons needing a quick refill option.
Pro Tip…
I suggest Camelbak water pouches as opposed to Osprey pouches. I have found over time the Camelbak nozzle is much easier to drink from.
Water Sources & Filters
You will have adventures where even the biggest of reservoir or bottle of water won’t be enough to get you through. In these cases, you’ll have to locate a water source so you can filter and resupply.
The most common freshwater sources in the backcountry are streams, rivers, and lakes. On bigger mountains, or in colder temperatures, snow and snow-melt are your best friends for finding water.
There are many types of water filters for different situations. From ultra-light squeeze bottle filters, campsite hand pumps, gravity filter systems best suited for larger groups, and easy-to-use emergency Lifestraws.
In my family, we’re big fans of the Platypus Gravity Filter if you’re hiking with a bigger group, and the Grayl Geopress, all-in-one water bottle filter for everything else. Remember, no matter how fresh it looks, water always needs to be filtered to make sure it won’t make you sick.
Stay safe and drink up!
Food
There are many different types of hiking food. From day hike snacks to overnight mountaineering meals. There are a few rules you should know before you go packing whatever food your heart desires.
Carry the least amount of weight possible. This means no metal cans or heavy glass containers.
Re-pack your food for travel. Try and put your food in reusable plastic bags. One, so you don't waste plastic, and two, so your bag is just that much lighter.
Don't overdo it on the sugar. Calories matter and you need to fuel your body properly. One candy bar is fine, but if you pack five, rethink your choice. Too much sugar can make you crash, and once you crash it is hard to keep going.
Easy access snacking. To keep your body fueled, always have snacks that you can eat on the go, like energy bars, fruit sticks, and almond butter pouches.
Use the environment to your advantage. Food, like eggs and cheeses, has a good chance of going bad while you hike because it is not refrigerated. Nevertheless, in some cases, there can be exceptions. For example, if you are hiking in colder climates you can bring perishable food because you’re basically walking in an outdoor refrigerator.
Mountaineering Meals. When you're climbing a mountain you will want light, high-protein food that will fill you up. There are many different brands of hiking meals, but throughout my experience eating and trying them all, my favorite brand is Mountain House. Mountain House has a wide variety of options. One of the best being their Beef Stroganoff.
Pack out what you pack in. This means: DO NOT LITTER. Park rangers and recreation teams work very hard to keep the mountains and trails clean. They do this because one, it’s bad for the environment, and two, because if there is trash all over the trail it ruins the experience for others. So be mindful of your surroundings.
Utensils and Stoves
Mountain House food requires hot water to be edible, so when you’re hiking and you need to heat up water you will need a portable light weight stove. My Dad and I have one called a Jet Boil. A Jet Boil heats up water in minutes using a miniature jet flame. Other utensils I would suggest is a spork (a half spoon half fork that is very practical for hiking), a titanium cup and a titanium pot that is super light weight and necessary for eating and drinking on the side of a mountain.