Eating Well in the Backcountry

It’s not uncommon to hear hikers posit that their food tastes much better in the woods — maybe it’s the woodsmoke, maybe it’s the relative comfort provided by a warm meal after a long day of hiking — this seems to be a fairly consistent backcountry experience.

There are tons of articles online and books published on how to eat well in the backcountry. Experienced backpackers have experimented with just about every food out there to determine the best way to both pack light and eat well — and make sure your food doesn’t spoil while you’re outdoors.

Some key things to consider: Vacuum-sealed, dehydrated backpacker meals are getting better and better. Companies like Mountain House excel at providing good nutrition and flavor while minimizing weight. The best part about these prepared meals is there’s no clean up — just lick your spork and be done with it. You don’t need to dirty any plates or bowls.

The best way to learn how to eat well in the backcountry is to learn to be creative. You’ll likely have to take food with you that won’t spoil, and you probably don’t have a lot of room in your pack. Start simple: Aim for items like mac-n-cheese, which won’t go bad, and other boxed and packaged soups, stews and noodle dishes. You can slowly get more creative as you gain more experience.

There are lots of great tips online: REI, Cascade Designs, Epicurious and more have weighed in on the topic.