Embarking on a multi-day backpacking excursion often presents a significant challenge: fitting an adequate amount of food into a bear canister. Many hikers find themselves struggling to consolidate a week's worth of meals and snacks, frequently realizing that their caloric needs might be compromised due to spatial limitations. This innovative guide, developed by an experienced registered dietitian and ultralight backpacker, offers a strategic approach to food planning that ensures hikers remain well-nourished without overflowing their bear canisters.
Strategic Food Packing for Backpacking Adventures
Aaron Owens Mayhew, a renowned expert in backpacking nutrition, has meticulously designed a 7-day meal plan that successfully accommodates 4,913 daily calories within a compact dry weight of 33 ounces, equating to approximately 149 calories per ounce. This diet provides 132 grams of protein and 437 grams of carbohydrates, all while occupying merely half the space of a gallon-sized resealable bag. This innovative plan liberates hikers from the perpetual struggle of overstuffing their bear canisters.
To achieve this remarkable feat, Mayhew emphasizes several key principles. Firstly, repackaging food items is crucial. Commercial packaging, designed for labeling and protection, consumes valuable space. By transferring meals and snacks into compact zipper bags and expelling excess air, backpackers can significantly reduce volume. Unlike vacuum-sealed items, which can become rigid, flexible packaging allows food to conform to the canister's contours and fill awkward voids.
Secondly, the focus shifts from merely calories per ounce to calories per cubic inch. This perspective encourages selecting foods that offer substantial nutritional value for their spatial footprint. For instance, small pasta shapes like orzo are preferred over bulky ramen noodles, as they pack more densely. Similarly, pliable, nut-based energy bars are chosen over rigid granola bars. Priority is given to calorie-rich ingredients such as nut-heavy trail mixes, full-fat dairy powders, nut butters, oils, and chocolate, which provide essential carbohydrates and protein without demanding excessive space. Even items like Fritos can be crushed before packing to minimize their volume and prevent damage to other items.
Lastly, an organized packing method is vital. Instead of haphazardly arranging food items, Mayhew suggests a 'seven-layer cake' approach: packing one 24-hour food supply at a time, with the last day's provisions at the bottom and the current day's meals on top. This systematic layering simplifies access to daily food and ensures efficient use of space. Maintaining a consistent daily menu, albeit with rotating snack flavors, helps in creating uniform layers. As food is consumed, the newly available space can be utilized to store other non-food gear, provided they are placed in separate, smell-proof bags.
Furthermore, Mayhew advocates for making every bite count, particularly for those whose appetite might wane during strenuous treks. Calorie-dense, powdered meal-replacement drinks, such as her Backcountry Eggnog, offer flexible caloric intake and are incredibly space-efficient. It's also essential to include "happy foods" – items that a hiker genuinely craves – to maintain morale and ensure adequate consumption. Finally, adding oil, carefully sealed in multiple bags to prevent leaks, can significantly boost a meal's caloric density.
Mayhew's DIY meal plan stands in stark contrast to commercially prepared options. While a day's worth of both homemade and commercial meals might weigh around 2 pounds and occupy similar space, her DIY approach yields approximately 4,900 calories compared to roughly 4,000 calories from commercial versions. Over a week, this difference translates to an additional 6,300 calories, or more than a full day's extra sustenance. This system allows for six full days of food to fit into a BV500 bear canister, with the seventh day's supply carried separately for immediate consumption. It is always crucial to verify local food-storage regulations, including rules for toiletries and other scented items.
This methodology is not exclusive to week-long excursions; it can also be adapted for shorter trips, potentially allowing for the use of smaller canisters. The underlying principle remains: while bear canisters impose a physical limit, one's nutritional intake should never be dictated by it.