Lightweight and Ultralightweight Backpacking

The View from Here

Panoramic view from a mountain top in Glacier National Park, Montana
INTRODUCTION     BACKPACK     PACKING     FOOD     GEAR LISTS     10 ESSENTIALS     PRODUCTS     LINKS     VIDEO     SITE MAP



Repackage

First, remove the excess packaging.

Repackage, either into double-zip ziploc freezer bags used for "freezer bag cooking" or into assembled dry ingredients ready-to-cook with separate containers for wet ingredients and a separate bag for "add-ons" to minimize packaging and trash you really need to pack out.

Leave the wrappers on chocolate. There is no reason, however, to have practically everything else in the original container. Repackage.

Remember: "Pack it in - Pack it out"

I would add: Please do not burn trash at the campsite. The plastic "bits" are an unsightly mess. The foil will not burn. The odor of food on the smoke and the remaining "bits" invite bears and other "critters" into the camp.

Unless the fire pit is already there, I suggest using a backpacking stove instead. There is much less mess all around and it is less likely to start a disastrous fire, like a grass fire or a forest fire.


Backpacking Food Videos

The first series of videos show backpacking food from the grocery store.

And here are photos of backpacking food items purchased at the grocery store.

I will add, next, videos of simple, but good, easy to prepare meals, utilizing lightweight basic ingredients from the grocery store or the lightweight products from backpacking food suppliers that taste good and are well-adapted to backpacking.

The food shown in these first two videos is for a canoe trip, involving portages of the canoe and equipment from one waterway to another. This is strenuous work. The food to be consumed reflects the exertion.

Each video shows the food packaged up and ready to go. It is worth seeing the amount of food, and especially, the volume of this food.


Food for a weekend canoe trip


Here, is a canoe trip for a week for two.

I have included this video to illustrate weight is not nearly so important than volume for touring by canoe, or kayak for that matter.

Everything here is compact and packs down to a rather small volume overall.


Food for a 2 person, 8 day canoe trip


As an ultralight or lightweight backpacker, it is not likely you will want to carry more than 2 lbs. of food per day. This is because, you will not be working as hard, you will be conserving your energy, and stopping more often and looking around more.

Next, you will not cook every meal: lunch will likely be eaten on-the-go, and breakfast will not be so elaborate. Some hikers savor a long lunch break. If that is not you, save the more elaborate meal preparations for supper. If you have a long day, first, make a hot drink for the energy to prepare dinner. But have some "quick meals" that require practically no more effort than removing the wrapper, or, at the most adding-hot-water.


Repackaging for the backpack

This video well demonstrates the grocery store near you may have acceptable backpacking food.

Maybe you didn't know that.


Back Pack Food Part 1


Back Pack Food Part 2


I have more practical food information for backpacking.

I have more backpacking food suggestions illustrated, starting with food selections from the grocery store.

I have also listed specialty food stores and recommended selections.








copyright © 2012 Connie Dodson. All Rights Reserved.