jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 16, 2017 7:02:04 GMT -8
I'm taking my son and one of his best friends backpacking over Thanksgiving weekend. The friend is like a second son, has spent many nights at our house, gone on trips with us, etc. but has never gone backpacking. His gear is covered at this point, but I'm nervous about food. The boys are coming home from their respective colleges late Tuesday and we're on a plane early Wednesday morning, so I'm responsible for getting food together.
The kid is 6'2-3", built like an athlete. For any given meal that I've fed him at home, he doesn't eat much more than I do. I'm a big eater at home, but not so much on the trail. But I think he snacks a lot more than I do throughout the day. I take an average of 1lb per day of dehydrated food for myself. I'm scared that he's going to starve...
So, looking for feedback from 6 foot-something young guys out there for how much food you take. We're going to Havasu Falls -- moderate temps, moderate effort (2,500 feet elevation each way.)
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Oct 16, 2017 8:17:40 GMT -8
As a general rule of thumb, for most males, traversing diverse terrain with a full pack will burn about 5000 calories a day. It's almost impossible to carry that much food needed to fully supply those calories. They will consume more calories than they take in and should anticipate losing some weight.
Ingesting calorie dense food is one way to get needed calories along with protein and carbs. On my multi-day hikes I usually can manage about 2500 to, maybe, 3000 calories a day and have never felt really hungry after dinner or the next morning. As long as the hike will be less than a week or so, they should be fine with what food they carry as long as it's balanced.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 16, 2017 8:39:20 GMT -8
There's the restaurant at the village in case of emergency. FWIW, I consistently eat less on the trail than I do at home, especially on a short trip like that. I might bring an extra pound of food just to be safe, but more than that.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 16, 2017 8:44:51 GMT -8
I'd expect to need more like 1.5 lbs at least for a kid that size, and that age (I'm assuming he's around 20, like your son and Eldest Son). I haven't backpacked with Second Son (my more normal teen male, since his brother is small and eats nothing) for several years now :-( but I'm thinking about what it took to feed him this summer while he was working as a bike courier. Ask about his preferences, but I'm guessing you'll need serious breakfasts--lots more than a packet of oatmeal. If I were taking SS, at this point I would seriously consider serving him both oatmeal AND eggs/bacon every morning, and lots of nuts and stuff to eat during the day. When you say "built like an athlete" do you mean a distance runner or a football player?  Though when it comes to eating that may not matter! |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Oct 16, 2017 9:34:07 GMT -8
As a 6'1" male who used to be young, I was a big eater. I'd plan on 1.5 lbs per day and take that 1/2 # in nuts or nut bars. Something that will carry serious calories per ounce. Those cashews in Costco? 175 calories per ounce. Those small cans of Pringles are 200 cal. & just over 1.5 ounces. Makes it easy to know what a serving size is. I might plan on cooking breakfast with real oatmeal or Quick Oats instead of those packets, See if he likes PB &J for lunches. They can be made with those Thinwich things to take up less space and won't damage as easily as other breads. I find bagels too bulky. Supper will need to be a double serving of whatever is on the menu.
Once you get back to a town, stop by the store for a pint of H-D ice cream. Each. All will be well after a cheeseburger (or pizza) and the ice cream.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Oct 16, 2017 10:41:19 GMT -8
The good news is that given his fitness he'll be able to carry a few extra pounds of dehydrated food without too much concern. Zeke's suggestion of an extra half pound of nuts is a good one. Add some jerky to that and he should be fine.
And take them to a buffet once you get back to town. :D
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 16, 2017 11:01:47 GMT -8
The reward/celebratory dinner in Las Vegas is already reserved.  Thanks for the feedback. I had tentatively planned for 2 lb per day for the boys (each), and it sounds like that will probably do the trick. |
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Oct 16, 2017 14:51:15 GMT -8
Sounds like you've got it covered. And if not, a little hunger builds character.
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mk
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Post by mk on Oct 16, 2017 19:53:41 GMT -8
We're going to Havasu Falls I can't comment on the food (and you've had some good ideas, anyway), but how did you get this trip? I'd love to go there but the call-in reservations turned out to be impossible. |
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 17, 2017 6:39:02 GMT -8
We're going to Havasu Falls I can't comment on the food (and you've had some good ideas, anyway), but how did you get this trip? I'd love to go there but the call-in reservations turned out to be impossible. The tribe had big plans to go to an online system for campground reservations this year and the website did open on February 1st for a couple of hours before it got overwhelmed and shut down. I was fortunate and managed to get in and make reservations in those few hours. |
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 17, 2017 13:47:05 GMT -8
I'm similar to bigload. The first few days on the trail I have little appetite. But I'm old. Pack in some sub sandwiches and chips. Stew is also a winner. Also try some smoothies from packit gourmet. Not many people like it, but I'm a fan of MH lasagne. It is a mess but filling and carbo loaded.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 17, 2017 16:30:09 GMT -8
Not many people like it, but I'm a fan of MH lasagne. Had to smile. Someone here suggested that years ago, and it's remained one of the few backpacking meals Eldest Son will eat, though last summer he branched out into some others (and I hope I made a note which). |
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 18, 2017 11:06:48 GMT -8
My son loves the MH lasagna. When my son was young, that's what he wanted every night when backpacking. Made meal-planning pretty darn easy. 480 calories for the "2 person pro pack" that serves one person, as far as I'm concerned.
We only have 2 nights down there, and the first night is Thanksgiving, so I'll do the classic with foiled chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and gravy. Second night will be MH lasagna.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 19, 2017 15:58:53 GMT -8
480 calories for the "2 person pro pack" that serves one person, as far as I'm concerned. This summer was the first time ES managed to eat the whole thing. Second Son would probably need two :-p |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Oct 20, 2017 6:27:03 GMT -8
I'm scared that he's going to starve... Said every mom that's ever lived....the Italians are the worst. |
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Though when it comes to eating that may not matter! 
