Resupply Plans
When mountain climbing the Pacific Crest Path (PCT), there are numerous methods individuals deal with resupplying meals alongside the best way. Some will purchase all the things as they go, which frequently equals comfort shops, instantaneous mashed potatoes, and snickers bars. Others will mail all of their meals to submit workplaces and companies alongside the best way. Most will take a hybrid strategy to various levels. Whichever strategy, weight is at all times important, so most backpackers go for dehydrated meals when doable.
I opted for a hybrid strategy, leaning closely on mailing resupply packages (roughly 70% of mountain climbing days). I sacrifice a little bit of flexibility, however have rather more management over my meals. This is smart for me as a result of I really feel greatest on a wholesome low-ish carb food plan to handle numerous well being circumstances — mashed potatoes and snickers don’t fairly slot in for me as a significant meals group.
Logistical Problem
Making ready 100+ days of wholesome, tasty meals with sufficient selection to maintain it palatable is not any simple job. In reality, it’s one of many best logistical challenges I’ve ever encountered. However, I’ve to confess, I form of find it irresistible. I take pleasure in inventive drawback fixing inside a set of constraints, particularly if it includes cooking. As I furiously develop recipes and put together meals in bulk, I’m beginning to marvel if mountain climbing the PCT is simply an elaborate excuse to nerd out on backcountry cooking.
Methods for Wholesome Backpacking Meals
I began out by studying the entire books and blogs I might get my fingers on round backpacking meals. That helped construct a base of strategies and concepts to attract from. Subsequent, I spent over a month simply experimenting with present recipes. Then, I felt like I understood the medium effectively sufficient to create my very own. Right here’s among the most vital methods I realized alongside the best way.
- Swap out easy carbs for options with protein: As an alternative of standard pasta and rice, I take advantage of edamame or mung bean pasta and lentil-based rice. They nonetheless have carbs, however are a bit extra balanced.
- Add fats on the path: Dehydrated meals have an extended shelf life with out fats, however fats is a important a part of my food plan. Fats additionally packs extra caloric density per ounce than carbs, so is extra environment friendly from a weight standpoint. I put together meals with none added fats, then carry olive oil or ghee packets with me so as to add after I put together the meals.
- Carry on-trail preparation easy: All of my meals might be ready by simply including water to a single bag– scorching water for the dinners, and chilly water for lunches.
- Sauces require particular preparation: I put together all sauce-like components (e.g. marinara sauce, Thai curry paste) by dehydrating the sauces right into a “leather-based” (suppose fruit roll-ups), then grinding them right into a powder in a spice grinder. This second step helps with rehydration consistency.
- Purchase specialty powders on-line: You’d be amazed on the powdered components yow will discover on-line to make life simpler. My favorites are coconut milk powder, peanut butter powder, and butter powder.
- Load up with veggies: I add as many dried veggies as I can to each dinner for vitamin and taste. I purchase these dehydrated in bulk to save lots of time and be beneficiant with my parts.
Menu and Chosen Recipes
Breakfast
I’ve been consuming the identical breakfast backpacking for fairly some time, although the small print have advanced over time. That is one I by no means get sick of. I do in a single day oats (simply add water the night time earlier than) with all of the fixings: peanut butter powder, coconut milk powder, collagen, toasted coconut slices, almond slices, cinnamon, and freeze-dried berries. This time I additionally added pumpkin pie oats to the rotation utilizing do-it-yourself dried pumpkin powder.
Lunch and Smoothies
Dinner Rotation
- Lentil black bean chili (recipe beneath)
- Saag tofu (recipe beneath)
- Solar-dried tomato pesto pasta
- Pink curry noodles
- Peanut noodles
- Pasta primavera
- Tofu mushroom Stroganoff
- Spaghetti squash pad thai
- Butter tofu
- Inexperienced cashew chickpea curry
- Miso ramen soup
- Refried beans and rice
- Pasta with marinara sauce and capers
Saag tofu
Saag tofu
- ¾ cup dehydrated spinach
- ¼ cup dehydrated tomato flakes
- ⅛ cup heavy cream powder
- ⅛ cup coconut milk powder
- 1 Tbsp dehydrated onion
- ¼ tsp floor cumin
- ¼ tsp floor coriander
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ⅛ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp dried cilantro
- ⅛ tsp crimson pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup dehydrated tofu (ready in response to these instructions)
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Ghee (to serve; can substitute coconut or olive oil)
Instructions: Upfront, combine all dry components in a zip-top freezer bag. Within the backcountry, warmth scorching water and add to bag to desired consistency. Let sit for 10 minutes in an insulated koozie (a puffy jacket will work in a pinch). Add ghee packet.
Lentil black bean chili
Lentil black bean veggie chili
- 1/3 cup dehydrated lentils
- 1/3 cup dehydrated refried black beans
- 1/4 cup dehydrated tomato flakes
- 1 Tbsp dehydrated onion
- 1 Tbsp dehydrated bell peppers
- 1 Tbsp dehydrated zucchini
- 1 Tbsp dehydrated cabbage
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/4 tsp floor cumin
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- cheddar or different exhausting cheese (to serve)
- olive oil (to serve)
Instructions: Upfront, combine all dry components in a zip-top freezer bag. Within the backcountry, warmth scorching water and add to bag to desired consistency. Let sit for 10 minutes in an insulated koozie (a puffy jacket will work in a pinch). Add items of any exhausting cheese (I at all times carry some whereas backpacking) and olive oil (packets are handy).
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