My Top 10 Foods and Snacks

When I think about taking long-distance trips, specific foods come to mind that aren’t necessarily what I would eat in my daily life. As I contemplate my April 11 start date to hike The Pacific Crest Trail, I keep returning to my tried-and-true backcountry food sources. I’ve sorted them in order of cravings and categorized them into meals and snacks. While I’m 100% sure that much of this list will change, here’s what will be in my package on day 1. The peanut butter from the sidebar goes without saying, just pack it up!

My top 10 snacks

1. Airing
2. Combos (pizza flavor)
3. M&M Peanuts
4. giggles
5. French fries (basic settings)
6. Pretzels (waffle style also great for scooping out tuna)
7. Mango Fruit Strips (Trader Joes)
8. Honey Stinger Waffle Cookie
9. Sports Beans (so amazing for a quick 10+ mile boost)

My top 10 meals:

1. Uncrustables of all flavors except grape and strawberry are my favorites (counts as a meal and a snack)
2. Breakfast: Overnight oats (recipe to follow > 500 calories!)
3. Breakfast: Peok (breakfast pan)
4. Lunch: Tuna package with mayonnaise package and pretzels or tortilla (tuna creations)
5. Tuna creations, buffalo tuna (good only with pretzels)
6. Chicken Ramen (Super Energy Kicker)
7. Dinner: Peok or Mountain House (Beef Stroganoff)
8. Dinner: Peok (homemade chicken and rice)
9. Dinner: Mountain House (homemade chicken and noodle casserole)

My son and I are headed to The Goat Rocks!

What I love are any type of bars, especially CLIFF bars (barf!). I just can’t get them down. The only bar I can remotely swallow are Rx bars and usually only for breakfast. They are heavy and yes, some give great calorie density, but the flavor and texture just don’t do it for me. One pro tip I received years ago when I returned from resupplying and getting back on the road was to bring the food I wanted. A sandwich is always good, a pizza in foil, a beer you can tie to the creek while it cools and you set up camp. Virtually anything «to go» will last into the night, making it a much-appreciated luxury for your first night back. I almost always make a beer or a glass of wine.

I sent them to a fellow PCT via the thru-hiker class of 2023.

Overnight Oats Recipe:

(Trader Joes has the best and most profitable selection)

Instructions:

Mix oats, fruit, and dry ingredients, add liquid, and toss the zip-top bag before bed.

It’s usually made in a glass jar, but on the go I use a basic ziplock to pre-make it.

Ingredients:

• .5 cup rolled oats
• .5 cup cashew/almond milk (water on the go)
• 1 teaspoon flax
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• cinnamon to taste
• <1/4 cup granola (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla
• Organic Pure Maple Syrup (to taste)
• Add dried or freeze-dried fruit of your choice.

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