Menu and music on My AT Thru Hike

I get a lot of questions along the way about what it’s like to be a vegan hiker. My honest answer is that it is not as difficult as it seems. I think it’s a lot easier to be vegan on the road now than it was 5 or 10 years ago.

I may not be getting all the protein or nutrients I need, but my body has been feeling great so I don’t worry about my diet. Still, it’s a valid question and a serious consideration, which is why I try to be mindful of what I eat.

But it’s not just about eating. Staying on track also includes keeping your mind entertained. The trail isn’t boring by any means, but having some music or a podcast to listen to can help get you over some of those major hills. It can also help you relax after a hard day of hiking.

So, this is what I’ve been eating/listening/reading up to this point.

My menu

My bear canister is still full of food, both snacks and meals. One thing I’ve learned is to keep it full of things I actually want to eat. That way, I’m encouraged to take food breaks and stay fueled while hiking. Believe me, it makes a tremendous difference.

For snacks, these are some of my favorites:

• Lenny and Larry Protein Bars
• Lenny and Larry Protein Pretzels
• Louisville Jerky Co. jerky
• Primordial Spirit Jerky
• Mixed dried fruits/nuts/seeds
• Peanut butter cookies (I In fact like Ritz peanut butter crackers.)
• Seasoned almonds (chili and lime or salt and vinegar)
• cliff bars

For meals, here’s what’s on the menu:

• Ramen (a staple on the road)
• Knorr rice or noodle packets
• Rollin Greens Shredded Vegetable Protein
• Fully cooked Barilla pasta, ready to eat with spaghetti sauce (sauce powder)
• Daiya Vegan Mac and Cheese
• Quinoa
• Mashed potatoes

And let’s not forget the magic of the trails! I was very happy to be able to buy some fruits like bananas, oranges or apples. There were also some lovely ladies who gave me a bar of dark chocolate the other day!

my music

I don’t always listen to things while hiking, but there have been times when I really needed to. I won’t give you a complete list, just know that I made a complete AT Hike playlist and I’m still adding songs to it.

Here are some examples of songs I listen to:

• Tim Halperin songs like “Where the Adventure Begins” and “Let’s Just Run.”
• Odhran Murphy songs like “Close to You” and “Roadtrip Home.”
• Other sunny songs like “Forever Ain’t Long Enough” and “Gimme That Sunshine.”

Honestly, what I listen to the most are D&D podcasts:

• Not another D&D podcast
• Critical Role (campaign 2)
• Tales of Fire & Stone (the podcast I played and recorded)

Besides music and podcasts, there are two other things I do to pass the time while I’m at camp: journaling and reading mksc.

Shout out to my older sister for giving me a hiking logbook. I complete it every day. I also have a compact CSB Bible that I read sometimes. That will fill the soul. I have been reading the book of Psalm and the poems the authors wrote about God as creator. Reading them here is just different.

Wellbeing on the road

There are many other things I do to maintain my well-being. I stretch and stay hydrated. I take breaks. Everything matters when you walk 15+ miles every day.

Let me know if you have any other food/snack ideas and if you think there are songs/podcasts I should add to my playlist. All recommendations are welcome!

Hearing from all of you has also helped my mental and spiritual well-being. Thank you for all your support and encouragement!

And so we continue the adventure….

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!

For more information, visit the About page of this site.