Backpacking Discussions

How many calories per day do you eat while backpacking? I've read that you should eat 5000 calories per day while hiking, however, C can't seem to get down too much more than 2200 calories per day while backpacking. I eat as much as i can/want for the most part. I eat breakfast (320 calories), snack all day while hiking (about 1200 calories (2-3 clif bars and 1-2 cups GORP)) and then dinner at night (up to 510 calories) and maybe a snack. While that only adds up to <2500 calories, i still feel like i eat OK enough. i don't see how i could eat twice that not to mention having to carry twice that! what are some other folks daily intake amount while backpacking??? Thanks.

My experience is 2200-2500 per day, over about a six day period is adequate. I generally eat about 600 at breakfast and at dinner. I also snack all day, at about 200 calories per snack. The miles in the day dictate the 2200 or higher.

I wouldn't worry about what others say their caloric requirements are. The important thing is how you feel during the day, and at the end of the day, based on how you ate. If you feel fine, then you are eating right. Now, if you are on a through-hike, you probably need to force yourself to eat at a certain level. But up to a week, just eat to satisfy your daily need.

On the trail, I probably average about 2000-3000 calories per day. I try to average 120-130 calories per ounce of food that I bring so I'm not carrying 700 pounds of food. I eat on average about 1.5 pounds of food per day on a longer trip.

Shorter trips I eat much less...I'm an all day snacker and then eat a good dinner, as opposed to breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.

I've probably eaten 5000 calories in a day...most likely in town after 7-10 days out and I can get my hands on a giant bacon cheeseburger and ice cream.

I just checked out the Outdoor High Adventure, 'Backpacking Recipes' blog on wordpress, and they have an article on calorie intake. http://backpackingrecipes.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/calorie-intake/ has some more information on this. Thought it would be helpful jackystraw.

I drool over bacon cheeseburger and ice cream. I usually keep in mind to remember to rehydrate, carbo and protein load.