Food to eat during a strenuous hike in the mountains
I was hoping to hear from those of you that hike what you eat during your hike. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and love hiking. Although I am only 3 weeks out from surgery I plan on doing a lot of hiking this summer including some all day strenuous hikes with a lot of elevation gain. Since I now don't have the capacity to store up carbs etc. My doctor said I will have to be eating quite often since burning a lot of calories. Does anyone have things they take to eat on long hikes? Just curious Thanks!
Turkey pepperoni, cheese sticks, Quest protein bars, almonds (no more than 1/4 cup bc calories are high), apple slices, raw carrots, grapes. Make sure to work the carbs in when eating the fruit and quest bars.
MIMI Highest weight 215 SW 203 GW 125 M1 -22 M2 -12 M3 -11 M4 -7 M5 -10 M6 -5 M7 -6 M8 -5 M9 -4 M10 -3 In maintenance since June 2013 HT- 5'2"
on 4/9/13 6:22 am - CA
Hello, I'm just curious. Are you planning to do the hike in one day? Or are doing a longer route with a backpack? Do you need to know how to self-arrest to hike Rainier?
I'd like to do this too one day. I've done a lot of backpacking in the Sierras (I live in Northern Cal) and would like to do that again, but the whole food thing seems tough, particularly if you're out there for several days. Freeze dried food isn't exactly low-carb (except for the egg dishes). Of course, you probably want more carbs while you're hiking in altitude...Still though, I think finding that balance can be difficult.
More power to you for doing this!
Fiona
Sleeved 12/15/11, 5'1", HW 185, SW 164, CW102
The first day you hike up to camp muir (base camp) and spend the night leaving at 3am or so to summit. Yes you need to know how to self arrest. I have never done it before but it is a lifelong goal. My brother did it and I also have read up on it. Most people go with a Guide in a group.
I did do Mt St Helens a couple years ago. We didn't summit but I did it as part of a class with about 6 of us. We snow camped below the summit for 3 days and practiced with the ice axe and other things needed for summiting. I loved it and am excited to lose the weight and have a hopefully easier time.
As far as the food my doctor said since you are burning so many calories (carried a 45lb backpack) I would be need to be eating every 15min to keep up. I am not sure if that is an exaggeration but obviously with a smaller stomach and less storage capacity I would need to eat more often. I know they have foil packs with high calorie and carbs so thought I would check that out.
This year I hope to make it to camp muir by the end of the summer and maybe summit next summer. I will have to see how it goes. I turn 53 this year and wanted to do it by the time I turned 50. Things happen but I still have the dream. Have you done a lot of hiking? Like I said I am only 3 weeks today from having surgery so am just starting to think of getting back into it. I have a lot of places in my area to do some great hikes one which is a mountain that is approx 3100 alt.gain up to 3900 total in 4 miles. I did it a couple of years ago and it took me 6 hours (thats what the weight will do). I hope to do it this year faster. A lot of people do it as training for Mt Rainier.
Sorry for dragging on-Thanks for the reply
on 4/9/13 7:49 am - CA
You weren't dragging, I love hearing from fellow outdoor-lovers! Technically, I'm more of a rock climber - mostly in Yosemite and the Tahoe area. At least once a season we give up the rock walls for a nice, long backpacking trip. My favorite one has been hiking the Minarets, which are near Mammoth. I love backpacking because it really simplifies life to the basics - no cell phones or internet or anything like that. Just me, my pack and the mountains (and the weather). What could be better?
At the end of the summer you will be four or five months out from your surgery. How long of a hike is it to base camp? If you start doing light hikes now, I think you'll probably make it to base camp by then, if its not too far. That will give you the entire winter to perfect your self-arrest before attempting the summit. It sounds like good plan to me. The only thing I'd really give some thought to would be balancing your energy needs, weight loss and eating carbs. When you find this balance, do come back to me and let me know what you did because I'm going to be navigating a similar quandary myself, lol!
Hey, I want to "friend" you so we can keep each other posted on progress but your profile is private. Do you want to send me a friend request? It's cool if you don't, I just thought it might be fun.
Fiona
Sleeved 12/15/11, 5'1", HW 185, SW 164, CW102
Rock Climbing is my Favorite! I didn't do it much but when I was in my 20's my brother and I went camping and rock climbing at Joshua Tree and had a blast. That was actually the most fun I have had doing any activity. I couldn't imagine being able to be back in a shape to do that. Besides I am a few years older....
I am just learning this website so didn't want to make anything public yet. I am not sure how to send you an invite? I searched for your user name and didn't see it. Just let me know and I will friend you.
Lana
on 4/9/13 8:31 am - CA
There, I just sent you a friend request. I hope I did it right!
You know, one of the best climbers I know started her climbing career in her 50s. Of course, she was always pretty bad-ass to begin with - really athletic and never had a weight problem. But if you love it, go give it another try! There are indoor rock climbing gyms you can start with, then move it outdoors when you're ready. All you'll need is a belay partner and you're off to the races (or the walls, so to speak)! In climbing, the magic formula is good technique and the all important strength-to-weight ratio. Soon, because of your vsg, your strength-to-weight will be perfect! You should do it!
I'm so happy to have found you! I love JTree and climb there at least once a year.
So, you'll probably have some sort of red arrow pointing to the word "messages" in the upper right hand corner of the OH menu. Just click that and I'm sure it will take you to a place where you can accept my friend request. Talk soon!
Fiona
Sleeved 12/15/11, 5'1", HW 185, SW 164, CW102
Ok I accepted. I see you have a black lab? I have one also and a boston terrier that I love. We hike together. We have a lot of great climbing walls around including one at the downtown Seattle REI. I will plan on doing that when I get down a few more lbs. I am so excited and can't wait to get down to the weight where I can do all this again. The mountain near me is Mt Si (google it) it is in my back yard just about. Little Si (smaller mt next to big si) is where when I hike I go right by a wall that is very popular for climbing. Who knows maybe will be doing that before you know it. One of the reasons for the surgery is my brother (year younger) died in June of heart. He was my buddy and got me to do a lot of my outdoor activities including rock climbing. I am not sure who I will get to climb but will find someone, my husband can't as he has bad knees. Be sure to keep me updated. I also follow the Lighweights forum and see that your short like me so if you haven't you might want to check it out.
Thanks!
Lana
