Have no fear! Meal planning does not have to be an overwhelming experience and Backcountry Kitchen will help walk you through the process.
The first thing you need to determine is what kind of meals will best suit your style of trip.
Here are some options:
1. Menu Planning: A good option for shorter trips of four days or less. Also your best option for car camping with coolers.
What is it?
Menu planning involves organizing each meal that you will be cooking ahead of time (often by referring to recipes), making a list of ingredients needed, shopping for the ingredients, and re-packaging & distributing the food amongst you and your companions. Fresh ingredients can be easily incorporated into this planning style.Advantages
When you are out in the field, the menu has already been pre-planned (and often pre-packaged) so you don’t have to think about what you want to make. You can make a lot of the same meals that you enjoy at home, using fresh ingredients. You can split the meal planning up between the different group members in order to divide and conquer the planning, shopping and cooking.
Disadvantages
You usually end up with too much food because everyone in the group brings extras (like a potluck). It takes more pre-planning. It usually ends up costing more per day than bulk rationing. It can be more complicated and heavier for trips longer than four days.
2. Bulk Ration Planning: Recommended for backcountry trips longer than four days.
What is it?
Bulk ration planning is a great tool for groups going on long (more than four day) trips into the backcountry. You are essentially taking out a bunch of pre-weighed and bagged bulk food items into the field with you. You will then have the freedom once you are out there, to prepare the meal that best works for your group on any given day. All meals can be prepared on a one - burner stove. You can be creative and make up your own meals from the ingredients when you are out in the field. You can also download and print a copy of the Ultimate Backcountry Kitchen, a helpful e-book with ration planning information, nutritional tips, food storage tips, one-burner cooking tips, favorite one-burner recipes and more.
Advantages
No pre-trip menu planning required. Food weight is pre-measured according to exertion and expected weather so you are unlikely to take way too much food. It’s easy to plan with the help of the Food Planning Wizard, our unique program that will figure out your ration for you and send you a complete shopping list by email. It’s a lighter and cheaper option than menu planning. There is more meal flexibility when in the field, so if it’s getting late and your group is low on energy you can opt for a quick and easy meal. It is easy to split into a re-ration.
Disadvantages
Bulk rationing is less necessary for shorter trips. The meal prepping takes some creativity and getting used to. It’s not as light as taking all pre-packaged, dehydrated/freeze dried foods. The pre-planning is difficult to do on your own (without a program like the Food Planning Wizard). You will have to weigh and pre-package your bulk food items into plastic bags before your trip.
3. Freeze-dried or dehydrated, pre-packaged meals: Recommended for backcountry trips where weight is a big concern (such as mountaineering trips or long backpacking trips when you are unable to re-ration).What is it?
This option involves figuring out how many meals you will need in the field, shopping for the pre-packaged meals and taking them out with you. Many of the meals are designed to ‘just add hot water’.
Difference Between Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated
Dehydrated food is slow ‘cooked’ at very low temperatures, either in a commercial food dehydrator, an oven or in the sun (a.k.a. sun-dried). Freeze-dried means the food has been flash frozen and vacuum-sealed. In either case, about 98% of the food’s moisture has been taken out and you need to re-hydrate the food by adding water. Some dehydrated foods are eaten without needing to add water, such as dried fruits, fruit leather, and dried meats. It’s important to fully re-hydrate the meals by following the instructions on the package.
Advantages
They are lighter to carry. Some of the products out there today are FAR BETTER than they used to be. You can even buy organic meals. Taking pre-packaged meals involves a lot less pre-planning. When you are hungry and tired they can be a good quick option. Many of the meals can contain a nutritional balance of food, which is important to have, especially later in a trip when you have run out of fresh foods.
Disadvantages
This is the most expensive option. Some of the meals are not so tasty. You are sure NOT to impress your companions with your culinary abilities. If they are not re-hydrated properly, they can be really bad and give you gas. The serving size can be small.
4. A combination of all three:Why?
This option can make the most sense for a number of different backcountry trips. For example, say you are going on a ten day backpacking trip, with a two-day peak ascent on days 7 & 8. If you don’t mind a little extra weight on the first few days, consider either planning a fresh menu for the first three days, or bringing some fresh veggies and treats in addition to a bulk ration. You can then rely on bulk rationing for the next three days. On the first day of your peak ascent, you could bring some power snacks along with dehydrated/freeze dried meals which are light to carry and easy to prepare after a long day of ascending. You can then go back to bulk rationing for the last two days of the trip.
This is an example of how the menu plan might look:
|
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snacks/Dessert |
| Day 1 | Breakfast at home | Fresh wraps, fruit | Chicken stir fry | 2 bite brownies |
| Day 2 | Fresh eggs, fruit | Sandwich, carrots | Beef fajitas | Home-baked cookies |
| Day 3 | French toast | Salami & cheese | chili |
fudge |
| Day 4 | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration |
| Day 5 | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration |
| Day 6 | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration |
| Day 7 (peak day) |
Bulk ration | High energy snack | Pre-packaged meal | Chocolate |
| Day 8 (base camp) |
Pre-packaged meal | High energy snack | Pre-packaged meal | Instant pudding |
| Day 9 | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Bulk ration |
| Day 10 | Bulk ration | Bulk ration | Out to dinner! |
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